The 2020 Annual Citrus Meet!

Hopefully I'll have the oem mechanical lsd in by the trip.

 

hopefully I have my damn gears in before this trip lol...just waiting on my buddy to get back and find out a good day when I can get everything installed

 

well...for everyone that prefers to NOT destroy tires daily driving lol, a selectable locker is the best

 

My detroit unlocks when cornering...most of the time. Haha. It depends on the situation too. Detroits are more reliable and require less maintenance (and they are cheaper by a LOT). On the other hand, they definitely aren't what you want if you have to drive on icy roads (not an issue here in the ass-crack-of-hell state).

 

I was thinking about a Detroit for the rear, I have the clutch type OEM lsd in there now. Is the Detroit ok on the street? I know Detroit makes the tru track, but that's a torsen type lsd, not sure how good off road ? If they offered the tru track for the front, I'd add that in a second, then a real locker in the rear. I know this is the wrong thread to discuss.

 

selectables are the easiest way to go, especially if you DD your truck and offroad a 4x4

 

But ARB is expensive and need a compressor and stuff. I'm on the fence about it. I just don't know how a locker in the rear will effect drivability.

Edit: @Alfuh do you have a factory LSD? Sport pre 09.

 

then go with a selectable.....if you are worried about drivability....get a selectable

 

Well, that's sort of subjective question. It all depends on what situations you expect to get into and how much you're willing to put up with. I can say this: since I put my detroit in, I've really noticed my need to regear. And while I bearly notice the locker on the road most of the time, there are certain times when I stop at a stop sign before turning a corner, it doesn't unlock right away and barks a tire. Another thing I've noticed, and @allenfab says he noticed the same thing, is that going from 1st gear to 2nd now, the transmission acts like a synchronizer is failing, but since Todd and I noticed the same behavior after installing the locker, I'm guessing there's something else going on. I just shift slower and don't yank 2nd gear and it's fine. Another thing is that it can make some scary noises at random times, popping and clanking, making you swear you just broke something but you really haven't; it's just the diff locking and unlocking. Performance-wise, the locker has added a LOT more capability to the truck, so it's worth the effort of altering my driving habits and putting up with the quirks the locker brings with it.

Also, don't forget what I mentioned earlier, if you ever think you're going to drive on an icy road, a detroit will get you into trouble a lot faster than an open diff/selectable locker.

Contrary to what Chris says, a selectable locker isn't simpler. There's a lot more expense and work involved to install and maintain them with all the extra plumbing, wiring, and components...and there's a higher possibility that they will fail to lock when you need it most. But other than that, I agree, being able to have the diff completely open while driving on the road and switching to locked when off-road is a very nice option.

 

Thank you for the honest review. I was going to re gear at the same time. Do you have any information about the Detroit tru trac Torsen LSD? Fom my experience they are good in street performance oriented cars, but not sure how they do off road. I know the OEM clutch type LSD is ok, as long as both wheels are on the ground. Lol. But I guess that with good flex helps keep them down.

I guess my plan is to regear and want to cover my bases, buy once,cry once.

 

@Jon4x4 had trutrac in his last taco

 

You can ask @Sholden223 about the tru-trac. We put one in his truck over the summer. I'm not really a big fan of LSD in general. Seems like if you're going to go through the expense and effort to put one in, you might as well spend a little extra to put in a locker.

 

Detroit locker or nothing.

You will have to slightly change your driving style with an auto locker but its not going to be an extreme change. If you are in the gas while turning, you will chirp the inside tire but in reality, it's nothing major. As for accelerated tire wear, I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary from an open or LSD diff.

I've told a few this before, but I will NEVER own another vehicle that I even slightly off-road without lockers front and rear. Though, I have a dedicated trail truck so this is more feasible than with a DD

 

Just one little nitpick, by saying if you're in the gas while turning it'll chirp the inside tire, this isn't because the locker is locked...at least on a full detroit unit, as opposed to a lock-rite which is locked anytime you are under power...it happens because you're sending all the power to the inside tire of the vehicle and the tire may not have enough traction to take it (and if the inside tire spins enough, the locker will relock resulting in the "bang" you hear people talk about). This is different from an Open diff or an LSD unit as they send power to both sides when turning (assuming both tires have similar traction available ). Either that, or it's a situation like I mentioned where you stopped at a stop sign before making a turn. The tires actually have to rotate a bit before the locker will unlock.

A full Detroit locker unit does NOT operate the same way as a Lock-rite (lunchbox locker). I just want to be clear on this since a lot of people don't realize there's difference and vilify the Detroit for the shortcomings of the POS lock-rite.

 

Hey hey hey!



E locker FTMFW.





Just kidding

 

I had a tru trac in my 2wd taco and loved it, ill be going that route with this truck as well. Locks when it needs to, on the street you can still feel the tires gripping

 

Thank you both for answering I appreciate the information I've heard that a 2wd with a lock will take you pretty far as off road goes, just not rock climbing or anything like that, so we will see. Maybe its worth the investment.

 

Here's a good demonstration. I went through this in 2 Lo (I'm unlocking my hubs there at the beginning so I could use low range and still be in 2wd). Note how much trouble the 4wd trucks with no lockers had, vs how easy it was for me in just 2wd with a locker.

https://youtu.be/9GXCP2rqgOQ?list=PLMZVa3vsCvMRU7qfgiIgiq9_cy0EV-eMa&t=1

 

I see how well that 1st gen did......

 

Haha, I know, right? Why is it that 1st Gens were the only ones with big enough stones to attempt it? Out of the 4 of us that did, only Colson (@TacoHell ) and I made it look easy, even though he was in 4wd. Why? Because we both had lockers.