A true Locker VS the Detroit Truetrac, Which is better?

Mike05TJ · 01-19-2009, 04:17 AM

I am looking to put Lockers on my 2005 TJ to help with tougher trails and some rock crawlin'. I have heard mixed opinions on the Detroit Truetrac LSD's and how they work Off Road. Should I go with a true "locker" instead and which ones would anyone recommend? It's my first time putting lockers in a jeep so really anything will be helpfull.

Mike05TJ · 01-19-2009, 04:24 AM

For some reason my computer triple posted this. Sorry.

champelite210 · 01-19-2009, 08:04 AM

Depends on what axles you have in the rear. If you have a D-35 a lot of guys put a tru trac in the rear and a lunch box locker in the front. Works pretty well too.

Pillswoj · 01-19-2009, 08:10 AM

Well, first off what axles, gear ratio and transmission are you running? Stock is not helpful as there was not a single option. Both a true locker and a Truetrac are full case replacements so it would be a good time to regear the axles to match the 35" tires. If you have a Dana 35 rear axle you should look at a Super 35 kit which would be a true locker and 30 spline shafts. Then for the front you could do a Truetrac

wdw · 01-19-2009, 10:05 AM

I asked the same thing a year ago. I went with True Tracks in both axles. For my use it is all I needed.

Here is a link for that question. A lot of useful information here.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/detroit-soft-locker-vs-detroit-truetrac-482004/

**elkfan2** · 01-19-2009, 10:08 AM

If you're doing any type of rock crawln where you'll get tires lifting off the ground dont go with the tru-trac. I started out with them and now have an arb in the rear and will soon have one in the front also.

Mike05TJ · 01-19-2009, 12:25 PM

To answer the Axle questions I have a D-30 front D-35 rear. 3.73 gears. I was going to go with 4.10 gears to help with the 35" tires. I have a 6 speed manual transmission but not sure what kind other than that. My initial plan was to put a locker in the rear and then maybe the front if needed later. I will be hitting trails where the tires will be leaving the ground around July and August so I'm doing the research to have the time to get it done prior to the trips. WDW Thanks for the link it helped. I'm lost when it comes to the spline shafts though. Not sure what that means and how to figure out what I have.

shawn1980 · 01-19-2009, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boonem44

To answer the Axle questions I have a D-30 front D-35 rear. 3.73 gears. I was going to go with 4.10 gears to help with the 35" tires. I have a 6 speed manual transmission but not sure what kind other than that. My initial plan was to put a locker in the rear and then maybe the front if needed later. I will be hitting trails where the tires will be leaving the ground around July and August so I'm doing the research to have the time to get it done prior to the trips. WDW Thanks for the link it helped. I'm lost when it comes to the spline shafts though. Not sure what that means and how to figure out what I have.

you definately want to upgrade your shafts to 30 spline. i would go with a lower gear ratio too like 4.56 or 4.88. you won't be happy with 4.10 and 35's. i got my kit from quadratec an ox selectable locker and 30 spline alloy usa chromolly shafts for about 1200$. about the spline shafts i wanna say you have 27 being that your stock. imo your pushing your luck right now with stock shaft's and 35's

**Jerry Bransford** · 01-19-2009, 12:53 PM

Boonem44, a Truetrac is not good for rock crawling... that's what I do and I used to have front and rear Truetracs before swapping them both out for lockers. However, your rear axle is the standard Dana 35c so it's not strong enough to install a locker into, at least not when the Dana 35c is in its stock form. If replacing the Dana 35c with the stronger Dana 44 axle is not an option for cost reasons, you have two other options to get a locker installed into your Dana 35c... either a Super 35 kit or the c-clip eliminator kit, both of which are from Superior axle. Either of those would allow you to run a rear locker without problem in most conditions.

You can install a locker into your front axle without much worry with up to about the 35" tire size.

I can assure you from extensive personal experience that on rock crawling trails or other types of trails where all four tires can't be kept on the ground, that Truetracs don't work very well in those conditions at all.

