Front locker for F-150

[SuperCal]

I'd like to get a little more traction in the front of my 2008 ford f-150 and I am trying to decide whether to go with an e-locker or a truetrac. Has anyone here tried either in the front of their vehicle? Any comments, opinions, or other options would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance

 

[bdbecker]

No first hand experience, but I've read a lot of good things about the TrueTrac setup, at least for Jeeps, and have been rolling around the idea for my truck. The main advantage being that there are no compressors, lines, or wires to get damaged - its just always there ready to go. The cost is hard to beat, you could equip both front and rear with the TrueTrac for the alomst the same cost as one e-locker or air setup. Another advantage is that you can still make tight turns on the trail, a big plus for us full size folks. Darn it, now you got me thinking about tearing my truck apart again...

 

[Rexsname]

My Father-in-law has an electric locker/limited slip in the front of his XJ. He uses the Jeep extensively with Search and Rescue. Other than testing I dont think he has ever 'needed' to lock the front.

I'd go with the Tru-trak


REX

 

[SuperCal]

Thanks for the responses. I was kinda leaning toward the Tru Trac for the ability to be able to turn easily and still have some form of limited slip occur. Although having the e-locker unlocked would let that happen too (well the turn easy part, not the limited slip part) and provide full lock if i got really bogged down. Hmmm, decisions decisions...

 

[bftank]

i'd go with the elocker if you use 4wd on snowy roads any.

 

[AYIAPhoto]

i'd go with the elocker if you use 4wd on snowy roads any.

+1
Limited slip/full time lockers are really bad on wet/snowy roads, particularly in front axles. I had a Loc-rite in the front axle of my Wrangler and the nose was all over the road in snow.

 

[SuperCal]

i'd go with the elocker if you use 4wd on snowy roads any.

Good point, being from connecticut (aka: home of crappy snow removal) that is a major consideration.

 

[locrwln]

You will never have a selectable locker and wish you had a limited slip, but I bet you will have a limited slip and wish you had a locker.

Get the locker.

Jack

 

[brianjwilson]

You will never have a selectable locker and wish you had a limited slip, but I bet you will have a limited slip and wish you had a locker.

Get the locker.

Jack

Yep. I went back and forth about the same decision in my 06 F150.
My thoughts were that, while a limited slip is nice, I really want to have all the traction I can when I need it. I had an aussie locker in the front of my last Sport Trac (front and rear actually) and the front locker made snow driving interesting in 4x4. It wasn't out of control, but it definitely wasn't ideal. In other words, I wouldn't go that route again on a daily driver.

While I haven't driven with a limited slip up front, I suspect snow driving would still be "interesting" with it, and when I really needed the traction it wouldn't be there.
There is also the tighter handling/steering in 4x4 with a locker/limited slip up front. I just wanted it to turn easily and not be stressing the CV joints and such when it isn't needed.

So I ended up with an E-locker up front. I cut out a hole in each side of the cigarette lighter panel and wired up my own switch. *disregard the lower panel, it was an experiment*

Anyway, so far the e-locker works great, I'm very happy with it. I haven't had a chance to put it to real good use yet, but have tested it in a few different areas and it works as it should. Having a rear detroit locker already, I really haven't had a reason to "need" the front locker yet.

 

[venomous121]

Yep. I went back and forth about the same decision in my 06 F150.
My thoughts were that, while a limited slip is nice, I really want to have all the traction I can when I need it. I had an aussie locker in the front of my last Sport Trac (front and rear actually) and the front locker made snow driving interesting in 4x4. It wasn't out of control, but it definitely wasn't ideal. In other words, I wouldn't go that route again on a daily driver.

While I haven't driven with a limited slip up front, I suspect snow driving would still be "interesting" with it, and when I really needed the traction it wouldn't be there.
There is also the tighter handling/steering in 4x4 with a locker/limited slip up front. I just wanted it to turn easily and not be stressing the CV joints and such when it isn't needed.

So I ended up with an E-locker up front. I cut out a hole in each side of the cigarette lighter panel and wired up my own switch. *disregard the lower panel, it was an experiment*

Anyway, so far the e-locker works great, I'm very happy with it. I haven't had a chance to put it to real good use yet, but have tested it in a few different areas and it works as it should. Having a rear detroit locker already, I really haven't had a reason to "need" the front locker yet.

brianjwilson, PM sent about your set up.