Thanks for the update!

I think a true locking differential is where it's at when it comes to using a rig off road. In a front application like you're describing, steering will likely be bad when the locker is engaged but then again, in situations where you need to lock the front axle I don't suspect you'll need to do much tight maneuvering in Super Duty. It's one of those things where you probably won't need it very often but when you do it really comes in handy!


Please follow up with your thoughts after the install is complete. Pics and video are always worth extra points, too!

 

I have a TrueTrac in the rear of my 2006 F-250 Diesel with 38 inch tires on it and it's pretty bad *** and with the weight of that truck it's not slipery on any surface unless your trying to make it slippery...
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Have you considered the Eaton Detroit Locker for the front? I think thats how I'm going to go. I don't want there to be any on or off switch to my traction, just a gas pedal. I'm going to put the Detroit locker or the TrueTrac in the front. The only problem with a selectable locker in my eyes is if your doing your thing and you start to get into a stuck situation you have to be rolling real slow to lock them. So this means if your almost stuck and you have to stop to lock it your probably stuck now, where the true track requires the gas pedal and if you get a tire off the ground then you aply the brake and that will cause enough residual friction in the diff to cause it to almost create a full lock-up. "Done that before with the TrueTrac"...
The Detroit locker will allow one tire in a turn "The faster one" to ratchet foward while rolling and act as a full locker in any other situation...
Decisions Decisions...
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Wow, this thread was so old I didn't even get a notification that someone posted in it, I just happened to see it.

If you look back at my OP, I said Detroits and LS were out from the word go. I went with the e-locker, and I have been very happy with it. I haven't truly NEEDED it with the Tru Trac in the rear and the more aggressive Duratracs, but it's nice to have it. I haven't put anything through a truly tough test because I deployed again less than 9 months after getting home.

As far as the rolling situation you mention to lock it in, that's not a concern for me. I'm either going to lock it before I get to where I think I might get stuck, try to power out if I think I'm getting stuck, or I will likely stop and assess my situation, which gives me the opportunity to lock it in. If you've never driven something with a locked front axle, you might want to reconsider the Detroit. That's just my opinion as several people are happy with it. Maybe it's different than how the e-locker feels, but when my front is locked it drastically changes the truck, especially steering. It changes it so much that if I feel myself getting in trouble with the front unlocked, I'm going to want to have that steering manipulation more than the locked front end. If that doesn't get me out of a mess, then the locker is my back-up/last resort before airing down (if I'm not already).

Everyone is different, as is their needs, driving styles, what they want from their rig. In the end, I felt the e-locker gave me the best overall flexibility in any situation I might encounter.

One more quick piece of advice, be VERY careful on the site you joined yesterday. There is a huge amount of knowledge there, and a good search will usually answer any questions. As you can see, it's not a friendly place. And if you get easily worked up and let them see it, they will eat you alive and make your life difficult in ways you can't imagine just to amuse themselves.

As someone suggested, I would call the manufacturers of the product you decide you want to install and ask them your question in relation to whether the locker will work with 4.30's based on their 4.10 and down or 4.56 and up product descriptions.

 

Yeah those guys on that site were amazing huh. felt like I found myself in a preschool detention center...

About your E-locker... I am pushing more towards a selectable locker I think. ARB or Eaton E-Locker. Not sure wich one. My truck already has onboard air so thats not an issue. Do you know if one is better than the other?
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On my F250, I have have a Tru-Trac waiting to be installed, along with F350 rear blocks (to replace stacked blocks from a leveling kit), and a set of 4 modified Bilstein shocks from CT Performance. All are being installed by a relatively local guy that I trust to do the work and is well proven in this type of work.

Additionally, I was wondering if an adjustable track bar is needed for the front axle. My installer said if I'm not experiencing wobbling, he'd not bother given the leveling kit didn't add much height to the front at all.

I've considered adding the E-Locker to the front, since my buddy just had it installed on his Dodge 2500. He has a good reason though... he plows snow on his property and has gotten stuck several times over the year. I'm not sure I can justify the E-Locker for myslef... for mostly on road and towing type of usage. The extra capability when/if attracts me though!! <sigh> I still have a couple of days or so to decide.

I considered ARB briefly, but I just liked the idea of the E-Locker rather than air driven.

 

I went e-locker for 2 reasons over the ARB. First was all the working parts that go with an ARB setup. A lot of potential for failures. However, they are the most recommended, and those that have them love them. Considering my front locker was gonna be low use, I opted for the one with less working parts in the system. 2nd, I didn't want to do a compressor set up. They make noise, and you have to find a place to mount them. I have a 20lb CO2 tank I carry everywhere that fits all my compressed air needs, so the on board air setup didn't appeal to me.

A tru trac and some more aggressive tires makes a big difference. Do I truly need my e-locker? Probably not, but I like knowing it's there. I had the money and was having the rear axle torn into, so I did it, and I'm not at all sorry. As far as your track bar, I always recommend them to people leveling their trucks. However, if you already have the kit installed and aren't having any issues, then it sounds like a waste of money to me.

</sigh>