What to do with my front diff?

NickO

NickO

New member
Jeff -- finally ready to start on the front end. . .

To refresh your memory:
4bt, zf 5-speed, NP205, f/r d44
rear = power-loc, 4.09
front = trac-loc, 3.73

I have recently acquired a > 3.92 carrier with a trac-loc of unknown condition. The options I am considering include:
  • installing the trac-loc (rebuild?)
  • installing a new spartan or some other lunch-box

The spartan appears to offer more performance for less $$.

Thoughts and/or suggestions?
 
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First you'll have to check if the sparten fits in the track-loc carrier. Even if you can get a version, you might want to think twice, I've seen/heard more track-loc carriers break than standard open carriers.

#2, do you want a full locker in the front? On the trail, they are great, but on the road (say icy/snowy conditions) they can be a handful. A full locker also increases the steering effort required in locked conditions.

If this is your wheeler, go for it, if this is a driver that will see 4wd road travel, research the handling characteristics and make your decision from there. A limited slip (track-loc or nice tight powerloc (stronger) might be a better choice.

Or and e-lock, ARB or ox......
 
I agree with Mark in that you May not want a locker in the front end. Also I would not use the trac-loc either as they are weak and offer little limited-slip assistance(we call them trashloc or crackloc around here). My choice would be a powrlok or Auburn Gear for the front end or maybe even a trutrac. Your budget May be the deciding factor and if so the Auburn Gear with be the cheapest out of the bunch(except for the tracloc).
 
Sounds like the power-loc is the answer -- are they still on backorder?

Assuming the power-loc is not available, will I need a carrier (open) for the Auburn?:confused5:
 
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