10.5" true trac install
#1
10-25-2011, 05:45 PM
10.5" true trac install
since the factory LSD in my truck is dead and snow season is fast approaching, I am looking at replacing my factory LSD with a True Trac.
Eaton Detroit Truetrac Differential Steel 915A550 Ford 10.25" 35 Spline | eBay
I would like to hear from other members have installed one of these in their truck(s). any installation tips? likes, dislikes issues?
Eaton Detroit Truetrac Differential Steel 915A550 Ford 10.25" 35 Spline | eBay
I would like to hear from other members have installed one of these in their truck(s). any installation tips? likes, dislikes issues?
#2
11-25-2011, 01:18 AM
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I know that feeling. I contemplated/researched for quite some time about buying the TrueTrac. Luckily for me the research paid off and I found a good "open box" deal from diffsonly.com. Apparently the person bought the diff as well as the shim kit and bearings/races (timken brand) and sold the truck before getting a chance to install it, so he sent it back. I purchased it all for around $500.
I've never messed with installing any diffs so I had a specialist install it for me. He finished it up for me yesterday, so I haven't spent a ton of time playing yet.
As far as my regular driving goes I noticed absolutely no difference which is what I expected. I "tested" it out in the street and as soon as the tires broke loose it was an instantaneous lockup. I went out to a couple fields with some hills where before I would normally creep up halfway and pull a one-wheel-wonder. Obviously there was a world of difference, and just the same as on-road there was a seamless transition to lockup. Amazing to think of how many stupid spots to be stuck in will be avoided by the TrueTrac as well as how many times I wont have to engage the 4wd. Can't wait for some snow to fly now that I have it in.
One suggestion I would make is if you have some extra cash pick up a Mag-Hytec diff cover. Gives you an extra 2-3 quart capacity over factory as well as some extra cooling. I like that I have/and can check the magnetic dipstick to keep an eye on things.
Overall I feel like it was worth every penny...and I have only had it installed for 2 days. Hope this helps ya somewhat.
I've never messed with installing any diffs so I had a specialist install it for me. He finished it up for me yesterday, so I haven't spent a ton of time playing yet.
As far as my regular driving goes I noticed absolutely no difference which is what I expected. I "tested" it out in the street and as soon as the tires broke loose it was an instantaneous lockup. I went out to a couple fields with some hills where before I would normally creep up halfway and pull a one-wheel-wonder. Obviously there was a world of difference, and just the same as on-road there was a seamless transition to lockup. Amazing to think of how many stupid spots to be stuck in will be avoided by the TrueTrac as well as how many times I wont have to engage the 4wd. Can't wait for some snow to fly now that I have it in.
One suggestion I would make is if you have some extra cash pick up a Mag-Hytec diff cover. Gives you an extra 2-3 quart capacity over factory as well as some extra cooling. I like that I have/and can check the magnetic dipstick to keep an eye on things.
Overall I feel like it was worth every penny...and I have only had it installed for 2 days. Hope this helps ya somewhat.
#3
12-15-2011, 07:36 PM
I know that feeling. I contemplated/researched for quite some time about buying the TrueTrac. Luckily for me the research paid off and I found a good "open box" deal from diffsonly.com. Apparently the person bought the diff as well as the shim kit and bearings/races (timken brand) and sold the truck before getting a chance to install it, so he sent it back. I purchased it all for around $500.
I've never messed with installing any diffs so I had a specialist install it for me. He finished it up for me yesterday, so I haven't spent a ton of time playing yet.
As far as my regular driving goes I noticed absolutely no difference which is what I expected. I "tested" it out in the street and as soon as the tires broke loose it was an instantaneous lockup. I went out to a couple fields with some hills where before I would normally creep up halfway and pull a one-wheel-wonder. Obviously there was a world of difference, and just the same as on-road there was a seamless transition to lockup. Amazing to think of how many stupid spots to be stuck in will be avoided by the TrueTrac as well as how many times I wont have to engage the 4wd. Can't wait for some snow to fly now that I have it in.
One suggestion I would make is if you have some extra cash pick up a Mag-Hytec diff cover. Gives you an extra 2-3 quart capacity over factory as well as some extra cooling. I like that I have/and can check the magnetic dipstick to keep an eye on things.
Overall I feel like it was worth every penny...and I have only had it installed for 2 days. Hope this helps ya somewhat.
I've never messed with installing any diffs so I had a specialist install it for me. He finished it up for me yesterday, so I haven't spent a ton of time playing yet.
