Limited slip ?'s

[BubbaF-150]

I am wondering how the Ford Traction-Lok system compares to an Auburn Limited slip. I am in Montana, so I have to do a lot of ice and snow driving, and unfortunately, I don't have 4wd. I am looking for the best setup on a college student's budget. I don't want to go with lockers, since I've heard they can get really nasty on the ice. I can get the Ford setup cheaper than the Auburn, but if the Auburn is significantly better, I will put out the extra cash. I am running 3.27 gears in the 8.8" behind a 5-spd manual, all on 31x10.50R15 BFG Radial A/Ts. The truck is a '94 F-150 supercab shortbed, with a 351W out of a '95 F-250. I know this is an Explorer site, but I figured if anyone could help me, I would find them here. Thanks!!!

 

[DOGMAN]

Bubba,

I run an Auburn in the rear diff of my 91 Explorer and am very satisfied with it. I've put about 30K miles on it. I believe it is superior to the Ford (Dana) Trac-Lok in every way. It locks up more aggressively and should last MUCH longer than the Trac-Lok.

The Auburn uses a different style of clutch system than the Dana, cone-type vs. plate-type.

A limited slip will perform more safely in ice and shallow depths of snow, since there can be some differentiation between wheels, where a locker can't.

The Auburn (mine cost $315) is more expensive than the Trac-Lok (about $200), but I think it is money well spent. The Trac-Lok tends to wear out much faster than the Auburn.

The Auburn also does real well off-road. It has provided good traction on some fairly challenging trails for me. I think it is just a good overall performer.

One trick to get it to lock up even harder is to NOT add the friction modifier additive to the gear oil. This additive is only used to keep the device quiet. You will hear some chattering and creaking and moaning occasionally on sharp low speed turns after running on the highway for a while, but this WILL NOT hurt anything. You can call the engineers at Auburn Gear and they will tell you the same thing. I think this is one of the reasons that my rig does well off-road. Actually, your gears should last longer also if they are treated to nothing but straight gear oil.

Get the Auburn, you won't regret it.

DOGMAN

 

[RangerX]

Bubba,

I have the same set-up as DOGMAN, and I agree with what he says. The Auburn is money well spent.

 

[Tom Wilk]

Bubba,

I'll have to chime in here in favor of the Auburn as well. I've had a couple of traction-lok differentials over the years and neither one of them would hook up in the snow like the Auburn does. In fact, I had an early Ranger that had the factory traction-lok setup. It plain wore out after 2 winters, acting just like an open differential.

My Auburn is much different. I'd say that it's halfway between a traction-lok and a locker; that is, it always puts a good amount of power to both wheels. It's much tighter than the factory setup. It's also built tough and should last a good deal longer, as the cone-clutches are thick and won't wear down any time soon.

BTW, I do have the friction modifier in mine, since that is what the shop put in. It still works great, though I haven't compared it to straight lube.

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Tom