Which Differential

gsmith35 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:33 am

I'm new to this forum, so please bear with me. I've spent over 8 hours in the last two days reading through the different forums to try and get some info (this place is addictive)! I have narrowed down to either a Powertrax of a Detroit Locker. One question is what is the difference between the Detroit Locker and the Truetrac? I have a 02 limited 4wd with an open diff. No hard core wheelin, just occasional weekend two tracks.
Any help would be greatly appreciated...

priell3 · **Posted:** Thu Jul 06, 2006 8:40 am

http://www.youngs.org/kjparts/f_links.asp?category=3

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Thu Jul 06, 2006 11:55 am

gsmith35 wrote:

I'm new to this forum, so please bear with me. I've spent over 8 hours in the last two days reading through the different forums to try and get some info (this place is addictive)! I have narrowed down to either a Powertrax of a Detroit Locker. One question is what is the difference between the Detroit Locker and the Truetrac? I have a 02 limited 4wd with an open diff. No hard core wheelin, just occasional weekend two tracks.
Any help would be greatly appreciated...

The Detroit TruTrac is a LSD for the front (not rear) diff. It is preloaded so it really gets both front wheels turning(usually even when one front is in the air...the preload does this)

For the rear you can get the PowerTrax (that is what I had) but I would go for an Auburn LSD next time. Better Street Manners and easier on the carrier bearing. With the LSD Front and Rear you would be "golden".

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

DarbyWalters wrote:

The Detroit TruTrac is a LSD for the front (not rear) diff. It is preloaded so it really gets both front wheels turning(usually even when one front is in the air...the preload does this)

For the rear you can get the PowerTrax (that is what I had) but I would go for an Auburn LSD next time. Better Street Manners and easier on the carrier bearing. With the LSD Front and Rear you would be "golden".

Just FYI. Detroit just recently started producing the TrueTrac for the rear (Chrysler 8.25" 29spline application)

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

gsmith35 wrote:

I'm new to this forum, so please bear with me. I've spent over 8 hours in the last two days reading through the different forums to try and get some info (this place is addictive)! I have narrowed down to either a Powertrax of a Detroit Locker. One question is what is the difference between the Detroit Locker and the Truetrac? I have a 02 limited 4wd with an open diff. No hard core wheelin, just occasional weekend two tracks.
Any help would be greatly appreciated...

Detriot True-trac is a LSD (limited slip differential, but a very effective one. Better than a stock LSD if equipped)
Power-Trax is locker. On road manner can be a little much for some, but I love mine.
Detriot-Locker is another locker. Works similar to the power-trax no-slip. Dog teeth coupling etc. However, it is a full carrier replacement and therefore most costly but more robust. Not sure about on-road manners, but I would assume it would be similar to a powertrax no-slip.

For just an occasional wheeling the true-trac would probably be your best option.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Thu Jul 06, 2006 1:50 pm

Eddo wrote:

DarbyWalters wrote:

The Detroit TruTrac is a LSD for the front (not rear) diff. It is preloaded so it really gets both front wheels turning(usually even when one front is in the air...the preload does this)

For the rear you can get the PowerTrax (that is what I had) but I would go for an Auburn LSD next time. Better Street Manners and easier on the carrier bearing. With the LSD Front and Rear you would be "golden".

Just FYI. Detroit just recently started producing the TrueTrac for the rear (Chrysler 8.25" 29spline application)

Wow...I would definitely go Detroit TrueTrac front and rear in that case...no clutches to wear out...gear driven!

krazz1e · **Posted:** Thu Jul 06, 2006 6:17 pm

tt is solid but powertrax is a great locker for offroading.. it's somewhat loud onroad however.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Thu Jul 06, 2006 10:11 pm

How is the powertrax hard on the carrier bearing? Will it cause it to wear out faster?

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 9:23 am

LOLOLOL.

I spent about the same amount of time yesterday doing the same thing!!! I was getting ready to do my write up and questions and did a quick search first.

So, my quesiton is, why NOT get the Powertrax No-Slip for my rear? It's a true locker, had the best on road mannors of any automatic locker, and is the easiest to install in my garage (without requiring the dreaded backlash setting that I can't do)?

And why not go that route for the front too?

I'm looking for the ability to keep moving if I pull one rear wheel off the ground, and the fronts can slip. This would cause my current Trac-loc to spin the opposite wheels and kill my movement dead, even with the parking brake on. (ie, FL tire and RR tire off the ground).

Either way, the front axle is a big job, so having to set the back lash might not be the limiting factor. But for the rear, the job seems much easier. So since I'm planning on starting with just a rear locker, why not the Powertrax No slip?

Eddo · **Joined:** Thu Jul 07, 2005 7:01 pm **Posts:** 1214

AdamIsAdam wrote:

LOLOLOL.

I spent about the same amount of time yesterday doing the same thing!!! I was getting ready to do my write up and questions and did a quick search first.

