What locker shall I go for?

[Andreas Wickman]

Given my use of the truck, daily driving, and work on the farm, the only off-road is out in the field with hay to the animals. With 2 WD just some slippery surfaces and mild leaning ground can cause trouble when the box is empty. So now I'm leaning towards an Eaton TrueTrac. Semmes to be robust design, maintains free, automatic function, no extra air- or electrical installation and the truck still behaves as with an open differential on the road and while going around in the city. I am happy to hear comments on this idea.
Still confused but on a higher level

 

[mattsk8]

Given my use of the truck, daily driving, and work on the farm, the only off-road is out in the field with hay to the animals. With 2 WD just some slippery surfaces and mild leaning ground can cause trouble when the box is empty. So now I'm leaning towards an Eaton TrueTrac. Semmes to be robust design, maintains free, automatic function, no extra air- or electrical installation and the truck still behaves as with an open differential on the road and while going around in the city. I am happy to hear comments on this idea.
Still confused but on a higher level

That's the route I would go if I were you.

Just wanted to add this... Be realistic about it, adding any type of locker isn't going to make your truck perform like a 4x4. IMO they help a little, but not a lot.

 

[Andreas Wickman]

Yes, I'm clear over that, but a 2WD truck, an empty box and a heavy engine over the front wheels very easily get stuck on slippery ground, and I'm pretty sure (hope) that an LSD differential will make a significant difference, even not at all as if it were a 4WD.

 

[SquareRoot]

I went with the Eaton 912A556 Detroit Truetrac 8.5" 28 Spline Differential with 10 Bolt for my '85 K5, and I also replaced the ring and pinion to match the front axle. IIRC they are 3.08:1.

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I like the taller gears 'cause if I need low-grunt, I've always got Low Range.

We burn about 8 cord of wood every year and I am still in "Hobby Mode" when I drive out to the woods and cut trees down.

The K5 can tow 3 cords, but I like to not haul that much, so I tend to limit myself to 2 1/2 cords instead. Wood is heavy and I went over the scales at 11,300lbs, K5, the wood, trailer, 3/4 tank of gas, and three guys.

There's always snow when cutting because I feel it's a lot harder to set the woods on fire if the forest is covered in snow. We still carry a couple of CO2 extinguishers and a large drum of water - 30 gallons --- more weight.

Many times I have to crawl over stumps and rocks and cut my own roads to get to the trees I want -- and the Eaton works its butt off, but it always works well.

Off tree-cutting season - is trout season, and I like to use the K5 to get to places where I cannot walk (100% DAV) but I can walk a bit.

Running a chainsaw is easy for me as my arms are still good --- the back is starting to take the "hobby" out of woodcutting, and I may redesignate cutting firewood as a "Spectator Sport" sooner rather than later.

The Eaton can work hard --- doesn't make any noise and drives very peacefully on the street.

Mud is no problem. Ice is not a problem other than what the tires can handle ---

I also use tires with this logo ...

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HTH.








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I don't know about your choice of locker but you've made me very jealous of your lifestyle. 40 years in the Arizona desert has left me feeling like Moses.

 

[Andreas Wickman]

My lifestyle? In the countryside, feeding up lambs with my family, and spending leisure time in the garage with my Silverado and Impala 1963. Friday nights with friends at the local bar. Very simple and I like it.

 

[59840Surfer]

My lifestyle? In the countryside, feeding up lambs with my family, and spending leisure time in the garage with my Silverado and Impala 1963. Friday nights with friends at the local bar. Very simple and I like it.

You would really appreciate the Eaton when you want to crush all those beer cans.

Question? Why do you feed your lambs with your family? ........ just askin' .......................... and do the authorities know what you're doing?

 

[Andreas Wickman]

Ha ha, sorry my bad English.

 

[Turbo4whl]

Given my use of the truck, daily driving, and work on the farm, the only off-road is out in the field with hay to the animals. With 2 WD just some slippery surfaces and mild leaning ground can cause trouble when the box is empty. So now I'm leaning towards an Eaton TrueTrac. Semmes to be robust design, maintains free, automatic function, no extra air- or electrical installation and the truck still behaves as with an open differential on the road and while going around in the city. I am happy to hear comments on this idea.
Still confused but on a higher level

The only issue with the Truetrac can be, on really slippery surface. it will not lock up well in reverse. I have 2 installed, one in my '82 and another in my '06.

 

[gmbellew]

The only issue with the Truetrac can be, on really slippery surface. it will not lock up well in reverse. I have 2 installed, one in my '82 and another in my '06.

doesn't giving it some brake at the same time as the gas help it catch?

 

[Turbo4whl]

doesn't giving it some brake at the same time as the gas help it catch?

So in the owner's manual they state using synthetic oil the unit may not perform as well. It also states the factory seals may leak with the wrong oil. Changing the oil after the seals are seasoned, the seals should be okay.

So filled with synthetic oil was probably my issue. May have been better with 85w90. Pulling the scout trailer with 10 canoes and gear, I pulled off the concrete pad to back the trailer into the barn. Raining steady the truck was sitting in soft soil, like in a stream. No matter what I tried the rear would not lock in reverse to step back up onto the concrete. This was probably the most extreme conditions. I do know Truetracs for the front axles have spiral cut gears reversed. Can't mix a front diff for a back, etc.

 

[Andreas Wickman]

Do you think that a Torsen will behave like that too?

 

[Zelph]

doesn't giving it some brake at the same time as the gas help it catch?

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[Andreas Wickman]

Ahh, nice to hear/see. I've heard that is also how to get a Torsen to engage in a situation where one wheel has no friction. Apply some brake, and it will cut-in.

 

[59840Surfer]

Ahh, nice to hear/see. I've heard that is also how to get a Torsen to engage in a situation where one wheel has no friction. Apply some brake, and it will cut-in.

Hmmmmmmmmmm. I haven't had that as a problem yet --- maybe because I always used the throttle-blip to make sure the old Gov-Loc was "in" before I applied pressure to it; that kept it alive for over 30 years of me abusing it.

I'd just put it in forward or reverse and when I needed to - or thought I needed to get the Gov-Loc to engage, I'd just give a small blip on the gas and it never failed me.

OK --- so I tend to continue that same process when I have used the Eaton in reverse already ... it was a natural reaction by me I learned from many years ago. I'm 79 y/o now and it's a little too far around the bend to change course now.

I'll pay attention when the weather gets really sloppy --- snow's a-coming and there'll be black ice too, to play on.

I'll report if I have any problems.