I am planning on keeping the LSD for the rear. Would appreciate some opinions re: TrueTrac vs. E-locker for the front. ARB is not an option for me.

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2001 EB-350 7.3L SMB/PH Quadvan 4x4 285x70x17 orig. owner.

I would go with the Truetrac for better 4-wheel drive drive-ability. With a true locker in the front, you can hardly turn when in 4-wheel drive. TrueTrac will steer much better and still provide added traction.

We use TrueTrac diffs in our 4X4 race trucks and they handle great on graded roads - where they really shine.

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Four time Baja 1000 winner, four time Baja 500 winner. Solo'ed the Baja 1000 to LaPaz/Cabo twice.
4-Wheeling since 1972, Desert Racing since 1989.

AgileOffRoad.com

I have a TrueTrac in the front and LSD in the rear and love it. The set up works great for me. I have no desire to have true lockers in my van.

Phil

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Phil

- 2005 EB50 6.0PSD - SMB 4x4

Two votes in favor of TrueTrac. Thank you.

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2001 EB-350 7.3L SMB/PH Quadvan 4x4 285x70x17 orig. owner.

For this 2wd guy, can you explain why you prefer a limited slip vs true lockers? Thanks.

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Larrie
Read detailed trip reports, see photos and videos on my travel blog, luinil.com.
Current van: 2002 Ford E350 extended body camper with Colorado Camper Van pop top and Agile Offroad 4WD conversion.

Another thumbs up for TrueTrac in the front! Had that set-up on my SMB and loved it.

WAY more useful for 95-99% of the time. For the rare instances where a locker would make the difference, that's what winches are for...

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Current: 2014 15 Passenger V8
Former: 2009 SMB 4x4 6.0

If I had a 2wd van, then I would consider a locker depending on how I was going to use the van. For me, my van (4wd with TrueTrac in the front) and how I use it, my set up works well.

Phil

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Phil

- 2005 EB50 6.0PSD - SMB 4x4

The OP was asking about front axle applications for a 4-Wheel Drive.

If I was making rear axle decisions, (2wd or 4wd) I would opt for a Detroit or Grizzly Locker and up grade to 35 spline axles. An ARB in the rear is another oft used solution.

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Four time Baja 1000 winner, four time Baja 500 winner. Solo'ed the Baja 1000 to LaPaz/Cabo twice.
4-Wheeling since 1972, Desert Racing since 1989.

AgileOffRoad.com

Up front it allows you to steer. Lighter rigs slip the tires easier so it often doesn't matter as much. Full size rigs simply have too much weight up front. Some guys add a hydraulic steering ram as a workaround.

For some uses, it's better in the rear too. In snow, a locker that's locked pretty much just causes the rear end to follow gravity, but the only other mode (for most) is unlocked, and 1-wheel-drive often won't get you anywhere. Limited slip seems to give you just enough extra traction in snow, without the rig constantly trying to swap ends on you.

For rock crawling, a locker is superior since applying full torque to one wheel is mandatory at times. Most limited slips won't apply that much torque, and those that will (TruTrac) needs even a little torque applied to the free-wheel to get things engaged. Luckily, just a little brake torque is all that's needed.

Standard clutch-based limited slips cannot apply full torque one wheel.

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2000 E450 dually V10 wagon

Thanks for the explanation.

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Larrie
Read detailed trip reports, see photos and videos on my travel blog, luinil.com.
Current van: 2002 Ford E350 extended body camper with Colorado Camper Van pop top and Agile Offroad 4WD conversion.