Eaton Truetrac Vs Jeep “BLD” Traction Control

[@donaldstrishock3923]

A really nice demonstration of what True-trak differential's can do over the stock BLD system. The "downside " of the positive locking-engagement -true 4 WHEEL DRIVE , is when you do get stuck or hung up ,you are REALLY BURIED. Best to just "putt around" in 2wd till you can't move anymore & throw it in 4 wd to get back out of the mess. Thank you Sir for the Excelent vidio and happy safe driving & no walking back.

[@gusthomas]

I had front and rear trutracs on my 06 Wrangler Unlimited and when off road people thought I was locked. Best LSD by far and has excellent road manners in all conditions

[@4x2WagonFamily]

I agree. The best part is ... no maintenance.

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

Trutrac WITH traction control seems like an awesome idea if a wheel gets lifted so you don't need to left foot brake

[@trustme7731]

Thanks for doing this in the snow. Almost nobody does this. Everyone shows climbing rocks and hills and off road adventures. Something I don't do with my mint '90 F350 crewcab. I do, however, drive on snow when necessary and plow my driveway with it. The problem is, it's a 5 speed manual so applying the brakes to make a TrueTrac engage is out of the question although I don't think having one wheel off the ground is very likely. E and air lockers are out of the question because they aren't engaged when you really need them on the road or when unintentionally headed for a ditch. Not to mention constantly having to turn them on and off to allow steering and I believe the vehicle must be stopped and no wheels spinning to turn them on and maybe even off. I have decided against lunchbox lockers because of all the clunking, banging, bad handling and tire scrubbing. I like the advantages of the helical design and what it did in your test. It may be my only choice.

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

1999 Hummer H1 had ABS off-road traction control added from the factory to already having a Torsen gear set. Pretty amazing

[@alfreddoumtaz215]

This system works better on durt, Mix it on snow with left foot breaking technique. You'll get better quicker response

[@carmiethompson2676]

I wish the Manufactures would just give up & offer the True Trac or Torsen differentials as an option instead of this 'BLD', electric diff., track locker & the other BullSh*t ideas to better apply power to the ground just to 'control' their costs. They're poor solutions to what a customer really needs.

[@Jackmerius_Tacktheretrix]

Right! True track with traction control working would be so close to having lockers. I am putting them on my 2003 discovery. I have a center diff lock and the traction control system is great because it doesn't reduce engine power at all no matter what. Having the True tracks would be great because the second the traction control pumps the brake on the spinning whee it causes the true track to lock in for lack of a better word. Traction control with true tracks is the next best thing to lockers, except you dont have to engage and remember to disengage them.

[@carmiethompson2676]

@@Jackmerius_Tacktheretrix Let's make one thing clear...Lockers suck, period! In an off-road situation, slick & barely workable surface & having to negotiate a turn whether level or otherwise, the Lockers will send you off the trail. I'm glad you didn't reference the Locker as a 'Differential' because it's a completely different design & function. You mention traction control...you can't control your own foot? That's my point in my earlier comment. The OEM's should dump all the electronic garbage & install the True-Trac or Torsen units exclusively. These torque-biased diffs.(TBD) are all that's necessary. From your comment you don't understand that these TBD's are GEARED, nothing is slipping, this isn't a variation of a Limited-Slip Diff. Nothing needs to spin to engage anything else, it's always active. The genius of these mechanical systems is that the power transfer between the axles is smooth & that helps retain traction. The systems rely on worm gears, that allows the power to travel in one direction. Search either system on YT, there's more in-depth explanation via animated graphics.

[@blackgenesis7472]

Jerp offers LSD in the rear on all models without lockers

[@carmiethompson2676]

@@blackgenesis7472 So you're saying that w/ the touch of a switch, a JEEP's rear axle can be changed from a normally operating LSD to a Locker?

