Limited Slip Differential in Chevy Truck - Anyone done this?

[Duman]

Thinking about putting a limited slip differential in my truck, any of you guys done this?

[Irving]

Well, give more info. Are you just replacing the third member with a factory one that came with LSD? Are your questions more about install, or driving behavior after it's installed?

[mpatch]

From my experience differentials aren’t hard if you have the tools and knowledge. With that said the last time I needed one done I paid someone.
It’s one of those things if your screw it up you’ll ruin it in short order.

[ray1970]

Done a few but that was probably twenty years ago and I've erased most of what I once knew from my memory to make room for other stuff along the way.

[TFOGGER]

Had a couple of LSDs in trucks, rear only. the first one I did the install in my 67 Chevy K10 with a 12 bolt. Moroso Brute Strength clutch type. Worked well off road, and was ok to drive on the street with 32 inch tires. The second is a Detroit locker in a 8 3/4 Mopar in my 70 Dodge. I let a local shop install that as I didn't have time to screw with it at the time. Might as well be a spool, both on and off road. Chirps around corners on dry pavement, but utterly bulletproof off road.

[BPTactical]

Do not use the factory LSD offered by Chevy, they are known to come apart. Torsen gear type or a clutch type work best for street and occasional off road. As TFogger alluded to, Detroits are harsh on the street.

[ray1970]

Just man up and put a spool in it.

[Irving]

I get confused by all the different terms that are also brand names. I just bought one for my front. It locks up fully, but clicks when turning. What is that style referred to as?

[hurley842002]

Generic term would be an automatic locker, commonly referred to as a "lunchbox" locker if it just replaces the factory spider gears in your current carrier. A locker such as the Detroit mentioned above replaces your entire carrier and is a more involved installation. I've owned both, a Detroit in an 86 Toyota 4runner and an "Aussie" lunchbox style in a 99 Cherokee. The Aussie I installed and it was very simple and straightforward, the Toyota diff with Detroit unbolted from the axle housing so it was already set up, and was an easy swap.

Sounds like you are building quite the rig Stu, I'm contemplating doing a lunchbox in the front of my Xterra now that I don't have snow to worry about, I already have the factory E-locker in the rear.

ETA: Both styles referred above tend to click a bit, but in my experience the lunchbox was actually smoother and quieter than the full Detroit. The only traction systems that are mostly silent are limited slips, with selectable lockers obviously being 100% silent when disengaged.

[BPTactical]

Just man up and put a spool in it.

Too much work Ray, fire up the buzz box!

[hurley842002]

Too much work Ray, fire up the buzz box!"Lincoln locker"

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[Irving]

For only $300, I couldn't pass up the Aussie Locker. Lokka is the brand.

Back to the Chevy LSD, is that the centerfuge style? If so, I'm under the impression that they lock up fully, but need a little momentum to do so, which is why they tend to explode on people. Is that the one you were referring to Bert?

[ray1970]

Fine. Serious answer. If I was going to do something like the OP asked, I?d run some sort of air locker. Unlocked for driving around normally and locked up for those serious off-road outings.

[Irving]

We don't know what Duman wants though. If for off roading, and money is not an issue, a selectable locker like Ray said.

[Gman]

For only $300, I couldn't pass up the Aussie Locker. Lokka is the brand.

Back to the Chevy LSD, is that the centerfuge style? If so, I'm under the impression that they lock up fully, but need a little momentum to do so, which is why they tend to explode on people. Is that the one you were referring to Bert?
I had one on my Tahoe. They engage after wheel spin with a 'clunk' and then don't like disengaging which makes the next sharp turn entertaining. The "Anti-Spin" LSD on the Ram pickup is more subtle.

[hurley842002]

For only $300, I couldn't pass up the Aussie Locker. Lokka is the brand.

Good choice, very reasonable on road manners, and I beat the heck out of mine in the Chrysler 8.25 axle.

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[JohnnyEgo]

I put a Truetrac, which is a helical LSD, in my longbed 2wd Nissan Titan, which uses a Dana Super 44. I used to get stuck in simple places, a lot. The most embarrassing of which was probably the time my truck was rendered totally helpless by a piece of PVC pipe used along a driveway as edge trim. Since I got the Truetrac installed, I can now get stuck in much more challenging places!

In all reality, it's been mostly great. I very rarely notice it doing it's thing; it's mostly unnoticeable. Had heard horror stories of trying to make sharp turns on wet pavement, but hasn't been an issue at all. Don't get stuck on muddy forest service and camp roads anymore, nor has snow been an issue, although I attribute some of that to snow tires. About the only downside is I appear to have lost about 1.5 mpg. Doesn't sound like much, but you do notice it when you drop from 15.5 to 14 MPG average.

