3rd Gen rear diff questions

[WhiteYota]

I am looking to upgrade my rear diff on my 01 Limited. I think my rear diff is the 8 inch, 30 spline, but I'd like if someone could verify that or let me know how I can.
I do mostly daily driving with occasional off-roading (mostly trails and camping).
As much as I'd love to buy an e locker or air locker it just doesn't fit the budget right now. I am leaning towards the Eaton Truetrac. Does anyone have any thoughts on this unit?

 

[Andy in Pa]

Eaton Truetracs are good "lockers". Its really a tight limited slip that may occasionally need some brake modulation (to stop the one tire from spinning) to get through some tough spots. This usually only happens in very off-camber spots though. They work great for off roading 95% of the time, and on-road work great 95% of the time too. They can act like a locker on-road, which can cause some sketchy driving in snow and/or slick roads.

 

[thegipper]

I got one, love it.

You just got to be a little careful when accelerating through turns when the road is slippery (snow/ice ect).

If you plan on rock crawling, get a true locker. If not, it works awesome for everything else.

 

[octanejunkie]

I put an Aussie Locker in mine, I'm happy for the price

 

[phattyduck]

On an '01/'02 with traction control, a Truetrac would be a perfect choice. The traction control can do a bit of braking on the 'lifted' wheel and get you out of situations much better than trying to do it with the e-brake or brake pedal.

And yes, any torsen-type is extra fun in the snow. Many a drift has been had in my Alltrac (I put in a factory torsen rear) in the snow, even when I had the original motor and an auto trans. Totally transparent operation in most situations - it only 'locks' in low traction situations.

-Charlie

 

[WhiteYota]

Do you know if it is an 8 inch 30 spline?

 

[Scramble]

I am looking to upgrade my rear diff on my 01 Limited. I think my rear diff is the 8 inch, 30 spline, but I'd like if someone could verify that or let me know how I can.
I do mostly daily driving with occasional off-roading (mostly trails and camping).
As much as I'd love to buy an e locker or air locker it just doesn't fit the budget right now. I am leaning towards the Eaton Truetrac. Does anyone have any thoughts on this unit?

You should get an entire used e-locker axle housing & swap it in.

 

[octanejunkie]

Do you know if it is an 8 inch 30 spline?

That is what is called colloquially in the trade, but it's technically 7.875" and yes, 30 spline

 

[rkntoy]

How much are you going to pay for the True Trac and install? I initially was going to throw a Detroit in my rear diff until I realized I could go the e-locker route for about the same amount.

 

[WhiteYota]

I found an Eaton True Trac for $545 free shipping online. I planed to install it myself.

 

[octanejunkie]

I found an Eaton True Trac for $545 free shipping online. I planed to install it myself.

Have you done that before?

 

[WhiteYota]

Nope. I’m confident I can figure it out.

 

[97t4r81]

You can do it! Octanejunkie just did his at home. Only special tool seems to be the magnetic base caliper, but that can be sourced easy enough. Best to ya

 

[octanejunkie]

You can do it! Octanejunkie just did his at home. Only special tool seems to be the magnetic base caliper, but that can be sourced easy enough. Best to ya

Haha! All I did was replace the spider gears, child's play compared to setting up fresh gears and bearings from scratch.

Nope. I’m confident I can figure it out.

Perhaps you can. I encourage you to research the crap out of it. Look up Zuk at gearinstalls.com, he does a lot of em and has tons of pics, as well as all the other resources out there. Don't take the task lightly; and make sure you have the right tools and the time, and any extra supplies you might need.

I had to do my Aussie Locker install twice because the thrust washers in my carrier were too thin and didn't give me the right clearance I needed between the cam gears. I had to put it all back together, order new washers and do it all again. Mine is my DD so I had no choice.

In your case, swapping a carrier and reusing old bearings and gears, you might be able to get away with just that, but you will want to pay special attention to the backlash settings and getting the bearing pre-load just right because it's doubtful the new carrier will mic out exactly the same as the stock carrier, and everything about your stock setup has all worn in together over time. It's not impossible but for your first crack at differential work, it's pretty detailed.

Keep us posted!

EDIT: Eaton Detroit Truetrac Differentials 52887 at Summit for $529 with free shipping. I would make sure you don't need new carrier bearings before starting the project.

 

[rkntoy]

Just my $.02 for what they are worth.

I would talk to someone you trust about installing a used r&p with lots of miles on them on a new carrier with old bearings, etc. My buddy that builds my axles and has done a couple thousand of them won't do this. He says it is rare for them to set up properly.

 

[octanejunkie]

Just my $.02 for what they are worth.

I would talk to someone you trust about installing a used r&p with lots of miles on them on a new carrier with old bearings, etc. My buddy that builds my axles and has done a couple thousand of them won't do this. He says it is rare for them to set up properly.

Of course it is, it's a horrible idea, but by the time you factor in all the costs in new gears, bearings, carrier, etc he could drop an e-Locker in and take his lady away for the weekend, at least to the Poconos

New carrier bearings wouldn't break the bank, but you're on borrowed time with used gears anyway - so if he's gonna do it himself for the first time, rather trash used gears than brand new ones.

Also, I've never been to the Poconos

 

[WhiteYota]

I’m open to all ideas and suggestions. I posted this for a reason. Is there a good website you would suggest for elockers?
Not doing so well in the snow matters to me. I didn’t realize the true trac would causing some unwanted manners in snow. That’s why I was staying away from auto lockers.

 

[octanejunkie]

Do your research, formulate questions. Research more. Answer some of your own questions. This is part of the process because some of the answers are subjective to your needs and budget. Setting up a rear end out the door is often close to $1000 on budget and sky's the limit. Can you do it for less, sure, often at a compromise. Keep searching. For now, go a little slower in the snow and look out for idiot drivers.

 

[sleepydad]

That is what is called colloquially in the trade, but it's technically 7.875" and yes, 30 spline

Traversing down the cobblestone paths whilst inhaling upon hemp I happen to notice you used the word "colloquially"

 

[thecole1098]

Honestly, the cheapest route would be to find a complete e-locker axle from your local junkyard and go from there. But I'm pretty sure that all e-locked axles on this gen came in 4.30 gears for auto, which means your front would have to be regeared and in that case may as well as through a locker in the front too lol