Off-Road Eaton Truetrac vs Open Differential | Demonstration

[@VIRTUSXIX]

This was one of the videos that helped convince me to put this in my 2wd truck. This plus snow tires should make my daily driving a lot better during the winter

[@CJ-uq7pb]

Late to the party but this video convinced me; I had a TruTrac installed in rear of my RAM Rebel. Love it. Thanks for this video.

[@georgesnuffleupagus7920]

I have full locking differentials in my 2020 Peterbuilt. I use them when going up steep dirt roads and having a heavy load or when loosing traction on one side of an axel. Dual drive axels with 3 air locking differentials behind an 18 speed transmission. I never get stuck.

[@2S1L3NT]

Don't have the extra $600 right now to get front and rear selectables, plus re-gear, truss, replace ball joints, upgrade steering, plus other axle upgrades after the long list of things it's forced me to replace just to get it running again (damn Jeeps! *shakes fist*) So I bought an OX selectable for the rear, and a Trutrac for the front. After seeing the video I'm fairly sure I'll be happy with that setup. Thanks for taking the time to film and post this!

[@sean58271]

Really good analysis. Torque sensing diffs are rad.

[@Oldcityjeep]

Thank you great explanation between open and lsd with examples!

[@rev1910]

I like your video, but I believe your tire pattern is better at releasing snow so that helps with gripping.

[@jeepipon7922]

I set up on my Jeep JK Front and rear Detroit true trac and it's amazing what they give me, I don't have any problem on mud, ice, sand and desert, I don't like the crawling so It's what I need

[@joerouth6255]

Have you ever rock crawled. Does it at least do ok or significantly better than open diffs. I have truetrac in front of my JK. I am still deciding on whether to put elocker or another truetrac in back

[@edsosa9954]

I do a lot of offpavement dirt tracks with steep hills and downhills! No hard rock crawling but sometimes low traction places like mud and loose dirt. Do you recommend using truetrak front and rear?

[@joerouth6255]

@ed sosa under the circumstances you described truetracs r what’s best. They are basically made for sand, loose gravel, mud, snow, ice and dirt. They’re only real kryptonite is rocks. If you do use them on rocks the more articulation you have and the more u r able to keep the tires planted the more that will help. They are Miles better than open difs under any circumstances

[@Green_Leaf]

Nissan uses ABLS or Active Brake Limited Slip on the 4x4 trucks Essentially, the ECU uses the ABS system to determine if there is a loss of traction. If so, it drives the ABS system to lock the spinning wheel to get the other side to move forward. I still like a real limited slip

[@cdnjeepoverland]

Just what I was looking for. Your best example yet.

[@monkeycbrown]

F150 that is 4x4 typically comes with a electronic locker or limited slip. My 2019 F150 is a base model XL STX and the rear diff is an open diff with electronic locker. tempted to pull the e-locker out and put in TrueTrac.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

I wouldn’t recommend that. Lockers are so much better.

[@monkeycbrown]

@@4x2WagonFamily What would you recommend for the front diff? It's a daily driver and running around in the desert. TrueTrac for front?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

@@monkeycbrown I would recommend lockers in the front and a Truetrac in the rear.

[@monkeycbrown]

@@4x2WagonFamily what about both Elockers? so to just add a elocker the front.

[@robchesley4591]

Like I told my wife. Lockers are like having 4x4 all over again. Ironically, what it is is "actual" four wheel drive.

[@theortegas5502]

Can't wait to use mine. There is no snow here in San Diego. However, we have the mighty desert.

[@applesbighatranch6906]

This vid's three years old. We're going to assume that Willie has invested in differentials! lmao. What's the latest? Thanks for a great demonstration. I have a new TrueTrac waiting patiently in my garage (waiting on the Ford Motorsport 4.10 ring-n-pinion) for my 5.0 F150's 8.8 Super rear axle. Cheers!

[@thomasmartucci3590]

FYI Many newer F150s have e locker. Silverado’s have a G80 locker. Good video

[@tannerutley9753]

My 05 ram 2500 comes with a truetrac from the factory

[@christianjensen3182]

My F150 (STX FX4) has the electric locker on the rear and it's not a Raptor. That was a make or break option for finding a truck to buy.

[@CosmicGalaxyMC]

Yes and the g80s are a great concept but are ultimately bombs. Those things only work well in the larger diffs like the 12 and 14 bolt.

[@Savrtheoutdoors]

Amazing explanation. Detailed and interesting. Thanks!

