Locker or Limited slip

[Big Bear Bob]

This is an odd question but I am a newbie, so here goes.
I might be forced into buying a new axle; the differential I have hit some rocks pretty
Hard and developed a slow leak. The guy at the local shop thought he could fix it with a new gasket, but I noticed a couple of small grease marks on the drive way after he worked on it, and the bottom of the seam on the diff is wet, not soaking and leaking like a sieve. So I might be forced into buying a new rear end, and if that's the case why not put a locker to replace the 373-limited slip. The locker is only about $100 more.
And which will work better in the snow?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Tripple B

 

[RangerX]

I can almost guarantee you don't need a new axle. You at most need a new cover, as the old one may be cracked or bent. They are about $20-something. You can still put a locker in, though!

 

[Alec]

I love my Eaton posi unit. I think posis are better for the rearend if you're on the road a lot, as they can help you get traction on the road as well as off. My Eaton will actually send up to 2/3 of the torque to the tire with traction, so in some cases it's better than a locker. A full locker is probably better offroad, but as you know I like to drive hard and fast, so the posi was my choice.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Thanks Bill,

The last time Ken and I went out the sun blinded me as it was going down and I did not see a rock in the middle of the road and hit it hard with the rear diff. I got home and it was wet. So I took it to a local mechanic who said and did pretty much what you said to do, but it's still leaking, He said he thought he could pound it out and put on a silicon gasket and it would be fine, but he charged $180, for the repair, anyway he said he would take a look at it tomorrow,

Then I found out the locker wasn't that much more than a limited slip if I had to replace the axle?

Ken ran into the Inland Empire 4 Wheelers and they said they are there Sat. showing up with between 20 & 25 rigs, They plan on doing all levels, but I don't want to hurt the truck so I was thinking on passing on it.

Anyway with the seam on the diff being a little wet would you be concerned about doing Gold Mountain?

Anyway thanks for the response it's good to hear from you. Hope to see you at Joshua
Tree
Bob

 

[Alec]

I would be very wary about driving the truck period with the diff leaking.

 

[Big Bear Bob]

Thanks Alec, I'll keep them in mind, but I think things are going to turn out ok for me, At least for the near future.

By he way someone said if your truck has a limited slip in the rear you have one on the front too. Whats the word on that?

 

[RangerX]

I drive around with the same thing cuz I'm too lazy to fix it. Every so often I need to add a bit of gear oil. Just keep an eye on the level, or pay the $ to fix it.

A locker isn't much more than a limited slip without replacing the axle, too.

I think your mechanic is very expensive.

 

[Alec]

The 2 diffs don't have to be the same. I think the best option for the front is to have a selectable full locker. An ls would reek havoc while on the road, and an automatic locker could also cause problems when turning.