LSD in the front end?

[mixedgasdiver]

I've been looking at putting with an air or e locker in the front end of my 2008 Silverado 1500. After lots of research I've can't seem to find one that fits. Several Jeep friends of mine recommend that I run a limited slip in the front. Anyone done this? Pros/cons that you can think of? Right off I'm curious about it locking up when turning on soft ground making drivng difficult.

Other thoughts greatly appreciated.

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

[Scott Brady]

I would avoid it. Understeer on loose and slick surface will be pronounced and unpredictable.

They are fine in the desert southwest, but anywhere slick mud and ice/snow are present, I would not recommend it.

Just lock up the rear and leave the front open. Spend the money for the LSD on a winch

[chasespeed]

My old Bronco came facotry with front and rear LSDs... In the locale we were, (south texas), it was perfect, sand, sand, and more sand...EDITNO quirky driving, compared to any other traction aid.....

[Rovertrader]

winch or selectable like ARB, Ox, etc

[brianjwilson]

I agree with expeditionswest.

But if you have friends with limited slip diffs in the front of their rigs, ask for some wheel time. This is obviously the best thing as everyone feels a little different about traction differentials up front, and responses normally vary wildly.

I will say that I have used automatic lockers in the front and rear (aussie lockers) and it wasn't all that bad in most cases. No I haven't used a front limited slip so my experience isn't 100% relevant either.

I love an automatic rear locker (using one in my current truck), but the front is kind of a love/hate deal. It is drivable in snow. Yes, the truck wants to go straight when you are in 4x4 and on the throttle. When you are maneuvering on the light snow, it is easier to run in 2wd, and switch to 4x4 as needed. In deep heavy snow it isn't as much of an issue.

Off road, the steering becomes very tight in 4x4. So working around tight trails can become a pain. The truck is very capable but you always worry about breaking something up front. I always carried a spare CV shaft, gear oil and the tools I needed to swap one out. I will also mention that an aussie locker is basically transparent with no torque applied (in 2wd). Even though my last truck had live axles up front (no hub disconnects), there was no effect on steering or drivability in 2wd. A limited slip might tighten the steering even in 2wd, at least to some amount.

On my current truck I seriously thought about running a limited slip up front because it would (in theory) be easier on the front end than a locker. And after all, there is more weight up front so the front tires are more likely to stay planted. In the end, I decided to run a rear Detroit locker since my experience says that having a good rear locker is an incredible help in the traction department. It felt more capable with only a rear locker in 2wd than it did in 4x4 with open front and rear differentials. For the front, I went with an E-locker. This way there is very little stress on the front end components during normal 4x4 operation, and the steering is normal, but I can fully lock it when I really need the traction.

Opinions vary a lot about this too, but for an IFS rig, particularly with a light rear, your money goes a lot further if you lock the rear end first (if you haven't already) before spending any money up front.

[bjm206]

Usually the only LSDs that work in the front without any steering issues (particularly in snow/ice) are Torsen style differentials like the Detroit Truetrac. I do not think there are any Torsen differentials available for the GM IFS but others may know better.

[Scott Brady]

Usually the only LSDs that work in the front without any steering issues (particularly in snow/ice) are Torsen style differentials like the Detroit Truetrac.

The TrueTrac is probably the LSD best option, but will still induce understeer with throttle on low COF surfaces.

[alan]

I had a nissan patrol which I fitted a front lsd too, it was in there for 6 years with not problems, the steering was slightly heavier off road but it was a great all rounder, with none of the issues mentioned, I would recommend it over a locker.

[chasespeed]

Sorry, I meant to say NO quirky diving.

I dont know that I would PUT a LSD over a selectable in the front if I were doing it....

BUT, as mentioned, it was factory option, and, where I was, it was perfect....

Chase

[jackflash]

The TrueTrac is probably the LSD best option, but will still induce understeer with throttle on low COF surfaces.

I have the TrueTrac in the front and the rear of a Ford Expedition and so far they haven't let me down. I driven on long trips through Snow, Ice, Mud, Rock, Sand and of course Slab with no noticeable (to me at least) under steer with throttle . Taken the truck on numerous passes in Colorado without an issue. I really like the TrueTrac; 100% gear driven so nothing really wears out, plus no need to run wire or air hoses and have extra equipment on broad to run the lockers. Therefore giving you (in my opinion) less points of failure, as you would get with a selectable locker.

With that said, I also had a 2007 Jeep Rubicon, which had the factory E-Lockers in the front and rear and never had an issue with those.