[@doriany3106]

Nitpicking I know, but the Eaton Gov-lock is exceedingly common as RPO G80 in GM trucks, regarding the statement about factory installed LSDs early in the video. Not the same as the Truetrac, but also not a true locker either. Arguably better than the Truetrac in some circumstances/ways, and worse in others. Thanks for the video however, nice to see "live" comparisons. You can go a LOT further in 2wd with any sort of traction device in the rear than you can with an open rear diff. At some point I'd like a Truetrac in the front, just to compare to the presently open front.

[@austinfleck8664]

Unless you are not calling it a true locker because it isn't selectable then that makes sense but it is a true locker when it does engage. I have one in my rig and when it does engage if fully locks. There's been multiple times it's stayed engaged after pulling onto pavement and it will chirp the inner tire just like a spool or full locker would. In that case I usually have to swerve back and forth or roll forward and back to equalize the tension between the axle shafts before it will release. PS. Not trying to be condoning just thought some first hand insight can't hurt. The more ya know the better.

[@kirk0respite]

G80 is the worst better off with any other locker but true trac is so good it’s really all you will ever need plus you can simulate axel lock with a true trac by feathering the brake as you give throttle

[@danya822]

@@kirk0respite G80 is not the worst. It's a very capable traction aiding differential. True trac wont work properly with a tire in the air, G80 will. There is nothing inherently wrong with the G80 except the lighter variants can be a bit weak depending on how they are used.

[@danya822]

@@austinfleck8664 actually it's not a true locker because it uses clutches. I've had a few of them, some do stay locked up until they "unload", but since it's friction locking the axles together, it's not a true locker. I've never seen them slip, but again, it's not a mechanical connection. There are still clutches there.

[@AGS410]

I have a 2013 F150 XLT with a factory rear locker that I have a switch on the dash to engage

[@Matt-ro7cb]

So happy I found out about these... didn’t want to spend all the money on an air locker that wouldn’t get much use

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Just know that lockers are still better because if one wheel goes up in the air, it will most likely behave like an open Diff.

[@Matt-ro7cb]

@@4x2WagonFamily thanks for the heads up, I won’t be doing crazy wheeling more so just for logging roads for hunting / mild over landing

[@lazroo]

@@4x2WagonFamily I have read( not that I would know but am curious to find out ) if you have true Trac, and let's say one of your rear tires is in the air , you can engage E brake and accelerate and it'll lock both tires .... Also I've read that the same applies if using the brake pedal and gas at the same time .....

[@4x2WagonFamily]

@@lazroo I’m posting a video today demonstrating this exact scenario so stay tuned:)

[@lazroo]

@@4x2WagonFamily no way ! Lol awesome , I have a 3rd gen 4runner , it's 2wd open diff and trying to add either the TruTrac or A Grizzly Detroit locker so I'm binge watching videos lol your content is awesome man , super high quality 🔥

[@FPSNovaS]

Great vid but the info about what comes with lockers is incorrect. I have a Subaru with a torsion dif front end from factory. Love it. Works awesome. Might put one in the front end of my yj

[@hwnwhaler1]

Excellent demo Sir. Mahalo!

[@jonathanrighetti5897]

I had a 2016 f250 with a front locker, I think it was part of a snow plow package.

[@MrHauntedhunter]

Great demo

[@jameseroh6544]

I bought a '23 Jeep Wrangler Sport S Latitude, with open differentials. I have an '96 Jeep ZJ that has a TruTrac in the rear Dana 44. Our '18 Ram 2500 has a TruTrac in the rear axle. For my new Jeep, I am leaning towards WaveTracs front and rear. But I have to upgrade to something, because I don't like how thevnew Jeep spins the tires so easy. By the way, I have 2 other vehicles with clutch type LSD differentials. I use a 50/50 mix of synthetic Lucas gear lube and synthetic 75-140 gear lube. They work pretty good, but I prefer the gear type LSD. An old Ytube video by John Currie, recommends a gear type in the rear, and a locker of some type in front. Hence why I did not consider a Wrangler Rubicon.

[@don.timeless4993]

i wounder how Wavetrac LSD or Quaife LSD will perform?!

[@modshop1828]

Another good video. What's the clicking noise in Willys jeep during the second demonstration?

[@anonymouscitizen9630]

I don't have a Raptor and mine has an Electronic locking diff, but I am changing it out for a Truetrac just because I have seen a few instances that they have grenaded with over 700 whp and I am over that hp limit.

[@ryandoyle2238]

Awesome video but your buddy willy his front end really doesn't sound good at 12:45 sounds like a bunch of binding in his front end

[@4x2WagonFamily]

I noticed that sound too...hmm. I was thinking it was his abs traction control? Mine was off. We’ll do more investigating.

