Oh boy the great debate...
My post got long and rambly, I apologize in advance. Just "speaking my mind" about my experiences.
First off, auto lockers are way smoother on autos than manuals. I've run both. Remember that they lock with torque applied on the pinion side that outweighs traction. Torque works both ways, in other words, if you are engine braking (manual trans off throttle) you can have the same effect as throttle applied. The diff can lock and clunk and jump around. The 100% engagement of a manual trans makes the auto lockers very clunky and obnoxious. Even depressing the clutch after it is bound up will send a shock up the driveline and it becomes a real unpleasant experience. With an auto you aren't generally producing much engine braking so this isn't an issue, the torque converter smooths out the operation a lot. Once you readjust you driving habits slightly, your passengers won't even know there is a locker back there 99% of the time. No issues driving in town, u turns, parking lots etc.
Accelerating through a lot corner with a manual can be a clunky nightmare because as you accelerate the truck with under steer. Let off to shift and it will tuck back into the corner (unlocked). Back on the throttle and it will under steer again (locked).
With an auto trans, the torque is constantly applied and it is significantly smoother and nicer to drive. Very predictable once you develope a feel for it too. When you let off the throttle some and make turns, the trans won't send torque back to the axle like a manual trans, it won't lock up.
As for the front, if you aren't applying torque to the front axle you won't know there is a locker there at all. Aside from clicking noises while turning at low speed. Even with "live axles", they are transparent without 4x4 engaged. In 4x4, you can turn the wheel ok, until you're on the throttle.
just don't get caught with a loose grip and your thumbs in the wheel when you step on the throttle. Honestly the front auto locker isn't something I recommend for everyone. The rough nature of them always made me nervous when I had an Aussie locker in front of an IFS rig. Steering in 4x4 isn't fun and I found myself switching out of 4x4 frequently to maneuver on trails. Sort of defeated the purpose. I did however tow several hundred miles in snow and ice covered mountain passes with front and rear Aussie lockers so it can be done, just requires a lot of extra attention with that front locker.
Everyone is different but I loved running auto lockers (rear) with auto trans. Great traction all the time. Predictable. Cheap and easy install for a lunch box locker. Sure tires wore faster. In ice and snow I loved them for the predictability (while others hate them for oversteer). While a limited slip would sometimes only spin one tire, sometimes spin both and kick the back around, the auto lockers just locked and you could modulate the throttle for great control. Smooth controlled drifts any time. Haha.
The real downsides of an auto locker? You will occasionally get a loud bang while cruising down the freeway and you'll be looking in your rear view mirror to see who hit you. In long, constant throttle applications sometimes tension will bind up if the diff stays locked for too long. Eventually the tension has to be released and it gets yours attention. I never had it more than once every thousand miles or so but it does happen. Different lockers can be real clunky with excessive back lash. So far the worst was a Detroit locker. The Aussie and lock rites I've used were actually smoother. If you aren't comfortable with driving in snow/ice with an aggressive test diff you wouldn't like an auto locker.
Remember that everything has pros and cons. Yes even arbs or electric lockers. The biggest complaint I've had (I've run both) isn't the cost of complexity, but the poor traction of an open diff when it isn't locked. If you're happy with an open diff and use to it, you'll love an arb. I really hate open diffs, spinning the inside wheel every time I pull away in the rain, snow, gravel etc. Nothing like trying to pull into heavy traffic and sitting with one tire spinning.
A truetrac is great as long as you know it's limitations. Smooth traction all the time. But if you tend to get real crossed up with tires in the air you'll be disappointed. Brake application can help in those situations but it still isn't a locker. In a dry climate where you are it will probably serve pretty well even off road.
If you want a smooth and quiet operation, either a limited slip or selectable is the way to go. You just have to decide if you want good traction all the time (maintaining momentum), or terrible traction most of the time until you flip a switch and you're 100% locked. An arb is a great excuse for on board air if you don't already have it!
For what it's worth I still can't decide what to run in back of my next truck. Arb up front no doubt. But if I run an auto locker out back I won't let my wife drive it in the snow. A selectable (open) is easier for the average person, I just don't think I should have to use 4x4 every time I climb a gravel road or worry about pulling into heavy traffic in the rain. A true trac would be great but will it pull me through when I really need it? I sure hate looking back and seeing 1 tire spin off road while the other is just sitting in front of an obstacle.