locker in front or back?
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Dallas,TX
locker in front or back?
I am going to be purchasing a electrac locker for my 03 4x4 superduty with LS. Since I am working with a limited income I will be starting with only one. I have been told to put it in the front since the rear wheels will hardly be off the ground and would add LS to the front. Could you help me make a decision? Sorry in advance if this has been asked already I just couldnt find the thread
Thanks
Thanks
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Pittsburgh
If you already have a rear LS throw the locker in the front, that way you'll have all 4 wheels doing something. Two wheels doing something and two with a possibility of doing something is alot better than two wheels doing something and one having the possibility of doing something.
Justin
Justin
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Centerville, Iowa
Maybe pull the LS carrier from the rear, drop in an open carrier with a lunchbox style, sell the LS carrier to recoup the losses, then think about the front.
Thing is..don't the new ones have some sort of freak-*** vacuum connect/disconnect on the driverside axleshaft to engage the front axle? Or maybe that's F150.
Thing is..don't the new ones have some sort of freak-*** vacuum connect/disconnect on the driverside axleshaft to engage the front axle? Or maybe that's F150.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
They don't make an Electrac for the 10.5 yet. The one on that Hoss F350 was a one off prototype. Your only option for a selectable in the rear is an ARB. They do have an Electrac for the front, but if you want selctable front and rear, ARB is your avenue.
Last edited by BFR250SD; Aug 24, 2005 at 11:02 PM.
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Senior User
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From: Dallas,TX
LOL Hooker Bob that sounds like a great plan! Since I don't weld, how much does the weld job usually cost and what kind of shop would I call to do it? How would that drive on the road and do I need to change hubs? Thanks!
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Lead Driver
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From: Senoia, GA
well we all hope you aren't driving in 4x4 on pavement so your ride/drivability on the street should be the exact same. no you dont have to swap hubs.... but you might after a while of wheelin 
driving offroad however will be changed dramatically. you will have to learn to drive with the truck and not against it. you're best bet would be to spend the money you saved from buying a locker and throw some at gettin hydro assist. then you will be able to turn with one finger!
i dunno how much shipping would be but i would be more than happy to weld it up for you if you wanted to send it to me! check around first and see what would be cheaper as i have welded more diffs than i can remember! problem is alot of shops have never done it so they dont really know how to do it properly and they'd prolly weld your splines together or heat up your bearings to the point of replacement!
-cutts-
driving offroad however will be changed dramatically. you will have to learn to drive with the truck and not against it. you're best bet would be to spend the money you saved from buying a locker and throw some at gettin hydro assist. then you will be able to turn with one finger!
i dunno how much shipping would be but i would be more than happy to weld it up for you if you wanted to send it to me! check around first and see what would be cheaper as i have welded more diffs than i can remember! problem is alot of shops have never done it so they dont really know how to do it properly and they'd prolly weld your splines together or heat up your bearings to the point of replacement!
-cutts-
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
Guys, come on! He's driving an 03 Super Duty, not a dedicated off roader. Don't tell him to weld the front end. If you are jsut doing some occassional off road, don't worry about the back, just get a Detroit Trutrac for the front. You already have the LS in the rear. You can always put a locker in back later on when you have more money.
Hey, it's your truck, do it if you want.
Hey, it's your truck, do it if you want.
Last edited by BFR250SD; Aug 24, 2005 at 11:56 PM.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
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From: Senoia, GA
lol people have done stoopider things!
actually i'd put the locker up front long before i touched the rear b/c the front A... has all the weight on it, B... is selectable b/c you can unlock the hubs.
-cutts-
actually i'd put the locker up front long before i touched the rear b/c the front A... has all the weight on it, B... is selectable b/c you can unlock the hubs.
-cutts-
Last edited by IB Tim; Aug 25, 2005 at 07:23 AM.
Postmaster
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From: Phenix City, AL
I know this is probably a misunderstanding, but unlocking the hubs leaves you no front drive, not selectability.
By selectable I mean 4WD with the option of locking the front axle or leaving it open diff, i.e. ARB or Electrac, not engaging or disengaging the front axle.
By selectable I mean 4WD with the option of locking the front axle or leaving it open diff, i.e. ARB or Electrac, not engaging or disengaging the front axle.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
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From: Senoia, GA
no, i do know what you meant and i prolly shouldn't have used the term "selecetable" but i couldn't think of anything else. speaking from experience though its real nice to know for a fact that your front is locked and i can choose or select which hub i want to lock or unlock. hell you can have 3 wheel drive! but when you get back on the road just unlock both hubs and its like it's not even there.
agreed... selectable lockers is the besy way to go esp if you are looking to buy something for your truck. but knowing what i know now through my experience and trial/error i would not spend the money on a locker for the front. i just wouldn't do it!
-cutts-
agreed... selectable lockers is the besy way to go esp if you are looking to buy something for your truck. but knowing what i know now through my experience and trial/error i would not spend the money on a locker for the front. i just wouldn't do it!
-cutts-
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Phenix City, AL
I hear ya about spending the money on the front locker. I wouldn't either if it was just used for trail or it was an older one I was building, but his is 2003 that he's probably, I'm assuming, still making payments on.
I like having the selectable ability too. I wanted to do Electrac's as well, but not being available went with ARB's. What I like is I can leave them open, lock the rear, lock the front, lock both, whatever. Sorry I'm a control freak. Hehe.
I like having the selectable ability too. I wanted to do Electrac's as well, but not being available went with ARB's. What I like is I can leave them open, lock the rear, lock the front, lock both, whatever. Sorry I'm a control freak. Hehe.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Spokane, WA
If it was me I'd go with a locker in the front first. My experience has been that if both front wheels are spinning you can drag your truck around pretty much anywhere due to the weight of the front end and the fact that it's pulling the truck in whatever direction you're steering. A locked rear end can still have trouble getting enough traction to push a heavy front end around and it's always trying to push you in a straight line instead of where you want to go if you're in a really low traction situation. This isn't to say you shouldn't put a locker out back too but if I Was choosing one or the other I'd do the front first. That's my .02 cents.
Lead Driver
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From: Albuquerque
I like some of the idea's...but here is MHO...
1. Replace the rear first...and add that electric locker. When not engaged, then it would act like an Open diff...with good highway manners.
2. Sell the stock LS. $$$
3. With the cash made on the stock LS...and saving some...purchase for the front. In the front, go with a LS with the FULL LOCK option.
TIP: It is NEVER recommended to install a FULL locking diff in the front if it could be used on the highway. So, if you install a FULL locking diff in the front and it snows...guess what...you shouldn't use it on the highway. Should only be used offroad.
Now if you were to install in the front what I suggest, then you would have a LS most of the time, but then when you go offroad...you can LOCK it...and get where you need to go with mild ease. Of course you can then LOCK the rear...and now you really are a 4x4!
Good luck deciding...
1. Replace the rear first...and add that electric locker. When not engaged, then it would act like an Open diff...with good highway manners.
2. Sell the stock LS. $$$
3. With the cash made on the stock LS...and saving some...purchase for the front. In the front, go with a LS with the FULL LOCK option.
TIP: It is NEVER recommended to install a FULL locking diff in the front if it could be used on the highway. So, if you install a FULL locking diff in the front and it snows...guess what...you shouldn't use it on the highway. Should only be used offroad.
Now if you were to install in the front what I suggest, then you would have a LS most of the time, but then when you go offroad...you can LOCK it...and get where you need to go with mild ease. Of course you can then LOCK the rear...and now you really are a 4x4!
Good luck deciding...