Auburn Limited Slip Diff

[slcfj62]

Yep, I've read all about ARB air lockers, Powertrax No Slip and Lock Rights, Aussie lockers and Detroits. Lots of info on the plus and minus of all those options. What I haven't seen is much critique on the Auburn LSD from people that actually have them installed. I know it is not a locker, but as far as Limited Slip Diffs go, this one seems to have a good reputation outside of this forum. But due to the technical savvy and general integrity of the users on this forum, I am interested in what this forums experience has been.

So, if you have an Aburn in either the front, or back or both, I am interested in your take. I would like to add some traction enhancement to my 88 fj62 but am a little leary of Powertrax and Aussie since most of my driving is on the pavement, and we can get some pretty slick roads here in Utah and trips into Idaho.

I know the Auburn will be great on the pavement since it is a Limited Slip Diff, but how does it do for occasional non-hard-core off road adventures? I'm talking up to 4 out of 10 on this off road scale:

1: County dirt road maintained for high clearance 2WD and 4WD use in adverse conditions.

2: County dirt road with infrequent or light maintenance after rain or snow, 2WD high clearance with low gears, otherwise light duty 4WD.

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3: Road with frequent use, but seldom maintained. Dirt, sand and slick rock surfaces, with mud holes possible (note: maybe impassable when wet due to soil composition.). 4WD recommended under most circumstances due to ruts or wash erosion.

4: Road surface consisting of loose rock, dirt, and sand with some slickrock surfaces. Erosion, washes, gulches and rock steps no higher than 12". 4WD is recommended with good ground clearance and driving skills. Aggressive tires and limited slip would be a plus. Water and mud is possible.

5: Road surfaces are rutted, rocky and sandy with steps not exceeding 14", with considerable slickrock surfaces. Water not exceeding 12" with some mud possible. Good vehicle approach and departure angles are helpful. Tall tires (33" plus) and traction added device (lockers, limited slips) is recommended. Above average driving skills are desirable.

6: Roads are difficult with considerable erosion damage repaired just enough to be passable. Water in excess of 12" is possible with mud conditions. Steps not exceeding 24". Tall tires (33" plus) with traction added devices (lockers, limited slips) are recommended. A winch would be a plus. Enhanced suspension travel and ground clearance are helpful. Excellent driving skills are recommended.

7: Trail consists of rock; sand and considerable slickrock with many steps exceeding 24". Steep inclines and declines are prevalent. Enhanced off road equipment is required including locking devices (front & rear), tall tires, maximum vehicle ground clearance, and tow hooks. A winch is desirable. Excellent driving skills are required. Vehicle mechanical or body damage is likely. Roll over possibilities exist.

8: Extreme trail similar to #7 except a bit more extreme. Excellent driving skills are required. Vehicle damage is likely. Equipment or mechanical damage is probable.

9: Extreme and beyond, similar to #8. Vehicle damage is likely. Excellent driving skills are required. Roll over is very common. Winches, spare parts and tools are recommended. Be prepared to spend the night on the trail. Beyond the capability of most modified stock vehicles.

10: Let the carnage begin! Buggy territory. Street driven 4X4’s should not attempt this trail. Modified factory vehicles will not be able to complete this trail.

 

[cruiserhunter]

I am interested too. Downey spouted accalades about Auburn LSD in another thread. The price is pretty sweet on Downey's website.

patrick

 

[worshhim]

I have always been confused about the options. I am not a hardcore offroader, but want to know what would best suit my needs on and off the road.

 

[Mace]

A limited slip would work perfect in those conditions..

It is not till you start lifting tires off of the ground that a locker really starts to shine..

 

[Letsgomoreplaces]

auburn LSD

We stock and sell tons of the auburn LSD. They work great for many people, and not everyone needs a full locker. We also stock the Japanese HD Clutch style units, which work very well but are not c-clip compatable.

 

[woody]

I ran an Auburn LSD for a few years in my front axle....on snowy roads, great....street use, great....most trail conditions, great....lift a tire, and it was the most worthless POS I've ever owned...

so, keep your tires on the ground and yer golden....

