posi traction or limited slip

[03silverltd]

First post on this forum. Just wondering whether any of you 2wd guys install posi or limitied slip as to improve offroad capabilities.

If so, would the dealer be able to do this or...

If not...why?

If I'm not mistaken all 2wd's are peg legs.

Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Thai]

What is year is your 4runner??

 

[Techenigma]

What is year is your 4runner??

Going by his username... I'd say he has a 2003 Silver Limited. ;-)

 

[Thai]

Going by his username... I'd say he has a 2003 Silver Limited. ;-)

Oh....ok, that was stupid of me! In that case, ATRAC is EQUAL to any LSD.

So, the next logical step is a LOCKER. I would not waste my time with anything else.

 

[Koz]

Posi-traction and limitied slip are the same thing. But if you want better off-road ability a "locker " is the way to go. A locker actually creates a solid, one piece, axle, where both wheels turn at the exact same speed. Lockers can not be engaged/driven on pavement.

Koz

 

[fourwd1]

Except for an ARB or e-locker which are selectable, any other locker is full time and engages when needed, whether on or off road, so yes, lockers can be and are engaged on pavement.
A rear locker can create some handling issues on wet pavment.

 

[Koz]

Except for an ARB or e-locker which are selectable, any other locker is full time and engages when needed, whether on or off road, so yes, lockers can be and are engaged on pavement.
A rear locker can create some handling issues on wet pavment.

Whether a locker is full time or not, it can not be used on pavement. I have an e-locker (on my Taco) and it can not be used on pavement. When you lock the axle you can not turn the vehicle (without wheel hop or damaging the locker) because one wheel needs to turn at a different speed. Locking the axle is exactly what it says, both wheels are locked together and they will turn at the exact same speed. A limited-slip or posi-traction setup can be used on pavement, not a locker.

Koz

 

[fourwd1]

So all those people running Detroits, Aussies, EZ lockers, etc on their daily drivers are wrong I think not.

To flatly say they "can not" is foolish. If you want to say it's not the best idea because of increased tire wear and quirky handling on wet roads is onething, but to state an absolute, that is incorrect, is wrong. There are many, many people running spools, Detroits, Aussies, EZ Lockers, etc, etc on the pavement fulltime.

Do you think everyone with a rear locker trailers their rig everywhere they go ??

 

[Thai]

So all those people running Detroits, Aussies, EZ lockers, etc on their daily drivers are wrong I think not.

To flatly say they "can not" is foolish. If you want to say it's not the best idea because of increased tire wear and quirky handling on wet roads is onething, but to state an absolute, that is incorrect, is wrong. There are many, many people running spools, Detroits, Aussies, EZ Lockers, etc, etc on the pavement fulltime.

Do you think everyone with a rear locker trailers their rig everywhere they go ??

I think that there is some miscommunication here between you and Koz. Yes, there are plenty of trucks with lockers that are used for daily driving. However, you should/have to unlock them on dry pavement. A locked locker is not a good thing on dry pavement (whether front or rear)...you will break an axle very easily. Now, if you get on dirt road, then you can lock it.

People who run spools on dry pavement have over-built axles at least to withstand the increase stress (aka heavily modified trucks)...and is not a wise idea obviously from a steering/handling point of view. If you install a spool on your 4runner, then i would guarantee you that your axle/IFS will blow within a few days...or something else will break.

You should turn off (UNLOCK) lockers on-road, especially for daily driving. That is fact and a wise idea...unless you have tons of money and love to rebuild your rig!

 

[fourwd1]

You can't turn off a Detroit, or any other locker other than an e-locker or an ARB.

I know plenty people (all the people I wheel with in fact) that have Detroits, spools, or other lockers in the rear and drive them on the street. Other than increased tire wear, some chirping in turns, and quirky handling in the wet, it's no big deal. The only time it's going to have any effect on pavement is in turns (hence the tire chirping).

In the front you simply unlock your hubs of course.

As for hurting your rear axle, it's a heck of a lot stronger than you think. That and the t-case are the 2 strongest things on a Toyota 4x4.

 

[john_suhr]

locker

An automatic locker lets the outside wheel travel faster than the inside one, but will not let a wheel travel slower than the driveshaft. So if you are under power, each wheel gets 50% tourque. If you are turning, the outside wheel (faster rotating) is allowed to spin faster than the inside one. So wheels are allowed to spin faster than the driveshaft, but not slower, giving you full power to each wheel when needed, but still allowing you to make turns. Your axle is not "locked", like a spool or welding would accomplish. This would make your tires chirp around every little turn. Some Chevy's come with automatic lockers (obviously meant to be street driven). Some lockers engauge smoother than others. A standard Detroit will be pretty rough engaging and will make clicking sounds. Powertrax makes one that is supposed to be un-noticeable and very smooth.
Limites Slips use cluches like the TRD one, and some use gears, like the Torsen unit (I don't know if they have a Toyota application). A limited slip will not provide 50-50 torque distribution like a locker, but is better than nothing. Limited slips are generally quieter and smoother than lockers, although some units will chatter during operation. You have a newer vehicle so you probably want something quiet. I'd say talk to people that have used the Powertrax if you want good off road performance, or look into limited slips if you want something really smooth.
Hope this helps.

 

[03silverltd]

Re: locker

An automatic locker lets the outside wheel travel faster than the inside one, but will not let a wheel travel slower than the driveshaft. So if you are under power, each wheel gets 50% tourque. If you are turning, the outside wheel (faster rotating) is allowed to spin faster than the inside one. So wheels are allowed to spin faster than the driveshaft, but not slower, giving you full power to each wheel when needed, but still allowing you to make turns. Your axle is not "locked", like a spool or welding would accomplish. This would make your tires chirp around every little turn. Some Chevy's come with automatic lockers (obviously meant to be street driven). Some lockers engauge smoother than others. A standard Detroit will be pretty rough engaging and will make clicking sounds. Powertrax makes one that is supposed to be un-noticeable and very smooth.
Limites Slips use cluches like the TRD one, and some use gears, like the Torsen unit (I don't know if they have a Toyota application). A limited slip will not provide 50-50 torque distribution like a locker, but is better than nothing. Limited slips are generally quieter and smoother than lockers, although some units will chatter during operation. You have a newer vehicle so you probably want something quiet. I'd say talk to people that have used the Powertrax if you want good off road performance, or look into limited slips if you want something really smooth.
Hope this helps. [/QUOTE

Yes this definitley helps and I appreciate the education.

 

[Larry]

If you drive a spool on pavement, you should have a flashing red light installed and a sign that sez, 'move over, %ucking idiot comming through'. If it's raining, you should just stick your head in the door and slam it. Either way, Darwin was right, just don't take me with you.