Truetrac potential issues

I’m at about 190K on an ‘09. It has the factory Auto LSD which is questionable at best. I’m considering going to an Eaton Truetrac both front and back. Just wondering if there would be any known issues switching to the Truetrac as opposed to the factory system. If the system works the way I understand it’s currently an open diff, and powers is pushed across to the wheel with traction simply by the system just applying the brake on the spinning one.

 

Due to the design of the front diff, I don't think you can run a tru-trac up there unless you modified for manual locking hubs. Due to the ring gear always spinning or something like that, but don't quote me on it.

No problem on the rear, though, so have at it.

I think I had asked this same question here a while back and that's the response I got. Instead, I'll go with a Tru-Trac rear, and a selectable locker for the front.

Edit: wait until someone more knowledgeable than me chimes in, though, this is just how I remember it.

 

I personally don't think there are any drawbacks to a Truetrac as long as you don't absolutely need a locker. They are phenomenal on the street, and the only bad thing I've read is some people have had them swing out in icy, winter conditions but i think that could be due to driving abilities, and of course it being slippery out. I've had two winters on mine and anytime the ass end felt like it was going to kick out I'm certain that it would have been the same with any rear wheel drive.

 

There are a couple of front torson diffs available but I think you are limited to stock gear ratios or possibly more options with thick cut gears. In case you are regeared or thinking about it in the future.

 

Plan to stay with stock gearing, forgot about the issue with the factory hubs since most vehicles I know of actually have the front hubs both unlock when in 2 wheel rather than only releasing one.

was planning on the Truetrac due to less potential for maintenance issues than an air locker, but that may be where it ultimately ends up.

 

For what it’s worth, I had a Tru-Trac in the rear of my ‘94 and absolutely loved it. I wouldn’t hesitate to put one in the rear of the Tacoma.

 

Mt 2010 DCLB came with the stupid oem open diff that uses electronics to apply the brake of the spinning wheel to tell us it has some type of limited slip blah blah. Simply, your 2009 is vastly superior to the 2010 oem set up.

As for the Tru Trac, I replaced my oem diff with a Tru Trac years ago. Granted, I am 2wd, but it has been a huge upgrade for minimal cost. Would absolutely do it again.

On the newer electronic trucks like mine, if a person does install a Tru Trac, I suggest making a photo copy of the pages in the owners manual, that explains operation of the oem electronic limited slip system. By utilizing the selector switch, various modes can be selected. Offroad, you want the mode that does not limit throttle if it senses wheelspin.

Unfortunately, you must reselect the mode at each start up. For typical around town driving, no need.

To the OP, if you do buy the Tru Trac, order at the same time, new ring gear bolts, and new carrier bearings. This way you can install the bearings on the new diff ahead of time. Been a long while since I did mine, but thought I had to heat the oem ring gear bolts with a propane torch to free them to spin out easily.

 

The 2009 has that same electronic braking to try making it act as a limited slip. That is the system that I’m questioning if it would have issues with the Truetrac.

 

Usually a TrueTrac actually helps the truck not need to use its brake actuated/simulated LSD. The concern you have as I understand it is they might fight each other, but in reality they are fighting to do the same job. The TrueTrac is active and the brake LSD is passive and reacts afterwards once wheels spin….the TrueTrac will prevent that wheel spin that the brake LSD is looking for.

If by some chance you do get wheel spin, the brake system will kick in and help. Then you have the benefits of both at the same time. In other words, no problem at all. I did a TrueTrac on my Frontier with ABLS and absolutely loved it. Wanted to do one on my 3rd gen but TrueTrac is not available for 8.75” diff. Otherwise I’d have sold the locker and done a TT when i regeared.

 

Non issue. I have thousands of miles on mine, on road and off road. The few times the “alarm” of wheelspin went off, both tires were spinning.
As I mentioned, off road, You will want to deactivate the ABS limited slip but it also deactivates limited throttle.
Fully deactivated, by the instrument panel selector switch, you get full throttle control and no alarms.

 

More accurately, the computer is looking for one rear tire spinning. Then applies brake to the spinning wheel to give more drive to the nonspinning wheel.
The Tru Trac spins them together, I have never had the Tru Trac do a one tire fire.
Also, unless deactivated, the computer also limits throttle.

 

As stated above the Truetrac works well in the rear. I personally haven’t had the traction control fight the truetrac probably because it never locks up so long that the traction control kicks in.

I went with the harrop elocker in the front diff. Did gears in both when I had it installed. I hardly ever need 4wd anyhow and infrequently have to go all the way to locking the front.

I will say the truetrac does not allow you to de-select and that is the problem. With a soft suspension I find it a little annoying on rain soaked roads going around corners. It will walk the back end out if on throttle and off camber. It’s fun for a while but annoying after. I will still take the instant traction otherwise to pushing a button or turning a switch on patchy slick roads. Go for it!

 

I have a true trac in the rear and worked very well. Video quality is not the best but as you can see once the rear right tire went up in the air and started spinning it locked the other side and was able to get through the rut. I paused for a sec cuz I didnt know what the clank was. The wifey is in the Rubicon in front of me.

https://youtu.be/FeRGbs8TPHo

 

Loving the Truetrac on my 2006. Go with east coast gear supply that's what I did.

 

trutrac being a torsen style lsd will actually be helped greatly by the auto lsd braking of the tire that does slip. I wouldnt be putting one in the front though, only selectable lockers up from IMO.

That stated, in the above video a bone stock truck on stock tires in 2wd with a rear locker would of walked right up that with no tire slip even with a rear tire in the air.