Locker or limited slip?

[07SSSC]

Any one have good advice for deciding on one or the other?

I have a 1993 K2500 6 lug with a 9.5" in the rear, thought I lost a pinion seal when it turns out that I've lost a lot more than that warranting a rebuild. It's an open diff currently so I'm going to upgrade while I'm in there. I mainly use it for winter (which was gnarly this last year), towing, and hauling stuff around with the occasional off road hooning. Seems as though a limited slip would be my best bet but I know those aren't perfect and often still leave you one legging it (or are the newer ones better?), conversely lockers are more solid but can be too "locked". I know there's other options such as True Tracs and such but don't know anything about them.

Additionally, it has a 6.0 LQ4 and 4L80E with the stock 4.10s so it really needs something to get both spinning. Also it has 265/70R17 with no plans of going any bigger tire wise.

Thanks

[mongocanfly]

I'm looking at the trutrac myself.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JXtHM5-P0s0

[A1971Blazer]

Truetrac will give the best street manners....no posi-trac additive needed...I'm putting one front and rear on my K/5

I HAVE NO PLANS TO USE THIS K/5 for OFF-ROAD

[Bigdav160]

I would not recommend a gear style differential (truetrac) for off-road. I have one in my DD and have been stuck more than once.

I would go locker. Next choice would be clutch based unit.

[mongocanfly]

Bigdav..are you saying the trutrac wouldn't lock in the mud?...I've not read much bad about them..guess I need to do some more research...
I got a buddy with air lockers front and back on his jeep and he loves em..

[toolboxchev]

If you use a locker it will snap axles with a load on the pickup. When they spin and suddenly catch the extra weight in the bed will do it.

6 states informed me I was using my truck off road for hauling that was a likely scenario.

I ended up with a Posi unit and have over 90 k miles on it without getting stuck and no issues. I am pretty happy. The clutch packs are rebuild able also. Sure I have to run the stinky additive in it.

[Husker]

I have Detroit TruTracs front and rear in my CJ 5 work great. They do not make noise do Great in Snow. No problems turning, can't tell they are there until you need em.
Ron

[nikwho]

I had a locker front and rear of my old Jeep. I would not reccomend that if you ever need 4wd on the street! I live where we get a fair amount of snow, so driving in 4wd is fairly common. It was flat out dangerous! I all but lost the ability to steer on dry pavement under throttle. It made it so I had to always be in 2wd, unless the storm was bad enough that there was no dry pavement. Just something I had not considered when I installed the locker in the front!

[Husker]

TruTracs are different than a Detroit Locket or one than is a full on locker. TruTracs will have Good Street manners while turning. I shift to 2 WD on dry pavement. Don't like the way an open Duff acts on dry pavement. Just my 2 cents.
Ron

[b454rat]

Little different vehicle but prolly same results. I had a 78 Malibu with a 468 and a 9" with a Detroit. Going around a corner under throttle was OK, tires scrubbed but no biggy. But let off, then get back on it, or coast into a corner then give it gas, it locks, and feels like the car twists. This was dry weather, dunno bout wet roads, but sure wouldn't be boring. My truck has the factory grenade lock, even after 200k it still works. Don't notice it when normal driving, but spin one tire and it locks in. Could be with the longer wheelbase that it's not noticeable. If possible get a selectable or an actual posi.

[clinebarger]

This is like asking if I prefer Blonds, Brunettes, Or Red Heads.....

But seriously.....Aftermarket 9.5" posi's & lockers are not cheap, You may have to settle with what you can afford. Factory Gov-Loc's get stronger as the differential gets bigger so you can't directly compare a 8.5" to a 9.5" when it comes to Gov-Loc's. I put 650 ft lbs though my 11.5" Gov-Bomb all the time!

[Short 3/4]

Have had a Detroit Locker for over 30 years in a 3/4 ton Chevy. Great in rocks, sand and mud but scary in ice or snow. Also tires wear very fast on street and harsh when truck is empty. Put True-Tracs front and rear on my Toyota 4x4 and have no complaints on or off road, including snow. ARB locker the best of both worlds but complex and expensive. I would not waist money on a clutch type posi.

[07SSSC]

Thanks for all the replies, clinebarger has it right with his comparison it sounds like. Everyone has their opinion on what is best it would seem, which only muddies the waters. I'm leaning towards a True Trac at the moment, but it'll be a few weeks before I actually commit so I'll do some more researching.

[DieselSJ]

Originally Posted by 07SSSC

Thanks for all the replies, clinebarger has it right with his comparison it sounds like. Everyone has their opinion on what is best it would seem, which only muddies the waters. I'm leaning towards a True Trac at the moment, but it'll be a few weeks before I actually commit so I'll do some more researching.

I think you will be happy with that with the type of usage you described. There aren't a lot of options for the 9.5" 14bolt.

Detroit Locker
Detroit Truetrac
Yukon Duragrip - clutch type limited slip, similar to an Auburn
LockRight - lunchbox locker - avoid them

The Truetrac of the Duragrip would be good. I'm actually cutting one of these down to go into my diesel powered Wagoneer so that I can keep the 6-lug pattern. Mine will be getting a locker.

[Ironangel]

Originally Posted by clinebarger

This is like asking if I prefer Blonds, Brunettes, Or Red Heads.....

Only if their names are "Chevy" and are old enough to remember Vietnam...
Re: Locker or LS? Unless your racing I wouldn't even consider a locker. They will tear up more sh%t than they will get you out of. That leaves one other option, the "Limited Slip"...Which one? Well there is only one and many upgrades and variants of that one. It has withstood the tests of time and is still knocking off the complex electric, mechanical and air lockers. Call me old school but the Eaton Positraction unit is the only tuneable and rebuildable unit out there. The Eaton Posi is the Energizer Bunny of the LS options out there.

[cadillac_al]

My snow beast has a true trac in front and open in the rear. I had my fill of posi rear ends in the snow. No matter how good a driver you think you are, you have to pay attention all the time and the rear end will still come around and surprise you. An air locker or E locker would be my ideal locker.

[cal30_sniper]

I'm running a Richmond No-Slip in my 14 bolt FF rear end. I have given it a very stiff workout over the last 5 years, and it's never complained a bit. When a tire starts to spin under power, it locks up solid and spins both wheels. If you're turning under light throttle, it opens up and allows the wheels to differentiate, so there's no pulling or chirping. If you get on the throttle pretty good in a sharp turn, it will lock, and your tires will chirp until you get out of it.

Mine's a C20, so no 4x4 here, but I've taken it over some pretty nasty roads in Colorado, New Mexico, West Texas, and here on the east coast in Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. As long as you stay away from deep sand or heavy mud, it's powered me through everything I've encountered. I've also towed 10k+ lb loads with it on multiple occasions, and never had any problem with funny behavior out of the diff. No problems on the limited ice or snow that I've run it in either. I really can't say enough good things about the Richmond unit, and wouldn't hesitate to install another in a truck.