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

​@@Jackmerius_Tacktheretrix the AM General Hummer in 1999 actually went from having Torsen gears 2 adding off-road ABS based traction control that was on Land Rover to the 1999 Hummer and kept the Torsen gears. It's cool if you KZbin 1999 AM General Hummer promotion at it talks about the addition of traction control to its Torsen and gear set

[@wesleycameron1034]

This should have way more views! Well done. Anyone who buys a 4x4 should have to learn things like this. Knowledge is key.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Thank you. I’ve got more videos coming this weekend on Eaton Truetrac . I hope you’ll consider sub.🤙🏼

[@johnkemple]

My Range rover classic has tru tracs front and rear on the sand it is awesome. I havent tried it in the snow but feel like it will be great.

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

Land Rover invented the ABS TC in the 90s. My Disco2 has it and it works almost immediately still. Idk about Jeeps but Toyota seems to lag and not grab the spinning wheel for as long as it should. I'm wondering how well true track will work with my Land Rover TC? I hear it makes the TC work less

[@trackstumper8333]

Good vid mate. Truetrac looks impressive from your tests. Thank you

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Thank you

[@TnTTyler]

It works fine you need to keep constant gas pressure to allow the BLD to do its thing

[@brianblocher6931]

Truetrac for the win! I am convinced many people that do not like them are running the wrong gear oil. Eaton specifies NO FRICTION MODIFIER, which almost all gear oils come with nowadays. I use the O'Reilly store brand dino oil, one of the few I have found without it.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

The Sierra gears and axles installers recommended Lucas oil 80/90

[@brianblocher6931]

@@4x2WagonFamily The Lucas website says their product contains "special anti-wear and lubricity agents". From the Eaton website: -A quality, petroleum-mineral based, GL5 rated 80w-90 gear oil should be used. -Synthetic oils are not recommended for Truetrac applications. -Friction modifiers should not be used because they will decrease performance (reduce differential bias). I think most people don't know this information and are not getting the best performance they could be getting out of their truetracs because of it. Your installer may not even be aware they just may recommend Lucas 80/90 for all of their gear installs.

[@applesbighatranch6906]

Motorcraft makes a good but expensive conventional 80W-90 with no friction modifiers in it. +/-$23/qt. I'm using 3qts of it with the Truetrac in my F150's 34-spline 8.8 Super and a diff cover with a slightly greater capacity. I think Lucas offers a good conventional, too.

[@Xemis5]

Been thinking of putting Torsen Diffs on my JK (Sahara, called Overland here in Australia). Thanks for the video. Although I'm not too worried about snow, lots of soft sand and and mud where I live and I'd like to give the BLD a leg up! PS - love your jeep build. Solid but not overdone!!!

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Defiantly a leg up! You can’t go wrong👍🏼 I’d recommend a front locker. Cheers!

[@johnkemple]

I have tru tracs front and rear on the sand you cannot beat them, period. i can barely get wheel spin on the sand its crazy. I dont know why channel guy is recommending lockers for the front though, unless your rock crawling..it is awesome up front and causes no issues..

[@dadnova1]

Eaton Truetrac's are great, I have one in my Nova drag car. Now looking into putting one into my 2wd pickup.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

That’s a good idea. I’m trying to convince my brother do the same with his 2 wd truck. Cheers!

[@gregorbabic7664]

I put a Truetrac in my 2WD F150 and have never had any issues of getting stuck in snow or off-road. Frankly I believe it’s all you need unless you do serious off-roading. No need for all those family grocery getting trucks to be 4wd.

[@modshop1828]

Great demonstration. Thank you.

[@rsbrehm]

That's a sexy black jeep! My JKU Rubi looks similar.

[@tripleseven8361]

A great demonstration of True Trac… Of course, I’m presuming that the front lockers were also engaged, which obviously made a huge difference… Not sure whether the rear drive only could’ve got you out of that situation. (Once in the ditch, the vehicle wanted to stay there).

[@4x2WagonFamily]

No the front lockers were not engaged. Just 4low and Truetrac.

