[Crasher]

My ZJ is Aussie locked front and rear. It really is glued to the ground, but although I am getting used to the tight binding feeling of the front axle when in 4lo, in tight turns on the trail, I don't like it. I am thinking of replacing the front Aussie with a True-Trac. A friend has a TJ with a LSD in the rear and an aussie in the front. He hardly knows it's there on the trail and feels little or no binding. Is it because he doesn't have a locker in the rear or is it the shorter and lighter wheelbase?? Would the aussie in the front of a WJ that has a LSD in the rear react like my friends TJ or will it be like my ZJ?? The WJ needs something up front and I would put the aussie into it.

Also, as I understand the True-Trac, if one wheel gets off the ground, I can make it work like a locker by applying slight brake pressure. True or not? The ideal thing would be a selectable locker, but I don't think I want to stick that much into a D30 unless someone has one for $400- $500.

 

[ZJGrandMaster]

Yes, it is a good swap to put the truetrac in the front. It will let you turn a lot easier, and still give you plenty of traction.

Putting the Aussie up front on the WJ wont be that bad at all. You'll have a little drag when tight turning, but only under power / and very tight turns and only in 4 low. But with only the front locked, its not going to be like your ZJ is now, it'll be better.

The TJs actually handle worse than our ZJ/ WJ with a locker up front, the wheelbase hurts it, binding ect. They have to do a lot more 3 point turns on the trail, if you know what i mean. Yes the LSD in the rear is helping him. Also tire size comes into effect, steering setup, ect.

You didnt specify what Transfer case was in any vehicle and that effects handling too. early 249s didnt have center locks. And any case is harder in 4lo than 4hi.

Generally, Longer wheelbase, heavier vehicles dont notice a locker at all, even on the street. Whereas Lighter, short wheelbase, i.e. Wrangler, FJ40, early bronco, have horrible handle with front lockers.

And yes, the truetrac provides awesome traction, no binding, and no noise. And Yes, the brake method does help lockup if you ever find your spinning, which is rare. Only if One tire is completely off the ground.

A side note, the Military Humvee has used torsen diff's (true trac is a torsen) front and rear since the 80's. Im over in Iraq now, and as a Mechanic, I see them a lot. They work awesome. I even run one in my jeep. Front only. Open rear. Works great.

 

[Crasher]

ZJGrandmaster,
Thank you for your input. Both my ZJ w/5.2 and the WJ w/4.0 have the 242 tc. I don't know it's there in 2wd, but really affects the steering in 4lo. In some tight turns, both axles are jumping to get around especially on a hard surface. I discovered that the truetrac is the carrier and requires the gears to be reset. I'm not qualfied to do it, so the unit with installation is going to run me $550. I can get $200 for the aussie so I have to decide if it's worth the $350 to switch. I should have thought of that before I had it regeared to 488s 2 weeks ago. I get smart too late.

 

[grocery_getter]

For the Dana 30 with 4,88 you need PN 912A585.

I received a shipment last week with both front and rear truetracs, and I've already fixed an appointment for the installation for the next neek.

Mine has the NV249 tcase, so it sends all the torque to the rear until there is some slippage. Even in turn I do not expect any problems, because in turn front wheels have to run faster than rear so the VC shouldn't be able to transfer any torque. That changes in 4lo, beceuse of the low-lock. With the 242 in 4WD a central differential splits the torque between front and rear, so you're going to have some feedback. Nothing near you're locker, I suppose.

 

[Preppi12]

The TJs actually handle worse than our ZJ/ WJ with a locker up front, the wheelbase hurts it, binding ect. They have to do a lot more 3 point turns on the trail, if you know what i mean.

And any case is harder in 4lo than 4hi.

Generally, Longer wheelbase, heavier vehicles dont notice a locker at all, even on the street. Whereas Lighter, short wheelbase, i.e. Wrangler, FJ40, early bronco, have horrible handle with front lockers.

I disagree...

- How would a shorter wheelbase make your steering worse? I wheel with a lot of wranglers and I'm the one that's always making 3 point turns. That's one of the benefits of a short wheelbase is its turning radius. Plus wranglers are usually lighter so less pressure on the steering which also makes it a bit easier to turn. Just like your comment on tire size making a difference...b/c it does.

-If you're locked...you're locked so I don't see any difference between 4hi or 4low.

- If you're on the street in 2wd then you won't notice it...doesn't matter what vehicle you're in b/c the locker isn't engaged. But you will notice a difference in 4, especially in tight tuns on the trail.

 

[Crasher]

There isn't a difference between 4hi and 4lo and you don't know it's there when in 2wd. I was told and I knew that tight turns would be a bit binding. I can deal with it ok, but if I can get close to the traction of a locker up front with a truetrac, and have easier steering in the tight turns, I am tempted to do it. 90+% of the time, an open diff up front is fine. It's amazing the amout of money we spend for that other 10%

 

[SirFuego]

I'll admit that I haven't noticed any major loss in turning radius due to F&R lockers. Get some rocker protection that sticks out past the doors and that will allow you to turn better than being open...

Honestly, I would just save up the pennies for an ARB or other selectable locker where you have the best of both worlds.

 

[Crasher]

I've already got the sliders and they get banged up. I've even got some gouges on the top side of them. Don't know how I did that without hitting the rocker or doors. I think I'm just going to ride it out for awhile and see if it loosens up with wear. I'll be back in WI in 6 weeks and I'll have the summer to think about it.