front locker on a 99 TRD

what is a good choice for a front locker on a 99 trd Tacoma?

 

Harrop/Eaton E locker is what I used for the front of my Land Cruiser...best locker out there IMO

 

IMHO, anything other than a selectable locker is a bad idea.

 

not a locker but the trutrac does work pretty good in the front of these trucks. less risk of snapping a cv too.

 

can someone explain why one is better than the other? I thought trutrac was a locker? I have the auto locking hubs, it that matters. thanks.

 

The Detroit TruTrac is a limited slip, not a locker.
Unlike most LS units, its a gear-driven rather than clutch-driven. No clutches to wear out, and a very smooth, quiet operation.

It would be better up front, than a locker, but I still wouldn't want one up front. Years ago, I put a clutch-driven LSD up front, in a hilux, and hated it off-road. More traction, but it severely affected my steering. Many times, I couldn't take the line I wanted in a tight and rocky trail. I soon-after swapped it out for an ARB. Expensive mistake.

 

I had an 84 that had a locker in front. I did notice there was a little control issues at times, but nothing that I trouble controlling. I have no rocks. Only snow or mud.

 

ARB air locker

 

ARB. Only use it when you really need it. I like mine so much that I swapped out the e-locker in the rear for the ARB as well.

 

Trutrac is a much better option than a clutch type lsd. When theres no torque between the axles it still acts as an open and spins freely by hand. This will work with the add and you dont have overcome the clutch pack while turning in 4x4. The clutch type can only transfer a torque difference of what the clutch packs are preloaded to. The trutrac can transfer much more.

 

Depends if you use 4wd high on at high speeds lean towards the ARB. Real world applications a lunch box will work great I live in NE and DD my truck year round no issues. I break axle CVs like they are going endangered but that is because of the crawler and it's not exactly a surprise when they go and I would have an ARB locked anyway. Iv been locked F/R for a few years with 50k miles the only complaint with my Aussie is that the CV doesn't seat as far in as stock. You won't notice it on the road but iv needed to replace the driver axle seal once and it may be due to more mud being let it. Or maybe it was due to replacing 3 Driver CV shafts.

The lunchbox style need locker pin replacement every few years on a load axle. Not Likely to ever happen on ADD fronts as they will act like an Open diff. ARBs airlines and compressors tend to have leaks/seizing issues every couple years. The spider gears in them have had few reportable failure issues but nothing major.


People will say that because your front driveshaft spins that "could" lead to excessive wear in the Tcase that is all a fallacy. Bottom line if you do winter ice driving at highway speed and have the ability to repair airlines/compressors the ARB may be worth a few extra bucks.

 

lunchbox locker WILL NOT act like an open diff. it wont really work with add because it will spin the diff and front drive axle.

 

But the passenger side will disconnect and without 4wd engaged it will behave exactly like it does stock. The driveshaft will spin but it won't effect performance or wear.

 

Not used in 4 high at high way speeds. Mostly used in snow and mud while out hunting or just cruising the country side. I really don't have the money for an ARB, so would probably lean toward the tru trac.

 

I love my Aussie locker its been great and works as expected. For the cost of the locker it is probably the best cost to performance ratio mod one can do. The true expense is the install unless you can do it yourself or have good friends.

 

Had a trutrac in my xj a few years back, worked tremendously well, makes turning radius larger with out a doubt. I ran in 2wd in the woods most of the time due to that reason, 4wd used when needed or I was doing austin powers turns in between the trees. Just for info sake, I did have a detroit locker in the rear, which I'm sure contributed to the larger radius somewhat.