Hey guys,

I am in the market for a locking differential for my rear axle. Do you guys have any advise on which one to get? I have the 3.73LS on my '05 F-250 PS and it just doesn't cut it. I have been looking at the Detroit Locker as it is the most popular one from what I heard. Could you guys please direct me to where I can get the best price and how much am I looking at with the parts and installation by a shop. Lastly if you guys could tell me which exact locker do I need for the SD axle of my truck. I can't remember what axle I have maybe a Ford 10.5 or a Dana 80?

Thanks,

FordGuy

 

Im on the same boat as you, Im also looking to get a locking differential but want to make sure I get a good brand. Only thing I know is that Im sure that we have a Ford 10.5 rear.
~Gage~

 

Hi fellas,

Just like most any addon product for vehicles it generally comes down to personal preference and experience with aftermarket products. When it comes to lockers it makes a difference of what your main needs are for them. (I'm sure you'll get some informed input for city driving with lockers shorty from others here)

For your "options" pleasure:
I will be adding front and rear lockers (and gears) to my truck later this year and have decided on ARB. They are air controlled with an onboard compressor and allow individual and separate locking of the front and read differentials. The ARB's are more suited for the off road driver that needs on demand full lock 2 or 4 wheel drive to get through or over more rough terrain (logs, larger rocks, steep grades, mud, etc,,,). They are generally not the prefered locker for city driving. In snow and ice conditions on main roads they can be too much traction and cause sideways sliding which can be difficult to control. But,,, If you have some experience with separately controlled front and rear lockers installed you can work them very well in the snow and ice on main roads. It does take an experienced touch to get them to pull you out of tricky situations using either the fronts or rears or alternating both during different situations.
They do cost more compared to other lockers available.

The needed on board compressor for the ARB lockers can prove to be a valuable tool for emergency tire repair and airing up your tires when you get back to the mains roads after driving the trails (airing up your tires, huh?Airing down your tires for off road driving is the norm for additional traction and a softer ride). There are of course other uses for the on board compressor. Just use your imagination.

I have driven 2 trucks on the trails (once in the snow) with ARB's installed in them and I know I want them on my truck without a doubt.

Rick...

 

I am also looking at the Detroit tru-trac or the full locker

 

I just got my True Tracs from Summit Racing - 1142.00 for both front and rear, includes 12.95 for shipping almost 100 lbs. UPS! I will have them installed next week and will report back once I've had a chance to drive them for a week or so.

I looked at lockers as well, but really don't need that kind of off-road capability. My 2008 SD is for driving to work in snow and occasional backcountry trails.

 

i pick up a true track from randy's ring and pinion . and now cant afford to have it installed. cheapest shop i found was $2500. just for labor. looks like i'll be selling the locker.

 

i myself am leaning towards bying a true trac from detroit a locker isnt as streetable in my opinion, and i also believe that a locker is more likely to break an axle than a helical lsd in certain situations.

 

WOW!!! $2500!!! Anybody else have any quotes or how much they paid?!? I had no idea it would cost that much. It seems like the Detroit locker won't be good for all around use from city driving to rock climbing. Don't the chevy pick-ups have locking differentials? I would imagine it would be ok to have a locking differential and still be able to use it to get to work and back.

Thanks

 

it should not cost that much for labor, i had a guy locally say he would put a factory trac loc in my truck for $230 and that was including a used diff. My truck is a one legger

 

1/2 ton Chevy's have an Eaton G80 Locking Diff that senses a 2-3 mph difference and mechanically locks up until 25 mph, then disengages. Not sure about their HDs. When I worked at a GMC dealer we had a display to fool around with. Worked pretty good.

 

I've been quoted 1400.00 for the install of the True Tracs front and rear. This includes master install kits (bearing and seals for both axles). I've seen cheaper labor quotes from shops about 2 hours away, but it is more important to me to have it done locally, especially if there are issues with the install down the road.

Bottom line is nothing really worth doing is cheap.

 

I thought there was some pretty good content here.

 

I had a true trac installed in the back about a year ago. Cost 3-4 hrs labour to install at a local shop. That doesn't include the bearing kit, and fluid, as I supplied all of that.

You fellas that are putting something in might also want to look at getting a new cover for the rear diff right away also. Way cheaper to have that fluid replaced at once, cuz I think that is the expensive part, all that gear fluid.