What's in youf front diff?

[tonydiv]

After spending the last couple of weeks driving around in the snow, I'm getting more and more disappointed with the "three wheel drive" in my truck. I could never understand why manufacturers put a limited slip diff in the rear and then just leave the front diff open.

Now perhaps I was spoiled with my last truck, my 73 scout had real mechanical linkage to the transfer case and trac-loc diffs front and rear. When I put it in 4WD, I knew that it was positively engaged and all 4 wheels were digging. With the Expy, 4 wheel drive is only slightly better than 2 wheel drive. Once one of the front wheels loses traction, it's game over.

Is anyone running a limited slip or selectable locker in the front? Since this truck isn't going to see any real hardcore wheeling, I'm not thrilled about spending the huge cash for an ARB air locker or E-Locker. And since Detroit Lockers aren't really streetable in the front, that leaves a limited slip unit as the first choice. Question is... which one?

 

[halerazor]

i would leave the front open or your gonna have a heck of a time trying to steer that thing. ARB's leave the front open the whole time til you engage them then you cant turn the wheel unless you have hydraulic steering which is not street legal

 

[Bart Man]

Front Dif's

It's funny that you brought this up because I have just learned the same thing, , It doesent make much sense to me either, there was a limited slip dif available as a option , so i am told but I don't have it, I have made many phone calls on this matter and I wanted to know what are my options as I too use my Expedition as a daily driver, 1st. ARB locker is available for the front but not avalible for the rear???? dont know Why?? and also is the True Track Dif's are available for front(470.00) and the rear(531.00), I called Eaton Lockers and they assured me that this would word best for my applacation, but I'm still doing some research. I wanted a e-locker for the front that cost $771.77, Lots of zool!, Im waiting on a couple of call tomorrow from some local 4X4 shops, there doing some research for me also. Please let me know how you do! Thanks!

 

[trdragons44]

my 97 has limited slips in the front and rear. its kinda nice especially when(haha) we get snow here in jersey.

 

[Bart Man]

Other than spining the wheels in the snow how do you know if you have a limmited slip or a open Dif??

 

[tonydiv]

There should be small tags on the diff cover that give you the info. You can also jack up the front or rear and spin a wheel by hand. If the other side spins in the opposite direction it is an open diff.

I spent almost the whole day looking at options and it looks like the Aussie Locker is the best choice. It's under $275, doesn't require you to replace the carrier (so you don't have to set up the r&p again) it's tough as nails and it behaves nicely in the front. I like the fact that it is a real locker, unlike limited slip diffs, there are no clutches to wear out. I also love the ease of installation. They say if you have the skills do rear brakes, then you have the skills to install it in a couple of hours.

The Aussie is supposed to be completely un-noticable until you throw it in to 4wd, no pulling at all in 2wd.

Unfortunately they don't recommend it for use in the front of all wheel drive trucks. So sorry you guys.

This is similar to the PowerTrax locker, but it seems to have a slightly better design. I also like the fact that the Aussie guys are a relatively small company filled with a bunch of guys that love wheelin. Everyone says that their customer service is second to none.

The only problem is that between my travel schedule and the weather situation, I probably won't be able to get to it until spring. (gotta work on it outside, since it doesn't fit in the garage)

 

[trdragons44]

i had it stopped over a ditch on opposite corners and gunned it and it didnt spin crazy it moved forward

 

[tonydiv]

Ok so maybe not... Here's the reply from Aussie

"We do not recommend any locker be put in the front of a vehicle that will be driven in 4WD on an icy or snow covered highway. The steering becomes problematical when on ice and this creates a hazardous steering situation."


I guess that I can't say that I won't need to use 4wd (at least auto 4wd) on a snowy highway. Isn't that part of the reason that you buy a 4x4? Back to square one.



and a side note. Is "problematical" even a word?

 

[Bart Man]

Well I jacked up mine to check and spun my wheels, Open Diff ) in the front, Im going to look further into a e-locker or a arb locker,
On another sad not I got my new wheels and tires today , They look great except they forgot the lug nuts!!! ARGGGGG!!!!!

 

[tonydiv]

The next best solution is to put a limited slip up front, unfortunately I don't think that anyone makes a "lunchbox limited slip" so the whole carrier needs to be changed ou. That means that the ring and pinion would have to be set up again, and that adds time and money to the project. Not to mention that if you're going to go to all that trouble, why not just drop in a set of 4.30 or 4.56 gears? And since you're in there, why not put a better limited slip in the rear? Can you see the can of worms that I'm opening? Damn, I knew that Aussie was too easy of an answer.


Maybe I'll just get some bigger, more agressive tires. It may not solve the problem, but it will make me feel better.

 

[dgray69]

i have run into the same dam problem and have spent the last 3 weeks talking to bob from aussie, i dont know what to do any more, maybe park this and get a 250 to wheel or an old bronco,i can build this truck all day and still not keep with the big dogs, but it will make for a nice toter for what ever i decide to get,maybe even a jeep, there cheap and every junk yard ha parts, new past time rock crawling or buggy raceing may be the way to go

 

[walnuts4x4]

only problem I see with a locker in the front you better have money to throw away cuz it would eat your front tires alive.... most people I know with front lockers are those that trailer their toys to the trails... my opinions is leave front open and put a good solid locker like a detroit lock-right in with a set of 4.56 or 4.88 depening on your motor (4.6/5.4) and your tire size.... my old 97 had 38's with detroit and 4.88 (4.6) and it was a beast offroading and had no problems took it down trails 4wd tractors wouldn't go.... now with expy planning on putting in 4.56 with factory limited slip since it doesnt get wheeled as hard as old truck did.... this one is a show truck during summer and hunting and fishing "hualer" rest of the year besides being a daily driver.... so unless u plan on rock crawling your expy why spend the money on a front locker get a nice lift, bigger tires, gears and their you go daily driver that can wheel with the best of them as long as your "trail smart"

 

[Bart Man]

Locker

If you get a locker in the front it would definitely need to be a selectable Locker there's no way you would be able to drive it on a dry road or trail otherwise, ARB makes an air locker for the front, or they make a limited slip dif for the front. Detroit Lockers work great for the rear but they are noisy, I wouldn't recommend it for a daily driver.

 

[dgray69]

A.R.E makes a selectable locker, and still dont sugest it for a daily driver, got that email last night, looks like a detroit in the rear and leaveing front open, must off roaders i know run locked open any way with not to many problems, now i just need to get axle and gearing info, havent gone back under truck, afraid of what i might find now

 

[Bart Man]

Don't forget the A.R.E selectable locker is "selectable" when it's on it's fully locked when needed in extream offroad conditions and when it's off it works just like what you have , an open dif. Ithink this is the way to go you get the best of both worlds, Of course for a price $$$$$!