[@tripleseven8361]

@@4x2WagonFamily Thanks… Interesting! I guess you are still getting some pull from the front wheels, even though they’re not locked… Perhaps, in the slippery conditions unlocked may be better… I have lots of experience driving in heavy snow living up in Canada, but my factory LSD, (rear), on my TJ has been useless…With snow, each situation is different, depending on the type of snow, the temperature, the depth, the type of terrain under the snow, and whether or not there is ice under the snow. You’ve convinced me about Trutrac for the rear!

[@academaciated7466]

Truetrac in my ‘70 AMC! 👍🏻

[@jessewoody5772]

Pretty sure the tires made all the diff... BLD and ESP From a manufacturing standpoint, Jeep uses BLD (as opposed to TruTracs) because there is basically no additional cost. The basic hardware and software is already factored in because they and everyone else already has to have some sort of ESP, antiroll mitigation, yada-yada. The beauty of it is that even if you go thru the rubbing your head and patting your belly(or visa-versa, lol) routine that is outlined in your manual, The BLD function still operates like it's intended - to equalize traction across any given axle much like a TracLok or TruTrac does. That however is where the comparisons end. The TracLok does better than an open diff but is better suited to on road use because it cannot bias enough torque when its really needed, and as you point out it wears out. The TruTrac is far superior to the TracLok in 2 ways, First it is capable of biasing more torque(plus you can use the brakes to help bias even more torque ) and second it does not wear out like a TracLok does therefore giving better traction and pretty much for the life of the vehicle. The BLD can and will bias even more torque than the TruTrac. A tire in the air will not free spin(onlookers might think you have lockers) However, since it is using the brake system to achieve this it is not as robust and has a couple of weaknesses. Over prolonged periods of activation it can overheat the brakes(not common) and if anything fails in the sensors(at the wheels) or the computer controlling it all its possible to lose all BLD function and then all you have is "open diffs". Also it does use up some of the available torque to do its job. The TruTrac is also a little more proactive in its application as it engages slightly sooner and in a more consistent manner(this is only apparent a small percentage of the time) Keep in mind that both the TracLok & TruTrac will both benefit by also having the BLD. (when you would use your brakes to enhance the LSD, the BLD does it automatically and much more efficiently. In the situation that you describe like sliding off the road, you will want to put it in 4lo for 2 reasons. first doing so automatically turns off the ESP thus allowing you to achieve wheel spin. and second it will give you the torque necessary to do so. Keep in mind the BLD does not do any throttle intervention in its operation, that only happens when ESP intervenes. and ESP is off when in 4lo. Keep in mind that all the 4 wheel drive and traction enhancing differentials in the world can only work with available traction that the tires make available. The better the tires the better your traction will be in any situation. I've had tires in the air many times with my JK and I can attest to how well the BLD system works. BLDs are partly to blame for all the JK haters, they're that good. Hope all this helps out. Have Fun Out There

[@4x2WagonFamily]

I respectfully disagree. Open diff is open diff. It doesn’t matter what tires you have. I’ve seen swamp racers with open diff and they don’t get off the start line.

[@jessewoody5772]

@@4x2WagonFamily I agree "Open diff is open diff". And when you add BLD it's no longer Just Open Diff......

[@Wired4Flight]

You’ve missed the point

[@georgewilkinson1068]

Wow! Even a Jeep can get stuck. Great video.

[@flight2k5]

There’s nothing magical about jeeps

[@love.pugsss449]

I'm a little unsure still how the system works even after watching. Few videos. In order for the BLD to engage on my 6 speed manual, I have to be in either 4hi or 4lo? Does the traction control need to be turned off first? When you say apply a little brake pressure does that also work with the hand brake since I'm working with a manual transmission?

[@danialphaomega]

My 2018 jkus has a factory LSD w/ BLD and when in snow m6 BDG K02 run great with low psi.

[@grantmoon624]

Technically this is BLD vs BLD w. Trutrac. The BLD will help the Trutrac.

