Which aftermarket LSD?

Hello everyone. New Tacoma owner here. Me, not the truck.

I've read numerous threads concerning LSDs, but I don't seem to be able to piece enough together to make a decision, so I'm going to ask some specific questions. Sorry if they've been asked before, but this great forum is HUGE, and it looks like it would take me a week to read all the diff stuff.

I've got a 2wd base truck, and I am looking to get around better in Minnesota winters. What LSD would you recommend based on initial cost, durability, maintenance, function, and gas mileage?

Thanks in advance!

 

Best LSD is the one that came with 05-08 trucks. So you can look for one from junkyards
Then Trutrac...

 

I wish I could find it now but can't, somewhere someone said they thought the truetrack was better than oem. I've read so much now that my thought process is pretty much mud. Can you elaborate a bit on why you think the oem is better?

Also, I read somewhere that installing LSD should be between $250 and $350, does that sound right? Watched a youtube on installing one in a Jeep, and it doesn't look like a DIY for me.

Thanks again

 

Truetrac is very good limited slipp but it can not work with one wheel in the air or on super slick surface. What it does it multiplies torque of one side to other. But if one side is 0 then 0 x anything = still 0
So its possible to end up with wheel spinning and not going anywhere.

OEM uses clutchpacks (8 of them to be exact) and the way its build...
clutchpacks ensure that no axle spins slower then drive shaft. (carrier to be exact)
which means even with one wheel in the air it will try to rotate tire on the ground. You just need to be on the power. And probably if you get new clutchpacks there should be a way to increae power transfer by adding additional clutchpacks to it.
Which I will soon attempt to do when I get my spare one

 

Thanks for the excellent info. From what I understand, Eaton makes one with clutch packs. If I can't find a used OEM at a reasonable price (or even new), do you think this is a viable option?

One other thing on the Truetrack. Could I make torque on the 0 side by applying the hand brake?

Also, do the clutch pack LSDs reduce MPG or are the clutches engaged only when there is a significant difference between L and R rotation?

Sorry to be a bother, but again any of your knowledge is greatly appreciated.

 

may be selling a true trac i ran for about 2000 miles if you are interested. switched it out to full detroit so it's been sitting in the garage.

 

Eaton would be good. If you interested in locker then Eaton makes locker with clutch packs. Locker is better in delivering power to non-slipping wheel especially with one wheel completely in the air or on super slick surface. Drawback is in winter locker(auto) could be hard to drive, especially with manual transmission. I had LockRight and it was interesting experience.

Yes you can use handbrake to power wheels but if you are on long stretch of the road, all iced up you going to heat the brakes. So its Ok to do this in short bursts (sort of climb the hill) but long run may give you problems.

It probably Depends which ones, some clutchpacks do reduce MPG some don't . I think Factory one does not. I am getting 22 average MPG and my Truck is 4x4 but also I drive slow so maybe I just dont see it.