True Trac Limited Slip Diff for 5 lug Question

So I have a 2002 5 lug with the 7.5" rear and want to get a True Trac to get some real traction going. I was looking through the True Trac catalog and only see one listed for the front, can anyone confirm if this will fit in the rear by chance?



I had a "gear specialist" tell me it will, but I would like to double check before ordering up the parts!

 

Ghostly lack of replies here.. was the "World" not ready for this question?!!

 

I was able to have my local gear specialist install the TrueTrac as mentioned above yesterday. Recall this was part #911A342, it actually had a part #911A644 printed on the diff itself when I pulled it from the box!




He stated it was set up with proper rotation to use in the rear so didnt need to flip anything. Also mentioned all the parts I purchased worked out for the installation. This was basically all oem stock parts used for the full rebuild with the exception of running the "larger 50mm" diff carrier bearings. Here was the parts list used:

OEM Part numbers:
50mm Differential carrier bearings (not stock, v-6 parts) 9036850006 x 2
Pinion bearing 9036630055 x 1
Pinion bearing 903663502377 x 1
Pinion seal 9031138047 x 1
Ring gear bolts 9010111353 x 10
Pinion Nut 9017918020 x 1
Crush sleeve 4123122010 x 1
Differential housing gasket 4218130020 x 1

Now I just need to go for a "spirited" drive to see how this thing works!

 

Any updates or review of this. This is on my list of to do.

 

After a couple months of driving and even hitting a couple of autocross events I can share my thoughts as requested.

Overall the true trac is very non-intrusive, however there is still some wheel spin if I am cornering hard although I can tell it is "limited". It is very smooth and you cant really feel or hear it engaging which is very nice, just the wheels slowly stop spinning and grab hold without much drama. However there is a notable difference in hard turns where I used to spins my wheels a lot, now they spin quite a bit less so there is a notable improvement. Again, there is still some wheel spin though when I stamp on the gas hard coming out of turns due to the low weight rear end of the truck, so maybe it was not as affective as I hoped it would have been.

Maybe there is a way to dial it in to lock up a bit sooner to try and reduce tire slippage further, though I haven't really looked into this option. Overall I am glad I went for it but think I was expecting there would be no slippage at all no matter how nutty I get which is not quite the case of course, it is truly a limited slip situation much as the part implies!

 

Thank you for the update @2Runner. Gonna have to go this route. Sounds perfect for my needs.

 

Long term update for any that may be considering this route.

After a few more rounds at the autocross I found my driving skills improving, and unfortunately the faster I drive the more the Truetrac shows it doesnt really work too great for high speed turns which is mainly what I am wanting it for. Awhile back I talked to a guy at the track that actually used to run his Tacoma on autocross and recommended the mk2 Supra LSD with upgraded clutches to lock up early and tight on the light weight truck rear.

After looking for months for these somewhat scarce parts I was able to finally find one just 30 minutes from my house for a measly $250, so I am going to have to rustle up them upgraded clutches and give this thing a shot in the near future (after some other projects).





I hope this will change the handling in them high speed curves and let me get to the power sooner on corner exits. Once I get this in and get some runs under my belt I will give some updates on the comparison.

 

Here is a good video to show how a Detroit True Trac works and how the driver "makes" it work... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pGH2Cw_FyM&t=393s
.. I added one to my truck and together with the ATRAC system and I think it makes a huge difference, but I do not autocross... seems a traditional limited slip would work better for your needs.

 

Thanks for the clip, interesting trick I may explore.

Here's a clip of my truck on the autocross, you can hear the wheel burn on the turns when the truck passes by closely.

The only way to find what works better for my usage is to try them both I suppose!

Work's out nice that I have a 3rd gen 4runner that I can put the Truetrac into the front end on too..

 

We put a True Trac in my son's 3rd Gen 4runner, works great..... which is why I ended up doing it too. I was going to put one in the front diff too, but decided not to last minute.....

 

Keep us updated. Have heard rebuilding my diff with the Supra clutch discs is the way to go too.

 

To increase the performance of my newfound old 7.5" Supra lsd, I ordered the MAX Grip kit from Weir Performance today.



Spence answered my first call, fielded my questions, and gave me some great tips. Hope this setup is going to get some much needed traction on those high speed turns.

 

So how does this swap work? Pull the gearset and everything out of that diff and swap into the Tacoma 3rd member?

 

Basically a diff carrier swap like you are saying, but I will add the above clutches to the Supra LSD to help it lock up earlier and tighter. Since they are both known as the 7.5" rear I believe all parts are interchangeable, even the ring and pinion if you want to change ratios to whatever the Supra may come with (going to check to see what I got here). Think I need to research the carrier bearing to see if I still need the larger 50mm the Truetrac called for.

