dodge35000

I had to repost this due to a problem with my previous post.

Are there any undesireable handling chacteristics with a Truetrac in the front axle?

Would it only affect operation in 4WD or would there be a pronounced effect in 2WD also?

What could I expect on an icy road in 4WD and 2WD?

eastmentCTD600

Yes.

In 4WD on the throttle (i.e. applying torque to the front differential pinion) the truetrac will attempt to make dirver and passenger side wheels spin at the same rate. Thus, it is very difficult to steer while applying throttle in the snow, in fact when you apply throttle it will quit tracking around the corner and go straight,... this is a bad thing. There will be no difference when in 2WD because there is no torque being applied to the front diff. pinion. One you apply torque to the pinion the truetrac will try to "lock-up" the front diff, this works against you in the snow and ice. On the trail it's not so bad.

OOPS

I had one in my Toyota PU for a number of years and never had any types of driveability problems with it, even in deep snow.

J OOPS

You won't have any driveability problems in 4wd, you will notice the steering will be a little stiffer and will want to go back to center, but that is understandable.
The main problem is when in 2wd. The CAD disconnects the passenger side, but the drivers side is still connected to the LS

J OOPS

OOPS, hit the wrong key,
Anyways the drivers side axle shaft is connected to the LS carrier still in 2wd mode and causes a pull to the left. This can be countered though with a manual hub conversion kit.

CTD NUT

J OOPS,

There is no CAD on a 3rd gen....LSD or not, the carrier spins all of the time in 2WD.

Brian08Q35004x4

I have the Truetrac unit in the front and had to install free spin hubs. In the mountains under acceleration It felt like it wanted to go in a straight line even in 2x4 mode. The hubs fixed it

dodge35000

Brian08Q35004X4 did you also replace the factory rear TracRite differential with a Truetrac? Since they are both helical gear differentials, did you notice any difference between them?

Also, in 2WD with the Truetrac in the front differential, was the pulling to go straight really dangerous or just really annoying?

underwoodbits

Just put a power wagon electric locker in the front, it probably costs the same as the truetrac. Thats what I am putting in the front, then when your on ice you can disengage it.

Brian08Q35004x4

Yes, I did not like the factory rear. It was almost useless unless you were really on the brakes while under throttle in snow and ice. While they are both helical gear design they work a little different. The part I had installed in the rear was
SKU: 915A568
Detroit Truetrac AAM 11.5" 14 Bolt, 35 Spline, all ratios

Fits AAM Dodge 11.5" 14 Bolt 2003 & up in HD 3/4 ton & 1 ton trucks

I installed the front unit. I bought two dial indicators one was a bench and the other for lash. The easy way to install is measure the old unit from the bearings to bearings and add shims until it was the same as the old unit. Ring and pinion was right on the mark with the grease crayon as every thing was in the same place as the old unit. It looked harder and sounded more scary reading the install until an old elmer that did big truck rearsand transmissions told me about the table top indicator method measuring the old and setting up the new unit that way.
* SKU: 913A368
Detroit Truetrac Chrysler 9.25" 12 Bolt 31 Spline all ratios

I think there are many applications for LSD or locking rear ends and it depends what you use your truck for. The pull I felt was more of a "it bugged me" than a hazard.

dodge35000

I can deal with the slight pull to straighten the wheels, but if it was to the point that it made the vehicle unsafe, well that is different.

I saw the SKU that you listed for the Truetrac; however, the SKU for the Front Truetrac I have that is waiting to be installed is:

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The weather is supposed to be good this weekend, so I will try to put it in along with the 4.56 gears. Since I have to set up the gears anyway, I'll have to press new bearings on, set the backlash, pinion depth, bearing preloads and then check the pattern. I have some PICS on this site of a 4.56 gear install that I did on my AAM 11.5 rear axle.

Brian08Q35004x4

Excellent. What are you building the truck for with the real low gears or do you have big tires? I like the TrueTracs as you get a even spin in snow or ice and no heavy braking to get them to put power out both. The Sku I posted were direct from the order I made. Good luck on the install. That thing will be one bad puller without the chatter and clunking when you need to put power down on all four.

dodge35000

I have 37" tires, so the 4.56 gears will bring it right back to where it was when it was stock.

I am installing the Truetrac because I want both wheels turning if have to use 4WD, and since I am doing te gears I might as well do it at the same time.