Hey guys,
After getting stuck in the snow on Christmas Eve, I now want to upgrade a few things. I'm hoping that you guys will give me some advice.

My truck is a '93 F250 4wd, with n/a 7.3. I have a Dana 50 TTB. I'd like to run 38" bogger TSL's. I don't do any rock crawling or anything like that. Just playing in deep snow and mud, and pulling out other's that are stuck.

My question; Do you think that the Dana 50 TTB is sturdy enough to handle 38" TSL's, or should I stick to 35" tires? Keep in mind that I will probably need to add spacers with the 38's in order to keep the truck driveable (mtn roads are usually really narrow with small areas to turn around.)

Other question: I'd also like to install detroit lockers, and not sure whether or not I should do both the front and rear or just one of them. What do you guys normally do? I am a true differential rookie, but if I am going to install these lockers I would like to do it myself. Assuming that I can get my hands on whatever tools that I need, do you think it would be ok for me to attempt to install these myself or would this likely end in a disaster?


Thanks in advance for any advice and opinions.
Pat

 

I never ran lockers in a truck, but i did have them in a lifted CJ7 that was my daily driver/trail rig. How much do you drive your truck on the road? Lockers can turn even the most well mannered vehicle into a white knuckle menace, as the lockers have a tendency to unlock randomly while going around a turn and throw your vehicle all over the road. Have you considered a limited slip up front to save your turning radius and u-joints? I ran a Detroit Truetrac limited slip in the front of my CJ. Very aggressive and would lock up completely most of the time...other times all i needed to do is tap my brakes. You could always go with a spool in the rear to save some $$$ and help road manners. Do you have enough gearing for 38's? Just some things to think about. You cant beat boggers in the mud, but if you get on a sideslope, you'll find yourself sliding downhill in a hurry. If it was my truck, i would run 38" TSL IROKS. but thats just me.

With any type of differential work, everything has to be set EXACTLY right, or it can blow the ring/pinion apart and take out that locker in the process. I'm not saying you cant do it, but I would have someone familiar with setting up differentials put the lockers in. If you do decide to do it yourself, be very careful and quadrupal check everything

 

6" TTB lift + 3" body plus 2" wheel spacers are needed to be drivable on 38s with the TTB...I'd get a good 35 alterrain. Big bias ply swamper suck daily driving.

 

BFG mud terrain 35 inch tires, and around 500 lbs weight over the rear axle. skip the locker in the front.
front lockers on the road are dangerous.

 

I have 37 Goodyear military oz's on mine and I'm actually trying to go to 35's... Just because u get a bigger tire doesn't mean ur gona go further...

 

Agree to skip the locker in the front. A limited slip clutch type could be used, but leaving it alone with std open diff is better unless you really need both wheels traction. A locker in the rear is good, it will pop and clunk. Don't run a spool if you do mcuh street driving, it is hard on axles - no slip in turns. Can also make for more sliding on roads with spool. Spool is really off-road only.

The front end is dependent on your right foot. Take it easy and you are OK. Heavy foot, good traction and low transfer case and you have a lot of torque that can break things.

Gearing to match the tire size is just as important.

 

dirty... where can you pic up a set of 2" spacers?

for the pwauburn i have a set of 37" nitto trail grappler (one of their newer tires) and i love them to death!... hardly any noise at all on the road and they are an E rated 10 ply tire to boot!

 

idk I don't have them. The guy with the 38s on TTB setup got them for a shop in Cali supposedly cost 600 for the entire set ? I'll try and find name of shop

 

thanks man id appreciate it, or a part number too would be awesome, ive seen the spacers on ebay but just about all say not for our trucks because of the lug length being to long for the spacers

 

Try to get ahold of Oreo, I'm sure he has some

 

thats a good idea lol i forgot about him... thanks man!

 

Dana 50 TTB yuck. Quit messin around with the Dana 50 and spend the money and get a Dana 60. If you want the same on road performance with lockers get ARB's front and rear (carry an extra solenoid), regear with 4.10 +, slap on some Irok 38 inchers and you will be stoked