As far as my regular driving goes I noticed absolutely no difference which is what I expected. I "tested" it out in the street and as soon as the tires broke loose it was an instantaneous lockup. I went out to a couple fields with some hills where before I would normally creep up halfway and pull a one-wheel-wonder. Obviously there was a world of difference, and just the same as on-road there was a seamless transition to lockup. Amazing to think of how many stupid spots to be stuck in will be avoided by the TrueTrac as well as how many times I wont have to engage the 4wd. Can't wait for some snow to fly now that I have it in.
One suggestion I would make is if you have some extra cash pick up a Mag-Hytec diff cover. Gives you an extra 2-3 quart capacity over factory as well as some extra cooling. I like that I have/and can check the magnetic dipstick to keep an eye on things.
Overall I feel like it was worth every penny...and I have only had it installed for 2 days. Hope this helps ya somewhat.
#4
12-22-2011, 06:21 PM
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The guy I brought it to is my goto person for things that I cannot/prefer not do myself. He does work on the side for about $50/hour. He charged me for 3 hours of labor. Knowing how meticulous he is I am sure he spent more time than that though. I am not sure what a normal shop would charge you though...Probably a little more than that.
#5
12-23-2011, 09:45 AM
A Tru-Trac is a sorry excuse for a limited slip, a real turd as you will soon find out. I put one in my rear some time ago and it went bang, literally in about 1/2 mile. With everything I've now heard and read I'd stay with a open rear if that was my choice. I'm so glad mine broke right off the bat and I got my money back.
#6
12-23-2011, 12:54 PM
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That's a bummer it took a dump on you. Just as with anything else there are some that have failures and others that do not. Most of what I read up on the TrueTrac was pretty positive feedback. Most of the time the failures seemed to be caused by improper installation or running tires much larger than what Eaton recommends. Either way...I'm happy with mine and would never go back to the open diff.
#7
12-23-2011, 09:52 PM
A Tru-Trac is a sorry excuse for a limited slip, a real turd as you will soon find out. I put one in my rear some time ago and it went bang, literally in about 1/2 mile. With everything I've now heard and read I'd stay with a open rear if that was my choice. I'm so glad mine broke right off the bat and I got my money back.
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#8
01-24-2012, 07:25 PM
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#9
01-24-2012, 08:52 PM
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The Eaton/Detroit TrueTrac seems to be pretty popular for the superduty applications. I have nothing but good things to say since I have had mine.....The road manners are great. Honestly if someone would have installed mine without me knowing I would not be able to tell the difference....that is until I break the tires loose. Makes for a good time out playing in the snow too.
I can't speak from experience about a regular Detroit Locker, but I know that they certainly get the job done.
I can't speak from experience about a regular Detroit Locker, but I know that they certainly get the job done.
#10
01-25-2012, 01:45 AM
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If you want one that is bulletproof and always going to work, get the Detroit Locker.
If you are more worried about having perfect road manners and smooth operating LS, then get the Detroit Trutrac.
My 05 LS has not worked for a long time, I have heard that the factory sets them up "loose" which makes them less effective. I am going to install some extra shims and rebuild my stocker for now, and later when I have more money avaliable I will go for a Detroit Locker like I have had in several other trucks in the past.
Here is info on installing new clutches into the factory LS:
Sterling 10.25 Trac lock rebuild
If you are more worried about having perfect road manners and smooth operating LS, then get the Detroit Trutrac.
My 05 LS has not worked for a long time, I have heard that the factory sets them up "loose" which makes them less effective. I am going to install some extra shims and rebuild my stocker for now, and later when I have more money avaliable I will go for a Detroit Locker like I have had in several other trucks in the past.
Here is info on installing new clutches into the factory LS:
Sterling 10.25 Trac lock rebuild
#11
02-02-2012, 12:08 PM
If you want one that is bulletproof and always going to work, get the Detroit Locker.
If you are more worried about having perfect road manners and smooth operating LS, then get the Detroit Trutrac.
My 05 LS has not worked for a long time, I have heard that the factory sets them up "loose" which makes them less effective. I am going to install some extra shims and rebuild my stocker for now, and later when I have more money avaliable I will go for a Detroit Locker like I have had in several other trucks in the past.
Here is info on installing new clutches into the factory LS:
Sterling 10.25 Trac lock rebuild
If you are more worried about having perfect road manners and smooth operating LS, then get the Detroit Trutrac.
My 05 LS has not worked for a long time, I have heard that the factory sets them up "loose" which makes them less effective. I am going to install some extra shims and rebuild my stocker for now, and later when I have more money avaliable I will go for a Detroit Locker like I have had in several other trucks in the past.
Here is info on installing new clutches into the factory LS:
Sterling 10.25 Trac lock rebuild
#13
07-03-2012, 06:47 PM
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theres always a con to every single freaking upgrade.dontcha just love it.
