Re-gear

It's almost Xmas time, and after fitting a lift and 33s Ironman has lost some personal I'm thinking it may be time for some new gears. I'm in new territory here so I'll turn to the experts.

Here's what we're working with:
02 4.7 4x4 w/3" level and 33s. 325k miles. No towing, 75/25% highway/city. I'd like a lockers front and rear for future offroad potential.

Now, we've had discussions before about why front lockers are bad, but it doesn't seem like a deal breaker for me.

LSDs seem good, but if you loose 100% traction on a wheel they stop working. Maybe LSD front and rear would be good?

Like I said, I'm in unexplored lands here so if anyone had good threads or articles to read I'm down. Thanks best gen crew! (No turd gens allowed.)

 

PWC. click for bigger piktcher

 

I personally wouldn't lock the front but that's just me. I'm also on 32.8" tires and probably won't regear.

I say spend that money on front and rear bumpers. Finish the IronMan look.

 

Electric locker for the front, lsd for the back.

thats my plan anyway. Because sometimes i like to powerslide on slow roads in the rain. #driftmode

 

That gives me a 4.16 ratio, but if I add bumpers I'm thinking 4.56 may be the way.

I got stuck once. I don't wanna get stuck again. EVER.

Get on it so I'll know if I want it too!

 

Ironman is a superhero, so go full hero mode.

 

Time to turn! Chirp chirp chirp chirp.

 

Because our trucks are litter mates, I’ll be following along to get in on all the good info. (I will not be getting a front locker though; I vote, ‘no’.)

 

But, but, they match!

 

https://www.drivetrainshop.com/Detroit_TrueTrac_p/eat-913a541.htm

torsen lsd.

what was the fancy trd lsd called @empty_lord was talking about? Was it clutch style?

ok, think i found it. Kazuma? They're clutch style with stiffer spring preload.

@bmf4069 i dont remember if we counted, but do you know if you have 3.90 or 4.10? And i kinda get the feeling you had an open rear diff.

 

3.90 with an open diff.

 

If the lockers are to ‘never get stuck again. Ever.’ I vote you consider a winch in the front, instead of a front locker. Shortest why: the type of stuck you’d be tempted to use that front locker to get out of, is the same type of stuck that front locker will help you break other components getting out of. Whereas a winch….

 

You bring up a solid point. Maybe LSD front and rear with a winch? Then I'd need a new bumper. Then I'd have to get a matching rear bumper. The rabbit hole continues....

 

Breaking parts is is just bleeding the weakness out of the truck.

 

Cheaper than expected.
https://www.boyceequipment.com/rockwell-25-ton-axles

i'm surprised at how small our diff parts are.



Hard to believe how much these little things can handle. But the only other diffs ive been in are a ford 9" and a gm 14 bolt.

 

Lol, someone tell me what to buy!

 

Have you seen where he lives? Not a tree in sight. Can't use a winch if there is nothing to hook to!

 

I have a Detriot Trutrac for the rear diff that is brand new if anyone wants to take it off my hands. @Sunnier

 

#Deadman

 

I guess that means he’ll never get stuck in a way that could need a front locker… or break anything using one….

 

Gotta research. Why do you have it, but not gonna install?

 

I bought it when I had my 2wd AC and never installed it. Going to do an E locker instead. Never installed it.

 

We have mud and Palo duro canyon.

 

I'm excited.

 

Only a worn out lsd will lose traction with a wheel in the air... Because it acts like an open diff. A torsen will but you can cheat by riding the brakes a bit to make it transfer power. A clutch type lsd in good condition always work.

4.3 is the closest to the 'calculation' but that doesn't take additional weight into account.
4.56's if staying 33's and no towing.
4.88's if going 34/35"+ or towing.

Rear:
Locker (mechanical, electric, air, etc) if you plan on rock crawling and need it.
A good LSD otherwise (or if snow is a concern).

Front: locker or LSD for crawling, will make steering heavier anytime 4wd is engaged. A lot of expense for little return unless you are doing some knarly stuff amd need that last little bit of traction.

 

4wd

 

FWIW, I spent many months after the LT rebuild wishing for a wider solid rear axle… mainly to get the track width in back to better match the front. But then, you know, I got the rear shocks tuned a bit better (the cantilever makes life a bit wild), and now I’ve kinda got used to it. It would be pretty awesome to replace the rear axle, but I can’t think of any necessity.

 

@FrenchToasty - you want to address this one?

 

Y'all hook to a cactus out there?