Trutrac in first gen Tundra?

[pophead]

Hello all! I've been following Expedition Portal for a while now, and it seems like it's a great community. Happy to have finally joined and hopefully I can make myself useful.

I drive a 2000 Tundra AC which currently has open diffs front and rear. I'd like to upgrade to either lockers or LSD, in front and rear.
My question is about Eaton's Trutrac limited slip differential. Has anybody installed trutracs in a first gen tundra?
Low Range Off Road has one listed for the front of the tundra, but I haven't seen any installs and want to make sure it works in the truck before I order it and waist $500.


Thanks!

 

[Arclight]

I have one in my 97 T100 rear, which I'm pretty sure is the same axle. Works great!

Arclight

 

[Paddy]

Does the tundra use ADD front axle like tacoma? If so then you don't want lsd or Truetrac in front.

 

[pophead]

The rear I'm sure will work, but I haven't seen any in the front of a tundra.
Paddy what's ADD and how would it affect the operation of the trutrac in the front?

 

[Climbermac]

I run a trutrac in the rear of my '03 Tundra and I love it. Works flawlessly and requires no additives in the oil.

Do you run ABS?

 

[Paddy]

ADD is how the auto 4wd works in tacoma. Rather than have auto or manual hubs, It disconnects one cv axle and lets the carrier in the diff spin all the time when in 2wd. Because of this, if there is any drag in the diff due to lsd components, it will make the truck pull to one side. Some have done it and don't report probs, but others do and so selectable locker is what most use in front of those trucks. From a quick google it looks like tundra does in fact use ADD, so, there you go.
Now as far as the rear goes, Truetrac has been a very valuable addition to my rig, and I will never drive another vehicle without one! Love it. Now I just want an air locker in front but honestly probably never will get one as the rig is plenty capable like it is.

 

[Mrknowitall]

Do the rear Truetrac first and see how you like it. Like Paddy said- you may not ever be in want of a front locker. ARB is about the only choice for the front. I'm not sure I like the Tundra from axle for durability with a locker.

 

[Arclight]

I second the recommendation. It gives me the extra traction I need most of the time, while being something my wife can drive without special instructions. And it doesn't seem to adversely affect driving on snow/ice the way an auto-locker will. Your other alternatives are a Detroit Locker or an air locker, which will behave much differently.

Arclight

 

[pophead]

Awesome info and advice guys!
Thanks.
I've driven trucks with OE torsen diffs in the rear and like them, and manufacturers seem to like
putting them in HD trucks, so I'm sure they're durable enough.
Rear LSD first it is!

 

[Paddy]

You'll love it! Got mine from summit for 419$ after rebate. What is often overlooked is how these help the street performance of trucks in 2wd. I use my truck for lots of utility, and daily driving. Wet streets, gravel, backing up on gravel, high speed logging roads. These are all situations made much more pleasant with Truetrac. Now, when I'm leaving a parking lot and turning into traffic on a wet street, I just hit the gas and I'm gone. No typical axle hopping skidding baloney like most every truck in the universe exhibits. If you get a wheel off the ground the true trac quits working, however with modern trucks traction control a little brake is applied to the spinning wheel and you launch forward with the trutrac. I love it. Best mod so far.

 

[Mrknowitall]

If you get a wheel off the ground the true trac quits working, however with modern trucks traction control a little brake is applied to the spinning wheel and you launch forward with the trutrac.

A few clicks on the parking brake will get you going, too, if you don't have traction control [that works in your particular situation]

 

[Paddy]

Yeah although my park brake is probably too strong for my weak 4cyl to overcome. However my TRAC system in the truck is also worthless.

 

[toyrunner95]

I had one in my 4runner, I loved it. Trutracs work spectacular in the snow too.

 

[bkg]

I'd you go true track, be sure that the carrier bolts are fine thread. At some point, they switched to course threads and they tend to back out. Search "jack factory" on ih8mud for pictures of my last truetrac. It was a mess.

 

[dyogim]

Go for a selectable in the front. Unless, your rig is off road only. Right now, the only option for a selectable locker front or rear is from ARB and they are pricey. For the rear, go with what ever. I've had a lock right (lunchbox locker), factory LSD and a Detroit locker. The truetrac is a nice setup and is gear driven. Old style was clutch driven. Old style, Eaton only recommended 33" tall tires. The new design allows up to 38" tall tires.

Right now, I have the toyota factory LSD, but will be re-installing my Detroit back in. Was in the process of rebuilding and and it's taking longer due to other priorities.