Don't know what pricing is, but the Auburn requires similar labor to setup as an ARB...keep that in mind when pricing...personally, I'd go selectable over the Auburn, but that's just me....

Additionally, I would personally take a rear lunchbox locker and an open front diff versus Auburn's in both axles....

 

[Letsgomoreplaces]

LSD

Also keep in mind that not all people lift tires.

I ran an Auburn LSD for a few years in my front axle....on snowy roads, great....street use, great....most trail conditions, great....lift a tire, and it was the most worthless POS I've ever owned...

so, keep your tires on the ground and yer golden....

Don't know what pricing is, but the Auburn requires similar labor to setup as an ARB...keep that in mind when pricing...personally, I'd go selectable over the Auburn, but that's just me....

Additionally, I would personally take a rear lunchbox locker and an open front diff versus Auburn's in both axles....

 

[Elbert]

Yes I have an auburn in the front and rear axle. Not much time driving off road since the install. I think they are the best combination for some off-road and a lot of on-road travel. Things to recall about a locker...they work from zero speed all the time. An LSD requires some tire spin to really acuate the other tire. ON hard ground a LSD is the best thing around...

IF you have the money air lockers are the way to go...expensive, if you want true hard core traction all the time mechanical lockers are the way to go (if you can live with the locking and unlocking) on hard ground. If you want something of a comprimise then LSD is ok. I know an LSD is not going to be very useful on the rocks since most of the time you are trying to go slow and in control.

I had a powertrax no-slip locker in the rear axle for about a year. I got tired of it locking and unlocking (ratcheting) on hard groun and concrete...espically bad in parking lots, drive ways and where you generally are going slow and turning on hard ground. Off road worked great. I felt that locker would be really scary on ice or snow. I would suggest that you ride with someone to see what I'm talking about.
A reasonable selction might be an air locker on the front and an LSD in the rear. Such that when you are on the street the LSD does not bother you. You get off road and any can turn on the front locker as desired.

Generally I think mechanical lockers are for true off-road rigs... the other setups are something les depending on your requirements.

I've only had my front LSD in for about 2 months, but since then I"ve had some other issues with my truck and have not been able to really give it hell. Of course around here there are not that many "rocks"... and I'm not a rock crawler. Come Feb we'll see what happens at skyline / HiTop.

Anything off the rocks would be generally good for an LSD...other than if you get one tire clearly off the ground, then as others say an LSD is not so good. It does not lock the axles 100% and you have to have some movement on the tires to get the LSD to work.

Slow spped rock crawling I would say there is nothing better then a true mechanical locker or Air Locker. Sure would be the #$%^T to be able to turn it on and off when required but a full ARB setup is $$$. With lockers the rear end wants to walk to the right...in mud and other slippery conditions. I've not had a locker on the front axle so I don't know first had how it impacts the truck, but I'm sure it makes it hard to steer when locked or 4 wheel drive engaged. Before stepping off on mechanical lockers remember they are there all the time.

I like the no-slip locker and think it performs well. I just got tired of it on the street. You'll find yourself many times haveing to depress the clutch and cost at times to avoid the locker action in the tight turns on hard ground. Got old with me. One othe habbit with a mechanical locker is that you can fell the locker action on shifting on hard ground...every shift (manual shift). I'm guessing that with an auto trans the no-slip locker I had would not be as noticable. I do plan to sell mine in the for-sale section soon. No real use in keeping it around. Maybe later on I'll have some free $$$ to apply to an ARB setup.

 

[Downey]

So at the end of the day, after reading all the opinions, it looks like Rock Buggys should have full lockers or selectable lockers, and the rest of the world would be ok with an Auburn LSD!!!!

 

[Mace]

So at the end of the day, after reading all the opinions, it looks like Rock Buggys should have full lockers or selectable lockers, and the rest of the world would be ok with an Auburn LSD!!!!

It does not take a rock buggy to lift a tire...

