The trac loc is the factory limited slip.

97 F-350 PSD ZF 5 Speed 4x4

 

You also have to realise/understand what kind of off roading you're going to be doing. How often is one tire going to be off the ground if at all? You drive A LOT on the street, so a regular locker in the rear is going to probably not be a good idea. There is no better thing off road then a locker (between locker/LS/open) but the locker isn't going to make you happy if its in the rear on the street unless it's an ARB or Elocker. There is a trade off, on all three. We'll help point out what the pros and cons are but we can't make the decision for you, I know it's a difficult one. Ryan, you beat that truck hard, and I have a feeling he isn't. With a locker it's great off road but kind of lacking on the street driving. An LS is decent off road if it's in good shape (an old one doesn't do much) but offer perfect street driving. A ford LS is easy to rebuild if needed, costs 75 bucks. I got mine for 50 bucks and rebuilt it for another 75, so thats 125 bucks. High gain for the money. There are LS's out there that don't have clutchs and dont need to be rebuilt i believe, am i wrong? I looked at the tru-trac LS for my front and I decided against it because it needed some kind of spring in it that didnt come with it. I guess there's a problem with the axle shaft popping out? I like the new E-lockers a lot. If I were you and wanted to spend the money, I would not put anything but an ARB or Elocker in the front. You can switch it on when you really need the traction, but the open diff is still spinning 1 front tire, so theres traction there for the snow. It's kind of cool when you think about it. You have 4 traction options with selectable lockers front and rear. 1 or 2 rear, 1 rear-front, 2 rear- 1 front, or all 4. IF YOU WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY, my vote is for E lockers all around. But i said before, if it were me, i'd have an LS in the rear, and try to decide what i wanted in the front. But I don't do anything more than light off-roaing so that's enough for me. I want my street driving to be like stock, we all have our own preferences. I also wouldn't spend 1500 for the selectable locker. To me, you're not gaining much for 1500. But obviously to other people there is, because people buy them. You have to figure out what you're going to be doing with the truck, really sit down and thing about it.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 15-Oct-02 AT 02:01 PM (EST)]The elockers are supposed to be out around christmas which is when i'll probably be getting my truck.

I plan to beat this thing hard once I get it, trying to go offroad atleast every weekend. For the rear locker front LS it's gonan be about 4k and I think maybe cheaper. I have a while to think about it.

About $1100 for tires/wheels, $95 for 3" body lift, $120 for leveling coils, $360 for Richmond 4.10 gears, about $700 for the e-locker, $200 for a front trak lok. $300 for the body lift installation if I don't do it my self or get a friend to help. A grand for the gear/locker/ls installation. About $200 for shipping all that stuff comes out to $4075.

 

Hey Justin, have you ever driven a truck with a rear locker on the road? They aren't the same as stock, but there are lockers out there that can be drivin on the street with a decent results. No, an elocker will be better but you can drive a locker on the street if you pick the right one.

RYan

 

COPE trac lok is a spicer unit well iv never seen it in a stock pick up i guess i got screwed then since i paid 250 for it hu lol.

 

Ok, well describe "decent" results for me and everyone else please.

Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

Like i said, if you pick the right locker, one that is smooth such as the No-slip by powertrax. The comapany writes:

The Powertrax No-Slip Differential eliminates the need to compromise, delivering maximum traction with smooth and quite operation. Power is automatically directed to provide full engine torque to both wheels, even if one has zero traction. Unwanted wheel slip is controlled to provide the best traction output. Transitions are smooth and quiet, from equal torque distribution to both wheels, to differential action when making a turn.

Both case and non-case versions are available. The non-case versions install easily in existing open, limited-slip/posi, or locking differential cases. No special tools or professional setup is required. The case assembly version features a special designed extra-strength case, if complete replacement of the OE case is preferred. Key components are made for Zytanium for ultra-strength and maximum durability.

Applications cover virtually all 4x2 and 4x4 trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans, recreational vehicles and many rear wheel drive passenger cars. Both front and rear axle applications are available for 4x4 vehicles.

