2008 Silverado LS want a locking differential


  1. mfleetwood

    mfleetwood Rockstar 4 Years ROTM Winner 5000 Posts

    I had the Detroit installed when I had my gears changed. I do a lot of off-roading and so far, it has treated me well. As @McShorty mentioned it is not a locker; but if you find yourself getting into a difficult situation, you can get it to "lock" or transfer power by applying the right amount of brake pressure.

    Here is a great video that illustrates how much power each wheel gets when traveling over different sufaces (near the end of the 3 minute video).
  2. getrichschemer

    getrichschemer New Member

    I have 2WD. I don't know about changing the gear ratio. I just wan't both wheels to spin when I hit the mushy stuff lol.

    - - - Updated - - -

    Think the tru-trac would satisfied my needs? Mostly driving through mushy terrain.
    Last edited: Apr 12, 2013
  3. j cat

    j cat Rockstar 4 Years 1000 Posts

    2WD will not give you much more than you have now. the OEM eaton locker works very good to lock both wheels when slippage is had .I have had many times to engage my 4wd to get out of my driveway with just a small amount of snow.

    you have 1 WD really. 2wd is with the locking rear diff.
  4. stchman

    stchman Active Member 1 Year 1000 Posts

    Find a wrecked Silverado/Sierra with a G80, preferably 2011 or newer and get the entire rear axle from it to put in your truck. Remember, you will need to get the gear ratio and if it's different from yours, you have to get a programmer to tell the ECU the new axle ratio.
  5. MrShorty

    MrShorty Epic Member Staff Member 5+ Years 1000 Posts

    If it's just about "spinning both wheels" here's how I see it:
    An open diff will sometimes spin both wheels.
    A limited slip will spin both wheels more often than an open, but will still sometimes allow one wheel to spin alone
    A locker or spool will always force both wheels to spin.

    If you are unfamiliar with the different types of differentials, you might consider a little reading. There are others, I'm sure, but this is a site that I'm familiar with and could find quickly http://therangerstation.com/Magazine/Feb 06/tech.htm http://therangerstation.com/tech_library/LockerComparo.html Recognize that these guys are offroad guys and so they are biased towards lockers over limited slips, but they still describe the differences between the differential types so you can think it through.

    Will you be satisfied with a Truetrac? If you are like me, you will be perfectly satisfied with your limited slip until the day you get stuck (remember that a limited slip or locker is not a guarantee against getting stuck). I wish my crystal ball was good enough to tell you exactly how happy you will be with it, but it is hard to say based on what little we can see on an internet forum. Gut feel, you will be well served by the Truetrac and will have few occasions to curse it. How irritated will you be on those few occasions when you could use a real locker? How irritated will you be with a locker when it is chattering/ratcheting on corners? These kinds of decisions are about weighing pros and cons without any one right answer.
  6. aloxdaddy99

    aloxdaddy99 Rockstar 4 Years 1000 Posts

    If I was buying a "locker" I would get a selectable one. ARB is one of the more popular ones. Why? When you don't want it engaged it isn't. And unless there is a malfunction will not engage so you keep your stock driving characteristics. When it is needed it is easily engaged with total lock up.
    Some things to help with traction is a bit of weight in the bed if you know you are going out into what could be sticky situation. As was mentioned lower air pressure (which the air compressor for the air locker could help remedy when you are done).
  7. j cat

    j cat Rockstar 4 Years 1000 Posts

    since I have the eaton locker OEM rear diff on my SILVERADO , I have never had any chatter going thru the turns. remember it only goes into lock mode when the rotational differences are sensed. then [WHEN WORKING CORRECTLY] gradually locks into full lock.

    what most have happen is the fluid is incorrect or not replaced every 30-40,000 mi. the diff will not work correctly and engagement is not smooth.

    with the car limited slip that uses clutches like my 1996 impala SS this is the diff that does not ever disengage. this diff will chatter thru turns if throttled to much. this diff will cause one wheel to spin when stuck .

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