[@DL101ca]

His cv axles are making that noise when he turns the wheels . He might have to get them replaced/upgraded.

[@timothymcvay7286]

Do you think it's going to be that good in mudding

[@twoallame]

Love my front and rear lockers on my hard rock 2016 Rubicon JKU

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Good setup, I wish I had that:)

[@Tfam305]

Your Jeep comes stock with lockers...

[@twoallame]

@@Tfam305 yep...... and they have come in handy many times

[@GgRae-gv1tg]

I put the TruTrac on my 2006 Jeep Golden Eagle. Off road I could stay in 2WD much longer. On the road much more comfortable.

[@brackeng1294]

A little misleading saying most trucks do not having lockers. Most all trucks have a trim level that includes a lockers in the rear. Ford has an e locker on all fx4 trucks (Ranger and f series). Chevy has a locker on all z71s (Colorado, Silverado) and zr2 models have lockers front and rear. Nissan has an e locker on all Pro4x models (Frontier, Titan, Xterra). Toyota has it on a lot of TRD models.

[@applesbighatranch6906]

These factory lockers installed in anything other than their Premium model (meaning Raptor, TRX, ZR2 etc) are light-duty electric lockers, and while better than nothing they will not handle larger, heavier wheels and tires. They will break from the added stresses. If vehicle is left bone stock then you have a chance at some long-term reliability.

[@kryplrcase]

I would like to know how a Eaton Truetrac performs in the front when driving in snow road conditions. Would it cause you to lose control going around a sharp corner. I have Jeep Gladiator.

[@v7nf]

I'm building a jeep and was planing on putting a locker in front,and was considering a truetrac for rear,your vids have sold me on them,im putting a v8 in it,but the thing with mine is I modified a ford 8.8, I rebuilt it welded it switched yokes ,rebuilt t case sye,upgraded chain ,planetary gears etc,etc lol anyways , I also put the c clip eliminator kit in rear end so im not shur how that works with truetrac system really,I wouldn't think the c clips matter?? ,hey anyways thanks for vid

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

BLD is WAY better than regular open diff. I think it's also better than limited slip as far as being stuck off camber.... It's still tough to get stuck off camber with BLD... As far as getting you unstuck when you're off camber BLD will get it done just like a locker. BLD is not as good as Locker.... But it's very good at preventing being stuck off camber....

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

Yep! I love it. My 2002 Land Rover discovery 2 has it. LR invented it in the mid 90s. Not sure how well Jeep is although I hear good things but I see Toyota has the A track and it doesn't same to grab for as long or hard. Mine will only grab the spinning wheel it also has Hill descent and will apply brakes to every wheel individually going down a hill forward or backward without using the brake pedal

[@cgutowski471]

Love these videos. Have a JLUS, no LSD or Lockers. The BLD can get out of some precarious situations easily but not AT ALL in snow which I need to deal with. Would you recommend LSD in front and rear or only rear? Also assume if a wheel is up with LSD, BLD will kick in which will help similar to the brakes you did in your other driveway video?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

I would recommended the rear only because it will have the least resistance driving on the hwy… it will be easily to steer on pavement and less wear and tear. That being said, I’ve heard people say they installed the Trutrac in the front with no issues. As to your second question, yes. In the driveway demo I was not in 4wd. But if I had 4wd engaged the BLD would’ve pull me forward and the hand break would’ve been unnecessary.

[@cgutowski471]

@@4x2WagonFamily Thanks for the quick response on this older video. Subscriber and love your videos. Keep up the great content. Extremely helpful to the new jeep enthusiasts.

[@cgutowski471]

@@4x2WagonFamily Thanks for the quick response on this older video. Subscriber and love your videos. Keep up the great content. Extremely helpful to the new jeep enthusiasts.

[@manchild111]

Great content. Thank you for doing this video. I just got the truetrac installed in my 90 YJ along with 4.10s. Infact, I'll be picking her up from the installer this weekend. lol. My jeep is a 5 speed. I can not find any specific videos of how this setup engages with a manual transmission. Is it automatically? Like when wheel slip is detected. Or will I have to fuss with jabbing the brakes. Hard to do with a 3rd peddle in the mix. lol. Just looking for some clearer answers concerning Eaton Truetrac and a manual transmission. If you can help that would be awesome.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

No need for the third peddle:) the Truetrac is always engaged... when turning a corner it will behave like an open Differential, and when going straight it’ll feel like a locked diff. Sort of.

