Locker or posi?

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Mar 25, 2009 | 03:15 PM

Towmanjbo

Thread Starter

Cargo Master

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 3,027

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From: Manchester, CT USA

Locker or posi?

Ok I am rebuilding the front end on my '92 F150 4by 4.9 E4od and I have the front axle out and apart. Now would be the time to regear while its out. The truck has 3.08's in it stock with no LS. This truck is going to be the one I do dump runs with and someday put a plow on it. I don't do alot of off-road driving if at all. It currently has 31" tires so I'm thinking of putting 3.73's in it.

The question is do I put a locker or posi in the front diff?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts

Mar 25, 2009 | 03:32 PM

FordxFour

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Joined: Jun 2004

Posts: 2,433

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From: Apex, N.C.

If it were mine I would put in a locker such as an ARB. Full time posi on the front end is not a good thing, the truck is not going to like to turn.

Mar 25, 2009 | 03:46 PM

cjg1999

Senior User

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 163

Likes: 3

How have you been!

If you are not doing any off roading, just plowing, I would not bother with the expense of a locker. Some trucks did have a stock front LS but i have never seen one. When you do the rear though, you should put one there, my truck is open 3.55 rear and it slips even in the rain. Let us know what you decide!

Mar 25, 2009 | 05:31 PM

Conanski

FTE Legend

Joined: Jun 2006

Posts: 31,930

Likes: 1,499

From: Ottawa, Ontario

A switchable locker would provide maximum traction, but as already mentioned you almost need 2 people in the cab to turn the truck when in 4wd.. a locked front end just wants to go straight. The next best thing is a true posi like the Detroit TrueTrac, power to the wheel with grip instead of the other way around. An LS diff has to be fairly tight to provide any real traction benefit so it's not a good idea in the front for the same reason as the fulltime locker. Other than that just leave it open. For me it breaks down like this...

Serious offroad use:
1 Switchable locker
2 Posi
3 Fultime locker
4 LS
5 Open

Occasional offroad, mostly onroad:
1 Posi
2 Switchable locker
3 Open
4 LS
5 Fulltime locker

Mar 25, 2009 | 06:08 PM

1966Tbird

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Joined: Dec 2006

Posts: 1,639

Likes: 2

does anyone make a switchable locker for the ttb? all the ones i have seen use the cover to make them work

Mar 25, 2009 | 07:36 PM

bad96

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2008

Posts: 400

Likes: 0

you will probably be doin full lock turns in 4x4 while plowing,
so i would put a LS in back and leave the front open
my 04 SD is set up that way and i have no problem pushin snow, with a 9' blade and the 5.4