**IslandTJ** · 01-19-2009, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boonem44

I am looking to put Lockers on my 2005 TJ to help with tougher trails and some rock crawlin'. I have heard mixed opinions on the Detroit Truetrac LSD's and how they work Off Road. Should I go with a true "locker" instead and which ones would anyone recommend? It's my first time putting lockers in a jeep so really anything will be helpfull.

Based on your statement above, you would do well with a Super35. The Super35 comes default with a Detroit Softlocker. I currently run TrueTracs and they are not for rock crawling. TrueTracs are great for Jeeps that are driven daily and see the occasional snow and ice. IMO, they are virtually unnoticable on the road. If your Jeep articulates well on off-camber trails and you don't lift a tire, the TrueTrac is a sufficient traction aiding device, rocks will guarantee tires off the ground and will provide extreme angles, more attuned to a locker and not a limited slip.

Lock 'em up Boonem44

Mike05TJ · 01-19-2009, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

You can install a locker into your front axle without much worry with up to about the 35" tire size.

I can assure you from extensive personal experience that on rock crawling trails or other types of trails where all four tires can't be kept on the ground, that Truetracs don't work very well in those conditions at all.

Now if I put a Locker into the front axle should I use an on demand locker or would it be easier just to install a detroit softlocker? From other forums and if my mind isn't failing me i believe I read the transfer case, in 2wd, disconnects the front drive shaft. So esentially if you aren't in 4wd your front locker won't do anything anyway.

Now if that is the case would a front locker be just fine for rock crawling if it isn't competition, hard core roll your a** over crawling? I will still be using my jeep as a DD most of the time. I don't want to go too hardcore just yet and make it unbearable to drive on the street. That is until I buy another jeep and can DD one and break the other one.

lupinsea · 01-20-2009, 06:44 PM

I love my dual Truetracs but I'd agree with Jerry and IslandTJ and suggest you install lockers for that rock crawling. And at the least upgrading to a S35 kit to go with those 35" tires.

As for a selectable up front . . . Do you drive in much snow?

If yes then I'd recommend a selectable locker.
If no then install whatever you like.

The idea is that if you're in snow then you can turn off the front locker while still being in 4WD to preserve your steering ability. Locked front axles on snow tend to cause the Jeep to push when going into a turn making it very difficult to turn.

Ideally, if you'll be DDing, then go with selectables in both axles for the improved handling. I think it would be worth the investment.

Mike05TJ · 01-21-2009, 08:52 AM

Yeah I have been pricing the different versions of the S35 and they have and S30 also. Thinking of going with the OX Locker package that they have. I do drive in the snow when I visit family in the winter but living in virginia beach it's not a factor really. Lots of rain and sometimes ice and from reading other threads on lockers and LSD's a selectable one will probably best fit my needs with it being a DD for now. To everyone who has posted on here thanks for the information and links to other threads. It has all been very helpful.

**paultyler** · 01-21-2009, 09:22 AM

I agree with the statements above about the truetrac...specifically, if you do any "true offroading" save your money. Frankly, I can't tell a significant difference between a limited slip and a locker. I have seen one wheel stop spinning in mud just like it was open. For the money you spend it is not worth it and it will still leave you wanting.

If you are going to upgrade, you can often find a rear Rubicon D44 with the locker/limited slip combo for $1,000 on places like craigslist, ebay and especially in the classified sections of the boards, already geared to 4.10. I think it will bolt onto your TJ. That way you can have the best of both worlds (locker and limited slip when locker is turned off) for cheap and you do not have to hear anymore crap about your D35 on 35s!

If you buy an S35 and regear it you will pay almost twice as much and still be stuck with a D35 ring and pinion, which fails almost as often as the shafts on that axle.

2005X · 01-21-2009, 09:27 AM

im running a detroit in the rear and trutrac up front, i really have no complaints, i was thinking while doing my HP30 swap why not upgrade to a locker and was looking into this, and thought http://www.northridge4x4.com/proddetail.php?prod=AL-XD-13027