DRW axle coming via freight.
here's the short story;
the DRW pickup axle (2nd generation 93-97 or the first gen for that matter) sterling 10.25 received an optional 3.55 (hard to find,let me tell ya) however LS was not an option like when you opted for 4.10's (unlike w/ SRW as you could get LS option in either ratio.)
so researching,the stock LS isn't all that impressive when it does work properly/not worn out.
so digging up through all the LS options (forget a true locker.read enough to know,that's not my cup of tee for the street) the tru-trac looks like a perfect solution.
the con: can't use synthetic gear oil!
come on.it's like going back in time! with fuel prices im sure not happy about running that thick crap especially when it's cold like 9 month out of the year in Maine lol.
there's the ARB locker.but what a hassle with on board air,not to mention twice the coin.and researching all the hassles many have had with air lines.....no thanks.
Eaton doesn't provide the E-locker for a very common axle? what the heck.now that would be worth having for a grand imho vs air.
the sterling plant is now making an E-locker (thank god) for the 10.50 so it should work in the older 10.25's....problem with that is,the trucks are too new to find a totaled truck w/E-locker,and even if you did, im sure the yard that has it, would want a premium,and i don't see ford selling it anywhere separately yet? why not!? again though,probably 3 times the price it should be if they did anyway.
(i pity the fool who doesn't know to make sure to order their truck with that for just a few hundred more!!!!! even if they think they don't need it!)
so back around full circle to keep decent economy advantage to run synthetic oil with a LS,you have to install the factory trac-loc LS with discs to ware out?
there's got to be a total win/win solution to get LS for such a common rear axle used for so many years now...................doesn't there?
with DRW's lack of traction,ford should have known to make LS standard in every DRW axle,with only an option to order it without imho.but anyway.
/rant
any suggestions welcomed.
DRW axle coming via freight.
here's the short story;
the DRW pickup axle (2nd generation 93-97 or the first gen for that matter) sterling 10.25 received an optional 3.55 (hard to find,let me tell ya) however LS was not an option like when you opted for 4.10's (unlike w/ SRW as you could get LS option in either ratio.)
so researching,the stock LS isn't all that impressive when it does work properly/not worn out.
so digging up through all the LS options (forget a true locker.read enough to know,that's not my cup of tee for the street) the tru-trac looks like a perfect solution.
the con: can't use synthetic gear oil!
come on.it's like going back in time! with fuel prices im sure not happy about running that thick crap especially when it's cold like 9 month out of the year in Maine lol.
there's the ARB locker.but what a hassle with on board air,not to mention twice the coin.and researching all the hassles many have had with air lines.....no thanks.
Eaton doesn't provide the E-locker for a very common axle? what the heck.now that would be worth having for a grand imho vs air.
the sterling plant is now making an E-locker (thank god) for the 10.50 so it should work in the older 10.25's....problem with that is,the trucks are too new to find a totaled truck w/E-locker,and even if you did, im sure the yard that has it, would want a premium,and i don't see ford selling it anywhere separately yet? why not!? again though,probably 3 times the price it should be if they did anyway.
(i pity the fool who doesn't know to make sure to order their truck with that for just a few hundred more!!!!! even if they think they don't need it!)
so back around full circle to keep decent economy advantage to run synthetic oil with a LS,you have to install the factory trac-loc LS with discs to ware out?
there's got to be a total win/win solution to get LS for such a common rear axle used for so many years now...................doesn't there?
with DRW's lack of traction,ford should have known to make LS standard in every DRW axle,with only an option to order it without imho.but anyway.
/rant
any suggestions welcomed.
#15
02-02-2014, 02:42 PM
If you want one that is bulletproof and always going to work, get the Detroit Locker.
If you are more worried about having perfect road manners and smooth operating LS, then get the Detroit Trutrac.
My 05 LS has not worked for a long time, I have heard that the factory sets them up "loose" which makes them less effective. I am going to install some extra shims and rebuild my stocker for now, and later when I have more money avaliable I will go for a Detroit Locker like I have had in several other trucks in the past.
Here is info on installing new clutches into the factory LS:
Sterling 10.25 Trac lock rebuild
If you are more worried about having perfect road manners and smooth operating LS, then get the Detroit Trutrac.
My 05 LS has not worked for a long time, I have heard that the factory sets them up "loose" which makes them less effective. I am going to install some extra shims and rebuild my stocker for now, and later when I have more money avaliable I will go for a Detroit Locker like I have had in several other trucks in the past.
Here is info on installing new clutches into the factory LS:
Sterling 10.25 Trac lock rebuild
I just found your thread because I've bought a 2005 F350 and the LS isn't working. I checked the link you have posted and it looks good. Just one question - does your F250 have a 10.25 ? Everything I read indicates my 350 has a 10.5. Maybe they are different and I might need a different clutch pack.
Thanks