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

EXACTLY what is was thinking thank you! So basically truetrac does a great job when the tires are on the ground with uneven surfaces but when a wheel gets lifted and Spins the traction control helps you to not have to do left-foot braking and probably activates the truetrac into locking much easier than it helps an open differential to feel like it's locked what do you think? I own a Land Rover Discovery 2 with abs traction control for off-road that works very well and I've considered a truetrac to go with this traction

[@hilsjessie]

Got a GMC Terrain. It’s a POS. In the winter with a set of studded Nokia’s tires it’s a tank. Imagine that on this Jeep it would be insane!!!

[@danielgreen1289]

Awesome video.

[@robormiston2841]

Have you tried applying the brakes to activate your traction device?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

With Truetrac I haven’t had the need to apply the break, it engages the traction instantly. However, before I installed Truetrac, yes you have to apply the break to help engage the traction control. :(

[@Xemis5]

@@4x2WagonFamily Seems to me that the BLD and the Truetrac should work together. Truetrac works instantaneously to provide torque distribution and when the Torque Bias Ratio is exceeded (e.g. wheel in the air) BLD should apply brakes and help "lock" the axle again. Truetrac works to prevent the slip and BLD works to recovery from it.

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

​@@Xemis5 you are absolutely correct! The truetrac should be so effective when both wheels are on the ground that the torque bias will help wheelspin not even take place but if a wheel gets actually lifted in the air then the traction control will grab and it will have to work less hard because of the torque bias effect then it would with an open differential. So with both Wheels on the ground it helps the traction control probably never have to work and with a wheel in the air it helps traffic control work less hard right? I have a Land Rover Discovery 2 with amazing traction control from back in the year 2000 and I still run open diff front and rear on crazy Locker trails. I'm considering a Detroit Locker in the back but I don't want it to feel me off to the side because of the Rocky Trails but at the same time I hate the wheel spin with the traction control grabbing really hard so I'm thinking truetrac would be awesome because I would like to avoid getting are lockers although that would still be cool because my traction control is still there

[@off-roadingexplained8417]

That's awesome!

[@rael6_4wd]

I drive a 2017 JK with Trac Loc. Is it the same? Trac Loc/True Track

[@DanielHerrera-gz6nk]

hello! Is it advisable to use a truetrack, is it recommended on the front axle? For a wrangler mixed use more than normal road?

[@manchild111]

With all respect, It's hard to tell but it looks like you're running mud terrains. If so get some duratracs or some Ko2s and she'll walk through any snow and sand. MTs are rarely sipped and are not known for their snow traction because the tread blocks are to chunky. I know BF Goodrich makes a KO3 which if I'm not mistaken is a MT tire with sipping. Just a friendly observation and opinion. God bless. OH and I am having the Eaton Truetrac installed as we speak with 4.10s for my 90 YJ. So I am really glaf I foumd this video and I am impressed with what I see of it. 😎👍

[@4x2WagonFamily]

I’ll try that in my future video, thank you

[@bubbablue7772]

Ideal would be better tires.

[@gregkocher5352]

BLD sounds similar to my Tundras Atrac. I drive in snow and ice in hill country and I'm thinking a limites slip rear diff may help me more that a lockable. At least for my particular conditions. Is there a limited slip that can be locked ehen needed?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

The toyota A-Trac is way better because it applies the brake to the free spinning wheel instantly and jeeps don’t do that. The only option is a tru-trac or selectable lockers.

[@rickgolden9220]

Kinda like how Trac control would help TrueTrac on a Toyota Tacoma

[@wesbarcus3761]

Nice real world demo. Where was this filmed?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Thank you. In pollock pine Ca. On Mormon immigrant trail.

[@wesbarcus3761]

@@4x2WagonFamily On I 50 on the way to Rubicon/ Tahoe, nice country. Been there. Again, liked the video, one of the better real world ones I have seen. Keep up the good work.

