I made a very low budget CDL shift lever for my 01 this weekend. Took 2 10mm wrenches and welded the open ends together, cut the handle off one of them and bolted it to the CDL nipple, then made a flat rod going from under the passenger floor and bolted it to the box end of the wrench. This way if I want to lock the CDL I can just pull rod out and it will lock the CDL. My question is, I've always thought the stock traction control worked pretty well in the snow, but is there much advantage to having the CDL locked in the snow?

 

You don't want the CDL locked in the snow. Let TC determine which wheel needs more or less torque.

 

Last winter I was on a very snowy trail. About a foot and a half of soft powder. Without the CDL I got stuck real fast. Engaged the CDL and had no problems plowing through it. My TC functions great, but it just couldn't do what the CDL did. However, I can see maybe different advice for ON-ROAD driving.

 

i like to let tc handle moderate snow /ice on road, off road cdl can be helpful

 

I'm not sure I'm reading the post correctly. Are you asking about CDL in just general snow driving, or specifically off road?

 

When CDL is engaged, does that disable TC?

 

No, unless you have an early model and you turn the vehicle off and back on with the CDL engaged.

 

Continue thru the snow without CDL engaged.
When you start to slip, engage the CDL.

IF it makes the progress no better, then take CDL off.

If CDL helps - then keep it engaged.

I would not use CDL on a highway or for a long distance.
Going up a hill - and you are slipping and wheels are spinning, then engage CDL.

 

What is bad about driving distances with CDL?

 

too much winding, that is hard on gears. sometimes it need be unwound