[Frac]

Back to the Chevy LSD, is that the centerfuge style? If so, I'm under the impression that they lock up fully, but need a little momentum to do so, which is why they tend to explode on people. Is that the one you were referring to Bert?

Chevy uses the Eaton G80. I have heard conjecture that Chevy still uses the G80 RPO code, but that it might be a different locker on the most recent trucks.
https://youtu.be/tTGZOJQQBeE

[battlemidget]

For what it's worth, I suggest you find a 4x4 shop that you like (good rep, good shop, friendly, etc) and talk to them about it. If they're like "yeah whatever bring it in and we'll hook you up" I'd keep shopping til I find "yeah we've done this and and this type of locker in chevys, and this is what we find works....".

[BPTactical]

For only $300, I couldn't pass up the Aussie Locker. Lokka is the brand.

Back to the Chevy LSD, is that the centerfuge style? If so, I'm under the impression that they lock up fully, but need a little momentum to do so, which is why they tend to explode on people. Is that the one you were referring to Bert?

Yup, the engagement gizmos tend to come apart.

[Duman]

I'm looking at the Eaton TruTrac, it looks like it will handle everything I think my truck would experience.
https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/catalog/differentials/eaton-detroit-truetrac-differential.html

I was looking at Torsen, but I wasn't sure about product fitment.
https://torsen.com/aftermarket-sales/

I've never mucked around in a differential case, but it doesn't look too terribly complicated. Just need some research on procedure and tolerances/spacing.

[Irving]

You still haven't told us the intended use for your truck. Or even the kind of truck for that matter.

[Duman]

Chevy K1500, mild off-roading.

[Irving]

Even an LSD should be noticeable for you; and of course a locker will really shine. Either way it's way easier to get the ass end to come around on you when accelerating around a turn. With your longer wheel base though (compared to my Amigo at something like 98") I bet you won't even notice. I have to really work to get the ass end out in my Trooper and it's only like 10" longer in wheel base. I think you should do it.

[KS63]

I can’t stand working on differentials. Nasty, stinky used gear lube smell that sticks to everything and takes days to wear off. Also, once to disassemble the rear end and install the differential, you’ll need to establish the correct ring and pinion tooth contact pattern and gear backlash with shims and/or a crush collar located on the pinion gear. Might as well replace all the bearings while you’re at it too. You might need a .001” dial indicator to measure the backlash with. Pay someone. It’s a PIA.

[Irving]

Do you guys make custom gear sets?

[ray1970]

Why not stuff some Ford or GM axles under the Amigo/Trooper or whatever it is you?re building?

[Irving]

Unfortunately I have to if I want better gearing. There are ZERO gearing options for this particular axle, which is a shame because the ring gear is something like 9.6". I'm just wondering because I've been to his shop, but forgot what they actually do there.

[Irving]

Isuzu started to build a beefy rear axle in anticipation of putting a V8 into the Trooper line, but then they left the US so I'm stuck with an axle with good specs on paper, but not really usable in the real world. Mine is a '99 so it has the "modified" 12 bolt in the rear. Oh well. That's what Ford 9" and Land Cruiser axles are for.

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[KS63]

Do you guys make custom gear sets?

Who, me?

[Irving]

Who, me?

Yeah. I was thinking you made custom drive train stuff for racecars.

[KS63]

Yeah. I was thinking you made custom drive train stuff for racecars.

I do make custom parts, but they’re for race engines. Sorry.

[Irving]

Oh that's okay. I know for a fact I couldn't afford anything you make. Haha.

[whitewalrus]

Chevy K1500, mild off-roading.

The Eaton locker I have in mine is pretty good once you get the hang of it. Locks after so much difference in the spin of the wheels. Though when you slip on ice during a turn and it locks, does make for a fun time.

[Duman]

The Eaton locker I have in mine is pretty good once you get the hang of it. Locks after so much difference in the spin of the wheels. Though when you slip on ice during a turn and it locks, does make for a fun time.

Which Eaton locker do you have? There are a plethora of choices.

[KS63]

For a dual use vehicle, this is the best locking differential going.
https://arbusa.com/air-locker/

[Duman]

For a dual use vehicle, this is the best locking differential going.
https://arbusa.com/air-locker/

If you lose air, does it come unlocked?

[hurley842002]

For a dual use vehicle, this is the best locking differential going.
https://arbusa.com/air-locker/Yes, if I had the $ I'd install one in the front of my Xterra.

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[whitewalrus]

Which Eaton locker do you have? There are a plethora of choices.

G80. Came from the factory with it.

[Irving]

Yes, if I had the $ I'd install one in the front of my Xterra.

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Plus your wife wills till be allowed to drive your vehicle in the snow. Mine will not be allowed once I'm done installing this lunch box up front. Hecik, I might not even be allowed to drive it in snow.