[@DL101ca]

As long as both tires have some traction the Eaton will send power to both wheels, but if you have a tire in the air or with complete loss of traction it will act like an open differential and just spin the one tire that in the air until you apply some brake and then it will engage both and send power to both wheels. With a manual it will be extremely hard to have it engage as it will require you to brake and power up at the same time without stalling.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

@@DL101ca that’s interesting I wasn’t aware of that. Im going to do that test and record it. Thanks for the good idea!

[@4x2WagonFamily]

If the tire comes off the ground it will behave like an open Diff… most likely. That’s why lockers are still better.

[@DORSIAKILL]

What a difference tires and lockers do

[@tripleseven8361]

Great demo…Thanks! (Subscribed) What do you have in the front…An Eaton Detroit E-locker, or an ARB Air locker…? (I noticed the ARB diff cover in the rear)

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Thank you. Eaton elocker

[@tripleseven8361]

@@4x2WagonFamily That’s what I figured… Thanks… I plan on installing the exact same set up on my 2006 Jeep TJ…Not sure yet about re-gearing…Have you had any problems with the E-locker requiring a certain amount of wheel rotation, (say half a turn), prior to the locker fully engaging? I’m guessing, that depending on the terrain that you’re working, it’s hardly noticeable… Perhaps more of a problem if you’re rock crawling, which I’m not very likely to get into.

[@v8felon]

Thanks for the demo what size tires are you running?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

37

[@firebug1337]

Only downside of the trutrac is If you have to much horsepower. If you come into a slick spot in the road while driving highway speed it might cause you to goose tail or loose control. Only had it happen once in a 90’s z71 370hp built to the wheel. Luckily nothing was coming.

[@DL101ca]

That would happen if you're mashing the gas pedal when you hit the slick spot and while driving at highway speeds I don't see that situation being common at all...unless you're racing someone or trying to pass while being a complete knob.

[@slowmo9957]

Well I mean...your tires vs slick street looking tires...tires make a huge difference. Should’ve tried yours starting off without being locked just to verify that yours would’ve been stuck without the locker.

[@cdnjeepoverland]

He doesn’t have lockers. But yes, tires make a big difference.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

The Truetrac can look deceiving as if it was locked, because both tires are always spinning together. That’s the beauty of Truetrac or LSD

[@slowmo9957]

@@4x2WagonFamily yeah. I thought it was a switchable locker. My bad.

[@DL101ca]

A jeep with open differential is like a condom with a hole in it...

[@j-dub.d-trey]

Every condom has a hole. Can’t put it on without one

[@DL101ca]

@@j-dub.d-trey seems you're here as a result of your dad not knowing that...

[@michaelsantosuosso7284]

You DID HAVE better tires than ol Willie, but the tru tracs do kick major ass, especially in a 2wd truck.

[@williamadams7735]

Can you please tell me if you had to drill out the truetrac housing to accept the 1/2 bolts for the Dana 44 stock ring gear? Thanks

[@4x2WagonFamily]

I had Sierra Gears and axles install this as was free labor. They only charged me for the labor on the 5.13 gears, but no the did not need to drill out holes. Everything bolted right on. Let me know if you need the part number.

[@Tfam305]

No Eaton put extra holes in the new tru tracs I just did mine a few weeks ago

[@brentdutcher2875]

New viewer to your channel, I have a question. If you were only going to put one truetrac on your jeep, would it be the front or rear axle ? Thanks for your input.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

That’s a good question... Do you have a future plan of putting in a locker? If yes, I would put the Truetrac in the rear and locker in the front. I’m not sure that I would put a Truetrac in the front because remember once the differential senses that the wheel is turning the differential will then become an OPEN differential. The Truetrac only works when the left and right wheels are traveling in a straight line. If you install the Truetrac in the front You might run into some issues for example If you’re climbing an obstacle and you’re turning the wheels, you might lose traction because your essentially turning. I hope that makes sense.

[@brentdutcher2875]

@@4x2WagonFamily Its 20 year old xj that I Am going thru to make myself a retirement jeep. I may take if off-road some times but not a lot. We do get lots of snow here, So a full fledge selectable locker probably not.

[@Tfam305]

Front !

[@brentdutcher2875]

@@Tfam305 well there both done now and I took it out to our local orv park and it climbs like a goat, Luv it.

[@Tfam305]

@@brentdutcher2875 I have front and rear also. But on my yj I just had the front locked

[@aquamania64]

which version of the truetrac did you fit in the rear dana 44?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

It’s the Detroit Eaton Truetrac

[@aquamania64]

@@4x2WagonFamily OK, thanks, this is the reference 913A589? what ratio do you have on it?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

@@aquamania64 that is correct. I’m also running 5.13 gears.

