While plowing on slippery surfaces, my 4x4 Only Spins Two Wheels

[DavidS]

Over the last two years, I have had a tough time plowing with my 1999 4x4 GMC Sierra 1500. With any decent amount of snow, I keep getting it stuck. A few days ago, with the snow drifts, I had 3 to 4 feet of snow on my driveway. I got it stuck 4 times. I got about ½ of my 800 foot driveway done before I gave up and called somebody with a bigger truck.

I have about 400 pounds of bricks in the back of it.

Anyway, yesterday I jacked up all four tires and put jackstands under it. Only the passenger side tires were spinning. The drivers side would spin a little bit, but if a put a little pressure on them, they would not spin at all. So it looks like I have an open differential. It looks like it was designed that way.

If it was a limited slip differential, if the tires on the right do not have traction about 50% of the power goes to the other wheel.

With an open differential, if the tires on the right do not have traction, all of the power only goes to the wheels without traction.

That sucks for plowing.

I’m pretty sure I need a locker for the rear. I know I don’t need it for the front since that would make it tough to steer.

I see air lockers, electronic lockers and automatic lockers. Does any have any thoughts or recommendations on what to get for a locker?

There is a place in Torrington CT called JT's Auto & 4x4 and I was thinking about going there to get a recommendation.

It is not a daily driver and is used mostly for plowing.