I thought one of our brethren from the land of ice and snow would be willing to share their expertise in no-traction situations.

I have a 59 shorty with the 223 six and 4 speed. I am redoing the rear end and am trying to decide which to go with - a limited slip or a locker.

I do some towing with the truck and occasionally get into some mud, plus occasionally launch a boat using un-improved boat launches. If I get into ice and snow it will only be for however long it takes me to pack up and head south for the winter!

With the small six I know I don't need to worry about wheel spin off the line, but when I need a posi, I am going to really need it. My experience with the limited slip is that the clutches wear and will not "lock" the rear end when you really need it - like with one wheel hanging off a rock. I should mention that this truck is replacing a 4wd.

On the other hand, the locker companies all warn you that their devices will cause a pronounced understeer - something I do not need with all the mountain roads I take and manual steering.

My question is which works best in normal use? Limited slip or locker? Anyone else have limited slips fail them when they needed to work? How noticable is the understeer from a locker?

Which do you think is better?

 

If you have one wheel in a no grip situation, a LSD will still spin that wheel like an open diff. A locker will give power to whatever wheel has grip. I don't think the oversteer will be an issue with the large front weight bias of a pickup unless you overload the rear. Biggest negative on a locker is they are noisy.

 

***** -

I have a "True Track" posi from Currie. These don't have clutches. All gears. It never needs servicing (other than gear oil).

Even the posi tends to drive you thru a turn, like a locker, but not badly. It can get a bit squirrely in the wet, though.

 

I have vehicles with Ford 8" & 9" lockers as well as my wifes 8.8" 4.10 ratio 94 Volvo. The Volvo is superb in the snow or rain, the 3.25L 8" in a 26T coupe never got driven in the snow and rarely rain but never noticed a problem. The 3.50L 9" is in a van and that also is fine in all seasons weather.

Ive a 12 bolt 2.73 posi in my 68 396 Impala and it also never sees snow but is summer driven in all weather, I almost never realize it is back there. And yes it works fine when I decide to do a burnout!

The best experience Ive ever had was a posi in a 63 SS Impala. Year around driver and Id pass anything on the road in the snow, especially going up hills. Built 327, 4spd, wish I still had it!

 

Lockers are usually fine to have with a daily driver.
A limited slip will not give you power to both wheels in rocks, or when the primary wheel is off the ground spining the other won't spin with it.

I have a limited slip in one of my trucks, but I just tow a little with it, and it sees some light off roading(mud), and I works fine for what I use it for.

 

I have a locker in my Ford 9" and it is very difficult to drive in the rain (let alone snow and ice) when unloaded. If you're not careful with the throttle, both rear tires will easily break loose and the truck's rear will then slide sideways. I've driven other trucks with the tru-trac (gear type, heavy duty limited slip) and much prefer that for a daily driver in a two wheel drive pickup (especially a short wheelbase one). Not all limited slips are equal, some have more resistance to breakaway (torque bias) than others and can approach a locker for sheer straight ahead pulling power (most gear types are better than clutch types), yet still allow for easier tight turning. I suggest that the Detroit Locker really shines in off-road use and for commercial applications such as snow plowing (with some weight in the bed).