Which limited slip is best?

[Lefty]

I've got the cash for a limited slip differential. I would like to have my old standard two wheel drive differential rebuilt and then have a limited slip installed by a reputable transmission shop, I do not want to pull one from a junkyard. Mine is a 2003 Ranger Edge, 150,000 miles, with a 3.0 liter v6, 4:10 rear end 28 spline 8'8 rear axle. This is just an upgrade. Everything is right and tight back there. Nothing leaks, I do not want a locker.

I am especially interested in hearing your thoughts and experiences. Which type do you own? How has it been? What do you recommend?

And, as always, thanks.

 

[sgtsandman]

To me, a gear driven LSD is the best option. No clutches to replace. No additive to worry about.

Eaton Trutrac and Torsen are the only ones who make them.

 

[Lefty]

To me, a gear driven LSD is the best option. No clutches to replace. No additive to worry about.

Eaton Trutrac and Torsen are the only ones who make them.

Perfect!

 

[00t444e]

Put a lock right locker in, they work better and are easy to install.

 

[00t444e]

To me, a gear driven LSD is the best option. No clutches to replace. No additive to worry about.

Eaton Trutrac and Torsen are the only ones who make them.

Powertrax makes them also.

 

[sgtsandman]

Powertrax makes them also.

Really? I thought they just made lockers.

 

[RonD]

I prefer actual "Limited Slip"
i.e. a locked rear axle that allows "limited" slipping when cornering

Those are the clutch pack type, i.e. TracLok or Positraction
The clutch material does wear out for sure, but 8 to 10 years

The gear type are OPEN, until they detect a need to lock, i.e. axle RPMs are too far apart, then they lock
This can take you by surprise, lol, until you get used to it
And these do not need new parts unless something breaks, so on the plus side
But its "Limited Lock", not limited slip

 

[gw33gp]

Ron, I don't know where you get the gear type LSDs are open then lock. They are never open and never lock. That is what auto lockers do.

Typically, the gear type like Torsen and Truetrac have a higher torque bias the clutch type, but they don't lock. I have driven my Ranger with the Torsen for 21 years and can assure you it has never locked. It is very smooth while providing limited slip ability.

If one tire is off the ground, it will spin with very little power to the tire with traction. If you accelerate you will get some power to the tire with traction, but that is because the tire with no traction uses torque to increase the momentum of rotation. A percent of that torque is transferred to the tire with traction. That is not locking.

 

[pjtoledo]

Minnesota eh? so you're mostly concerned with snow and ice??? on roads??

gear driven such as the Torsen, Detroit Trutrack, Powertrax track will equalize traction in low-traction situations and have less
wheel spin of the lesser traction wheel.
you'll notice the benefit while cornering.

with a friction pack style LSD there is enough bias to spin the lesser traction wheel while cornering and not under power.

 

[Lefty]

Minnesota eh? so you're mostly concerned with snow and ice??? on roads??

gear driven such as the Torsen, Detroit Trutrack, Powertrax track will equalize traction in low-traction situations and have less
wheel spin of the lesser traction wheel.
you'll notice the benefit while cornering.

with a friction pack style LSD there is enough bias to spin the lesser traction wheel while cornering and not under power.

 

[Lefty]

Yes, exactly.

 

[Roert42]

Never had a reason to complain about the Trak-Lok. Had a few in different 8.8s.
Don’t think ford still makes them for the 28 spline so you would have to buy a used one a rebuild it.
Planning on putting a Yukon in my truck soon, heard good things about them.

 

[Lefty]

Never had a reason to complain about the Trak-Lok. Had a few in different 8.8s.
Don’t think ford still makes them for the 28 spline so you would have to buy a used one a rebuild it.
Planning on putting a Yukon in my truck soon, heard good things about them.

good to know

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

So, my 92 has an un-modded 8.8” trac-lock. Factory stuff. Worked well enough for what I did with it. My 2wd Ranger got an 8.8” trac-lock with extra clutches and my Choptop got a 7.5” trac-lock with extra clutches. My green 00 Ranger got an Explorer 8.8” trac-lock with extra clutches. No real complaints about any of them.

My 95 F-150 got a lock-rite ”lunchbox” locker. It’s clunky and noisy but it does what it’s supposed to do and I’ve definitely put it through it’s share of abuse. I don’t know that I would buy another one unless I was in a bind though. An actual locker would be better and probably smoother. That truck gets worked though and not just on the pavement and the one wheel peel wasn’t doing it for me.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

Never tried in a ranger, but I've had a few Auburn L/S in other trucks and never had a problem.

Also mind your diff cover, this video shocked me.