I have a 79 f250 with a 460, dana 44 front and 60 rear. 3in body lift and 36in iroks. I'm wanting to put a locker in front and a posi unit in the rear. I think?? I have open differentials front and rear. I drive it mostly on the road but when I do go off road I want it to be right. What type of set up do y'all recommend?? I live in wv so it is my back up 4wd when it snows and my wife need my other truck. Opinions needed. Thanks.

 

After doing much research and looking into air lockers, lockers, limited slips, elockers, and luncbox lockers I made my decision on a Detroit.

If money is no object then by all means do ARB or Elockers front and rear. Open diffs for street performance and positive traction in the dirt.

Lunchbox lockers are the opposite price range- about as cheap as traction gets. They will run about $250 an axle and you can install them. They use the stock carrier that you already have so backlash does not need to be set. Lunchbox lockers automatically engage and disengage so no driver interaction is needed. The downside is that they use the stock carrier, which poses a weak link. They are also known to ratchet a bit around corners.

A Detroit locker replaces the carrier which makes it stronger, but acts in pretty much the same way as the lunchbox lockers do. I have one in my truck and really cannot notice the ratcheting around corners and whatnot. The downside to this is resetting the backlash.

Limited slips are nice for the street because they give you a little more traction in gravel or snow. But for any serious off roading or really low traction situations they are just as bad as a Limited Slip.

Since you already have open carriers I think a lunchbox front and rear would be the best option. Even on 36" tires it'll take some serious wheeling to snap a lunchboif you do its not hugely expensive).

 

Yea I was looking at a Aussie locker for the front and a true trax posie unit. Money is a thing that I have to watch. Are Aussies any good ?

 

I have heard very good things on the Aussie, but have no first hand experience.

Are you talking about the TrueTrac from Eaton? I have one of those in the front of my truck as well. I was really wanting to find a locker up there as well, but this isn't bad. The only problem arises when you have one wheel with zero traction. If one wheel is in the air, the other wont get any torque as I understand it 3*0=0

 

So what unit do u think I should put in the rear?

 

My vote would be to swap axle to a 14 bolt and install a Detroit. The 14 bolt is very strong and the Detroit in that axle is only the center section of original carrier so its cheaper
You'd gain traction, strength and be in the same ballpark as just a Detroit for the weak 30 spline d60 rear.

 

Yea I thought about that but kinda have to work with what I got. Thanks for the info tho.

 

Yeah but you could also build this one on a bench so when its time its just a quick swap and less down time. No brainer to me but that's just my advice

 

I think you should order an Aussie Locker for the rear and front. Put both in over the weekend and go have some fun.

 

Ok sounds good. If anybody else has anything feel free to help out. My dad built the motor and he loved this truck so just tring to pick up where he left off.

 

I thought about that but I've been told that it's hard to drive with lockers in the rear. I drive it on the road a lot. If I do that would you put a better locker that that like a detroit? Just cause it get used more.

 

What exactly is your truck like? I know you're running 36" tires so I would imagine there is a lift involved. Is your engine cammed?

In a tight sports car like a 350z or something I could see the worry about ratcheting or vibration. But our trucks are loud lifted and a usually a little rough. Even if it does ratchet a bit or clunk in the parking lot, will you notice or care?

Aside from that it is to my understanding that the newer Detroit lockers are nearly silent on the road, I certainly don't notice in my truck. If a Detroit and setting the backlash is within reasonable budget to you, I cannot see downside to it.

 

If I could figured out how to put pics on here I would. I don't know exactly what it has in it but I know it has a came and lifters. Different values spring and push rods. Everything msd aluminum intake 750 holly and headers. And yes it's loud. 3in from headers back to 6in cannons. 3in body lift. I've boxed in my frame and welded a hitch in the front for my warn m15000 with quick connects front and rear. Custom front and rear bumpers. Home made ladder bars.

 

I put a lockrite in the rear of my old truck. Simple install and fairly cheap. I drove it for years. It is a little clunky on the street, but nothing insurmountable.

My advice would be either 1) build and swap a rear axle in a weekend, or 2) throw in a lunchbox locker and be done with it.