Trutrac vs Yukon Duragrip?

So I just got a quote from ECGS for a rear Trutrac,Yukon 4.30 ring and pinion,and master install kit $935 shipped which seems to be a sweet deal.
While looking at Yukon's site I noticed that they have what looks to be a similar style lsd https://www.yukongear.com/productdetails.aspx?ProdID=28183.
It says that theirs is rebuildable while Eaton says that theirs is not.
Anyone know what the difference between the two would be? https://www.eaton.com/us/en-us/skuPage.913A541.html
Just wanted to make sure before I pull the trigger on the Trutrac.

 

The Yukon has clutches and springs which will wear over time requiring a rebuild which means down time for the truck.
The trutrac which I have and love uses worm gears that never need rebuilding, in theory should last the life of the truck givin you don’t have a major failure from the rear end.

 

Matt, How does the trutrac work with the auto LSD/VCS/trac/atrac(whatever they're calling these functions)? Is there any noticeable difference in traction when you turn off these systems?

Do you ever wish you had gone with a locker rather than the trutrac?

 

The TruTrac is a locker.

 

With your trutrac is there any noticable effect on-road? Do you get any tire chirping on tight turns?

How does it behave offroad? On loose media like silt/sand/mud can you feel it kicking in?

 

I'm not an expert but everything I've read dictates this is incorrect. I believe Trutrac is closer to a LSD than a locked air/e-locker or spool.

 

It works great with the traction system I’ve had no issues with it. I notice no difference normal driving it still acts a open diff.
I wish I had a front locker is all.

No tire chirping or anything like that, it operates like a open diff until you lose traction.
It behaves great you can feel a slight shudder in the seat when it kicks in that’s all.

 

I have been running a TruTrac in my Prerunner for many years. My truck is a 2010 and had the stupid electronic traction control.

You asked about on road. In all the miles and years of use, never has the TruTrac chirped or hopped while turning.

As far as feeling it kick in. No, I never had that sensation of kicking in. You as the driver do nothing. If the diff senses a slip of a wheel, the diff does it thing and drives both wheels. I have never felt it kick in, but the mirrors show the truck was using both rear tires to drive forward.

Want to add, mine being a 2010, before installing the diff, even the slightest wheel spin would set off the Nanny with lights flashing and beepers sounding off. Now, with the TruTrac, when you mash the throttle, both tires spin at the same rate. This obviously gives better grip, but the Nanny does not see one tire slipping, so no flashing lights or beepers.

FWIW, the TruTrac so far has also worked when reversing also. Meaning, both tires drive in reverse too.

 

If you say so, I can't tell if Eaton makes a Detroit TruTrac and a Detroit Locker or if they're the same part, lol.

One thing is for sure, the Detroit TruTrac doesn't operate like any other LSD and neither does a Detroit Locker operate like any other locker.

I've owned 4x4 with a LSD (a true LSD with clutch packs) in the front and one with a Detroit Locker in the front and they drive very different.

 

I have the TruTrac and I love it! I haven't noticed any unpredictable engagement in any situation. I have noticed on tight turns (wheel close to lock) in wet conditions or dry if I give some power it will lock up. But in those cases you would likely just light up the inner tire anyways. It doesn't seem to have any unpredictable engagement in snow either. I have driven many miles in sub par winter conditions (ice and snow) and have never had it lock at a time that caused concern. It doesn't lock unless you have power applied, so it will not lock up randomly while cruising if you hit a slick patch. On gravel it handles very well also. If you give it the beans on sharp turn it will drift very nicely! But again, normal driving you won't notice it. I was originally concerned somewhat as my wife drive the truck from time to time and I didn't want it to be unpredictable as she isn't the most talented driver......I would have taken it out if I thought she wouldn't be able to drive it safely.

One semi-negative I have found is in really slow 4wd crawling it doesn't always lock. However you can generally tap the brake while the wheel is spinning and it will lock up. I have only had that happen a couple times, but it still worked great.

EDIT: Keep an eye on ebay as well. I got mine for a touch over $400 shipped

 

The "Detroit Locker" design was basically originally developed for WWII trucks and became popular in racing in the 1960s because it was the most positively locking differential you could have that would still allow you to go around a turn. This was a different design than the current TruTrac- which uses helical gears as a locking mechanism. But it looks like Eaton is kind of combining the names now which is confusing- they are not the same design. Both are more durable than the typical clutch pack differential. The clutch pack type still lasts ~forever under normal use, but it is not positive locking. None of the above are the same as a "locker" where both wheels are locked together - that isn't drivable around a turn on pavement.

edit- this is what the inside of a clutch type "posi-traction" differential looks like. It uses flat washers and dished washers as clutches and these wear with abuse. See the second pic

 

You're awesome, thank you for the great post.

 

TruTrac is a helical geared LSD with a 3:1 biasing ratio. Great for turning, the track, and laying 11's.

 

Thanks, and you're welcome!

The TruTrac design should also be safer on snow and ice since they are torque sensing and do not send power to a wheel if it has no traction. Clutch pack LSDs do and can be extremely scary on snow/ice- leading to severe white knuckle moments. I've been there, and I was driving like an old lady with an egg under my right foot.

 

I keep coming back to the TrueTrac. User-friendly, quiet and nearly bullet-proof enhanced traction with no added systems necessary (compressor, plumbing, solenoids, wiring, switches, etc). I'll be adding one to my SR5/non-TRD Off-Road rear when I re-gear this year.

 

You're not confusing a "clutch" type LSD with a Posi-traction are you? Posi-traction does an immediate lock up, where LSDs do a gradual lock up.

https://itstillruns.com/identify-limited-slip-differential-7805308.html

 

Actually found a Street Muscle article discussing the different Eaton differentials. When I think of the "Posi-traction" diff, I'm actually thinking of their Detroit Locker. Eaton's Posi-traction diff is a clutch type LSD. It should give similar performance to the Truetrac on the street, but will encounter wear on the clutch discs over time. A Truetrac should last the lifetime of the truck without requiring a overhaul.

https://www.streetmusclemag.com/tec...ted-slip-we-look-at-four-eaton-differentials/

 

Here's the best video I've found that explains how a Torsen differential works (TrueTrac is a version of a Torsen differential and not a selectable locking differential):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JEiSTzK-A2A&t=84s

 

I drive my TruTrac in snow and ice conditions, no issues.

 

Posi-traction diffs have clutches, Detroit lockers do not. I had a Detroit Locker in the front axle that had manual hubs (not a Tacoma) and it was awesome. The truck's off road capabilities went through the roof after the install. It climbed so well that the carburetor would run out of fuel from the incline angle before it lost traction, lol.