Opinions on Limited slip? (not lockers)

[nidf88]

detroits, aussies, arbs... seen a lot of posts here about lockers, but none about limited slip (excluding trac loc). i prefer limited slip over locking for my application. there are a bunch of limited slips on the market: auburn hp and pro, eaton posi and true trac, torsen gleason, yukon dura grip, strange engineering, and im sure i forgot a few. any of yall had any experience with these? how do they stack up to trac loc? any durability concerns? thanks guys.

 

[4x4junkie]

You hear a lot about lockers because they do WORK.
Limited slips can easily still leave you spinning your wheels if you get into rugged offroad terrain (especially terrain that twists & flexes the suspension).

There certainly can be applications where a L/S would be better though, such as in foul-weather street driving, or the same on GRADED dirt (but muddy) roads. If such use will be the norm, then there's likely no need to have to put up with an automatic locker's clunkiness, or the cost of installing a selectable locker.

Of the ones you mentioned, I would go with the TrueTrac or Torsen. These don't have the clutch discs (or cones) that wear out like the Auburn, stock Traction-Lok, etc. have (the Auburn is not even rebuildable, once it's done, that's it. At least the Traction-Lok and others that use flat disc clutches can be rebuilt fairly cheap).

 

[Hahnsb2]

I agree 100% with Junkie.

 

[Kdawg532]

i heard that the new 8.8 LS in the rangers are torsen is that correct??

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

i heard that the new 8.8 LS in the rangers are torsen is that correct??

Only in the FX4 Level II's which they dropped a year ago. I don't know if they put them in the regular FX4's now or not.

The average Ranger 8.8 LS will be the standard clutch type.

 

[nidf88]

thanks guys! the auburns are not rebuildable but you can ship them back and they give you a new one for $100 (DREX program). yeah most of my driving is street and highway. i also live in an old southern town with horrible drainage, when it rains it stands for hours.

 

[MAKG]

Though I think an LS is appropriate for what you are proposing, you should be aware that they do affect handling. When an open diff starts to slip, the truck steers straight (if it goes at all). When an LS starts to slip, the slipping tire gets kicked out (centering the drive-wheel). This can be problematic if it is not expected or if there is insufficient clearance around the vehicle (such as in heavy traffic). This is a tradeoff.

There is the same issue with lockers. It's just what happens when you drive the vehicle off-center. It's impossible to do that with an open differential.

 

[Bent Bolt]

Only in the FX4 Level II's which they dropped a year ago. I don't know if they put them in the regular FX4's now or not.

The average Ranger 8.8 LS will be the standard clutch type.

In Canada, the 08 FX4 comes with the torsen. The US may be different.

The torsen works well on the street and mild offroading. I don't think I'd like it in severe off road. For example, in my 08 if I put one rear wheel on gravel and the other on pavement, the wheel on pavement will lay rubber ( with the appropriate amount of throttle ) while the gravel wheel won't spit gravel. If I do the same experiment on pavement and ice, the wheel on ice spins. For that reason, I don't think it would do well in the mud.

What I really find a difference between the torsen and clutch type LS is accelerating around a corner. The rear of the truck with the torsen feels very,very stable-- planted ,if you will-- and doesn't want to kick out like a regular LS wants to do. The torsen would do excellent in a road race car.

 

[4x4junkie]

thanks guys! the auburns are not rebuildable but you can ship them back and they give you a new one for $100 (DREX program). yeah most of my driving is street and highway. i also live in an old southern town with horrible drainage, when it rains it stands for hours.

Well, that certainly is nice of them... but then you're left with having to fuss with the ring gear backlash again when you put the new replacement one in. I still say go with the Torsen or Truetrac.

Also, I believe the Torsen was simply made optional on the '08 FX4. I would assume you still get the 31 spline axle when that option is ordered, but not sure.

 

[Kdawg532]

Only in the FX4 Level II's which they dropped a year ago. I don't know if they put them in the regular FX4's now or not.

The average Ranger 8.8 LS will be the standard clutch type.

mine is an 07, back then you could still get the lev 2 couldnt you???

 

[BrokeRecord]

I had the 4.10 trac lock in my 99 and I had to be very careful in town in the rain. It would swap ends in a second. My 07 has 3.73 LS which I hope is safer.
95 % street driving, a little mudslugging hunting and fishing, and no off road rock climbing.
I put Ford Anti friction fluid in the trac lock, but was told to not put in the LS. Right or wrong?

 

[Blackdog]

Go True trac, I love mine. I almost installed a Detroit locker but my gear man talked me out of it, I'm glade he did. I'm not bashing lockers because their great off road but for a DD trail rig like mine the True Trac works great.

 

[yukonranger]

I know it pricey (and I have no experience with it), but why not go with auburn gear's electric locker? It has ls when its unlocked. Has anyone used this locker?

 

[Hahnsb2]

It's not a true locker, it's an LS that just gets tighter, there's been multiple reports of them slipping.

 

[Totalled]

It's not a true locker, it's an LS that just gets tighter, there's been multiple reports of them slipping.

I've seen it. If you want a selectable, pony up for an ARB.