Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: jeeptastic on August 11, 2009, 03:15:06 PM

Title: True Trac ??
Post by: jeeptastic on August 11, 2009, 03:15:06 PM
I was just curious to see if anyone has True Tracs in their Jeep? Are they any Good and do you like them?

What are the pros and cons to having True Tracs?
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: BlackYJ on August 11, 2009, 03:20:02 PM
Swampsinger has one in the front
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: tubby on August 11, 2009, 05:52:35 PM
I drove a CJ last month that had True Tracs front and rear. It wasn't as good as my ARB's but it kept up with everyone who had true lockers. My friend who owns the CJ said he was pleased overall with their performance year round as a daily driver. I guess it all depends what you want to accomplish with your rig. The True -Trac is not a locker but not an el-cheapo trac-lok either.
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: jeeptastic on August 11, 2009, 06:08:25 PM
I drive my Jeep everyday. So I want something that is going to be good for everyday driving as well as when I need it. I also dont have much experience when it comes to 4x4ing so is this a Good place to start with a True Trac... I guess if I need something more later I could always upgrade.
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: BlackYJ on August 11, 2009, 08:30:22 PM
I drive my Jeep everyday. So I want something that is going to be good for everyday driving as well as when I need it. I also dont have much experience when it comes to 4x4ing so is this a Good place to start with a True Trac... I guess if I need something more later I could always upgrade.

Wheel it stock for a while and get used to driving offroad and then make the decision of a limited slip or a locker.  In the long run if you drive you rig stock and get used to how it handles you will be a better driver.  I drove my rig stock for a couple years before I made any mods and I still had a blast.

I currently have ARBs front and rear and love them.  They are the best of both worlds, open on the street and locker when you need it.  BUT they are the most expensive locker
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: jeeptastic on August 11, 2009, 10:42:18 PM
Oh I have had my Jeep for close to 9 years now. I know how it handles and how it drives. I have had it off roading a few times and I definately notice when I cant go any further because only two wheels are spinning. I think this will be a Great thing for the Jeep. I am really looking forward to this.

The first real mod that I did to my Jeep was I put a 4.5" Rubicon Express lift on it. I am also getting it re-geared now with 4:56's. I cant wait to get it back and see how much power I gain back.
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: Mudhawg on August 11, 2009, 11:12:08 PM
the ones in my blazer were JUNK it ate 2 in the rear diff apparently i have the parts to show it still  >:(
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: tubby on August 12, 2009, 01:48:25 AM
Whoa! You bought the Blazer with a busted True-Trac. It would be unfair to call it junk! Was it a defect or was it installer error? Huge mud tires and a healthy V8 can decimate a lot of traction aids. Good chance it was installer error and not the fault of the True-Trac. I've witnessed a lot of lockers/lsd's/ring and pinions destroyed due to bolts backing out/poor maintenance/installer error.

Jeeptastic is probably going to like his True-Tracs for his application and intentions. Give Jeepreviews.com a shot. Everyone liked them in their TJ's.
Before everyone gets into the " I need lockers;limited slips" frame of mind; there is a gentleman on this site(Waytec) aka " The Lockless Monster" who regularly wheels his Jeep on 31's and NO traction aids; who keeps up just fine with the big tired/locked crowd. Why? Because he is an excellent driver who knows his abilities and his rig.  No amount of traction aid will replace driver skill.

True-Tracs and 4.56 gears will put a smile on your face buddy!
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: Bnine on August 12, 2009, 01:16:21 PM
the ones in my blazer were JUNK it ate 2 in the rear diff apparently i have the parts to show it still  >:(

Considering truetracs are commonly run in cars with sticky tires and 700 plus hp, I have no doubt your problems had nothing to do with the trutracs doug.

Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: Immortal on August 12, 2009, 06:48:28 PM
Noel... stop it... I am peeing myself.... :):):):):)
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: Gearhead on August 12, 2009, 09:36:46 PM
I've  got two Detroit Tru Trac  's  , in two different vehicles  , still have em both , still like em  and yes , I would buy another one if I needed to .

I did the install myself , one is a 94 w/ 2.5 and 4.88's   , the tru  trac is in the rear , it's a Dana 35 C , road manners are excellent and have been for over 100,000 km . It was open 4.11  before.
 The other is a YJ too with Waggy Dana 44's & 4.56's , the tru trac in that one is in the front , It works very well and has since 2005  without problem .


