Eaton Posi LSD or Detroit Locker for HD?

[BackwoodsFiero]

Did some searching, couldn't find anything conclusive to my question so I'll post away!

I have a '01 2500HD...2WD In search for decent traction, I've put some 285/75/16 General Grabber AT2's all around, but knobby tires are only so good when one wheel is spinning.

My next step, and major point of contention, is what to do with the rear. It's a 14 bolt, 10.5" FF. I would ideally like the Detroit truetrac, however, they do not make it for my rear. My only two options from Eaton are the Posi LSD or the Detroit locker. The truck is my daily driver and sees about 12K miles a year. I really don't do any "offroading" per se; I mainly want to have decent traction around the farm and snowy roads. The Posi may seem like the obvious choice but I'm wondering about the long term reliability/durability and if it's really meant for a 3/4 ton truck. I pull a small camper 2-3 times a year and only really haul firewood regularly. My hesitation with the Detroit locker is that it will chew tires up on the pavement for daily driving. How streetable is the locker?

Thanks for listening, any help/input would be appreciated!

[offroadjunkie]

i have a posi in the back of my half ton that came from the factory and it still works fairly well after 105k miles. They make limited slips that are gear driven i believe that are supposed to last the lifetime of the truck

[tnxjjeeper]

Most of your newer 3/4 to 1 ton trucks will come with a limited slip from the factory. A limited slip should not give you any negatice characteristics on the street, where as a Detroit has the potential to lock and unlock around turns, especially in the rain. If it is a 2wd DD and you aren't wheeling it, a limited slip should be all you need. As far as durability, a good limited slip should outlast your truck, as long as it is set up properly.

[Brutpwr]

The problem with LSD's is that if you need and use them often they wear out. If you just drive on the street regular then they can last but if they are used to transfer alot of power then they don't last so long and eventually become useless. My driveway is steep and uneven pavement on one side and really puts a strain on all factory limited slips even when dry--worse when wet. I have had to shift into 4wd just to back out of my own driveway because of a weak worn factory LSD. One advantage of the Detroit locker is that it will always drive two tires if needed. My factory LSD in my Suburban wont engage on my driveway (one wheel spins) unless I really get on it and spin the tire then it bangs and locks in (almost sounds like it might break). Alot of AWD trucks do the same thing like my brothers Exporer which locks in and bangs when it does also on my driveway. With a Detroit you can go slow and get out where as with some factory systems you really have to be on the gas. I'd vote for the Detroit since the Truetrac is not available for your rig.

Jason

[cj8scrambld]

^^^ Sounds EXACTLY like my driveway and my G80 gone bad....as in not really working like it used to.

To the OP, do you have any thoughts to an OEM G80? You could probably get one cheap as they have a bad rep in the 10 bolts...the 14FF G80 are stronger than their little sister from the 10bolt. Or, you could find a rear with the same ratio (2X4 rearend so the width matches) and the G80 option and swap the entire member.

Another option would be Powertrax's "No Slip" by Richmond.....No direct expeirence with it but it is supposedly a quieter, smoother, more seamless full auto locker....?

PS. Assuming your rear is an open diff the Powertrax is really a lunch box locker that fits into an open case. Being as large as the 10.5" FF open case is i wouldn't be too worried about strength. The Detroit locker is the same......."lunch box" type of install into an existing open case.

http://powertrax.com/powertrax/noslip.html

[BackwoodsFiero]

Thanks guys. After reading up on the Powertrax No-slip, I think I may go with that! Jeep guys gave it great reviews and said it is a much more streetable locker than the Detroit but works just as well. And it's cheaper too!

[cj8scrambld]

As I said above, I don't have any direct experience with it....I'd be interested in some feedback as well.....I'm looking for a good replacement for my G80 (using an open case obviously). The G80 served it's purpose well..for what it was..but if the Powertrax is as described, I might consider that for my DD. I know I could get a Tru-Trac but.......I would also like something that offers a more + lockup.

[BackwoodsFiero]

For a DD, from what I've read, I'd go with the true-trac. However, thats completely up to you. I will hopefully be doing the Powertrax within the next month or two, I'll let you know how it does on the street.

[cj8scrambld]

^^^^ sure thing...........