[@aprilwine132]

Will a truetrac interfere with a BLD system or a traction control system? Will it cause instability in ice and snow, wet pavement in two door JL ?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Absolutely not. It should handle better in all conditions especially in the snow and ice.

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

It will not interfere with the traction control system. It will make the traction control system less likely to have to work when both wheels are touching a surface that is uneven the truetrac differential should bias the torque giving more to where there is more grip instead of an open differential where the one with less grip might start to slip and then the traction control kicks on. Now where they work together is if you actually get a wheel in the air spinning the truetrac will do nothing but the traction control will kick in automatically the same way it would with an open differential except it won't have to squeeze as hard because even a slight squeeze will help the truetrac want to lock much easier than it wants to grab one wheel and lock an open differential cross to the other side. I hope this makes sense. So another words they work together just fine but the truetrac pretty much does most of the work and makes the traction control not have to work and less a wheel actually picks up off the ground. Without the truetrac you can get wheel spin when they are both still on the ground. With this both Wheels on the ground are most likely to still grab at different rates of speed giving the traction control a break unless wheel is lifted

[@TyThur111386]

Do you have the trutrac on front and rear or do you have a e locker

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Truetrac only in the rear. I have front elocker.

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

​@@4x2WagonFamily when choosing a locker in just 1 axle isn't it usually the rear if any because the rear does most the work? I've never heard of choosing a front Locker over a rear Locker on any video or anything I've ever read online

[@ryandoyle2238]

Hey man! How is it on 37s with 5.13s? Not to mention the 5.13s in the dana30? I'm about to re gear to 5.13s as well and im also on 37s

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Dude, game changer. Dana 30s are super strong. The 5.13 with front elocker killed it in the deep wet snow. Best upgrade ever! + way better gas mileage. 20 mpg at 65 mph on g ft lay hwy. 15.2 in the city.

[@ryandoyle2238]

@@4x2WagonFamily did you also upgrade your axle shafts or are they still stock?

[@ryandoyle2238]

@@4x2WagonFamily i would also really like to see you put up more videos testing out them true tracs!

[@4x2WagonFamily]

@@ryandoyle2238 no I did not upgrade my axles intentionally. These are oe Napa shafts if it breaks It has a life time warranty. Plus if you’re not bouncing on rocks it shouldn’t be an issue.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

@@ryandoyle2238 thank you, I have few more trips planned this winter to the snow testing the Truetrac and I will post more on this in the next two weeks.

[@joerouth6255]

I’m currently running truetrac in the front of my 2dr JK. I have 35s now and was thinking about putting 37‘s but some people say the truetrac can’t handle a tire that big, that 35’s is the max. Any input on this?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

It would depend on your gears. I upgraded my gears to 5:13 and that will reduce stress overall.

[@joerouth6255]

4:10’s

[@isabellapaligo]

@@joerouth6255 4:10 should be ok but i would upgrade your axles chromoly if you hasn’t already. Once you add the big tires your jeep might feel under power because of the added weight and upgrading your gears to 5:13 will make a world of difference. Cheers!

[@keithgoodman7966]

What size wheel spacer are you using?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

78mm

[@keithgoodman7966]

@@4x2WagonFamily thank you

[@dad3562]

Nice! How are these on rocks/step ledges?

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Not an issue. I’m tickled with my decision and not a locker.

[@dad3562]

@@4x2WagonFamily hahaha 🤣 that’s way coool!

[@marcnunes6916]

True Trac is not BLD? This is so confusing I thought they were Jeeps version of LSD. What do I have in my JT Mojave?

