Gears are on the way!
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Wilder, ID
Gears are on the way!
I ordered a Trac Lock, and install kit off of ebay and got a ring and pinion from a local 4x4 shop, so I should have 4.10s and a LS within a couple weeks! Then its on to the front end
Ive seen a couple places advertising a Dana Trac Lock for the 44, has anybody had any experience with one? I cant afford much more so right now, its either that or an open diff for my front end.
Ive seen a couple places advertising a Dana Trac Lock for the 44, has anybody had any experience with one? I cant afford much more so right now, its either that or an open diff for my front end.
Senior Member
Joined: May 1999
Posts: 2,477
Likes: 0
From: Copley, Ohio
You've got several options depending on how you use your 4X4. If you plat int he mud and sand the solution may be different from snowy/icy roads.
A spool will work great in the mud but absolutely cannot be used on pavement. In deep snow, it'll pull OK but you'll have a very tough time getting it to go around corners.
A locker will work pretty much the same a a spool except that it won't try to destroy your driveline on hard surfaces. It's still going to give you some poor handling in the snow.
Air or electric lockers that can be turned on and off give you the option of locked in the mud, open on pavement are a bit complex and the air locker requires a compressor and tank.
Limited slip units are not IMHO a good idea in the front end. They wear out way too fast and unless the bias is set VERY light, they give the same tendency to go straight in a turn that a locker has.
The best setup for driving in 4WD in the snow is probably the Detroit Tru-Trac torque sensing diff. It puts the majority of the power to the wheel that has traction but it continues to differentiate so you don't get the strange cornering characteristics of a locker in the snow/ice. A lot of FWD race and rallye cars use the Torsen for exactly this reason. The Tru-Trac operates on the same principle, all gear drive, no clutches to wear out. They an't cheap but you get what you pay for.
A spool will work great in the mud but absolutely cannot be used on pavement. In deep snow, it'll pull OK but you'll have a very tough time getting it to go around corners.
A locker will work pretty much the same a a spool except that it won't try to destroy your driveline on hard surfaces. It's still going to give you some poor handling in the snow.
Air or electric lockers that can be turned on and off give you the option of locked in the mud, open on pavement are a bit complex and the air locker requires a compressor and tank.
Limited slip units are not IMHO a good idea in the front end. They wear out way too fast and unless the bias is set VERY light, they give the same tendency to go straight in a turn that a locker has.
The best setup for driving in 4WD in the snow is probably the Detroit Tru-Trac torque sensing diff. It puts the majority of the power to the wheel that has traction but it continues to differentiate so you don't get the strange cornering characteristics of a locker in the snow/ice. A lot of FWD race and rallye cars use the Torsen for exactly this reason. The Tru-Trac operates on the same principle, all gear drive, no clutches to wear out. They an't cheap but you get what you pay for.
Thread Starter
|
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Wilder, ID
I rarely use my 4wd for the snow, mostly just for playing in mud and stuff like that, so I think the limited slip would be best, but i never run my hubs locked on asphalt, it makes it drive different as it is. I think the LS is the best choice, but it all comes down to how much $ ive got.