[@aquamania64]

@@4x2WagonFamily for the trutrac, did you drill to adapt it to the ring? what brand is that for the ring and the pinion?

[@dustyroads5811]

Most of f150 come with electronic rear lockers.

[@ky0611]

Is truetrac better in the front or rear?

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

If you had to choose one I would say rear kind of how a rear Locker first is better because usually going up a hill both rear wheels are touching the ground when front wheels might lift

[@JS-sh3nq]

Is the Tru Trac pretty effective in reverse?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Yes, it works the same forward and reverse.

[@JS-sh3nq]

Thank you

[@BillyBobTup]

Same tires? In snow, tires are the biggest factor. 2wd, especially if front WD, with true snow tires can outperform 4WD with poor snow tires or summer tires. Still, interesting review offering useful facts.

[@fjb4932]

A 4x4 with power to only two wheels is a 2x4. ☆

[@CaptainZ26]

Thank you

[@ABaker71126]

Yep, LSD gets expensive over the years😂

[@johnkemple]

terrible snow tires on that open diffed jeep

[@joerouth6255]

Truetracs are a thousand times better than open diffs. Its like a different vehicle after install.

[@georgewilkinson1068]

Try using the parking brake and the gas next time. You'll be surprised.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

We did that in this video and it didn’t do anything. We also tried that in another video also ineffective. I was thinking it might work for a limited slip Diff which as the clutch pack where as a stock jku is an open Diff, and the BLD does not support the double peddle method… ?

[@2S1L3NT]

Yeah a true open diff doesn't react at all to that. All you're doing is bogging the motor down.

[@dereksimenac8844]

All Ford's have elockers not just raptors

[@tymartin512]

F150 fx4 has a locker

[@neilwatson9581]

No. Unfair and inacurate test... First Jeep has road tyres and full bodywork and no diff locking device. Second Jeep has stripped out bodywork so weighs less, grippy tyres and a diff lock. And you guys are saying Yeah what a great demonstration. This test is inconclusive. If Jeep 1 AFTER the first test had been fitted with a difflock and then run through the same terrain test, then yes, good and accurate and correct test. At 11:57 do you see that both rear wheels are turning under power but they have no difflock... This again proves your evidence is bolx. It's all down to tyres. Run the same test wiith tractor or 'floatation' tyres. I would bet there is not the same issue. Although difflocks do help.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Hi there, The demonstration was to show how the Eaton Trutrac functions in the snow vs open Differential. Getting unstuck was irrelevant, but I hope you understood the benefit of the Helical Gears Traction Control… Cheers!

[@Unite-4-Peace]

I am sorry, I don't see the point of true tracks. If you are on a steep incline and you get wheel spin you have to apply the brake to get them to engage. When you do apply the brake you lose power and can't go up. So you should have spent a few more hundred and put in ARB air lockers, especially, since you put a ARB cover on your rear, its kind of like false advertisement.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

The ArB cover is 5x thicker and stronger than stock Diff cover. It’s an investment to protect your gears and Truetrac. It strengthens the housing.

[@danamcwhite]

Show the difference on a slippery road and rain driving to the trail l. You’ll be begging for a tru trac system

[@jlsgarage872]

Please, it's a jeep not a truck

[@aarbar1599]

FYI, many Ford trucks and older Broncos have limited slip in front

[@aarbar1599]

Subarus have limited slip Front & Rear. That's why they kick ass in low traction situations.

[@marcochavanne]

Please, it’s a Fiat not a Jeep.

[@michaelsantosuosso7284]

ALSO, EVERYONE WITH E DIFF LOCKERS......THEY DIS ENGAGE AT 18 MPH......FRIGGEN USELESS IMHO

[@f1y7rap]

Its laughable that you say "not alot of 4wd trucks have (brake actuated limited slip diff) tech" when Every truck out there have ABS, and every manufacturer has used the ABS system to provide limited slip functionality. And everyone implements it the same way today. When the ABS system detects wheel slip, it clamps on the brake for that tire to get the other tire to grip. Nissan has had it in all trucks since '04. Hell, alot of cars even 2wd cars implement this in their traction control scheme BECAUSE if you have ABS, you already have everything you need hardware wise. All it takes is a bit of extra code.

[@Nigriff]

Limited Slips useless for any kind of serious off-roading

[@sox7191]

Nah, it not useless. As good as a weld or detroit, of course not. But very capable if you know what you’re doing

[@jdmrider]

Lol cute, trying to be off-road vehicles

[@dustinsnider1646]

So happy I went with the TrueTrac! 🥹