Hey all,

Looking for advice on putting a LS type unit in my D50 on my '00.

How well does your SD respond in snow/ice with the LS/locker in the front and the Ford unit in the rear?

How about in icy turns? Does the truck want to start drifting?

I'm looking at putting one in the front of my SD, but I fear that it may become similar to brick sliding across a frozen pond with the slightest throttle on ice.

Any reccomendations on a good unit for the D-50?

It would be nice if I could use the existing carrier.

I was kind of leaning to an Electric Locker of sorts so that I could have the best of both worlds.

 

The ARB has worked well for me. I had it installed in the axle then did the plumbing and wiring on my own. They are a pain to put in, but fun to have. I have not had a chance to try it on ice yet, but steering is difficult even in loose dirt.

 

I have the lockright in the front. Great when you need full traction. I use it to plow.
On the road the big truck does pretty good with 4wd engaged as far as steering pull to either side with accelleration. I only do 30 mph in 4wd. I like the simplicity of the LR.
Detroit in the rear.

Dick

 

Up front, for a DD, get a selectable. More expensive yes, but on the road you don't want the front locked up as it can lead to slippin' and slidin'. Then you can use 4WD in icy conditions with the diff open and still maintain some lateral traction or you can lock it up, like 99f350sd, for plowing or off-roading.

I have the ARB's and, like mizzitch said, turning even on loose dirt with it locked is near impossible. I wouldn't recommend a full locker up front in a DD.

 

That's what I was thinking about having a locked front, it could make it impossible to drive on snow/ice.

Thus the reasoning towards looking at a selectable locker.

It's important to me to keep the beast drivable for the little wife in the winter.

Any reccomendations on what would be a good selectable?

 

I believe, emphasis on believe, that the only ones who make them for the D50 is ARB and Tractech (Detroit) Electrac.

The ARB is open diff when disengaged, the Detroit Electrac is LS when disengaged.

Really can't go wrong with either, the ARB is nice 'cause you have the onboard air source. The Electrac doesn't require drilling a hole in the diff housing, but it does have an exposed solenoid on the outside.

 

Sounds like that's what I need when I install my air tank (for re-filling tires/etc)

tee hee...

 

Hmm looks like I might have to look into ARB as I would want it to be either locked or open.

Thanks for the tip!

 

Excluding the lockers, how about experience with LS in the front?

 

i have yet to find anyone that makes an LS for the front D50 on our trucks, and i have looked alot

 

try this web site http://www.reiderracing.com/ and look at the differentials. I have been looking to do the same. Choices for a dana 60 front include Eaton E Locker,ARB and Electrac.This site has a list of all the availble lockers and LS and
there applications.

 

cool, looks like they have some now. when i was looking about a year ago i couldnt find a thing for the front D50 except for lockers...thanks

 

Any one heard about OX locker for a D50?

I do know that they have developed a cable type locker for certian axels, and even read that they planned on one for the D50.

I had read some threads on FTE about this very thing.

I'm having trouble finding a site for OX lockers, and the oxtrax.com WS that was mentioned in previous threads is some type of a search engine now.

Anyone know who or where to look for information on OX lockers? Are they even in buisness any more?

What about using a locker for a D44 in a D50, It should fit, right?

 

Here's an example of what I'm talking about.

http://www.4x4review.com/cool-prod/ox-locker.asp

I've got an email sent, I'll post the reply.

 

Well, the email is a bum email addy.

Back to square one.