So, my quesiton is, why NOT get the Powertrax No-Slip for my rear? It's a true locker, had the best on road mannors of any automatic locker, and is the easiest to install in my garage (without requiring the dreaded backlash setting that I can't do)?

And why not go that route for the front too?

I'm looking for the ability to keep moving if I pull one rear wheel off the ground, and the fronts can slip. This would cause my current Trac-loc to spin the opposite wheels and kill my movement dead, even with the parking brake on. (ie, FL tire and RR tire off the ground).

Either way, the front axle is a big job, so having to set the back lash might not be the limiting factor. But for the rear, the job seems much easier. So since I'm planning on starting with just a rear locker, why not the Powertrax No slip?

If you can mind a little noise and some more drive line slack then it is a not a problem. However, it seems to bother some people more than others. I barely notice mine, but I'm not too pickey. If you can live with some of the side effects then it is a great way to go. Easy cheap install, inexpensive, and outstanding off road.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:15 pm

Eddo is right, I love mine also. It takes alittle getting used to, letting off the gas to fast or getting on to fast can make it much worse. Its great when im in a parking lot and it POPS out and everyone turns around to see what the heck happened. :twisted:

I wouldnt worry with the front until you try the rear. You may decide you do not want an LS in the front. I do not believe powertrax makes a locker for the front. Everyone gets the Truetrac. It is a mechanical Limited slip.

SethX9 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:19 pm

I thought the common advisement for the front diff on the Liberty was to go with an LSD because a full locker would put too much of a strain on the aluminum housing. I was told by a local dealer that ARB didn't even make a locker for the 30A.

kj@best · **Posted:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:19 pm

cheers to that Eddo :!:

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:25 pm

Quote:

SethX9

I thought the common advisement for the front diff on the Liberty was to go with an LSD because a full locker would put too much of a strain on the aluminum housing. I was told by a local dealer that ARB didn't even make a locker for the 30A.

You are right about a full locker putting alot of stress on the aluminum d30a housing,Yes they do make a ARB air locker for the d30a but arb does not recommend useing it because of the aluminum housing.I have a detroit truetrac up front and it is completly invisible on the street,but put it in 4hi or low and you know it's there and works very good plus no clutches to wear out(it's a gear driven LSD).

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:40 pm

GREAT feedback! Thanks folks.

I'm already driving my trac-loc like it's got a locker in it! I've always tried to minimize the clutch's wear by not being on the gas during turning, espeically at low speeds like turning into a driveway from a dead stop, etc. So I think this will be a natural mod for me.

Thanks again!

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:47 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Yes they do make a ARB air locker for the d30a but arb does not recommend useing it because of the aluminum housing.

Do you have anything to back that statement up? Does ARB say that? I got an ARB for the rear and if nobody figures out how to mount an IFS dana 44, I'll probably end up putting an ARB in the front too. I'm not a fan of the 30a, but with a selectable locker that can be flicked on when needed, I think it may actually put less stress than going heavy on the stupid pedal.

AdamIsAdam · **Posted:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 4:57 pm

DaveKJ02 wrote:

I'm not a fan of the 30a, but with a selectable locker that can be flicked on when needed, I think it may actually put less stress than going heavy on the stupid pedal.

Good point!

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:13 pm

DaveKJ02 wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

Yes they do make a ARB air locker for the d30a but arb does not recommend useing it because of the aluminum housing.

Do you have anything to back that statement up? Does ARB say that? I got an ARB for the rear and if nobody figures out how to mount an IFS dana 44, I'll probably end up putting an ARB in the front too. I'm not a fan of the 30a, but with a selectable locker that can be flicked on when needed, I think it may actually put less stress than going heavy on the stupid pedal.

Idk about that. Think of all the stress that is put on the case when you turn on a rock or anything other than ice. I just cannot see that front end holding up to a locker. I can see an LS putting less stress on it b/c when a tire gets up in the air, it will not let it spin as much. Thus reducing the amount of force the tire will have when it comes back down.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 5:25 pm

When I was ordering my rear arb locker at 4wheelparts I was looking at the order book with the sales person and it listed a 27 spline air locker for a dana 30 which was in the KJ column(with the one for the 8.25 also)it had a * by it and on the bottom of the page it said next to the * "not recommend for the dana30 IFS used in the KJ's".I have heard (4wheelparts has installed) arb air lockers in KJ's and some poeple have had good luck and some have blown the front diff,but they will fit it's just the pinion that is different in the dana30a the ring gear is just the same as any dana 30's.So any(I may not be right)LSD or locker for a dana 30 will work in the dana 30a execpt a locker like the OX locker(don't think they make a locker for the 30's yet anyway)because of the special diff cover needed to operate the locker.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Fri Jul 07, 2006 6:00 pm

Jeepjeepster wrote:

How is the powertrax hard on the carrier bearing? Will it cause it to wear out faster?

You are putting more force...turning two wheels under power all the time...on the carrier bearing. Mine did go and I think it was not from off-roading but the extra stress on-road and not being able to "freewheel".

In my new CRD I will probably go Detroit TT front and rear.

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