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

Truetrac is a Torsen differential. Look it up online it is made by eaten and it is not electronic at all. Bldg is brake load distribution. It uses the ABS system as an off-road traction control if one wheel spins a grabs the brake on that wheel transferring torque to the other wheel which is what Land Rover came out with in the late 90s and still uses. Now if you have both of these combined then the Torsen gearset which tries to split the torque to whatever wheel is going slower and has more traction. This is better than an open differential because it helps one wheel not break loose and want to spend freely but if a wheel gets in the air the Torsen gear set cannot split torque because with one in the air it can't divide the torque from nothing it needs both Wheels on the ground regardless of the surface is they're both touching. This is where the traction control comes in that Spinning Wheel immediately grabbed by the brakes BLD system and distribute work through that differential to the other wheel that is not spinning. This can happen with an open differential also but the Torsen gearset helps this not happen as often and makes things easier for the traction control system. The Torsen differential is a mechanical gear set the blv system is a traction control system that jeep called BLD based on the ABS system except instead of helping a wheel not lock it locks a spinning wheel doing the literal opposite of what ABS normally does but using the same system because it still uses wheel speed sensors

[@ronaldrrootiii6040]

This guy don't know LOL the guy in the video put a locker in the front but not the rear LOL usually if choosing to have one Locker you definitely go for rear. That's why some vehicles that come with just a rear Locker have it in the rear this dude has one in the front and then a Torsen LSD in the rear. So he doesn't even know what he's doing that's why he can't explain any of this stuff and his videos don't really make a lot of sense like the Land Rover video where he talks about all the settings of the Range Rover only affecting the throttle and the RPMs not talking about the differentials or the suspension. I don't know how he gets so many views

[@d-unit-outdoors]

Do you have TrueTrac on the front and the back? I think that’s what I’m going to go with. I don’t plan on rock climbing and the TrueTrac looks great in the snow and lighter offroading. Love your videos!

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Just the rear. Got front lockers. Thank you!

[@polarisflyer]

@4x2WagonFamily Awesome video !!!! Do you have the TrueTrack diffs installed both front and rear??? My Sport S had the BLD on the rear and I believe an open diff on the front. So, I'm curious how this Torsen diff would behave on both front and rear. Thanks for your thoughts.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

I have Truetrac only in the rear, but I installed the lockers in the front. You would see a huge benefit over the stock open Diffs. Remember the BLD is an electronic controlled process, the Diffs are still open. For few hundred dollars more I would recommend a locker in the front or the rear and Truetrac on the other.

[@OlayerB]

Automatic wranglers are the next thing that should be banned 😂😂😂. Good video though, thank you for making it.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

I’ve always had stick in my trucks but I gotta say I love the automatic, maybe cause I’m getting old ;)

[@johnkemple]

@@4x2WagonFamily The automatic is superior to the manual. you cant shift it faster and all you need to do is let off the brake and your underway. no clutches to burn up, no loss of traction on mid hill stop and start. way better..ice snow sand auto has no drawbacks .

[@kevinhood9781]

Lol the nsg 370 manuals put into wranglers from the late tj's all the way through to the end of the jk is JUNK bud. the nag1 or (wa580) is the best auto they put into a jeep and very reliable and has an auto stick, which you can select and shift your gears manually .The 8 speed auto is new and suppost to be as good if not better. Even the new jl wranglers are having some problems with the new 6 speed aisin tranny. I will agree though if i were to get an old yj or tj it would definitely be with a 5 speed manual.

[@OlayerB]

@@johnkemple Yeah it does have drawbacks - it is boring and requires no operator skill.

[@OlayerB]

@@4x2WagonFamily I hear ya on that one!!!

[@killaforniak]

I don’t think they are using the BLD properly… you have to press on the brakes lightly and gas at the same time for it to work….. you can see by the tail light

[@LifeIsAJourney4Us]

you need to manually kick in the BLD using 2 feet to control it. Apply brake and while holding the brake apply some gas. Do not let it be a computer controlled thing.

[@4x2WagonFamily]

Good advice, but a lot of new jeep owners will not understand that concept. Jeep should have done a better job in their engineering.

[@cfhenriksen7915]

Chains are the best.

[@sanleon1314]

BLD. next best traction control to nothing

[@geraldshrewsbury3121]

traction recovery boards are so much cheaper than having your axles rebuilt.

[@tyeetamer]

And much less useful.

[@itsme-un6bs]

kek...