ExplorerTom
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Truetrac is a great upgrade. I have them on my Explorer. Goes pretty much anywhere.
Differential suggestions
- Thread starter ediddily
- Start date
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mjp2
Full Access Members
I'm on board with everything but the LEDs unless you're putting them in projectors. Don't be THAT guy.
BlueStangGT
Full Access Members
Agree 100% I put a Truetrac in my Mustang about 10 years ago, best money I've ever spent for a driveline part. Lots of Jeep guys use them also.
I also have 3rd generation expedition. Mine has a completely open rear differential, not limited slip. I've done a lot of research on differential options for mine, much of it in earlier threads in this forum and some of it in manufacturers' Websites. I haven't made my decision yet, but can tell you what I've found.
Automatic locking differentials, such as the Detroit Locker, are probably great offroad, in the tougher terrain I'd like to tackle. But they are noisy and jerky on the street, where I also must drive a lot. Muscle car jocks may not care about this, but I do.
A limited slip differential, such as you already have, is a good solution. Yours is probably just worn out. You could have the clutch plates replaced, and anything else in there that's gone bad. Or, you could get an Eaton TrueTrac limited slip differential, which is supposedly available for your rear. These reportedly use a different mechanism that lasts longer than the simple clutch plates. Eaton is the company which also makes the Detroit Locker.
Eaton also makes manual lockers, electric switch activated, but does not have one for our Expeditions. I wish they did.
I believe ARB makes a manual locker for our Expeditions. However, it's air activated rather than electric. That's fine for offroad vehicles that don't get driven many miles otherwise. But when driven many times more miles than the actual offroad use, i.e. on asphalt at highway speeds, the air seals go bad. Also, this method requires that an air compressor & tank be installed.
Ox makes a manual locker for only the front differential of our Expedition. It's activated either electrically or with a cable connected lever. This is definitely the way I'm leaning, and am having a local 4x4 shop work out a proposal for me. Front differential lockers are especially good for offroading in my locale, Arizona, where one must cross many deep sandy dry streambeds, aka 'washes'. When climbing out of such a wash, the front wheels are on dirt and/or rock (and rock could be very smooth). Rear wheels are in sand (much less traction even if you have a rear locker). If the bank you're climbing is steep, you need huge front wheel traction.
Hope this helps.
Automatic locking differentials, such as the Detroit Locker, are probably great offroad, in the tougher terrain I'd like to tackle. But they are noisy and jerky on the street, where I also must drive a lot. Muscle car jocks may not care about this, but I do.
A limited slip differential, such as you already have, is a good solution. Yours is probably just worn out. You could have the clutch plates replaced, and anything else in there that's gone bad. Or, you could get an Eaton TrueTrac limited slip differential, which is supposedly available for your rear. These reportedly use a different mechanism that lasts longer than the simple clutch plates. Eaton is the company which also makes the Detroit Locker.
Eaton also makes manual lockers, electric switch activated, but does not have one for our Expeditions. I wish they did.
I believe ARB makes a manual locker for our Expeditions. However, it's air activated rather than electric. That's fine for offroad vehicles that don't get driven many miles otherwise. But when driven many times more miles than the actual offroad use, i.e. on asphalt at highway speeds, the air seals go bad. Also, this method requires that an air compressor & tank be installed.
Ox makes a manual locker for only the front differential of our Expedition. It's activated either electrically or with a cable connected lever. This is definitely the way I'm leaning, and am having a local 4x4 shop work out a proposal for me. Front differential lockers are especially good for offroading in my locale, Arizona, where one must cross many deep sandy dry streambeds, aka 'washes'. When climbing out of such a wash, the front wheels are on dirt and/or rock (and rock could be very smooth). Rear wheels are in sand (much less traction even if you have a rear locker). If the bank you're climbing is steep, you need huge front wheel traction.
Hope this helps.
jmstine
Member
It will be interesting to hear how the TruTrac does in the snow. My Expy has an open diff and have not decided to go with a TruTrac or a LSD, my only concern is snow conditions. Currently it is ok in the snow but we have had light winters lately.
ExplorerTom
Full Access Members
Mine have been GREAT in snow. Drive like a sane person in RWD and it behaves and gets you through stuff. Drive like a high schooler in RWD and it’s a blast.
In 4wd….. Let’s put it this way. In March 2021 Denver got like 24” of pretty wet/heavy snow. I took my Explorer out and it went anywhere I pointed it. Of course a huge lift and big knobby mud tires helped.
In 4wd….. Let’s put it this way. In March 2021 Denver got like 24” of pretty wet/heavy snow. I took my Explorer out and it went anywhere I pointed it. Of course a huge lift and big knobby mud tires helped.
jmstine
Member
ExplorerTom, thanks for the update and confirming my suspicions/hope. My largest concern was not having the safety of one rear wheel not slipping with loss of traction with an open diff scenario, whereas the TruTrac would have both wheels spin with traction loss. At times going nowhere may be safer than going somewhere uncontrolled.
