Front limited slip vs locker
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 4,368
From: SW VA
If I were going through the trouble of it, I would have to put a locker in the front. No sense going through all that effort and expense for a limited slip that only helps as much as a guy pushing on your tailgate when stuck.
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 39
Likes: 12
It’s really not too big a deal putting one in, I have a lift and all the tools to do it along with experience from always putting Detroit lockers in the rear of all my work rigs prior. I just thought I liked the simplicity of the truetrac, but didn’t realize some people consider them useless. I appreciate your input.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,044
Likes: 1,336
From most anything I’ve read, the locker is useless in so many scenarios and really only good for those few times you can actually use it. But when you need a locker I know it can sometimes be the only tool for that scenario.
that being considered it doesn’t make it the best tool by default for most situations…
Hearing that the stock Tremor unit is a clutch type I’d stay away from that myself.
But I’ve never heard anyone before say that a Tru Trac on the steer axle was useless. In fact I’ve never really heard much of anything bad about the Eaton unit and have seen that it’s better than a locker in most situations a big truck will find itself in.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 4,368
From: SW VA
is that true though?
From most anything I’ve read, the locker is useless in so many scenarios and really only good for those few times you can actually use it. But when you need a locker I know it can sometimes be the only tool for that scenario.
that being considered it doesn’t make it the best tool by default for most situations…
Hearing that the stock Tremor unit is a clutch type I’d stay away from that myself.
But I’ve never heard anyone before say that a Tru Trac on the steer axle was useless. In fact I’ve never really heard much of anything bad about the Eaton unit and have seen that it’s better than a locker in most situations a big truck will find itself in.
From most anything I’ve read, the locker is useless in so many scenarios and really only good for those few times you can actually use it. But when you need a locker I know it can sometimes be the only tool for that scenario.
that being considered it doesn’t make it the best tool by default for most situations…
Hearing that the stock Tremor unit is a clutch type I’d stay away from that myself.
But I’ve never heard anyone before say that a Tru Trac on the steer axle was useless. In fact I’ve never really heard much of anything bad about the Eaton unit and have seen that it’s better than a locker in most situations a big truck will find itself in.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,044
Likes: 1,336
meaning it fills a good gap between the open diff and the locker that has a much more limited use on these trucks?
I have a 21 with factory e-locker in the rear and was thinking about a truetrac in the future if I ever reheated for the 37s I run. Want to make it a little more stout off-road but always felt like a locker up front wouldn’t get used much compared to limited slip.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 4,368
From: SW VA
doesn’t a good limited slip like truetrac offer a useful mix where it improves the stock open diff yet has fewer limitations than a locker?
meaning it fills a good gap between the open diff and the locker that has a much more limited use on these trucks?
I have a 21 with factory e-locker in the rear and was thinking about a truetrac in the future if I ever reheated for the 37s I run. Want to make it a little more stout off-road but always felt like a locker up front wouldn’t get used much compared to limited slip.
meaning it fills a good gap between the open diff and the locker that has a much more limited use on these trucks?
I have a 21 with factory e-locker in the rear and was thinking about a truetrac in the future if I ever reheated for the 37s I run. Want to make it a little more stout off-road but always felt like a locker up front wouldn’t get used much compared to limited slip.
I realize that not many people are going to be putting these trucks in a situation that actually warrants full lockup. But I just think spending the money and going through the effort to install something, it should be the best traction aid available.
I just fail to see the situation where if a LS front diff makes the difference, that a locked front diff can’t be used in the same scenario.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 2,250
Likes: 563
realistically how far off the beaten path could you even get with a 3k lb camper on board (probly not far). maybe your money is better spent on a nice honda generator or something
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
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As far as your vehicle can take you. Look at what "Overlanders" do. Full size trucks on lifts with big tires, locked axles, winches and slide in campers driving through wilderness mountains, rivers, jungles, etc, etc, many times where they need to blaze their own paths.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2007
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I'm pretty sure all of the Big 3 offered front lockers in their full size truck up into the 90's. I know Ford had Detroits as an option on at least mid 80- early 90's F250/350. We had a '86 F350 C&C diesel shop truck that had factory front/rear Detroit lockers. If they didn't think they were a safet y issue in buck board, leaf sprung, sloppy steering trucks, I doubt it's gonna kill abus load of nuns in a modern, tight, responsive truck.
This all goes back to whether you want to be involved in actually driving your truck, or do you want to just drop it in "D" and not have to think about your driving. If you want to be an oblivious driver, get a LSD.
This all goes back to whether you want to be involved in actually driving your truck, or do you want to just drop it in "D" and not have to think about your driving. If you want to be an oblivious driver, get a LSD.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 4,368
From: SW VA
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 4,832
Likes: 668
From: Maine
I absolutely love the rear locker. I WISH that I had a front one. I go back and forth as to whether holding off installing one is worth keeping the warranty.
It certainly would make a difference in the mud and snow. I got stuck this winter plowing because only 1 front tire was spinning. I don't doubt that it wouldn't have happened if I had true 4x4.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 4,368
From: SW VA
And besides, I think the OP has something more along the lines of a service body or welding bed vs. a camper. Says he uses the truck offroad for work a lot. Not camping.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,163
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From: Chaz
I would do the Elocker if you are traveling alone or remote.
Won’t get you in further in but can help get you out.
I would also figure out a way to completely kill traction control and advancetrac speed limiting etc.
Won’t get you in further in but can help get you out.
I would also figure out a way to completely kill traction control and advancetrac speed limiting etc.