What locking diff
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Spencer, MA
What locking diff
I have a 250 with 3.73 and the open diff. I very rarely take my truck off-road but have gotten it stuck a few times because even in 4L it turns into a two wheel wonder. I'm just wondering what you guys are running. I will be keeping the 3.73 but am looking at a detroit locker or maybe a stock posi out of a wrecked truck. I am worried about fuel economy (who isn't with these prices) and total cost. I will be installing the diff myself and have a budget of about $800. Any ideas would help, what works and what hasn't.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,447
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
DO NOT install the OEM limited slip is simply SUCKS! i had mine rebuilt when i had 4.30 gears installed and i blew it out again in three months of hunting that winter. Tons of people on here go Detroit Truetrac diff. it has gears that never wear out and it works. A Detroit locker will kill you on street driving, chirps around corners and will wear your rear tires like a hot knife through butter. Plus hauling or towing with the locker is very very bad on the axles from it being fully locked. when i do my rear locker soon I'm either going truetrac or ARB air locker for full 100% lock up when needed. I'm leaning to wards ARB for open diff during street driving and full lock up during hunting.
Senior User
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 301
Likes: 0
From: Duluth,MN
I second the not going to a stock limited slip. It is better then an open diff but not by much! I am running mine a little low on friction modifier, just to get it to work. I have not had experience with a detroit, but I have read a ton of info on it and the truetrac. If you are really in need of traction, you are going to want to go with the detroit. But it is going to put more driveline stress on all of the parts, especially if you are towing heavy. The truetrac is nice because it is a lot less harsh and pretty much never wears out like a locker. As long as you don't have a wheel off the ground it will act a lot like a detroit without the road and driveline harshness. If I was out buying traction aid I would go with the truetrac, but I only go off road a dozen or so, times a year!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
I put a TruTrac in the rear and it is much better than stock. If I had to do it again, I would put an E-Locker in the front instead. The front axle is much heavier than the rear, so a locker there will help a lot more... just don't use it on ice.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,398
Likes: 317
From: Whittier, CA
I'm one who thinks the stock LS is not as bad as people make out. You will burn them out pretty quick if you don't know how to get off the go pedal when things start slipping.
But in any case, if you are going to retro-fit, it would be silly to install a stock LS. Too much money and effort for a marginally effective diff. Get the Truetrac, or else don't bother. None of the more positive units make sense for someone who only needs it infrequently.
But in any case, if you are going to retro-fit, it would be silly to install a stock LS. Too much money and effort for a marginally effective diff. Get the Truetrac, or else don't bother. None of the more positive units make sense for someone who only needs it infrequently.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln,Ne
My stock limited in my 2002 SUCKS but it works when needed LOL, My 2011 elect rocks, If u got the moneys for after market! good deal if not get by with a stock limited and just remember to be easy on it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,115
Likes: 13
From: west plains spokane,wa
Another vote for a trutrac, sounds good for what you need. No limited slip or locker should affect your mileage.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 8,447
Likes: 70
From: South Jersey
there has been countless times when my JUNK oem ls let me down, and im not talking about off roading either just driving down farmer lanes to go duck and deer hunting and if i go through a muddy hole of soft spot it just stops working! So thats when the go pedel gets smashed and i have to wash my truck for two hours when im done.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
I like it better than the stocker, but the ideal would be a selectable locker. I'm pretty sure the limited-slip contributed to my wreck on ice in November. An open differential or selectable locker, disengaged, would have kept at least one rear tire in contact.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Harris,Minnesota
I have a Detroit Locker in my truck and I like it.It has some bad road manners,especially going around sharp corners while excellerating [locks and unlocks].I have to take it a little easy on ice also.The best part about it is that it always works when I need it too,unlike the factory limited work. If money wasn't an issue I'd get the ARB air locker.
