I have read many of the pro and con of lockers and what I don't understand why they say not to use in snow. If it starts to go sideways why can't you just let off throttle and straighten it out?

 

if you're talking about the manufacturers, it's just to save their butts if someone is dumb.

 

Most of the time its manufacturer CYA. On the other side, most people cannot properly handle a vehicle that is doing anything but going straight.

 

I've had two -**** my shorts- experiences, come off the side of a mountain on a sheet of ice and tell us about it.
Ice decides which direction you shall go, not you.

With all four wheel spinning there is no way to track and you will go with the slope of the road/ice..........if the road slopes sideways, you go sideways.

 

Your 100% correct, but an auto locker will not change that fact at all.

 

Nothing short of studs will change that................

 

I'm leaning toward LSD both front and rear to get me by for now, then selectable in a new rear diff when I feel like taking on that project, say this summer or so.

 

Why waste time and money doing it now if you plan to change it this summer? That's one thing I try to beat into my brothers' and friends' head is to save the money and do it how you want it the first time. Do the research and plan it out, you'll be much happier.

I have a Trutrac in the rear (8.8), and a Yukon Zip in the front. If I didn't dd this, or take it on 9hr drives regularly, I would have opted for autos probably, even with the snow/ice I get here.

I'm helping my brother do his axle builds as well. He decided on an 8.8 as well, and going to use the OEM clutch based LSD. For the front he decided on an Aussie. For the price we couldn't pass it up. And the more I think about it the more I kind of wish I had saved money and bought an Aussie for my front as well. The only time I really engage 4h is off-road anyway, even with snow on the ground here in WNY. For dd duties the rear LSD would be more than capable. Then the Aussie for off-road. For the price of his setup I think he's going to have a good capable rig.

 

Having given the subject some thought, thanks to all the great input in this thread, what I really want is selectable front and rear and a more robust rear axle. Installed, this setup would be well over $2000, maybe closer to $3000 or more all told. I'm not ready for that large an investment. So, time to compromise. I'm leaning away from auto lockers as I believe a positive, automatic locking mechanism from a daily driving perspective may not be right for me. In reality, considering how I'm using this vehicle, LSDs could very well be sufficient for my needs, and the eventual LSD front/selectable rear combo seems like it will do everything I want or need. Cost of two LSDs are about the same as auto lockers, and the Truetrac may have a better chance of reselling at the point in time I'm ready to replace the rear end.

Thoughts and comments are welcome

 

lsd requires install fee, auto locker you can do in your driveway in an hour. I have not noticed any ill effect from driving daily with an auto locker. This is my only vehicle. I have a powertrax no-slip. Silent. Lsd will not give the same advantage offroad as a locker. In my opinion. I'd leave it open or go locker. Seems like a half done job in my opinion. I know others view it differently and probably have their reasons.

 

What axle ratio do you have? Probably a 3.55 but make sure. I have a LS from a D35 sitting next to my house from when I put the D44 in. I was going to put it on CL for $100 but if you want it. Its the factory one that came in them in 97. Worked flawlessly when I pulled it out.


If you want.

 

Thanks. I need to determine if mine has the stock LSD.

 

it'll have a sticker in the glove box if it has one.

 

No sticker.

 

then it probably doesn't have one