Does anyone remember that blizzard we had in New York about a month and a half ago? Well, I took my X on the beach, during this blizzard. Believ it or not, (amazing vehicle that the X is), I was doing great! But then I decided to drive through a 6 foot snowdrift. Bad choice, I know. But here's my problem: I obviously got stuck. But when I did get stuck, I put in low 4 wheel drive, and when i pushed on the gas I was only getting movement in the right front wheel and the back left wheel. Call me crazy, but isn't that only 2 wheels? I have to say, it was disappointing at the least to witness this.

So, 300 dollars and winch later I was out. But I can't help but think maybe I could have gotten out myself if all 4 wheels were moving.

Any comments would be great! thanks -Will

Ah, the open diff. Your X did exactly what it was designed to do. Open diff rigs, like our Xterras, send all the power to one wheel on the front or rear axle. The only way to eliminate this altogether is to install lockers. They will "lock" the axles so both wheels on a single axle will spin together at the same rate thus improving traction. Of course driving with lockers is harder in some situations. The other option is an LSD. Not as good as a locked axle for traction, but it is more forgiving and easier to drive. Some X's come with an LSD rear, you'll have to check yours. Of course it's debatable how well the factory LSD works, but mine seems good enough for now.

Oh I see! lol Do you roughly how much these locks would cost? thanks -Will

figure about a grand per axle for the locker and install, then the compressor.

But you will still have an open diff until you engage the lockers (at least with the lockers that fit the X)...you can't really drive on the street much if locked. It will not be a pleasant ride when it comes to turns...

All 4WD trucks have Open Diffs or a Limited Slip. Some have lockers that you can engage but not over say 5mph.

Tom

I could be wrong, but I don't think the Land Rover Defender has the open diff.

But just out of curiousity, what is the purpose of it? Right now I feel like it's just holding me back from things I could otherwise do if it wasn't there. I really could have gotten out of that snowdrift if I had movemtn in all four wheels.

-Will

If you were hung up in a snowdrift, odds are you were high centered on at least the a-arms & fuel skid.. no matter how many wheels are spinning, you are screwed. the spinning tires only dig holes under themselves, and put more weight on the snow high centering you, and less on the tires.

I noticed that Will has an SE Xterra...now correct me if I'm wrong, but doesn't SE Trim Xterras have LSD Diffs instead of Open Diffs? if so, then he should have an LSD Diff...

I might have this LSD thing you talk of lol but I really don't think so. I could call the dealer where I got it.

thanks for the help everyone -Will

On early Xs the SE included an LSD, I don't know about 2004s. You can look at the rear differential, if it has a sticker on it saying LSD oil is required you have an LSD.

Because in a turn your outside wheels have to move faster than your inside wheels. so they have to be open (or have an LSD) especially on the road. With a locker that outside wheel has to move the same speed as the inside wheel which makes the outside wheel "skip" along the pavement making for a VERY uncomfortable ride and putting a lot of stress on your drivetrain. Most lockers have a certin amount of slip to them but they will make a lout clicking noise and probably still skip a bit...off road the dirt is a lot more forgiving than the pavement so your wheel will drag more than skip...but you should still really only have your lockers on (if you have the option to turn them on and off as the ones that fit the X have) at low speeds or when going generally straight unless you really need them.

In his case, would applying the e-brake have helped any? Or does this just apply to the LSD?

the ebrake helps unless you are high centered. once you high center, the spinning of the wheels just digs them in deeper, transfering more weight off the tires, and onto the frame. the less weight on the tires, the less traction. the more weight on the frame, the more stuck you are.

If your LSD sticker was coverd by a thick layer of under coating as mine was, jack up ther rear end and turn one wheel. If the other wheel turns the same direction it's LS, if it turns opposite it's open.

The stock LSD is absolutely worthless.

ARB air lockers all the way!!!

I don't have 'em yet - but some of my friends just got 'em and it is like night and day... IMO the single mod that gives the absolute most improvement offroad (well, tires are good, too)

Will,

Start reading up on the magazines....Four Wheeler, 4 wheel and off road, etc. While these rags aren't exactly dedicated to Nissans, over the course of a year's subscription, you'll learn a lot about the basics of 4wd so you can learn more about your truck.

The parking brake thing doesn't really work well with clutch type LSDs.