locking differentials
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Detroit in the back is great for all situations except maybe pulling a mega trailer while turning tight corners under power. All the guy's I've talked to who have it in their trucks love em. Those who don't, don't. I pull 11k in the summer and never had a problem, Have 6k of sand all winter in the back so I don't see many negatives...No noise at all.
I'm a traction freak so I also have a lock right in front. I do 50 mph in 4x4 and no problems. As far as rain soaked roads they are great cause the inside tire won't light up you just go forward...Ice traction no comparison, Snow traction no comparison, need to know how to drive priceless...
Dick
I'm a traction freak so I also have a lock right in front. I do 50 mph in 4x4 and no problems. As far as rain soaked roads they are great cause the inside tire won't light up you just go forward...Ice traction no comparison, Snow traction no comparison, need to know how to drive priceless...
Dick
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 6
From: Richmond BC
if u want a locker put it in the front..
then u only use it when ur in need and it makes the truck infinetly more drivable on teh street..
unless u go air/electric locker in the rear of course.
but i've always found a front locker will help u more often then a rear..
then u only use it when ur in need and it makes the truck infinetly more drivable on teh street..
unless u go air/electric locker in the rear of course.
but i've always found a front locker will help u more often then a rear..
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
I went through this whole debate about 3 weeks ago and decided on a TrueTrac for the back. I'll add and E-locker to the front when funds are available. I'm on road 99% of the time, so a detroit locker just didn't make sense. Either TrueTrac or one of the switchable lockers.
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Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
I'm on the road most of the time and a detroit is the one to get hands down.. lets see you move over to the side of the road your right tire is on ice you go to pull out into traffic and no go. But wait a minute I just spent big bucks on a trueTrac!!! Get the picture. If you don't need one don't get one stay open. I guess I just don't understand I keep tellin you guy's they don't make any noise they just work like you want everything else to work..
Dick
Dick
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 434
Likes: 0
[QUOTE=99f350sd;6943527]I'm on the road most of the time and a detroit is the one to get hands down.. lets see you move over to the side of the road your right tire is on ice you go to pull out into traffic and no go. But wait a minute I just spent big bucks on a trueTrac!!! Get the picture. If you don't need one don't get one stay open. I guess I just don't understand I keep tellin you guy's they don't make any noise they just work like you want everything else to work..
I guess that makes my mind up on either the truetrac or detroit. looks like the detroit is the way for me.
I guess that makes my mind up on either the truetrac or detroit. looks like the detroit is the way for me.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 6,757
Likes: 5
From: Corvallis, OR
A TrueTrac does not slip like he described, it is a very good LS for up to 37" tires. Also, if you drive on ice often, the TrueTrac has a lot more predictable operation, the Locker will get squirrely on you.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 3
From: So Oregon
Flutter the brake, the True Trac starts splitting torque and away you go, ice or no ice. I guess I just don't understand I keep tellin you guy's... 
A True Trac isn't a locker, for sure, doesn't split the torque 50/50, however, even on ice, even with one wheel in the air you just need a little resistance, which a few clicks of the e-brake, or tapping the brakes gives it and all of the sudden both wheels are turning. The True Trac kicks *ss for those that don't need a full locker, on road or off (again, if you don't need a full locker off road).
A True Trac isn't a locker, for sure, doesn't split the torque 50/50, however, even on ice, even with one wheel in the air you just need a little resistance, which a few clicks of the e-brake, or tapping the brakes gives it and all of the sudden both wheels are turning. The True Trac kicks *ss for those that don't need a full locker, on road or off (again, if you don't need a full locker off road).
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Flutter the brake, the True Trac starts splitting torque and away you go, ice or no ice. I guess I just don't understand I keep tellin you guy's... A True Trac isn't a locker, for sure, doesn't split the torque 50/50, however, even on ice, even with one wheel in the air you just need a little resistance, which a few clicks of the e-brake, or tapping the brakes gives it and all of the sudden both wheels are turning. The True Trac kicks *ss for those that don't need a full locker, on road or off (again, if you don't need a full locker off road).
A True Trac isn't a locker, for sure, doesn't split the torque 50/50, however, even on ice, even with one wheel in the air you just need a little resistance, which a few clicks of the e-brake, or tapping the brakes gives it and all of the sudden both wheels are turning. The True Trac kicks *ss for those that don't need a full locker, on road or off (again, if you don't need a full locker off road).Noise, Nothing seemless operation.Strongest diff made. I think you can get them for about the same price. Heck if they made one for the front of my 99 I would have one in there also the lockright is noisey..
Dick
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 218
Likes: 1
From: Rancho Cucamonga USA
bigjon2u2;
You didn't explain what you want to accomplish so it's a little difficult to make a recommendation. I have an '02 Ex with ARB selectable lockers front and rear. I have used them in sand dunes, deep snow, hill climbing, and on icy roads (trying to get moving, not driving) and I love them. When I unlock I have a standard open diff. My Ex tows a 10K toybox 90+% of the time and I have no problem because I unlock them on dry pavement. From my experience if I could only afford one I would put it in the front.
The down side is you need an onboard compressor to lock them, you need to run air lines and when the front is locked it under steers. But the switch is easy to reach and I unlock as soon as I can for turning.
I had them installed when I was regearing so the install cost was negligible.
Michael
You didn't explain what you want to accomplish so it's a little difficult to make a recommendation. I have an '02 Ex with ARB selectable lockers front and rear. I have used them in sand dunes, deep snow, hill climbing, and on icy roads (trying to get moving, not driving) and I love them. When I unlock I have a standard open diff. My Ex tows a 10K toybox 90+% of the time and I have no problem because I unlock them on dry pavement. From my experience if I could only afford one I would put it in the front.
The down side is you need an onboard compressor to lock them, you need to run air lines and when the front is locked it under steers. But the switch is easy to reach and I unlock as soon as I can for turning.
I had them installed when I was regearing so the install cost was negligible.
Michael