TrueTrac first impressions

[Wanderer]

I recently had an Eaton TrueTrac 913A610 rear differential carrier installed. Yesterday it got its first real workout on 50 miles of powerline and logging roads, with a little snow, mud, and plenty of loose rock and gravel. I did not air down (40 psi) to add a little challenge. Here are my impressions.

I chose to stay in 2WD for most of this drive and I found that it worked pretty well. I was able to make climbs I would not have previously been able to make in 2WD. The traction indicator still went off but unlike before I kept moving forward most of the time. On a mostly flat but muddy, rutted and bumpy area I was able to glide through with a light foot on the accelerator without the traction light going off, when I previously would have expected to need either a bit of momentum or 4WD.

I still needed 4WD about a half dozen times, including two steep and loose hills, a patch of thick mud, and making a k-turn in slushy snow. The truck felt more sold than ever when in 4WD. I think I might have made it through the mud and snow without 4WD if I had a VSC bypass switch, as I think the biggest difference there may have been the ability clear the tires after locking the center differential.

On the road I have not noticed any bad behavior, but I have noticed improved traction when pulling into traffic, especially in the rain or with sand or gravel on the road. It really is a nice improvement.

I have never driven a vehicle with a locking (rear) differential but it is still clear that the TrueTrac is not a locker. On an earlier day I drove the front end up a gravel pile which tipped most of the weight onto one rear tire that was still on pavement, and I was unable to use left foot braking to transfer enough torque to this wheel to make it spin. Switching from 2HI into 4LO I was able to continue to climb the pile but quickly backed off as the truck was really tipped at that point. I know significant drive came from the front tires but I think the A-TRAC in 4LO was also more effective at transferring torque than my left foot braking. I look forward to further testing.

I think I made the right choice for my use. I really like the fact that the LSD is always active and that simply pulling into traffic in 2WD I am far more confident now. A LSD with an integrated selectable locker would be ideal IMO, but one is not made for our rear axle AFAIK, and after two weeks with the TrueTrac I would be hesitant to give up the LSD in favor of a selectable locker. I can still consider an Air Locker for the front if I am unsatisfied with my existing configuration on more extreme terrain and I don't think that combination (ARB front / TrueTrac rear) would let me down on anything I have any business taking this "daily driver" on.

[Greydog]

Thanks for posting this, I have been considering a True Trac as well.

[sport_truck]

Originally Posted by Wanderer

I recently had an Eaton TrueTrac 913A610 rear differential carrier installed. Yesterday it got its first real workout on 50 miles of powerline and logging roads, with a little snow, mud, and plenty of loose rock and gravel. I did not air down (40 psi) to add a little challenge. Here are my impressions.

I chose to stay in 2WD for most of this drive and I found that it worked pretty well. I was able to make climbs I would not have previously been able to make in 2WD. The traction indicator still went off but unlike before I kept moving forward most of the time. On a mostly flat but muddy, rutted and bumpy area I was able to glide through with a light foot on the accelerator without the traction light going off, when I previously would have expected to need either a bit of momentum or 4WD.

I still needed 4WD about a half dozen times, including two steep and loose hills, a patch of thick mud, and making a k-turn in slushy snow. The truck felt more sold than ever when in 4WD. I think I might have made it through the mud and snow without 4WD if I had a VSC bypass switch, as I think the biggest difference there may have been the ability clear the tires after locking the center differential.

On the road I have not noticed any bad behavior, but I have noticed improved traction when pulling into traffic, especially in the rain or with sand or gravel on the road. It really is a nice improvement.

I have never driven a vehicle with a locking (rear) differential but it is still clear that the TrueTrac is not a locker. On an earlier day I drove the front end up a gravel pile which tipped most of the weight onto one rear tire that was still on pavement, and I was unable to use left foot braking to transfer enough torque to this wheel to make it spin. Switching from 2HI into 4LO I was able to continue to climb the pile but quickly backed off as the truck was really tipped at that point. I know significant drive came from the front tires but I think the A-TRAC in 4LO was also more effective at transferring torque than my left foot braking. I look forward to further testing.

I think I made the right choice for my use. I really like the fact that the LSD is always active and that simply pulling into traffic in 2WD I am far more confident now. A LSD with an integrated selectable locker would be ideal IMO, but one is not made for our rear axle AFAIK, and after two weeks with the TrueTrac I would be hesitant to give up the LSD in favor of a selectable locker. I can still consider an Air Locker for the front if I am unsatisfied with my existing configuration on more extreme terrain and I don't think that combination (ARB front / TrueTrac rear) would let me down on anything I have any business taking this "daily driver" on.

Any updates?, I'm also looking at a true trac as an option for the rear.

[Wanderer]

Nothing extraordinary to report yet. I continue to be happy with it.

It worked nicely through the winter helping me go places I could not have before, in combination with larger tires. (See below.)

I still haven't found out to what degree it can take the place of a locker when really pushed but I should be giving it a serious test in a few weeks.

[Greydog]

I know this is an older thread, but wanted to add that my experience is the same as Wanderer in my ‘07 with rear True Trac. It’s a great all around add, useful neatly all the time in list of weather or trail conditions.

[Wanderer]

Greydog, thanks for the follow-up. I'm glad it's working well for you too.

I took my 4Runner to Moab since my last update and it seemed to work well there too, but without more experience wheeling "slickrock" (actually very grippy when dry) I still cannot say how it would compare to a locker, and I was wheeling alone and didn't push things to the max. My impression is that on a grippy surface where each pulse of the ATRAC can move the vehicle it is darn close to a locker, especially with the e-brake down half way. On ice with both wheels down it seems to work perfectly, both wheels turning together, and I cannot see how a locker would be better there. However on a surface that is both slick and uneven the ATRAC pulses cause the loaded wheel to spin instead of moving the vehicle; here I imagine that a locker might be able to crawl forward without slipping.