Im changing the rear axle on my 99 4x4 2500 Dodge to a dually Dana 80 I can get an open differential or a factory limited slipIve had a 03 4x4 Dodge dually with open diff and my SRW truck now has an open diffAnyone like to have a limited slip posi type for camper and towing ? Reasons?Ive heard some pros and consIm giving up some snow ability changing to duals , wondering if trackloc might help there Also doing arrowcraft spacers and spyntec hubs on the front ,new leafs and mega cab type fenders,17 " dually rims , there wont be any other difference between my truck and a 3500 of that year , except doortag and my lower registration Dont want to buy another truckThanks

If you have the option of a limited slip get it. Reason traction in low traction situations. You got a 4x4 for a reason. improve it.

Before I bought my ’99 Ram 2500 4X4 I owned an ’86 Ford F350 4X4, it looked tough as hell but even with 33x12.50-16 BFG Mud T/A’s it got stuck in deep snow and mud many times. It was getting to be so often that I put a 12000 lb winch on it. Even driving in town if one rear tire was on ice at a stop light I was spinning or had to shift into 4X4. When I ordered my Ram the rear limited slip option was only $100 or so extra, man what a difference. Now many times I would have been stuck or spinning to get going it’s not a problem. I was a little worried it would be tough controlling the rear on icy roads, but that has not been any problem.

Well worth the price to get LSD imo.

A good LSD will make you realize how un-capable a truck is without one. There's no downside other than the slight cost. You might be thinking of a locker that can cause some squirrely handling on ice. A limited slip doesn't really have that problem.I would never want a truck with an open diff. again.

One thing Ive heard about LS is towing can be hard on it ,around corners. Maybe folks just didnt have enough or had old limited slip lube in itI had a 1969 3/4 ton power wagon with posi that when I had a load on it grabbed in cornersThe other thing I heard is not to get the powr-loc that was an option in mid 90`s dana 80`s I guess they changed to trac-loc , Im getting a used axle , hoping not to have to do more than seals and brakes on it, I guess if I dont get a LS dif and have to re-build it I can get an after market one or a used trac-loc and re build it Not finding any 01.5 -02 dana 80`s with disc brakes yet, just going to put 1 3/16 GM wheel cylinders on it , for improved braking , at least the drums are an inch wider than on my stock 2500 axle

Open diff or limited slip | Good Sam Community

trail-explorer
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
okan-star wrote:
...Had to order the new Rieco Titan EZ Swings...

http://www.riecotitan.com/accessories/swingawayez.php
trail-explorer
Explorer
Mar 25, 2014
Limited slip at a minimum.

All my recent trucks have had the G80 option (GM RPO code for Locking Rear Differential)
okan-star
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
PRodacy wrote:
Make sure you know the difference between an open diff, a limited slip, and a locker. Open diff = one wheel slips, all the power goes to it and the vehicle won't move. Limited slip = one wheel slips, power goes to the non-slipping wheel and you get moving again. Locker = both wheels are virtually locked together. Lockers are almost never used on the street, regardless of the conditions. They're common on off-road vehicles where you want to keep moving in very rough terrain or even if one or more wheels are off the ground. On ice or very slippery conditions, lockers are often a more squirrely if the road slopes to the side since both wheels are turning at the same speed. A LSD is better in these conditions as the one wheel that isn't driving tends to hold the vehicle a bit better. I'd definitely go with a LSD, not open and not locked unless you're really into off-roading in severe terrain.

Question was towing with open vs LS

I know the difference between a LS and a locker , would`nt tow with a locker

Picked up the axle today from West Coast Diff , they inspected and it is all good ,back lash is what its supposed to be . The LS is a powrloc , still in good shape . If it goes out about 1100.00 to install a detroit truetrac, parts + labor
Waiting for parts to arrive now
Had to order the new Rieco Titan EZ Swings for the camper last nite Since the truck will have duals soon . EZ Swing is a new design for Riecos and Attooods , like Happi Jac flip outs , they have a button on the bottom to disengage ,
they add 9 1/4 " in width
BradW
Explorer II
Mar 24, 2014
PRodacy wrote:
Limited slip = one wheel slips, power goes to the non-slipping wheel and you get moving again.

