I have been doing some research on locking diff's for my truck (2006, 4wd, quad cab). I am leaning towards the Eaton E-locker in both diff's. Reason being is I would like to retain the unit bearings on the front. Allow for open differential operation for normal driving on the street. And yet have the option for full lock-up when required. Any suggestions?

 

That or ARB's

 

I don't see an e-locker available for either front or back of your truck?

http://www.eaton.com/ecm/groups/publ.../ct_128302.pdf

 

arb front and detroit rear.
or if you dont like going sideway's in the snow -arbs front and rear.

i believe there is a detroit electirc locker as well that will fit those axles but the arb's are proven tough

 

I thought the e-lockers were a posi when not engaged, spool when engaged. ARB's are an open diff when disengaged, spool when engaged.

 

My only concern with the ARB's is that they are air actuated (Eaton's are electric). And they might freeze up during the winter. I do not know if a person would be able to install a inline air dryer of some kind. It appears a number of people have install Eaton's truetrac (LSD) differential and have been happy with it.

 

I have had ARB's on 4 different trucks over the years, and never had them freeze up. Not saying it isn't possible, just never happened to me.

 

they are a maintenance item. ive heard of lines breaking when its super cold,but that can be upgraded.
i know guys who have them and snow wheel and dont have issues. iam sure they adressed them though.

iam old school all my wheelers got the lincon lockers or spools

 

Lincoln lockers, and spools, are a pain anywhere, but when you are wheeling, even then it is nice to have selectable. My first gen is Lincoln locked front and rear, it is annoying to get out and unlock a hub any time you need to make a corner tighter then a whole wallmart parking lot. But with the 40's on, hubs locked, turbo making 55psi and pointed in a straight line she does pretty good.

 

ive had a couple Detroit Truetrac rears. and currently have one in the D110 rear. love it. put a selectable in the front and call it good.

And I welded the d80 once in ol.smokey. worked great. Suck *** on the street. Never again. Never.

 

To bad you didn't have a video on that, it would have been a very cool video if you were mud bashing.

Depends on how much you plan on running your air pump. Most moisture issues are from the air pump and they have airline anti-freeze available if your lazy not to drain the moisture from the lines once and awhile. You probably will not have any issues if you only run the air pump to lock the lockers.

Airlines have been around for awhile on semis, and they don't stop for much more than fuel and food.

 

ARB's take very little air to actuate. The ones I had in my F-150,it was a tiny little compressor, and you could activate them probably 10-15 times without it kicking the compressor on. I had the compressor mounted in the cab behind the back seat. I wouldn't see moisture being much of an issue with the cab being warm.

 

And where is a good source for diff. parts?

 

The Gear Center.

 

randy's ring and pinion