Alright, I am in need some assistance. I am looking for a gift for my husband who recently came upon a 2001 F350. Since we live in MN, he was looking to get a rear locker. It is his daily driver and is looking for the purpose of better snow driving. If anyone could point me in the right direction as far as brands, etc. It has all stock parts/tire size etc. I know it is a complicated part so I will try my best to squeeze out information if needed. If not, there's always gift cards! But brands/types/pricing information would be very much appreciated. Thanks.

 

Welcome to FTE! And wow, hope your hubby knows what a lucky guy he is! To answer your question, I would suggest a Detroit Tru Trac, it's a limited slip not a true locker but it's gear based and much, much better than any factory or other clutch based limited slip. Personally, I'm not a fan of true lockers on snow/ice for the reason that w/ a locker both tires generaly spin the same speed - sometimes on snow and ice, you want one to slip a little bit so you don't skid.

Here's a link to the manufacturer, you can find them for sale many places online. Performance Products | Detroit Truetrac Differentials One piece of information you may need is his rear axle, it's a Ford/Sterling 10.5" (sometimes seen as 10.25).

And finally, the most important question I'm sure is on everyone's mind...do you have a sister????

 

We need to find out if it is a DRW or SRW first. What if it is a DRW with a Dana 80?

 

Let me see if i can give you an answer from experience as my truck has a locker in the rear and front..
Even with a locker in the rear and good tires and studs and 3000lbs of sand the front seems to grab better than the rear. My combination of detroit in the rear and lockright up front works well for a work truck. I plow alot and literally can't get stuck. As far as issues with real lockers there aren't any for a work truck IE woods/plowing. I also tow 10k in summer with no probs. Don't think a locker in the rear would do much for winter without lotsa sand/weight in the rear. Summer it would help. Tires and weight would do more but if you want the ultimate plow rig then go with front and rear lockers or maybe just front.
As an example if your truck gets off the road so that 2 tires are in the ditch you'll have to call a wrecker cause the two wheels left on the road are useless. Locked up you just put some sand under the two wheels on the road and drive out because they have full traction and lots of weight on them.
I've been plowing with a locked rig for 20 years and wouldn't have it any other way. My drive is way steep and 1000 ft long. Plus a true locker will be locked when desending in a low gear giving added braking with little front lockup.

Dick

 

Good point, I was assuming a SRW - Worktie, is the truck a dually? Another issue is tires, if his tires suck then nothing will help.

That's not entirely true - you can modulate the power to each wheel by using the brakes. I'm sure a locker is great for plowing, but for a daily driver I just couldn't recommend it - too much chance of the rear end sliding out unexpectedly - especially if you drive on a lot of curvy roads. It would be twice as scary w/ a locked front, be very difficult to steer.

 

[QUOTE=

That's not entirely true - you can modulate the power to each wheel by using the brakes. I'm sure a locker is great for plowing, but for a daily driver I just couldn't recommend it - too much chance of the rear end sliding out unexpectedly - especially if you drive on a lot of curvy roads. It would be twice as scary w/ a locked front, be very difficult to steer.[/QUOTE]


Sorry but my 40 years of 4 wheeling has taught me different..No sliding out and if I wanted to do 55 in 4wd the truck would handle fine... With 2 open diff's you aren't going to modulate nothing..Easy to steer on snow in 4wd and easy in 2wd.
Its not a race car its a 6500lb truck. Hey I'm living proof it works fine in a SD.
I'm sure I'm not the only one but I'll bet there is 5 fully locked trucks on the ford site. I would't do it in a light weight jeep for road driving