 

>COPE trac lok is a spicer unit well iv never seen it in a
>stock pick up i guess i got screwed then since i paid 250
>for it hu lol.

They were factory options on Dana axles. I have one in the rear Dana 60 on my truck and pretty much hate it. They work well w/ smaller tires (35's and under) but it just doesn't have enough holding power for the 38's I'm running. It still works on level ground but in situations where one wheel is unloaded it has a tendencey to spin just the one wheel. I can't wait till I can save the money to lock this thing. I drove this truck w/ the 1/2 ton running gear and a spool in the back for about a year and loved it. The L/S was a big step down from that spool.

 

>Like i said, if you pick the right locker, one that is
>smooth such as the No-slip by powertrax. The comapany
>writes:
>
>The Powertrax No-Slip Differential eliminates the need to
>compromise, delivering maximum traction with smooth and
>quite operation. Power is automatically directed to provide
>full engine torque to both wheels, even if one has zero
>traction. Unwanted wheel slip is controlled to provide the
>best traction output. Transitions are smooth and quiet, from
>equal torque distribution to both wheels, to differential
>action when making a turn.
>
>Both case and non-case versions are available. The non-case
>versions install easily in existing open, limited-slip/posi,
>or locking differential cases. No special tools or
>professional setup is required. The case assembly version
>features a special designed extra-strength case, if complete
>replacement of the OE case is preferred. Key components are
>made for Zytanium for ultra-strength and maximum durability.
>
>Applications cover virtually all 4x2 and 4x4 trucks, sport
>utility vehicles, vans, recreational vehicles and many rear
>wheel drive passenger cars. Both front and rear axle
>applications are available for 4x4 vehicles.

Company's make their product sound bigger and better than the competition, anyone have solid first hand experience with this product is the one to listen too. But this is very helpful in letting him make his decision. This locker sounds pretty good, see if anyone has any experience with it. Price this one vs an Eaton E-locker and go from there.

Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

>The limited slip in the front won't matter unless my hubs
>are locked and I am in 4x4 right?
>


I'm either drunk or nobody answered that question. The answer is yea, it doesn't matter what you have in the front pumpkin untill its locked in; doesn't matter if its a spool or LS.

 

I did say that before he asked, must of missed it.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Thats it for now, saving for a stang. Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

So what would be better in snow, LS or open? Think of it that way if you are going to be driving a lot in snow. That is what I'm trying to figure out myself. I have open front and rear, and in the mud only once or twice a month, but I live in NE Ohio with lake-effect snow.

 

I would also like to know the effects of a ls in snow. I live in montana and it snows quite a bit here. would a ls in the rear and an arb or ox trax in the front be the best way to go? My truck is a 79 150 and is a daily driver.

 

The best option is a selectable locker in the front. You know how when you spin the tires in the rear, it will sway back and forth with both wheels turning? The whole truck will do that if all 4 tires are spinning. I had a lot of trouble one time getting up a hill in snow with LS rear because the area was tight, and the rear end was swaying back and forth and was very difficult to keep in control. I've heard it's dangerous for a locked front end in snow/ice but i'm sure it can be controlled and kept to a minimum with practice, but i know i wouldn't put anything but a selectable in there.


Primary rig is Green Thunder:
95' F-150 XLT 4x4, 302, 5 spd, MSD 6A, Flowmaster Exhaust, Sunroof, Clear corners w/ Diamond headlights, CD player with 2 10" subs and some 32" BFG Muds .

Check out my Gallery for a look-see.


Justin - One Happy FTE Member

 

You'll get varying opinions as to what people think about snow and axles. I refuse to own a truck without at least a LS in the rear axle. I don't see any bad effects from a ls in the snow. LS or not, a truck will fish tail in snow. Get used to it and learn to drive. as for front axles, i'd agree that a automatic locker wouldn't be ideal. I'm a fan of selectable lockers or for the budget minded, a limited slip will be good too.

Ryan