I'm trying to find out if anyone has had a locker or LSD installed in the front of their truck, and what you thought. In my thread about my rear locker, someone mentioned that it can cause problems putting an LSD in the front since the Ford 4WD only disconnects one of the front axles.

So I am looking for anyone who has had first hand experience with one of these devices up front, and what happened, and what your thoughts were.

Thanks!

 

jayntguru

I would also suggest that those who respond do so with their model year, as I think the center disconnect is a new-fangled thingamabob.

Unfortunately the search function is disabled, or you could review what an old thread between Screwdriver and myself revealed. I have purged all such information from my brain, but I suggest you contact klaibs27. He is a member on this board and also has his email address listed in the member profile section. He is serious about offroading, and was on a day-to-day correspondence at one point with Powertrax regarding buying the locker they make for the Ford front axle. As I recall, they told him the pull would be negligible (I guess I haven't purged all info). That being said I would email him or post to him with his name clearly in the title on this board. You could also try to reach Screwdriver, but klaibs27 was 2 seconds away from a purchase as I last understood...he also spoke numerous times with Tractech about the Truetrac (Tractech's "Torsen")......Hope that helps...

 

I've driven a GM K2500 with a powertrax in the front. It has basically the same front disconnect system as an IFS Ford.

It worked good offroad. Not a lot of pull except when you suddenly give it gas. You get accustomed to it and learn to anticipate the pull.

Couple things, your front driveshaft will turn all the time, and though I haven't tried it, apparently using 4-Hi on the highway in the snow is out of the question, the front end will go all over.

 

Thanks for the info!

I emailed klain27 and sent him a link to this thread so maybe he will respond. Tried to email screwdriver but he has it listed to not receive emails or private messages from the site, so I can't send him one. Took FOREVER to find these guys with search being down and all. That was a lot of work!

Thanks for the advice, if I find out anything for sure I'll post it back here.

 

I just got off the phone with PowerTrax. They said they have an application fro the 8.8 28 spline axle in the front of a late model F150, and he says their product will not cause any problems at all. He said that basically, they way their diff works if both wheels aren't spinning then it acts like an open diff, just like the stocker.

Tried calling Auburn, but they are closed for the day. I'll update after I talk to them.

 

jayntguru

Finally, someone else who might get the PT up front. As I explained before, klaibs27 was right 'nuff close to a purchase when some little minor problem came up about Powertrax not really being able to retain the front axles properly but that it wouldn't cause any problems (hell, who needs axle shafts), and that Randy's R&P had a fix. I do also remember that PT said they were working on the problem, and maybe now it's solved.

So get the darn thing and put it in your front axle and tell me how it works....I'd LOVE to have it in the front....Limited slip in the rear, locker in the front. Now to hard-core 4x4'ers that's nothing, but for somebody who wants a super-streetable machine with a little extra locking action when and only when it's needed, that the way to go.

 

He mentioned that. He told me to have whoemever I buy it from call PowerTrax directly to make sure that it contains a newer design c clip. He did mention it was a recent change and that diffs on the shelf in the stores already may not have it.

 

jayntguru

Well then it is a no-brainer. Don't bother calling Auburn, I mean why would you want a limited slip rather than a locker for the front? You are only going to engage the front when you need it, and when you do you would definitely want a locker....

You've definitely got me interested, but I've got some more time to go on the factory warranty before mess up the front diff...Definitely keep this updated, as it's a question that has to be answered someday..And maybe you will answer it.

 

I can get the regular Auburn LSD for $250 locally, and the Pro was $350. Powertrax are ~ $400 (mail order) I think. My thoughts were to get the regular Auburn LSD for the front because of price.

My only concern with the powertrax is that it might effect the turning radius too much. The guy I talked to described to me how the diff worked and what it did. From what he was telling me, it sounds like I'll never get the truck turned around. I go up a lot of small trails and have to turn around in the middle somewhere. I do a bad Austin Powers impression as it is trying to get this beast turned around. I don't want to spend another $1000 and find out that I don't like it. Of course the guy selling the diff said that it wouldn't hurt my turning radius any.

 

jayntguru

First, we could get into whether a clutch-type limited slip is adviseable for the up-front. I'd go with a locker or a gear-driven limited slip like Torsen or Truetrach (unfortunately neither makes a design for our application). That being said, I'm a little perplexed at your quandry. Both automatic lockers and limited slips allow for full wheel differentiation when turning, so there should be no effect from either one the turning radius. Do you already have an ls in the rear? The last thing I would want was TWO limited slips to take care of each with a different half life. I also believe you can only use non-syn lube with the Auburn, so get used to axle lube changes a lot more often, and that costs money.

Not that I'm anti-Auburn, just the opposite, I'm still thinking about getting one for the rear. But like I said, I'm not sure your concerns are a problem. Haven't you read Powertrax's webpage about seamless wheel differentiation in turns? That's why the Powertrax guy told you it wouldn't effect your turning radius.