ARB & Detroit True Trac price quotes

Hello Forum,

I was quoted $1000 for the Detroit True Trac installed and $1600-$1800 for the complete ARB system installed on my '08 DCSB Prerunner 4.0. Both are way too much money for the few times that I go offroading and except for getting stuck once in soft sand, I've never been stuck. If I knew how to do the work myself then that would be a whole different story. BTW, they explained to me that True Trac is better than open diff but locked is the best.

I did read somewhere in a forum (not sure if it was this one, ttora, or ToyotaNation) that someone bought a complete E-Locker axle assembly (used) for about $700 and had the cable actuator mod done so he didn't even have to do any electrical work. Plus, I can install the whole assembly myself because thats a simple bolt-on deal. If not, open diff all the way I guess. My '08 only has 50K miles and 1.5 years of payments left (I bought it on Jan 3 2012) for $20,900, (IIRC) with 32,000 miles on it so I'm not gonna trade it in just to get 4X4. When ever I do replace this truck in the future then I'll get 4x4.

I do not know much about this so any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Yes buying and installing lockers is expensive. If I were you I'd just get a complete axle assembly and install it.

 

It really IS what I am leaning towards. There are not too many scrap yards in Miami but I'll take my time and look around. Maybe I'll get lucky and find a member selling one.

 

My advice is to not half-ass it. If you can't afford lockers right now and are committed to keeping that truck, then save your pennies and get them later.

In the meantime, when you go out, bring a shovel. And a jack. And a come-a-long. And learn how to use your brakes as a redneck LSD.

I used to wheel the Superior NF in a Toyota Tercel 4WD wagon - open diffs and no low range - and plenty of stupidity. I'm not still stuck in the woods despite some really good efforts. What I'm trying to say is use the time until you can get lockers to learn how to get by without them.

Then, when you're having a really bad day, and your lockers don't work, you're not well and truly hosed.

 

OK Monkeyboy,
So having said that, are you saying to go for the E-Locker axle swap or the ARB set-up instead of a True Trac?

Oh, & yes, I do plan on keeping my truck for a LONG TIME if I am fortunate enough so I do appreciate your advice, just not clear on what you are referring to.

 

I'd go for the ARB. The axle swap seems like more trouble than it saves, and I've never liked auto-lockers. ARB is well regarded and, assuming it is installed and maintained correctly, very reliable.

I've got a TRD sport, and I'll be doing ARB lockers maybe next winter. But Ive gotten everywhere I wanted to go so far without them. They are nice to have - very nice sometimes - but jeez, that's a lot of beer money for something I would have used twice in the past year.

 

Yeah. I have to really weigh my options with this one.

 

BTW Monkeyboy, if you have the factory E-Locker then why are you going to go with the ARB?

 

Oh. I thought that ALL TRD's brought the factory E-Locker. So, only the TRD OR comes with the locker, not the TRD Sport. That shows what I know

 

Yeah, you are right! I'll take your advice on that and I'll take Monkeyboy's advice also. I can take my time and do it right. If I do come accross an E-locker thats a steal of a deal then I may do it but I'll plan for the ARB otherwise. For now, I'm gonna look for a come-a-long. Any recommendations?

 

If you rarely go off road, imo i would go with the e locker axle swap. Ive been through a ton of "expert/difficult" rated trails in colorado and moab and never had an issue.

No sense in spending $1800 on a locker you will probably use less than 10 times, when an e locker would accomplish the same task for 1/2 the money.

 

Brandon###, I off-roaded 5 times this year in 3 different locations & only got stuck once. It's an area on nw 199st & 27 ave in Miami that has hard sand. I did fine there but when I went through a small trail after that the sand was very soft and thats where I got stuck. It was a small patch but I made the mistake of stopping on it. Had I continued I would have been OK. (Soft enough that when I got out of my truck my shoes sunk in the sand (so you have an idea). My friends stock F-150 4WD got me out in one tug. Afterwards, I aired down the tires (BFG A/T's 265/75r16) to 12 PSI & did not get stuck again.

I know that ARB's are bad ass and I've read that the 8.4" diff is stronger than the 8.0" but I am not a hardcore off-roader. The way I see it, if the TRD OR comes with it from factory then it's good enough for me. Also, I will NEVER change my gear ratio. I love my 3.73's. The tranny shifts exactly where I like it too.

Now, the problem is that there are very few TRD OR's to choose from in the Miami scrap yards but hopefully I'll find one in good shape and I'll sell mine afterwards to make up the money I spend on the E-Locker. I'll take my time and look around on the TW Buy/Sell section also.

Thanks

 

TAC1 - I have had LSDs in a ton of 240s I have owned. OEM Viscous, clutch type, gear type and welded. Also have a ARB/Gear for my Jeep waiting for install.

I am on the fence with the True Trac for my daily driver. I always enjoyed the additional grip of a locker in the rear. I am keeping my truck until it falls apart from old age (while maintaining it to make it last).

I would think a True Trac would be your best bet as it is always working. Guys have quoted why spend the money when you will only use it a few times (ARB) and I agree. So I would spend the loot on the True Trac that will always work when there is some imbalance.

Also I posted in another thread. Did you go with the True Trac?

 

I had a True Trac installed in my old Silverado, and I never ever ran into an issue with it despite abusing the HELL out of it. Simply put, they're bulletproof. They aren't cheap to buy and install, but I definitely think that you get your money's worth.

 

Hello StanBo & Biscuits,

I ended up getting an entire OEM LSD 3rd member from the dealership. I bought it through my friends employee price when he was working there. If not for that deal then I would have definitely gone the True Trac route.

I sold my original open diffed 3rd to PMK. He bought it because it had low miles and he wants to install the True Trac in it and into his truck. You can PM him. Great guy & very knowledgeable.

Thanks

 

Haha! I didn't see the date on the original post. My mistake. Great job on getting the OEM LSD through a killer deal; hope you're happy with it!

 

Hey. No problem at all. I'm sure this can help someone out there. And Thanks. Yes, I am very happy with it.