Locker options?

broncsrule · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:05 am

so, it turns out that the Powertrax isn't a "great" option for a manual shift Liberty. Especially since this is my wifes daily driver. I know ARB is the best choice, but spending $1100-1400 is not really(rear only) an option for me either. I guess I am wanting opinions on the Truetrac and Auburn set ups, keeping in mind this is a 5-speed and wifes daily driver. Does anybody with a manual tranny have either of these set ups?

Thanks for any advice, knowledge, or opinions!

InCommando · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2005 9:38 am

I am going the True trac route for the rear of mine, but I am about a month away from installation. I did not want to screw with the "clearencing" required for the Auburn unit. I found a truetrac for $419 at performance off road center.

camper · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2005 11:46 am

you probably understand this but just in case....

the powertrax no-slip locker replaces the four differential gears inside the ring gear carrier/housing...the carrier itself never leaves the pumpkin....so there is no necessity for the ring gear to pinion gear backlash to be reset....this makes it a good option for most of us because we can do it ourselves and save some money....

the detroit truetrac limited slip (or the auburn unit) replaces the entire ring gear carrier....you will remove the stock carrier....remove the 8 1/4" ring gear and reinstall it on the new detroit unit....then the detriot is reinstalled into the pumpkin....your gear lash will then need to be reset....this involves pulling the left and right axle shafts and inserting a special (very very big allen wrench) tool into the the axle shaft tubes and dialing in the carrier bearing adjusters....to do it right, you need to set up a dial indicator and know what your doing....

so there would be the added expense of a correct installation in addition the the cost of the locker....maybe a couple hundred bucks....

I'm no driveline mechanic but I did install the detroit in my front differential and it is a different gear lash setup design....it uses precision shims but requires no special tools...so it is easier to correctly install a detroit truetrac in the front....

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

You can see my write up on the Auburn in the tech section. It is not easy to install, but it has worked flawlessly. It has never made a sound and has great on road manners. I can't imagine it would interfere with the manual tranny at all.

InCommando · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:13 pm

I have access to the correct tool through a shop, and a buddy who has set up literally hundreds of gear sets ( Many on his pro-stock car as well as other racers cars, but also in his own shop )

The Detroit, for a few bucks more, looked like an easier installation than the Auburn. I know about the no-slip, but my having a 6spd and having read negatives about the no slip ( here and other jeep boards) with manual trannies left me out of considering that locker. I wanted something that was invisible when my wife drove the KJ. And besides, installation is costing me parts + taking Ray and his wife out to a nice dinner...

I do appreciate the heads up, and I have used mini-spools in the past over full spools as they install like the no-slip. Using the correct tool on Chrysler corperate rears ends is definitely the only way to go and saves a bunch of time and effort over any other way of setting up those rear ends.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

For what its worth the grinding that has to be done to install the Auburn only took about 10 minutes tops. It sounds like a lot of work, but an air powered rotary tool makes quick work of it.

the1jferg · **Posted:** Thu Aug 11, 2005 5:54 pm

Tru-trac would be my choice unless you rock crawl, drive in heavy sand, or get tires off the ground.

I've used both.

If you just do mud, gravel, wet streets, and boat ramps tru-trac works real darn well.

Its especially impressive in wet pavement driving. I think every vehicle should come stock with one for safety reasons.

My 02 KJ · **Posted:** Mon Aug 15, 2005 3:24 pm

im one of the few with a 5sp and i was wanting to do the Tru-trac but i dont think im going to spend the $ now that other 5sp'd have had probs with this . what would be the best for my 02?

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

I haven't heard of any problems with the Tru-trac. It is the Powertrax that is having issues...

GPR65 · **Posted:** Tue Aug 16, 2005 12:49 pm

Guys the auburn LSD is great i absolutely love it. i have the 5 speed and i did have a power trax and it is so much smoother its like it isnt even there. I did do a nice burn out on the pavement and there was 2 stripes for about 5 feet (so it grabs well).

InCommando · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2005 12:55 pm

I have done some research in the last couple of weeks on rear diffs, and have spoken to 4 large shops on recommendations. I learned:

2 of the 4 claim no knowledge of probelms with no-slips in manual tranny vehicles. 2 say they "strongly discourage" no-slips with sticks for the reasons cited in this and other threads.

ABout LSD's:

All agreed that the factory trac-loc shows "significant" loss of locking ability after about 25,000 miles, but noted that it is rebuildable

2 claimed no loss of performance with the Auburn, while 2 said that you will notice a decrease after about 40,000 miles ( less if you tow ) and pointed out that the Auburn is not rebuildable, and would need to be replaced. They did note that Auburn just started a new program where you can take out your worn out unit, ship it to Auburn, and Auburn would "remanufacture" it for about 1/2 the cost of new

The trutrac has not shown any wear-out issues, but is less effective than the Auburn if you have a wheel off of the ground. Otherwise, it is just as effective and is the most "invisible" of the ones listed. The wheel-off-the-ground scenario would require a brake application to get traction to the wheel on the ground. This is a common LSD trick anyway, and is eaily accomplished with a rear trutrac as you can use the parking brake lever. 2 of the 4 said the trutrac would be the best for icy/snowy conditions while 2 said they are about equal in winter.

And a side note: The adjustment tool for the 8.25 bearings is about $50. This may be a wise investment for those planning a rear diff swap in a KJ.

SethX9 · **Posted:** Wed Aug 17, 2005 1:03 pm

InCommando - anything in those surveys about ARB air lockers?

InCommando · **Posted:** Thu Aug 18, 2005 12:41 am

Seth, sorry. I did not ask about those as , even if they are available, they are out of my cheap A@@ price zone......

InCommando · **Posted:** Thu Aug 18, 2005 1:06 pm

Price update on Truetracs: DTS has the rear for $390 & the front for $306...

www.drivetrainspecialists.com/categorie ... -5409.html

InCommando · **Posted:** Fri Aug 19, 2005 1:31 pm

InCommando wrote:

Price update on Truetracs: DTS has the rear for $390 & the front for $306...

www.drivetrainspecialists.com/categorie ... -5409.html

Update on my update: My rear truetrac arrived today even though I ordered it after 2pm yesterday. It was $435.09, including shipping and new carrier bearings/races.

Now to get that booger installed and try it out...

broncsrule · **Posted:** Mon Aug 29, 2005 10:30 pm

Eaton makes an electric locker. I sent them an e-mail asking if they are planning to make one for the 8.25. I'll let you know if they respond. http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/ ... /index.asp[/url]

update: JeepinAl says he talked to some Eaton reps at Camp Jeep and they said they had a 8.25 e-locker in testing right now but not sure of the demand. Now would be a good time to contact them in force if anybody else is interested

Locker options?

Who is online