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Z 66 Rear Locking Differential

S

sunruh

GUEST
After years with a 4x4 and rarely if ever using it, I just bought a Big Black Z66 with the rear locking differential. The dealer told me I'd do fine in the little snow we get...I love my new AV despite my wife's less than enthusiastic attitude.. but I also know that we could get more snow than usual. Anyone had experience driving in snow with the rear locking differential?
 
Your AV should do quite well in snow. In the snow we had in the PNW I drove all around in just 2wd just to see how it handled and it performed flawlessly. ;D Remember that this is a 5800lb vehicle which greatly adds to the traction in the snow. My only words of caution is to take it easy on the throttle especially on ice because if you spin the tires the back end will come around on you sending you sideways. :eek:
 
I have a Z-71 but this last winter we got a lot of snow north of Seattle. In January we had six days in a row getting 1" to 3" - it was like living in Boston again!

I did 90% of my driving in 2WD and the rest in AutoTrac. Used AutoTrac when I was on the highway more out of concern of other drivers (rather have all four wheels if I had to make an emergency manuver).

It handled great on the snow in 2WD. The Avalanche is far better balanced than a regular pickup truck so you've got more weight on the rear wheels. Also the Eaton differential is real slick. As Stinky said watch the throttle - the rear-end can come around quick with all that torque. Starting off in second gear is REAL helpful if it gets slick...
 
sunruh, welcome to the board!! It's good to see another Z-66 owner from Kansas around here...
I just got mine April 1, so I haven't got it on what little snow we get yet either, but I don't think we'll have any problems. The traction control feature on the Z66 should help us out a lot, also!!
If we do get snow this winter, let's go sliding together!! >:D
 
Snowslide...that sounds like fun. I'm having so much fun with my new Av, I almost forgot the pressure at work. My wife and family think I'm nuts but they all want me to take them somewhere in the new ride!
 
Anbalance it seems to fit best here as the initial post was trying to see if 2wd would be ok in snow versus his experience with 4wd in snow
 
Ambalanche said:
Ok, just wondering. Somtimes Threads I've been following get misteriously moved or lost. ?:B:
Click to expand...


When they are moved a little move thingy will appear....these are kept for a minimum of 15 days.....

HTH....
 
One note on the locking diff. I have learned, the hard way, that this is the weakest part of the drivetrain. The dealer that I was towed to said that they had seen a few of the Avs and suburbans in the same shape as mine (shattered) :C: The technician that worked on mine told me that if you get the tires spinning (sand or snow) and one tire hits solid ground or a stump etc. stopping it suddenly, the diff. gets shattered. I really mean shattered too. the clunking sound hitting the drain pan as he removed the cover made me sick :9:
 
TO, sunruh, and speeder about locking differential... ok ive got a "71" but its the same diff right?? I'll admit to taking a right turn , on the street, hitting it hard on the throttle to induce tire spin, and immediately turned right on the side street50 feet up where i turned out from,, the truck spun the right rear up to the rev limiter, i got sideways, backed off and hit it twice, only one tire hooked up, right rear... Question is "wheres the posi---locking diff" ...??? ps I was "VENTING" at the time and there 6 witnesses that av souned BAD
 
I have a Z-66 and live in Michigans U.P and have pulled 4X4s from the ditch. Have driven through snow up to the fog lights. Z-71 why???
 
mdz66 why z71???? her in florida, 25 foot boat slippery ramp, 4 wheel drive gives front wheel pull off with lower gear to get an extra 5000 pounds moving.. no slip and slide, and the confidence when you see that lille light blink that you dont have to call a wrecker to get you off the ramp......... its hard to break an old habit... my 72 blazer was 4 wheel drive, and my 82 k-5, and my 89 k-5, and my 94 k-5 and my 02 av ,, my first drives like a car looks like a truck nother damn good chevy truck the av....... ps I wish I had auto load level like your "^^" i put air lifts in the rear coils to keep it level... $$$$$best 100 bucks I ever spent
 
New for 2003 for the Z66 is Stabilitrak, which, as I understand it, it supposed to minimize the problem of the back end swinging around toward the front.

It is my understanding that Stabilitrak is only on the Z66, not the Z71.

Strange because I just saw a TV commercial for a Tahoe, advertising 4 wheel drive Stabilitrak.

Don't know why a Tahoe would have it but not an Avalanche!
 
You are right, Got Change, the rear diff is the same on the 66 and 71. My understanding on this rear end is that although chevy calls it a "locking" diff. it is really just an anti-spin rear end. It will "lock" the rear with slight to moderate differences in rear wheel traction but if one tire breaks free it will spin just like an open rear end.
 
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