Truetrac

[MidLifer]

After much reading of threads both here and elsewhere, I've decided I want to go with a Truetrac Posi/LSD unit (yes I know it's not really either of those) for my truck. I have a 10.5" 14-bolt rear and it seems that the price on these things is universally the same ($729.00 wherever I look).

Have you guys ever seen these on sale? Or does Eaton control the end-user price and not let anyone discount them?

[PGSigns]

Lots of stuff has a MAP. Minimum advertised price. Does not mean the retailers cant sell it for less. Check with some of the vendors here and you may find a better price.
Jimmy

[87Skier]

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Eaton had a sale that ended 12/31/2017. I think it was $50 to $75 off depending on how expensive the carrier you bought was.

[cadillac_al]

The cool thing about 14 bolts is that the Detroit Locker is cheapest for that axle. Last I looked I thought they were around $400-450.

[MidLifer]

cadillac_al, I have a 2WD truck that is exclusively on-street, so I was thinking the TrueTrac would be the best option. From what I understand, I"ll get the performance of a clutch-based posi with the added strength of a gear-based unit.

My worry about a locker is that it may not be the best option for 100% street use.

I'm sure, like a lot of topics, there's a lot of opinions about this, but being an engineer, even though I've never had a locker, it seems to me that the concerns about turns and rain use are valid.

[BossHogg69]

Originally Posted by 87Skier

Hate to be the bearer of bad news, but Eaton had a sale that ended 12/31/2017. I think it was $50 to $75 off depending on how expensive the carrier you bought was.

True story...

I will say, I'm running a Truetrac in my 12 bolt - it's transparent on the street and leaves two nice long black marks when you hammer down on it

[ratfreak8871]

Put one in my 12 bolt last spring. Don't even know its there till I lay rubber

[cadillac_al]

Originally Posted by ratfreak8871

Put one in my 12 bolt last spring. Don't even know its there till I lay rubber

That is the ideal locker. I have one in the front of my K20 and you don't know it's there. I don't burn rubber though but collected quite a few mud bogging trophies.

[nonstop]

If you’re that deep into it, why not an air locker for a little more money? You get a true open for the street, and a spool when needed.

[b454rat]

Why not a govlock? They are worlds better than another GM axle posi, and are transparent in normal driving. Plus a bakers dozen in junkyards.

[Bigdav160]

I wonder if anyone has tried to put a Trac-rite differential case from a Dodge into a GM carrier housing?

That would be one way to get a gear style posi unit.

[MidLifer]

Originally Posted by b454rat

Why not a govlock? They are worlds better than another GM axle posi, and are transparent in normal driving. Plus a bakers dozen in junkyards.

I see a few on eBay for $250. What do boneyards usually charge?

[Richard2112]

I've often thought about installing Truetrac in my RWD but have wondered about their reputation under tow conditions. My dually has a govloc and there is mixed opinion about them. The four-wheelers and mud boggers often say the govloc is just a grenade waiting to go off. Still others say that if you know how the govloc functions and don't hammer on it, it's a fine unit.

I've run Detroit locker before and though it was a good quality locker, it was a bit noisy and cornering characteristics changed a bit. Great for off-road.

Still thinkin' about Truetrac vs govloc

[B. W.]

I have run gov-locks forever. Under hard use / abuse I have destroyed them. With normal driving (with a lot of 4wd & slippage) they will last a very long time. I currently have three rigs, all with gov-locks & with a combined 745,000 miles with no gov-lock issues.

Like the true-trac also, have one in the front of my K20. But, for almost half the price I'd put a Detroit in the rear. (I know you don't want the locker, I'm just looking at cost)

[MidLifer]

My truck never goes off pavement, and I occasionally tow a 6000 lb trailer with it. The main reason I want posi is that I just finished my LQ4 swap and I like to mat the accelerator now :-) I am getting mid 6's 0-60 and figure if I could cut out the one-wheel peel I might shave some time off of that.

So Govlocks blow up under towing?

[Bigdav160]

Eaton Mechanical Locking Differential - YouTube

Up to the 2:10 mark you can see the G80 govloc is not much different that a regular clutch based posi. Over 20 mph the unit is not locked and works like a posi.

It's usually large spinning tires with plenty of torque that blows up the lock up mechanism. Under normal driving it rarely gives trouble,

In a 14 bolt the govloc only has three pinions instead of it's normal 4. It doesn't seem to be as prone to exploding as the lighter unit in the video but still might not be as strong as a regular open case.

[Bad70sbchevy]

Another happy user of the TrueTrac. Ran it in my 70 c10 which is more of a street/strip truck when I rebuilt my 12 bolt and have been really happy with it. Just like BossHogg69 said, you don't even know its there until you get on it and you see two black marks. In fact I liked it so much I put it on my daily driver 2010 silverado (10 bolt).

The only thing you have to keep in mind if you do a lot of offroading (which I know you stated you don't plan on doing so), if you do lift a tire you might have to drag the brake a little to get the torque to transfer to the wheel with traction (just like with any other torsen differential).

[andyh1956]

We put a True Trac in my son's '02 1500. It lasted w/ all he could hammer that 5.3 on it until that drunk T-Boned him...Don't drink & drive!