Ok, I thought I had it all decided. My plan was as follows;
4.56 gears for both axles with a detroit true trac up front and a detroit locker in the back.

However, after doing some looking around on the www I find myself reconsidering my choice... again.

I hit several sites and read up on the pros and cons of the true trac and now I'm thinking I might be better off with one in the rear in place of the locker. Although the true trac is considered a limited slip, it is not at all like the friction clutch variety. I seems that it will spin the tire with traction as long as you can give the free wheel (tractionless) some resistance (brakes if it comes down to it) where the clutch type just won't. Also, I've confirmed on the eaton site that the true tracs are good with up to a 38" tire now.

My truck is a daily driver, I don't find the idea of a lot of popping and banging appealing. That coupled with many strong testaments to the true trac and many claims that lockers aren't so great for the street are making me think I'd be better off with the true trac than a locker.

The fact is my truck will NEVER do any rock crawling (well not as long as it's my truck) and really the worst it sees is a mix of trails and mud (some of it fairly nasty). But the other 90% of the time it will be on the street taking me back and forth to work, the grocery store, etc.etc.

Here are some (too many to list all) of the sites I looked at;
One
two
three
four
five

After reading these (and others) I'm really leaning toward true trac for both ends, but I wanted some opinions from real folks that aren't influenced by any advertising $$ or kickbacks from manufacturers.

So please, share your thoughts and or experiences with me.
thanks

 

i have a detroit locker in the rear end of my truck. very quiet and doesnt tend to light up the inside tire around corners unless you want it to.
i have 4.88 gears and 35" tires. i use my truck for probably 90% daily driver, but for that other 10% i love the fact my rear ends locked up. especially with the new detroit locker in the rear instead of a lunchbox locker.

the detroit locker isnt as bad as you think it is. i would 100% recommend an air locker up front seeing i havnt found a top brand with electric selectable locker. unless you look at auburn gear's ected, my brother has problems with his not unlocking with his dana 35 up front tho.

 

Thanks Klitch, that's the kind of real world info I am wanting. That makes me lean back toward the locker.

 

get i detriot locker in the rear, i have one in the back works great, it will give you a clunk sound when you go from drive to reverse, and if you give it to much gas going around a tight corner you will hear the inside tire chirp, but other than that i get no noise, if i was you i would put a ARB locker up front, i got one and it works great, i am pushing it with the ARB and 38" tire tho as long as you are not a throttle jockey it should be fine with a locker up front

 

This thread has some more links; many to the mfrs' sites.

 

Thanks guys. i did consider the arb, but it is a significant increase in cost and complication. I thought I'd try the true trac (or possibly a torsen) first, if I find myself unhappy with it I can always upgrade it down the road. Mainly I was looking for inputs on the Detroit locker, which seem to all be positive so far.

 

heres what i will say about the front end...

do it right the first time cause its really irritating to have to go back into the axle. i wish i never even thought of the lunchbox locker.

 

Ok, point taken. So why not go with a detroit locker up front as well, do they not perform as well in the front axle?

 

i have a cad system (central axle disconect) on my model truck so a full locker all the time as the detroit locker is would spin my driveshaft when in 2 wheel mode so this was not an option for me, i beleive the new models as yours is has a new system that disconects the hubs so this might not be a problem for you, but i like the abilty to have a open front diff were in 4x4 i have three wheel drive and if i really need it lock the front diff and have true 4x4, haveing the front end locked whenever you are in 4x4 mode would put alot of stress on the components whenever in 4x4 mode, this was my reasoning behind the ARB in the front.

 

I see, thanks guys, I have much to consider as I save my $

 

also to elaborate on this.

if you EVER encounter snow and ice you will probably kick yourself in the asz for locking up the front end full time.


btw, do the 04's have IFS and selectable hubs?

 

Yes, they have IFS. Not sure what you mean by selectable hubs. What they have are automatic vacuum actuated hubs that lock in when you go to 4wd but are disengaged while in 2wd.

 

i was thinking of the selectable hubs like warns.
such as these, used on pre 97 models.

 

ok,if you have any doubt you don't need a locker. i wanted a locker,i got one. i love it but it does clunk a little and i'm easy on it around tight on road turns. just get a gear type limited slip and you'll be fine. if you don't know if you need a locker you probably don't. so just get a good non-clutch ls. it is a bit of a hassle i guess to a normal person to have a full locker i like mine but i'm by no means ordinary. man it sucks to type when you're drunk. but seriously get an upgraded ls and you'll be good. my locker is GREAT in the mud but does clunk and squeal tires more than my dually on road. so a ls would be much better for a daily driver. my truck is now occasional driver more frequently i wanna go **** some **** up truck. so i want full traction whatever the cost. that's my drunkass $.02 oh,and DEFINITELY go with a selectable locker in the front,full locker or ls in the front is retarded. you will wear out some bearings,gears joints in the front or the t/c i'm sure. and if you don't even know if you need a locker in the rear you don't need anything in the front. my truck went through alot of **** before i ever thought of any kinda locker or ls anywhere so you don't need one in the front

 

i use a detroit in the rear on my truck. no complaints about it here. it doesnt clunk or cause excessive tire spin. the whole point behind him considering a locker in the rear is mainly durability and the fact it delivers with no bullsht.