4th Gen w/ F & R Eaton TrueTrac vs. OEM Open Diff.

[MarkinWMich]

Application: 2006 SR5 w/ V6 4WD w/factory traction control system. Daily driver. Occasional light towing (less than 2000lbs). Snow, ice, sand, & mud. No rock crawling or hill climbs, except for sand dunes.

130K on the odometer. Looking to do a regear with 4.56's or 4.88's. Not a lot of highway driving, but when I do, it's under 70mph. Spends most of the time around town, under 45mph. Looking for some good, low-end torque via the new gears.

The OEM open differentials have provided good service, but it certainly has it's limitations in deep snow and on the dunes. Looking for a potential improvement in that area.

I like the Eaton TrueTrac/Torsen differential, I have one in my '89 Mustang (modified for autocross and roadracing), so I am familiar with it's potential "quirks" with the rear end grabbing and kicking out the rear end around corners...but that's in a high-powered vehicle without traction control.

What are people's thoughts on using TrueTrac/Torsen differentials combined with the 4th Gen's factory traction control systems?

 

[KidVermicious]

LSD in the front is horrible on loose surfaces like sand or ice. Horrible understeer. Don't do it.

 

[MarkinWMich]

LSD in the front is horrible on loose surfaces like sand or ice. Horrible understeer. Don't do it.

That is a consistent response from pre-4th gen owners. So, I am inclined to believe this as true. I am wondering if this is the same experience with those 4th and 5th gen owners with all the computer-controlled traction systems. BTW KidVermicious, I am in no way questioning your wisdom on this issue.

 

[SAR_Runner]

That is a consistent response from pre-4th gen owners. So, I am inclined to believe this as true. I am wondering if this is the same experience with those 4th and 5th gen owners with all the computer-controlled traction systems. BTW KidVermicious, I am in no way questioning your wisdom on this issue.

what did you end up going with?

I am to the point where i need to regear and want to do it once... not looking for a locker but if it is my only real option i guess it will have to be...

 

[Oldmanb777]

I'm curious too. I have had limited slip (clutch packs) in 2 different vehicles, and an ARB. So far, the only thing I would consider for the front would be something selectable, like the ARB or Ox or? Maybe a Torsen would work well, I just don't know. Controllability for a daily driver with lockers is horrible, especially on slick roads.

 

[Drunner97]

what did you end up going with?

I am to the point where i need to regear and want to do it once... not looking for a locker but if it is my only real option i guess it will have to be...

I'm running 4.88s on 255/75/17 KM2s and the highway RPMs are around 3k at 80 mph. Great around town though. I had to do gears after destroying my rear end so I geared in anticipation of 35s (which are now sitting in the garage) If you don't plan on going 35s I'd go with either 4.30 or 4.56.