Unfortunately some torque is applied to both axles and there in lies the problem driving a high torque, heavily loaded front axle and lightly loaded rear axle vehicle on ice like a turbo diesel pick up.
Bedlam
Moderator
Mar 24, 2014
PRodacy wrote:
Make sure you know the difference between an open diff, a limited slip, and a locker. Open diff = one wheel slips, all the power goes to it and the vehicle won't move. Limited slip = one wheel slips, power goes to the non-slipping wheel and you get moving again. Locker = both wheels are virtually locked together. Lockers are almost never used on the street, regardless of the conditions. They're common on off-road vehicles where you want to keep moving in very rough terrain or even if one or more wheels are off the ground. On ice or very slippery conditions, lockers are often a more squirrely if the road slopes to the side since both wheels are turning at the same speed. A LSD is better in these conditions as the one wheel that isn't driving tends to hold the vehicle a bit better. I'd definitely go with a LSD, not open and not locked unless you're really into off-roading in severe terrain.

x2
PRodacy
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
Make sure you know the difference between an open diff, a limited slip, and a locker. Open diff = one wheel slips, all the power goes to it and the vehicle won't move. Limited slip = one wheel slips, power goes to the non-slipping wheel and you get moving again. Locker = both wheels are virtually locked together. Lockers are almost never used on the street, regardless of the conditions. They're common on off-road vehicles where you want to keep moving in very rough terrain or even if one or more wheels are off the ground. On ice or very slippery conditions, lockers are often a more squirrely if the road slopes to the side since both wheels are turning at the same speed. A LSD is better in these conditions as the one wheel that isn't driving tends to hold the vehicle a bit better. I'd definitely go with a LSD, not open and not locked unless you're really into off-roading in severe terrain.
joeshmoe
Explorer
Mar 24, 2014
If you ever get stuck due to a one legged diff., you'll swear that you will never own an open rear-end again.

An air or electric locker would be nice if you have the dough and desire. Depends on what you're using it for, I suppose. Probably not worth the extra money if you're simply looking for a little extra traction on pavement.
Handbasket
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
I don't have a clue as to how good or reliable the ARB AirLocker is in bigger pickups, but mine in my early-'95 Toyota 4x4 pickup is still trouble free after over 15 years. I've had four rear LSD/lockers since '72... two OEM clutch-type in Scouts years ago, a Downey in my '80 Toyota 4x4, and the ARB. The too-tight Downey was a nightmare-in-waiting on anything but dry pavement... low-speed sliding sideways on uphill packed re-frozen snow or flat curvy ice. I'll take a driver-controlled locker, thank you berry much.

Jim, "Still plays with trucks."
magic43
Explorer
Mar 23, 2014
Rexsname wrote:
Jefe,
What is your opinion of the Tru-Trac LSD? It is an all gear (no clutches) LSD. REX

I added a Tru-Trac on an '02 Tundra 4X4. It performed wonderful.
okan-star
Explorer
Mar 22, 2014
jefe 4x4 wrote:
okan,
Good job on the find. Make sure to count the splines once they open up the pig in Sacto.
With only 16K miles, the Trac lok should be O.K. Just keep the oil and additive up to date.
The AAM look-similar rr diff to the D80 has only a 30 spline outer, not something to write home about.
jefe

Im 99% sure its 35 spline , Im not sure what LS is in it , it could have been replaced , you never know.West Coast Diff hopefully will ID it for me , the tag on it does say LS
I found six 2x4 dana 80`s around here, but this is the only LS
Also this one is the best price @ 950.00, seams like a lot to me but better that the highest @ 1200.00
I plan to do the axle seals and the brakes so I`ll have the axles out at home later, I will check the splines count
FYI I did go through the parts lists on Summits site and the only diffrence btwn the 80 SRW &DRW axles is the brakes , hubs and inner bearing and race, the outer bearings and races are the same
heresthe detroit truetrac

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