Powertrax in the front, anybody have one?

[pjtoledo]

2000, auto tranny, Ex cab. factory full-time front hubs.
This will be mostly on good suburban roads with some weekends in the Michigan woods, slippery intersections will be the biggest concern.
in 2wd they are supposed to be a non-issue.
when in 4wd how about rain or light snow? does the front tend to lock and cause unexpected understeer/pushing straight ahead? we have lots of intersections here that are double turn lanes, suddenly going wide is not a good thing.
so, how are the street manners?

many years ago I had a 78 Bronco with a Trak-Lok in the rear. with that short wheel base (and crappy tires) it would push straight ahead.

Perry

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Do you have the vacuum hubs or is the front end locked in full time?

If it is locked in full time it may still have a level of funkyness in 2wd.

I looked into getting a limited slip for the front for doing what sounds a lot like what you are doing. Everyone said it makes it hard to steer under power... I kinda backed away from it.

My only real gripe is when I am busting snowdrifts for giggles in my field and one side pops out before the other. First one out spins and the last one turns into an anchor.

My dd is open on both ends, in 10.5 years the only time I have been stuck I didn't have a tire on the ground.

 

[pjtoledo]

its a late 2000, has full time hubs.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

its a late 2000, has full time hubs.

I would look for something selectable if you are set on putting something in the front then.

 

[pjtoledo]

for the 98+ front IFS there is nothing selectable available, form what I'm told.

 

[ridgerunner]

I run a TrueTrac limited slip full carrier in the front of my 2500 Dodge Ram and I love it. It locks pretty solid and U dont even feel it when in 4X4. Not sure if they make one for your truck or not. I do have the Powertrax no-slip in the rear of the Ranger and it does have some minor handling issues. In the front I would think it would be a real pain in the arse on a dd.

 

[bobbywalter]

a true locker in the vehicles i have used were a train wreck in 4x4 when snowing like hell and icy and driving normally.


but others dont have to many issues and report them as drive-able. different vehicles and tires/suspensions etc..

theres no one set rule here.


the tru-trac is a bit different, in the larger differentials it is fairly benign ime with reasonable tires till your on glare conditions. the regular clutch posi's are just shitty in the snow running on the hiway and emergency maneuvers.

in the rbv platform, a airlocker on the road out front(essentially a spool) is worse then a detroit in my personal experience. where a rear spool is manageable to myself..


no set answer.