Eaton E-Locker vs Truetrac

[khakitj]

For my 2005 TJ Sport Automatic (42RLE),

I am currently running 31" tires, not expecting to go any larger in the near future.

I am going to re-gear from the factory 3.73 to 4.56.

I've been down the rabbit hole the past few days, researching, reading here and on forums all over the internet about ELocker and Truetrac, considering every different variation of these two.

(1) ELockers Front and Back
(2) Truetrac Front and Back
(3) Elocker Front, Truetrac Back
(4) Truetrac Front, Elocker Back

I've read arguments in support of each of these options. The arguments are largely based on use cases, obviously with rock crawlers going for option (1). Daily drivers, particularly those who drive in snow, seem to lean towards incorporating Truetrac in some way.

However, for those going with Truetrac, it's hard to tell how much of the arguments are driven by cost differences. There's about a $1000 difference between options (1) and (2). Also, sometimes you hear Truetrac recommended for the Rear because the Jeep has the Dana 35 and they don't have the funds to upgrade to Dana 44.

I have the Dana 44 Rear with factory LSD and Dana 30 Front.

I'm trying to figure out - if there were no price difference between the ELockers and Truetrac, would there be any good reason to go with the Truetrac, either in the front, back, or both?

I expect to be driving on snowy highways sometimes - would the Truetrac offer enough of an advantage there to be worthwhile? My thinking is in those conditions, the combination of 4WD, good tires, and reasonable driving would give good traction anyway even with unlocked (open) differentials.

Also, the shop is West Coast Differentials in Rancho Cordova, CA, and they suggested installing Sierra gears. Any thoughts on these?

 

[Oklahomacheapjeep]

I don't see a reason not to go with the Elockers.

 

[Chris]

I don't see a reason not to go with the Elockers.

X2, that would be my choice hands down. I prefer a selectable locker given the choice.

 

[TWiG01]

I don't see a reason not to go with the Elockers.

X3, if it’s in the budget. Do it once and do it right.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I had f/r Truetracs years ago and they were so completely ineffective offroad that I replaced both with lockers. I'd only go for Truetracs if I was forced to drive/wheel on slick surfaces like when they're icy or covered with a bit of snow.

 

[jjvw]

I have experience with front/rear lockers compared to front/rear lockers with rear LSD.

For off road use, lockers over LSD every time. The overlap is very small. You will absolutely get stuck sooner when open diffs compared to LSD. But locked will get you much further than LSD ever will.

For street use, the only place LSD is really useful is in the snow and ice. 4WD won't be needed as often. With open/open, 4WD makes up for most of that. Worst case, just engage a locker for a moment to get out of a parallel parking spot. That will be a rare event.

My ideal setup might be a combo LSD/locker like the TJ Rubicon rear. But as I know first hand, our only option for this is a compromise in strength. That is why I quit replacing rear factory lockers and went with ARB.

 

[khakitj]

My ideal setup might be a combo LSD/locker like the TJ Rubicon rear. But as I know first hand, our only option for this is a compromise in strength. That is why I quit replacing rear factory lockers and went with ARB.

I was reading about the Auburn Select-A-Loc™ Electronic Locking Differential, seems like what you're describing but I haven't found much positive discussion of them.

 

[jjvw]

I was reading about the Auburn Select-A-Loc™ Electronic Locking Differential, seems like what you're describing but I haven't found much positive discussion of them.

From what I understand, the Auburn is just a really tight friction LSD. And it will wear out.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

From what I understand, the Auburn is just a really tight friction LSD. And it will wear out.

That's exactly what it is, it reminds me of the ECTED from Auburn. The ECTED's clutch pack wears out and you have to send it to them to be rebuilt. I personally wouldn't touch one.

 

[khakitj]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

I’m going with the Eaton E-Lockers.

Someone on here talked about a new design, ELockers 4, supposed to be more rapid locking like an ARB. I looked around and could only find that in the Dana 44 application and not the Dana 30

 

[L J]

I'm trying to figure out - if there were no price difference between the ELockers and Truetrac, would there be any good reason to go with the Truetrac, either in the front, back, or both?

There is no good reason to go with a Truetrac. If cost is an issue, save until you can afford the e-locker.

 

[jjvw]

Thanks for all the input everyone.

I’m going with the Eaton E-Lockers.

Someone on here talked about a new design, ELockers 4, supposed to be more rapid locking like an ARB. I looked around and could only find that in the Dana 44 application and not the Dana 30

Once engaged, all lockers take a similar amount of differential wheel spin to lock.

 

[suicideking]

An E-locker is easier to setup if you have nothing.

 

[Wildman]

Okay I'll play the devils advocate here.

Just like you don't need a mid arm suspension until you are out wheeling your Jeep on short arms there are also times where you have to ask yourself Do I really need Lockers?

If your normal 4 wheeling is down forest service roads and 4+ or lower trails on a 1-10 scale then you might not need lockers.
As you stated you drive in the snow and seeing you live in northern CA depending on where you might deal with it 2-3 months out of the year. While a TruTrac isn't a locker but instead a limited slip it does bias the torque better than many other types of limited slips.
And if you apply slight braking you can get the TruTrac to send power to the wheel with traction.

