Factory limited slip swap

[mmmansur]

New to the forum, I have had my 03 sport 4x4 since new. I am running the stock open rear diff w/3.73 gears and 31"s. I need a little more grip from time to time (never been stuck, but had a few close ones). I was thinking about swapping the open diff for a factory limited slip unit (possibly from a salvage yard). My questions would be: is this a simple swap (I am not looking to set up gears); what should I be looking for, will other Jeep units work; would this be an inexpensive modification, or should i be looking to the aftermarket (my Jeep is on pavement 95% of the time)? Any ideas would be appreciated, thanks.

 

[jsc7002]

you would be better off to get a Detroit True-Trac or Detroit locker for the rear, but they arent cheap the DTT is about $480 and the DL is $550 but they will preform better than the stock LSD

 

[bugnout]

Agree completely. the factory limited slip is clutch based and will wear out over time. Getting a used one is a crap shoot at best. It also will cost more to install than a lunch box locker since you have to setup the gears. Put the money in something that will do you more good.

 

[mmmansur]

Thanks for the input. What about the Powertrax units from Richmond, anyone try these?

 

[jsc7002]

better than stock LSD or being open, but I would still recommend DTT or DL

 

[droptine]

Thanks for the input. What about the Powertrax units from Richmond, anyone try these?

I have had the Powertrax in a 4x2 Dodge Ram for about 2 years now. Besides a little "chirping" around corners on occasion, it works great.

 

[KYLiberty]

I just had the factory LSD replaced with a DTT. The factory LSD had broken at 75k miles and damaged the pinion bearing. The difference is huge. I would highly recommend getting the DTT even though it's a higher cost. I wish I had gone to it years ago.

 

[Signcutter21]

I would also check into if the diff will even allow for you to put in the trash-lock. I know when I ordered my power-trax, they ask if you have a factory or trac-lok diff. There must be some slight difference in the product, right?

I've had the powertrax in for close to 5 years (thanksgiving weekend to be exact). It has work just fine. Everyonce in a while your hear it bind and pop (chirp) but other than that i have been impressed with it. I think it was in the $300 range (??) and the install took about an hour. Thankfully SkrRacing installed it for me for free.

 

[J-Thompson]

dont bother with the trash lock ,it will need gear set up and simply not worth the money
even for free
if you are happy with open and only want a little bit more than a TT is money well spent
HOWEVER do not expect to be wowed by it
I have seen rigs with TT front and rear ,DD's and the owners did not want to "deal with a locker", and I was not at all impressed
I could walk up hills that they had trouble with ,I have a Detroit locker in the rear
I also have an ARB in the front but never locked it and almost dont need it now that I have the Detroit
I had a trash loc ,this is in my TJ by the way which is a trail rig
If/when I take the KJ as a DD I plan on doing 4.10's and TT's front and rear
it will be to tow/rescue my TJ not for trail ridding
if I were to use it for trail riding it would get a Detroit in the rear