Ford F-350 4x4 Rear Diff Options

[flying frenchman]

Hey! I'm looking for a limited slip for the rear diff. on my F-350 4x4. Some thing that won't kill me in the winter with it's driving manners. I was thinking an Auburn limited slip or a Detroit locker. I heard the Detroit locker was noisy and hard to drive in the winter. Does anyone have other ideas or any Pros and cons of the two. What is everybody running in their trucks. Thanks

 

[Stg2Suby]

Here is my $0.02

A Detroit Locker (or similar) will clunk and bang, have tricky handling on ice and tend to push the frontend straight under power. There is no "differential" action with a locker, it uses over-running dog clutches on each axle output to allow the outside wheel to rotate faster than the inside wheel when turning.

A conventional clutch-type limited slip (Auburn etc) can work pretty well but the torque transfer characteristics get weaker over time with clutch wear, and most folks seem to find the initial torque bias too tight or too loose for their preference.

The Detroit Trutrac is a helical type limited slip and IMO the best compromise. No wear, consistent performance and strong. Most high-end sports cars have gone this route and I think Dodge uses one in the Powerwagon rearend but with a mechanical locking function as well.

I have personal experience with a Locker in a 94 Ram 2500 and a several clutch-type LSD's in various vehicles none of which I've been very happy with.

 

[Ancient Sledder]

My Ranger has the Torsen diff, which I think is the same as a Trutrac. All gears, no clutches. It works really well except for one problem. If you have one wheel higher,sideways, than the other and let off the throttle it goes back to one wheel drive. It feels like the gear slips out of place. Then it's winch time.

 

[sirkdev]

I had a detroit trutrac in a 83 chev 3/4 only used for oilfield checking wells and I do not recommend it hooked like crazy but terrifying in the winter. Would randomly do donuts.

 

[mb1]

I think I'm going to have a Yukon Grizzly installed in my truck. ( Dmax ). I've read a lot of reviews from different people and it seems like the detroit truetrac would be a great choice too, however there are times when it will still do the one wheel peel, which I am sick of and I'm prepared to deal with the locker.

I've read a lot of reviews and opinions on the Grizzly and everyone who has one has only good things to say, as far as I've read. The people saying bad things it seems have not run one, only too offer advice based on how it will act theoretically.

I just have to decide who I want to do the work, right now it looks like AB driveline.

I am still skeptical of the winter manners of this unit, however I spoke to a guy ( Richard @ RPS ) who said he runs one and makes 10 trips to blue river in the winter per year and still loves it. I can always run 4wd if it gets sketchy....

 

[Stg2Suby]

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4JhruinbWc&feature=related[/YT]

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZmsY2YvVsc&NR=1&feature=fvwp[/YT]

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYBOoljH-qE[/YT]

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-VPPGsYq6TE[/YT]

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbMZ9vcYVSg&feature=related[/YT]

 

[flying frenchman]

Stg2Suby Thanks for the Videos. That first one is the coolest smart invention. Thinking going true-trac but some people are reporting the side bolt are cooming out. Still undecided. One shop says Auburn limited slip and other shop says no limited slip will last with 35" tires.

 

[Stg2Suby]

Here's one more video showing the Eaton clutch-plate type limited slip. I don't see a spring pack in this design so maybe it uses conical washers to provide initial preload on the clutch pack

[YT]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiuH-FeC-Ho[/YT]