Doug calling them junk  doesn't mean alot to me , I'd ignore the "junk" comment , as already suggested .   
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: Mudhawg on August 12, 2009, 09:39:05 PM
Shrugs i have the 4 pieces and bolt to show how destroyed mine is
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: Whips17 on August 12, 2009, 09:51:59 PM
I have them in the front and rear and love the tractiom I get with them on and off road.
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: Gearhead on August 12, 2009, 10:19:04 PM
Shrugs i have the 4 pieces and bolt to show how destroyed mine is

How did it get wrecked ?  or did you buy it like that ?

Do you know the history of these parts ?  how old they are ?  who did the install ? or what the experience level of the installer is  ?   Shurely there must be a story or explanation.


My experience is  , that these diffs work well , I know of many more that are successfully installed and still running well after many years.

Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: Asia on August 13, 2009, 12:23:50 AM
I've wheeled with several characters that ran Truetracs and they are a quality product.  I choose a lunch box auto locker (Aussie) and it works very well and I haven't had any issues with it.  I do have to live with the herky jerky parking lot gyrations which a Truetrac would not exhibit.
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: Mudhawg on August 13, 2009, 02:30:08 AM
Well it was the centers that broke heres a pic of what fell out when i dropped the cover

(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5420_216916000230_509325230_7864522_7505143_n.jpg)
(http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5420_216916010230_509325230_7864523_1733821_n.jpg)
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: Vinman on August 13, 2009, 07:46:54 PM
As stated above, if the install was done improperly, then things could have come loose/apart, then it doesn't matter how good the product is, you have a high-power cuisinart going there and whatever comes out will get eaten. You can find pictures of virtually any equipment that has been broken, but that doesn't mean the equipment is "junk".  It's disappointing and frustrating when it happens to be sure, that I understand.

Many years ago, I was buying some really expensive gearsets for a truck I had and having a shop put them in. They seemed to know what they were doing, but after blowing out 3 sets of gears in less than a year (the shop was probably cursing me ever coming in), I finally quit going to that shop.  A lot has to do with the installation and maintenance.



Troy Blaskin managed to break a Detroit Locker in half in his old D35 yet didn't hurt the infamous d35 axle shaft.

Vince
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: JackstandJohnny on August 13, 2009, 10:31:51 PM
Troy Blaskin managed to break a Detroit Locker in half in his old D35 yet didn't hurt the infamous d35 axle shaft.

Vince

lots of things break after they leave the factory. its easier to let a customer return a product if there is a defect instead of stopping said product from entering the marketplace.  that is actually where the term 'warranty' came from........... its origins was to stop a customer from returning a malfunctioning product and fixing it instead of the full refund for the malfunctioning product. the warranty was essentially designed to save producers, NOT consumers...................
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: Sean778 on August 14, 2009, 09:12:21 AM
True story.
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: Gearhead on August 14, 2009, 08:46:44 PM
Well it was the centers that broke heres a pic of what fell out when i dropped the cover

(http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5420_216916000230_509325230_7864522_7505143_n.jpg)
(http://photos-d.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs126.snc1/5420_216916010230_509325230_7864523_1733821_n.jpg)

That sure looks like the lock bolt fell out  , then ka-boomb . The bolt needs to be installed correctly after the axle shafts  , on that application .  If the bolt is not secure , the whole install is at risk.  Some of these don't have a bolt at all , merely a snap ring. The responsibility  is on the installer to get it right , botch the snap ring install and BOOOM , get it right = success.
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: hps4evr on August 14, 2009, 09:29:09 PM
Dom uses the tru-trac in the front of his XJ.  it survives just fine. and thats one heavy XJ... when Doms in it;)
the tru-trac gives the traction and lets you steer, makes sense.
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: jeeptastic on August 16, 2009, 06:07:48 PM
I tried out the new upgrades near my Grandparents farm on an unmaintained road and they seem to work really well. I was able to make it through the mud and ruts with no problems like I had before. I would have really liked to tag along with some of the guys who went out this weekend but I was stuck moving. Does anyone have any plans to head out again? Can I tag along?
Title: Re: True Trac ??
Post by: tubby on August 16, 2009, 08:53:12 PM
I'm glad you like your new True-Tracs and gearing. There are many trail runs that get posted on this site, and you are welcome to come along (just have proper recovery gear)
I head out a few times a month to wheel and will keep you in mind!

Cheers!