Auburn Gear LSD - any experiences?

[jwdeeming]

Time for getting some of that power to BOTH rear wheels. I don't think I want to put up with a Detroit Locker on a daily driver.



Local 4X4 shop is recommending a limited slip diff by Auburn Gear. Anyone have any experience with this product in our heavy trucks?



Thanks in advance,

JimD

 

[Godzilla1]

Hi Jim, I used to be into the JEEP thing I had Detroit lockers front and rear, great for off road but lots of noise from the rear end and tire chirps when you make a turn, some of the guys were running a Detroit soft locker no ratcheting coming from the rear end. I think the Auburn uses a clutch type set-up and will eventually wear out. Pick up one of the 4 wheel and sport utility mags, great source of info.

zainman

 

[HC]

I had one in a Suburban, and it seemed to be a good unit. You do get some increase in tire wear with this type of unit.

 

[w-cummins]

Originally posted by jwdeeming

Time for getting some of that power to BOTH rear wheels. I don't think I want to put up with a Detroit Locker on a daily driver.



Local 4X4 shop is recommending a limited slip diff by Auburn Gear. Anyone have any experience with this product in our heavy trucks?



Thanks in advance,

JimD

In a full size rig the Detroit isn't a bad setup I have been running one for over 50,000 miles in the back of my 1ton, and to tell you the truth I really don't even notice it back there. It's not even the newer "soft" locker that is suposed to be more mild. Sure if you stand on it when starting out around a tight turn it will chirp the inside tire, but with normal take off it over runs the clutch dogs and works fine...





William... .

William... .

 

[jwdeeming]

Thanks for the replys. After looking into it more, the shop that will do the work is now recommending a Detroit anyway. I can be a little hard on this truck sometimes, so I suppose it's safer to go with the tougher gear. But I'm anticipating I'll notice it a lot in my shortbed. I hope this is the right move...

JimD

 

[w-cummins]

Originally posted by jwdeeming

Thanks for the replys. After looking into it more, the shop that will do the work is now recommending a Detroit anyway. I can be a little hard on this truck sometimes, so I suppose it's safer to go with the tougher gear. But I'm anticipating I'll notice it a lot in my shortbed. I hope this is the right move...

JimD

Is your short bed a reg cab or quad? if it's a extended/quad cab your wheel base will be really close to what I'm running (reg cab long box)... . People say that they make large "klunking/klanging" type sounds but I have never heard any thing like that at all with mine. The really only thing I really notice is the "slack" in the driveline is more, when you get on and off the throttle you will have more slack in it... . I suppose that if you really hammered it from the off throttle slacked "side" to the full power side you might get a klang sound out of it, but I have never tryed that yet

 

[rspinks]

I put a detroit in my '94 2500 5spd reg. cab 4x4, see my thoughts below.



Cons:

When turning all torque goes to the inside wheel so it's real easy to chirp the inside rear tire (probably not so much with 3500 duals). It will sometimes lock/unlock with a loud bang and shift the direction of the truck. Sometimes the extra slop and locking/unlocking action in the diff will cause lurching and bucking back and forth when negotiating tight turns in low gear, crowded parking lots, etc. Be ready for some serious handling differences in snow - pushes the frontend bad under power.



Pros:

No-holds-barred best traction possible when required, nothing beats a locker off-roading. I could go nearly as far in 2wd with the locker as I could in 4x4 with open diffs. Strongest diff available short of a full spool. Adds character and personality to your truck.



Even with the drawbacks I would consider putting another one in my diesel, traction is that much better off-road. Just be ready for some bad behavior once in awhile.



Rich

 

[Blakers]

I have an Auburn limited slip in my '88 F-150 and it works great. I don't think I get any extra tire wear.



But, I don't recall even seeing one listed for a Dana 70 or 80 - perhaps I missed it if it is avaibable.



I won a Detroit Locker, which I'm going to put into my Ram when I get the time.



BTW, I never had any adverse behavior from the Auburn in snow or ice. The Ford did however have a factory front limited slip which really made it a pain to drive with slush or snow on one side of the truck and clear pavement on the other side. I would not recommend a front locker in the snow.



Blake

 

[Mr. Brewski]

I had one in my old '82 blazer - seemed like a good unit, I had no complaints.

 

[jwdeeming]

Blake,

You are right - Auburn doesn't seem to offer one for our Dana 70s - that's what sent the installer looking at other options. The shop I'm going to use is more familiar with Jeeps and Toyotas, so they weren't too up on the big dogs. I hope that doesn't affect install quality.



w-cummins,

I have the quad cab, so hopefully the parking lot chirps won't be too bad. But hey, between my loud exhaust, exhaust brake, and turbo-temp monitor shutdown, my truck is already kind of an event in parking lots anyway. A little tire chirp will only add to the fun.

 

[Wiredawg]

Auburn is good

Zainman:



Auburn is good. I have it in my 96 gasser Ram's 9. 25" rearend. Has alway worked great.



Wiredawg

 

[Diesel Freak]

so who makes a "friendly" LSD for the Hybrid Dana 80 on my 2500?

 

[Todd G]

Air Locker.

 

[RT66DOC]

Air Locker and Air Locker. (Front and back )