Need Help on Front Diff .Open or Limited Slip?

Sorry if this topic is sounding old, but I still haven't goten satisfactory responses from readers. So, your help would be greatly appreciated.

I am planning on installing an Auburn Gear limited slip on the Chrysler 8.25 rear. At this time, I am still undecided as to whether or not to install a limited slip on the front (such a Detroit, True-Trac). So, I need some final comments to help me decide

I have read the postings, read plenty of literature, and talked to some local 4X4 shops. However, what I haven't gotten is comments from someone who actually uses their vehicle for snow use. So, I would like some comments from people who ACTUALLY do a lot of snow driving and have experience with Limited Slip or Lockers on snow and icy roads. Off-road use in dry conditions is secondary.

The guys at the 4X4 shop said I shouldn't install a limited slip on the front as the understeer and steering "feel" would make it unpleasant for daily use. I've also read that front diffs with lockers and limited-slips have a mind of their own on snow and ice.


Some people on this board, suggest a Detroit TT but don't comment on snow/ice usage. The KJ factory option is an LS on the rear and open on the front....is there some logic for this or just cost-savings?

I use my vehicle mostly for daily driving and weekly trips to the the slopes (every week for about 4 months). This means mostly driving on snow covered roads (paved and unpaved) and facing various winter weather and road conditions (slush,ice, snow,etc)

I also use the vehicle for medium-duty off-road use in the summer and fall (no rubicon trail, no rock-crawling, etc.).

Prior to having a KJ, I had a 96 Grand Cherokee w/Quadratrac + full-time 4WD w/lo-range.I was quite satisfied with the GC's winter performance on snow and ice. Unfortunately, I sold it when I moved out of the country temporarily. Does anyone know what the GC had in the front and how I can achieve something comparable on the KJ?

Thanks so much in advance!

questions

GC- has awd with a 2 drive T/C. it is open front and rear in most applications, good bet yours is to.

factory specs- using a limited slip in the rear is favorable and a open diff front for weather. On snow or slick roads having the front tires able to spin their own speeds helps in traction and stability.

experience- it snowed here I played with my xj, has a spool front and a lockright rear, very tricky to even go straight sometimes with the spool activated one tire got more traction and pull the whole xj that way.

own a 5.2 GC with quadratrac, and also own a 89 modified xj.

Great, thanks for your helpful comments!