2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Limited slip options for 2wd 3/4 ton

[BadDNA]

I've got a 2wd 3/4 ton and New England winters have not been fun in the past two years I've had the truck. I've managed to get by with a lot of weight in the bed and fresh all terrain tires each fall. This isn't cheap though and I think a limited slip would be more useful. What are my options for a LSD in the D-70 rear end? Has anyone replaced their factory LSD with a locker and would be willing to pay-it-forward or part with it for a nominal price?

 

[SBall]

I too drive a 2wd CTD pickup and winter is always a challenge. Mine is especially bad as I drive a dually. I'll submit that your best traction for the $ can be realized with tire chains. A limited slip may offer you some additional mobility, but if you already have good grippy tires and weight in the back, this may be marginal. You'll also notice with a good LSD or locker that frequently both wheels lose traction and spin in harmony making for some tail-wagging if you're not ready for it. If you're willing to put up with the hassle, tire chains with weight in the back will provide surprisingly good mobility. There are some great alloy square-link products that work well. You'll also read here on the forum that many folks have praised tires such as the Blizzaks and Cooper Discoverer M&S. While I mount the Discoverer's in Winter and have seen benefits over all-season tires, chains have been my best solution for severe winter driving.

Steve

 

[nps]

Another option is to move south where there is no snow. Worked better than LSD and 4x4.



Steve is correct in the habits of a CTD with both rear wheels spinning. When they both break loose it leaves nothing to anchor the rear and gives it a mind of its own. And that goes for rain as well as snow given the torque.



I've heard of some TDR members doing swaps for gear ratio changes but haven't seen any LSDs. Good luck.

 

[jkalchik]

Okay, so you guys are right... . with a l/s or a locker, both wheels have torque, and will spin AT THE SAME TIME... .



So?



PAY ATTENTION to what your truck is telling you. You can't drive a l/s truck like an open diff. That's when you get into trouble.



I used to drive open diffs. Never again. Both my modified Jeep Cherokee and my CTD both have limited slips and I like it that way. Okay, now that the Jeep isn't a daily driver, I'd like to put a locker in it.



Okay, back to the real question. Limited slips for Dana axles are a dime a dozen. You may be able to score a factory TrakLok (be sure to get a rebuild kit for it!) or go aftermarket like an Auburn Gear, or a TracTech TrueTrac. My Jeep has an Auburn in the rear, and it's pretty good. You will have to keep up with keeping good friction modifier in it though. The TrueTrac is a geared l/s, and just uses straight oil without friction modifier and is also practically maintenance free.



The real wrinkle is that limited slips are full case diffs, which means you'll need to do at least a partial gear setup. I'd figure $250 to $300 just in labor.

 

[Midnite]

I completely agree with jkalchik--I can't stand driving an open diff on winter roads up here. In my '92, I had a Powr-lok installed in the Dana 70. My 2000 has a Dana 80, so the Powr-lok is unavailable. However, the Track-lok is, and the version for the Dana 80 is apparently very close to the Powr-lok as far as strength goes.



I absolutely loved driving my '92 on winter roads after I had the Powr-lok installed. I almost never had to go into 4wd, while before with the open diff I would have to go into 4wd even to go up the slightest inclines.



My 2000 is going into the shop to have the Track-lok installed on Monday. They estimated between $1200 and $1300, which is on par with what I paid for the Powr-lok install on my '92.



Mike

 

[dodger22]

With a 2WD L/S in winter you go nowhere fast when the snow is on the ground. I put 300 - 400 lb of tube sand from Home Depot in the box and it makes a world of difference.



HTH



Richard

 

[nps]

Okay, so you guys are right... . with a l/s or a locker, both wheels have torque, and will spin AT THE SAME TIME... .



So?



PAY ATTENTION to what your truck is telling you. You can't drive a l/s truck like an open diff. That's when you get into trouble.

Excellent post of the obvious.

 

[EBung]

I surfed ebay for about 3 months until I found a decent Power Lok for my Dana 70 paid 1 Franklin and a half for it shipped to my door. It was used out of a 99 but swapped shims from old diff to new and put on new carrier bearings torqued everything to spec,put in limited slip additive and it works great!Money well spent in my book!