TruTrac in the front

Is anyone on here running one of these in the front?

I'm curious about the handling characteristics on a dirt or wet road. How does the truck steer when you give it a little gas compared to open? Any issues with longevity?

Reason I'm asking is because I am planning to buy a 3rd already setup with one.

ANY feedback from those who have owned/driven one is greatly appreciated. Thanks

 

bump!

 

Its best to have one you can turn off and on, try turning with your rear locker on, now think about what that would be like up front. It seems like a good plan but IMHO it could be unsafe on the road and make tight turns difficult off road. Toyota designed it open for a reason, now its OK to change that when needed, not all the time though.

 

Its actually a limited slip, so I expect there to be major differences in the handling characteristics when compared to a locker. I have read that it acts like an open diff when you get a wheel off the ground, but you can feather the brakes to engage the lockup. With both wheels on the ground its supposed to be pretty seamless. It seems like a nice compromise over a locker in the front.

 

I dunno then, I would think more guys would do it if it worked well, I am sure its been done. unfortunately for a lot of us arb air lockers are too dang expensive. Can you disconnect your front end I.e. manual hubs?

 

I think on the road would be the biggest problem, or at highspeed with hubs locked or 4wd engaged
BTW, I have no experience with LSD in the front only in the rear on track cars. So this is all speculation and I could totally be thinking backwards

 

I know a guy that ran a TruTrac in the front of an F250 but he had locking hubs.

I have no idea how it would handle, particularly in a tight turn when you would have the largest turning difference between the wheels. He never complained about it.

I also have no idea how well it will play with the ADD if you don't have locking hubs. I know a front ARB locker absolutely, positively does not like to be engaged when 4WD is not. engaged on the ADD systems.

 

I used to run a clutch-type TRD LSD many years ago. When I locked the hubs, it really affected the steering. Couldn't take the line I wanted, so I swapped it out a few months later after I installed it. I suggest open or selectable.

 

Supposedly it doesn't really affect the steering when there is no torque applied to the carrier.

Fortunately I have manual hubs.

Yep, manual hubs. I think a lot of folks probably don't spring for it because of the cost - its about $500, which isn't too far from an ARB. If I was making that decision, I'd go ARB, but this 3rd I'm buying already has it installed as well as the gears I need already set up.

 

An ARB is going to run close to a grand for the carrier and you still have to buy the compressor.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/group-buys/319977-ecgs-group-buy-gears-lockers.html

$840 shipped

Even then, I wish I could justify that! I'd rather put it towards gas to go somewhere!

 

I don't see the 7.5" ARB (RD90) on the list. Is this an oversight or only offered for the 2nd Gen 8"?

 

I ran a Trutrac in my TJ. It was in a D30, non-locking hubs so the axles and front driveshaft always spun. I never noticed any unusual handling on the road in 2WD. You could feel the understeer in 4wd though. I did run a ARB in the Pro-Rock 60 rear.

As long as torque isn't applied to it, the Trutrac should handle as an open diff. IMO, it wouldn't be good in the rear axle if you mostly see pavement but would be fine in the front.

 

Hmm, you're right. I'd call and ask

That's what I'm looking to hear. Sounds like a nice improvement over an open diff without being clunky.

 

You had better report back!

 

I have one in the front. I have manual hubs.

In steeper or dry waterfalls 4x4ing, I engage my rear locker less than when I didn't have the trutrac. I actually rarely use my rear locker anymore.
The only thing I've noticed since, that took me a while to adjust to was a pull-straight feel. With both hubs locked the truck wants to go straight forward. Scary going fast on winding fire trails. Where you have to slightly fight the steering wheel. Just unlock one hub if that's the case and it acts like an open diff.

 

Finally got my TruTrac setup installed and working. I definitely notice the pull straight feel when accelerating (speedup and slowing down). This is alleviated by shifting into 2WD as it eliminates torque on the carrier and stops the lockup. I can see how the pull straight feeling isn't great at speed but I think it will be worth the extra traction without any clunkiness of a mechanical locker. I'll report back once I hit some actual trails.

 

Glad to hear that its working.

 

Keep us updated I am considering the same setup

 

I've done quite a bit of moderate/difficult trails w/ the trutrac. Just did High Lakes this weekend....

I think it's a good compromise over the ARB. But if anyone does 4x4 baja/fast-tight-winding forest trails I recommend leaving one hub unlocked during that type of wheeling.