limited slip pros/cons?

[AlsChopShop]

the extra rear axle i have is infact a limited slip unit, and the axle under my rig is not. before i sell the axle set, i want to make sure i'm not selling what i want!

would it be better for me to keep the open diff axle and just put a locker in or should i use the LSD as-is and maybe add a locker down the road? can you even put a locker in an LSD diff?

keep in mind this is a trail rig but i still want it streetable.

thanks!

Al

[68glad]

it depends. A locker case & all-yes. A "lunchbox" locker (replaces spider gears) NO. Since you say you do occasional trail use, it kinda depends on if you need to have both rear wheels locked (locker) or could u live without(limited slip). I say put the l.s. under it & try it. Who knows, it may work just fine for ya. If not what are you out-a little sweat and a few hours of an afternoon + you could still sell it anyhow.:)

[Stuka]

The lunch box lockers out there require an open carrier to work, the trac-loc carier is different. The trac-loc is not all that great, and will wear out fast. Its not worth swapping imho. Unless it has some after market LSD.

[v10sport]

If you wheel it, dont go withthe limited slip. When you lift the tire, the L/S will act like an open diff. Had a power lock limited slip in my 70 and it did OK, but once I put the locler it, it was a night and day difference. I drove every da on the street and had no really isues running a locker i the street. Was much more predicable in the ice and snow than the L/S

[AlsChopShop]

thanks guys, i'll sell the LSD axle as planned and just save for a locker. :)

Al

[Serious Johnson]

I'll respectfully disagree and suggest sticking the limited slip in there. Granted, it's no hard-core off road tool, but far better than nothing if it's in decent shape. I've driven both full and ratcheting lockers in rain & snow, and hope never to have to do so again. I run plain-ol' Trac-Locs front & rear because I had 'em and they work better on-road (at least for Colorado's 9-month winters) than anything short of selectable lockers.

S.J.

[Stuka]

For his uses I think an LSD would be better. Just that a tru-trac or the like would be better. The tru-trac would ned to be rebuilt, and thats half the cost of a tru-trac.

[Dirtball]

It really depends on what you're going to do... if you're going to be doing much crawling, then go with the locker. If you put in the limited slip and it's no longer working, then you'll have to spend money on it. If you go with the limited and then decide later on that you want a locker you can't go the inexpensive route; you have to buy one with a carrier. If you think AT ALL that you will want a locker, keep the open diff and sell the lsd one.

My 2 cents...

[El Jefe]

i would just sell it if its the trac loc, i have a tracloc front and rear in mine. in the front it works great, its a little too weak for the rear in my opinion, and i am nowhere near a hardcore wheeler, just fire roads and such. i think you should save up for a Tru-trac like stuka said, money much better spent.

[J10Mike]

I really like my front TruTrac.

[Serious Johnson]

Those poor old orphan Trac-Locs are at least a bit tuneable via springs/shims/clutches. I run both of mine pretty tight (maybe too much up front for snow), and they work OK-ish, sorta. Anyway, I only wish I had open diffs about 3 or 4 times a year, and rather like these maybe 8 or 10 times. Gawd, I need to get a job and buy some selectables!

S.J.

[AlsChopShop]

thanks everyone for all the input!

the verdict is that i'll keep the open axle for a locker later. i don't see much snow so i think it will be worth waiting for a locker instead of using the trac loc until it wears out... assuming its not already worn out. i didn't want to swap out the rear while trying to move this next week anyway. :)

Al

[Rod2]

I just put an Eaton E-locker in my J4000 D60 (rear). It's open normally, but when I hit the button, it's like a spool. EXPENSIVE, but boy, does it work!