I'm in the market to upgrade the diffs in my 99' F150 with 8.8, 3.55, and nonL/S.

I'm not looking to do any trail riding or any serious offroading but I'm sick and tired of the one-wheel-wonder thats under my truck (both front and rear)!
My thoughts right now are to put the Ford Traction Lock in the front and either the Traction Lock, or E-Locker in the rear.

I'm not realy worried about durrability cause I've got the anemic 4.6 for a motor and stock sized tires.

I guess I'm curious what people think of the e-lockers and wether it would be worth the extra $400 or if I should just put the Traction Lock in the rear also.

Paul

 

I would not recommend a locker or limited slip in the front of any truck that's driven on dry pavement unless you use one of those manually operated electric lockers. Just put something in the rear.

 

I kinda wondered what a L/S would do in the front....so you think the e-locker would be beter for the front cause it would be an open diff unless you wanted otherwise.
How about the rear?
Can I be a cheap a## and just put in the Ford Traction Lock, or should I fork out the coin for a $600+ L/S or locker of some sort?

 

I would suggest an Eaton True Trac in the rear. I took out my stock LS and went with the True Trac about a year ago. I'm telling you, it is great. You don't even know it is there except when it kicks in. Smooth, quiet, no jerking, no ratcheting, no slipping, and no maintainance. I consider it the ideal type of rear end for those of us who drive mostly on pavement, but may find ourselves off the beaten path a few times a year.

HYPO

 

I agree with HYPO.
I removed my open 8.8 rear diff and replaced it with the True trac 2+ years ago. Like yourself, i was tired of pulling off the road on to the grass and gettin stuck. With the true trac installed, 4wd is seldom used now. I do some occasional off roading ( think sandy-slurry-mud fire roads) and love the operation of the diff.
I do mostly highway/city driving and like the manners of the true trac. I do have to be a little carefull when the roads get wet and i take a corner. If I gas it too much, i will fish tail so I just stay light on the go-pedal.
Since you are not looking to do any trail riding or serious off roading, I would personally leave the front an open diff and put the true trac in the rear.

 

You won't have any problems with a locker in front when NOT in 4WD. When not in 4WD, it will act just like it normally does...

Of course, never put your truck into 4WD when on dry pavement, ect.

 

whered you guys buy those tru tracs at.. im lookin to do sumthin cuz i also hav a open rear and its annoying

 

I had this mod done. Front Elocker. At 4 wheel parts. the truck is totaly stock '08 KR with the piarelli 20" scorpions. This truck goes down the higway smooth and quiet at 85mph, yet it's able to cruze throug the soft sand beachs of St Augustine Fl with ease with out having to air down either. this set up also works great at a slimy boat ramp as well. I had the button installed on the side of the center console. it is a very sturdy lighted plunger type that needs to be depresses about an inch before it engages so it is very safe. I highly recomend this mod before a lift or big tires. thruth is you won't need'em unless you need ground clearance. BTW My rig also has the factory rear L/S which is working fine for now. The tech at 4 wheel said the clutches in it (the rear) should be good for about 80-100k miles then put in a mecanical full locker.

 

Awesome!

 

The more I think about it I'm leaning towards putting a e-locker in the rear.
In the winter my wife drives the truck when its snowing and I'm not working, so the last thing I need is to get a call....I'm in a ditch..lol
I think I'll also leave the front alone for now and see how I like it with just the rear done.
Again I don't do a whole lot of off roading just the occasional job site, hunting, and hauling my 4wheeler around.

 

The ford traction lok will do fine for the service you are describing and will be cheaper!

 

Yeah...I've beat the hell out of those in the mustangs for years and they've always held up just fine.

I just need to decide if I want something I can lock and unlock or just a L/S and be able to just forget about it.

 

If these True Track L/S are this good I may go that route for the rear when the clutches go out.

 

With a limited slip in the rear, and the weight of the engine sitting over an open differential in the front, you should be able to go a lot of places! My truck has seen some gnarly trails and roads, and has performed well with open differentials on both axles.

My future plans are to install a True Trac differential in the rear, and either leave the front open or install an e-locker depending on available funds.