I hear the down fall is there is a bit of chatter in low speed curves while the diff actually locks up even while cruising moderately. Sounds like what I need for them tires to start grabbing, but not too thrilled about the chatter. Spence told me you can add some additive or go with synthetic to get rid of the chatter, but this also reduces the locking performance. May be something I experiment with down the road.

Updates will be slapped up here once I get around to this, got some other things in the works now too of course..

 

I don’t come on these forums much there is a lot of info on XRU about rear diffs for autocrossing. I too got tru trac lsd i just didn’t like my open diff and wanted something that was easier to live with but all my other friends got clutch styles LSD’s since they autoX

 

Yesterday I had my gear shop install the Weir clutch pack into the Supra differential and installed the unit into my 02 regular cab. As a note the axles needed to be shaved down just a dash to get clearance enough to roll freely for any that wish to DIY with a similar year Tacoma. There is still enough spline left to engage with the Truetrac or factory open diff if you want to be able to go back to stock I was also told.

Of course I took it for a good spirited test cruise to my local curvy canyons to see my first impressions. After one night I am super glad I did this change already, it is a whole new truck and I may even say its moving into "world class handling levels" with this modified factory Toyota LSD in the rear! No more peg leg smoke machine over here..

The difference between the two units is actually quite drastic how it transformed the truck completely, and even feels noticeable just going straight down the road while cruising which I thought was my mind playing tricks on me at first. It is nicer to drive now and just feels like it rolls and accelerates smoother, the truck feels more stable and planted as a result while hitting the throttle and also when making turns. Normal turns feel totally normal and buttery smooth, and when I got to the twisty local canyon "test" roads thats where the huge smiles starting forming on my face! I was taking these curves as quick as I ever had and the truck feels like its at a whole new level yawning at what I was doing and begging me to go faster! It feels more poised for action than ever, and the throttle inputs power so smoothly allowing you to go faster with extra confidence than before.

Even trying I could not even get the inside tire to spin at all even on my off camber super tight curve where I have always been able to spin the tire for a second+ or so trying to get to the power down on the exit. I could not even feel when the thing kicked in to lock up, it seems to lock up early and tight, but also so smoothly I dont even notice while driving. It just works like a dream basically! I was even able to remove the sand bags from my spare tire well, that was sorely needed as an attempt for more traction, basically tire slipping is an issue of the past it is starting to feel like. This is the first time I actually thought the truck could use more power now that the darn tire was not slipping every time I stamp the pedal with aggression!

I did notice when slowing down a lot to a coasting crawl speed in a parking lot and making a tight turn there was the new noise that Mr Weir had told me of, a slight clunk or two while slowing and turning tight coming to a stop. It did this once again as I maneuvered into my driveway, again same slow to no speed tight turning brings out the new sound. It is overall not very loud or noticeable seeing as how my truck with a manual tranny already feels a bit noisy this doesnt seem to bother me at all. Especially now that I can tell my limited slip differential is actually working to make the truck handle better and drive so much smoother overall, and this coupled with the fact that my one tire fire days on the course may be an issue of the past I am really thinking this may be the best mod I have done to the truck since high performance wheels and tires.

I still have yet to hit an autocross event with the new lsd so we will see how much this holds up when the action gets cranked up a couple notches, but at this time my initial thought after trying both the Truetrac and the modified Supra diff back to back in the same truck same road there is no comparison between the two performance and ride wise. I basically could not even tell if the Truetrac was ever doing much for me as I could spin the inside tire just about as much as I was with the open factory differential. I had many guys ride along on the autocross with me saying "you need a limited slip diff in this thing" and my response was "I have a darn Truetrac in there believe it or not".. Maybe it has something to do with this Truetrac part # being for the front end, but from my experience I would say do not even waste time with a Truetrac if you want superior handling and traction and even just an overall better driving truck for everyday and for track days!!

 

Want to sell the Truetrac?

 

I plan to install the Truetrac into my 3rd gen 4runner on the front axle, so it will still get some usage.

This part was actually intended for front end usage and may be part of the reason why I did not have great results with it..

I tell you though, if you can get hold of the mk2 Supra limited slip diff and add the Weir clutch kit you will have superior traction and handling characteristics.

 

Ive been looking for a Supra lsd and can’t find one. If you know where one is please let me know. I would rather go that route anyway.

 

I found mine on offerup but it took a while.

I know Kaaz make some nice stuff in Japan that come with adjustable high performance clutches, but this is a pricey route.

Maybe try hitting up spots that specialize in Supra parts also..