Now as Jerry pointed out NO they are not a rock crawling traction aiding device like a true locker either selectable or automatic. But if you don't need that type of traction assist then you need to ask yourself do you really need lockers.
For driving on snow and ice the TruTrac is one of the better limited slips for this type of situation. So maybe the answer is a split. Selectable locker in the front & TruTrac in the rear? That way you can still use 4WD when needed but when you do trails that need a little more traction you have a locker in the front to help pull you thru.

Just food for thought.

 

[sierradmax]

I have truetrac's Front and rear on my DD/plow 18' JK. It does not see offroad use. They've worked flawlessly in the snow and are no different noticeably than open diffs on dry pavement. The OP has an Automatic so he has the advantage of tapping on the breaks to lock, if need be. the Dana 30 TT comes "Pre-loaded", too. Something I didn't know but adds a benefit for extra traction up front. While each rig is their own, I'm very glad I went with TT's front and rear while saving extra $$ and the hassle of running wires, extra switches, etc. for E-lockers.

 

[SvtLdr]

Okay I'll play the devils advocate here.

Just like you don't need a mid arm suspension until you are out wheeling your Jeep on short arms there are also times where you have to ask yourself Do I really need Lockers?

If your normal 4 wheeling is down forest service roads and 4+ or lower trails on a 1-10 scale then you might not need lockers.
As you stated you drive in the snow and seeing you live in northern CA depending on where you might deal with it 2-3 months out of the year. While a TruTrac isn't a locker but instead a limited slip it does bias the torque better than many other types of limited slips.
And if you apply slight braking you can get the TruTrac to send power to the wheel with traction.

Now as Jerry pointed out NO they are not a rock crawling traction aiding device like a true locker either selectable or automatic. But if you don't need that type of traction assist then you need to ask yourself do you really need lockers.
For driving on snow and ice the TruTrac is one of the better limited slips for this type of situation. So maybe the answer is a split. Selectable locker in the front & TruTrac in the rear? That way you can still use 4WD when needed but when you do trails that need a little more traction you have a locker in the front to help pull you thru.

Just food for thought.

Some really good point made here.

OP, you mentioned that you'd be "driving on snowy highways sometimes". Are there any other conditions you'd expect to see that would require traction adding devices? E-Lockers are only designed to be operated at very low speeds - top speed of 15mph I think? If you're planning to run lockers at highway speeds I would pump the brakes right now and save yourself further research / headache. E-lockers are really nice but they're designed for hardcore off road trail use (mud, hills, rocks). Not snowy highways. Please correct me if I have the wrong impression of your intended use here.

 

[Wildman]

Some really good point made here.

OP, you mentioned that you'd be "driving on snowy highways sometimes". Are there any other conditions you'd expect to see that would require traction adding devices? E-Lockers are only designed to be operated at very low speeds - top speed of 15mph I think? If you're planning to run lockers at highway speeds I would pump the brakes right now and save yourself further research / headache. E-lockers are really nice but they're designed for hardcore off road trail use (mud, hills, rocks). Not snowy highways. Please correct me if I have the wrong impression of your intended use here.

I don't think any selectable locker is made for going doing the freeway at 60-70 MPH nor do I know of any time I'd want to do this. But I'm going to go back and read my ARB install/operating manual just to see what it says.

 

[khakitj]

Some really good point made here.

OP, you mentioned that you'd be "driving on snowy highways sometimes". Are there any other conditions you'd expect to see that would require traction adding devices? E-Lockers are only designed to be operated at very low speeds - top speed of 15mph I think? If you're planning to run lockers at highway speeds I would pump the brakes right now and save yourself further research / headache. E-lockers are really nice but they're designed for hardcore off road trail use (mud, hills, rocks). Not snowy highways. Please correct me if I have the wrong impression of your intended use here.

I would never attempt to run lockers at highway speeds.

I was asking about whether there is a significant benefit to having TrueTrac on snowy highways vs. just regular 4WD (open/open), assuming good tires and reasonable driving.

 

[khakitj]

I have truetrac's Front and rear on my DD/plow 18' JK. It does not see offroad use. They've worked flawlessly in the snow and are no different noticeably than open diffs on dry pavement. The OP has an Automatic so he has the advantage of tapping on the breaks to lock, if need be. the Dana 30 TT comes "Pre-loaded", too. Something I didn't know but adds a benefit for extra traction up front. While each rig is their own, I'm very glad I went with TT's front and rear while saving extra $$ and the hassle of running wires, extra switches, etc. for E-lockers.

Thanks for sharing your perspective.

I had read about the Dana 30 being preloaded. I was giving a lot of thought to TT front / ELocker rear. Then in the snow I would get the benefit from TT in front. I just don’t know if it would be a significant benefit over just 4WD. And I don’t know if it would act weird with TT in front and Open rear in those conditions.

 

[SvtLdr]

I would never attempt to run lockers at highway speeds.

I was asking about whether there is a significant benefit to having TrueTrac on snowy highways vs. just regular 4WD (open/open), assuming good tires and reasonable driving.

Gotcha, that makes more sense.

What about using your Jeep offroad? What kinds of trails/ terrain are you looking to conquer where a locker would be useful?