I've got a '99 F-250 7.3l that is my daily driver and occasional tow rig. It will be getting used more and more and my jeep gets back to driveable status. It has the 10.25 sterling axle, open diff. Lately this have been a problem as the area I live in has alot of dirt road, several are mostly loose sand. It also rains very heavy during some seasons and floods out. Normally I could just avoid those areas, but I voluenteer for the local fire department and don't really get a choice where I will be driving or what conditions it will be in.

I was looking at putting a traction adder in my diff and the choices are limited. The lunchbox locker is out in my book, I know people with them and their both on and off-road manners don't impress me that much. I would like to avoid paying 800+ for an ARB and still having to hurry up and hook up OBA. So looks like it is either a LSD or a Full Detroit. Either are within my ideal budget, either has the strength I would like. What I don't know is how the full locker would do towing. I know they have a few quirks on the road, but the LSD is not as good offroad.

Is a detroit workable on a tow rig or is it dangerous or hard to deal with?

Check the Detroit Truetrac, it is supposed to be a good compromise between a full locker and an LSD style diff. I was going to go with the Truetrac but heard that it doesnt last well when towing VERY heavy, with tight turns on pavement. I ended up going with an ARB in my truck, but I also already had the compressor from another rig, so that saved me some money right off the bat. Randy's Ring and Pinion gave me a smokin deal on the ARB so in the end it was about the same price. If I didnt tow super heavy sometimes, I would look at a Truetrac.

see if you can find an ARB for a decent price, maybe even used and just use a cheap CO2 bottle or small fire extinguisher style bottle for the few times that you would use your lockers...

otherwise, go with a true trac unless you are towing very heavy... they dont bang or bind up and then unlock, very smooth on the road. on tight corners your tires will chirp and skid, which may suck more if you are towing, hence the selectable.

Auburn/Eaton makes an electric locker i think, not sure about quality or price..

do you really do alot off road? I would still probably go with and LSD just because you do tow alot you said and are on what ever terrain.. i full locker is nice but you have to stop and slectit in if you have a selectable one.. but an LSD works when you need it.. just some insight, dont discount the LSD if your not "wheeling" it... besides you can legally get LSD....for your truck

This is not an offroad rig really at all. It is 2wd, with street tires. Mostly I need traction for the times I am pulling people out of ditches on soft sand roads and running across fields to get to forest and grass fires.

While I would like to find an ARB and will keep looking, it doesn't seem to be as common an axle as some so there are not as many deals out there, and less available used.

Are you sure your truck currently has an open diff in it? I've heard numerous stories about the clutch packs in the Super Duty LSDs wearing out quickly, and my dad's was no exception. His was worn out by ~50k miles. You might be able to get away with just rebuilding what you have if an LSD suits your needs (which it does IMHO).

Otherwise, I'd consider searching for a used LSD on ebay or something to keep your costs down unless you aren't too concerned with that.

Are you sure your truck currently has an open diff in it? I've heard numerous stories about the clutch packs in the Super Duty LSDs wearing out quickly, and my dad's was no exception. His was worn out by ~50k miles. You might be able to get away with just rebuilding what you have if an LSD suits your needs (which it does IMHO).

Otherwise, I'd consider searching for a used LSD on ebay or something to keep your costs down unless you aren't too concerned with that.

While I haven't pulled the cover off, the axle code on the door indicates that it is an open diff. Trying to keep the budget around $500, I will look for a used factory unit on ebay but if the clutches wear out that quickly I am nervous about using one.

I would go with the Truetrac. That is the diffy I've decided on for my '04 with 37's, and I haul a travel trailer. If this diff wasn't good for hauling heavy, Ford wouldn't have it as an option in the F-450/550's. I have one in a '77 Chevrolet Shortbox 4X4 with 35's on it, and it performs well on the street/highway aswell as the little bit of off road i do with that truck.

http://www.cyperus.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/03-04-1999/0000883102&EDATE=

This is not an offroad rig really at all. It is 2wd, with street tires. Mostly I need traction for the times I am pulling people out of ditches on soft sand roads and running across fields to get to forest and grass fires.

While I would like to find an ARB and will keep looking, it doesn't seem to be as common an axle as some so there are not as many deals out there, and less available used.

My 2wd Cummins has a limited slip. It sucks, wish I could find an ARB reasonably priced.

For your particular application, a Detroit is probably not the best solution. A limited slip unit that actually works (hint: True-Trac) would be the way to go.

I have a factory LSD unit (Trac Loc) in my 10.25, but the only way I know that is because I pulled the cover and looked. It might as well be open for as well as it works. So, score one more against factory LSD.

Edit: Hey, I just noticed this thread is months old. You've probably already installed something by now. How about a status update?

For your particular application, a Detroit is probably not the best solution. A limited slip unit that actually works (hint: True-Trac) would be the way to go.

I have a factory LSD unit (Trac Loc) in my 10.25, but the only way I know that is because I pulled the cover and looked. It might as well be open for as well as it works. So, score one more against factory LSD.

Edit: Hey, I just noticed this thread is months old. You've probably already installed something by now. How about a status update?

+1 on that. Factory trac lok works great for like 50,000 km's.

Cheap is the drop in locker. I've got one in a 2wd F150. It's not the best for towing and ice and wet slick pavement aren't it's best environment, but it works awesome off road.

Remember to load all your cargo in the back right by the tailgate to keep weight off the front tires. If you have a gooseneck ball in the bed, you can tie onto that if the car you are pulling out is shorter than you. That way it pulls down and back on the truck and loads the rear tires more. Just make sure the ball is up to the task...

lockright...

Best thing you can do for the money, I, as well as 3 of my buddies have them in 10.25's, in DD/towrig/lightwheelers... Zero issues so far with many miles on them. With an auto they are transparent, with a stick, you notice it slightly.
Strength?? Ive grossed over 30K with a 3 car wedge on mine, with 8900lbs on the rear axle, and the locker didn't even whimper...

I have detriot true tracs f/r on my 01 CTD. Couldnt be happier. I occasionally chirp on a real tight turns, but thats it.

Got my Truetrac in, works great.