Loose climbs the locker helps a lot too..
I watched a buddy in a mini STRUGGLE, up a hill because he only had a locker rear and a LSD front. I pretty much walked up the hill locked at both ends.

I know it is not an apples to apples comparison... But if you need traction, a locker is the only way to go.

 

[code 621]

I like mine.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

So at the end of the day, after reading all the opinions, it looks like Rock Buggys should have full lockers or selectable lockers, and the rest of the world would be ok with an Auburn LSD!!!!

It does not take a rock buggy to lift a tire...

Loose climbs the locker helps a lot too..
I watched a buddy in a mini STRUGGLE, up a hill because he only had a locker rear and a LSD front. I pretty much walked up the hill locked at both ends.

I know it is not an apples to apples comparison... But if you need traction, a locker is the only way to go.

I gotta agree with Jason here.

It doesnt take a rock buggy to lift tires off the ground.

On many trails ive run here locally a rear locker is all that is needed, but when going out and running more difficult trails ive run a few where with out front and rear lockers i wouldnt have made it up. now granted on these trails i was also using the sliders as well from the large drops and boulders.

but like woody said..

Id rather have 1 rear lunchbox locker than to have LSD front and rear.

my rear detroit (which is an auto locker) isnt nearly as noticeable as the aussie was when it was out back so maybe think about that as an option.

 

[aythya]

I am interested in this topic also while I have a ways to go before getting to this point; I am currently researching options. I am like the OP in driving conditions. I find it very beneficial that OP posted his driving scale/conditions. And, while it is possible that he lift a wheel or two in those conditions on 4/10 I think what OP is asking is an Auburn LSD acceptable or would the general consensus be to go with Detroit or some other brand. ITE that is what my inquiring mind would like to know. Hi-Jack or not?

Thanks to all and I like the trail rating!!!!

 

[Mace]

I am interested in this topic also while I have a ways to go before getting to this point; I am currently researching options. I am like the OP in driving conditions. I find it very beneficial that OP posted his driving scale/conditions. And, while it is possible that he lift a wheel or two in those conditions on 4/10 I think what OP is asking is an Auburn LSD acceptable or would the general consensus be to go with Detroit or some other brand. ITE that is what my inquiring mind would like to know. Hi-Jack or not?

Thanks to all and I like the trail rating!!!!

huh???

 

[Downey]

I'll stick by my great opinion of Auburns because:
1. They are so highway managable.
2. They are essentially fully locked BEFORE you head into a mud hole, ice patch, or lift a tire off the ground.
3. Their percentage of efficiency works the opposite of most LSD's, they in fact apply more torque to the wheel that has the GREATEST amount of traction, not the tire that will spin the easiest like most LSD's do.

BTW, I have one left in the storage container, PM me with an offer it interested!!
Jim

 

[aus_matt7]

Wait a while, save and get ARB. you'll never look back

 

[Spook50]

Been following this thread since earlier this year, and until now I've been planning on getting a couple of FZJ80 rear diffs and converting the lockers to cable actuation. But after some of the points made here it seems that, since my 62 is my DD with most of its driving on paved roads and the vast majority of any 4-wheeling I do is on snow and ice and loose logging roads with no heavy rock action (certainly never lifting wheels off the ground), going with an LSD seems to be a better option for me. I really wish Eaton made a Trutrac application for 60/62 axles, but given my options, the Auburn sounds like the way to go. Does anyone have experience running an LSD in deep snow and packed snow & ice?

 

[Mace]

Been following this thread since earlier this year, and until now I've been planning on getting a couple of FZJ80 rear diffs and converting the lockers to cable actuation. But after some of the points made here it seems that, since my 62 is my DD with most of its driving on paved roads and the vast majority of any 4-wheeling I do is on snow and ice and loose logging roads with no heavy rock action (certainly never lifting wheels off the ground), going with an LSD seems to be a better option for me. I really wish Eaton made a Trutrac application for 60/62 axles, but given my options, the Auburn sounds like the way to go. Does anyone have experience running an LSD in deep snow and packed snow & ice?

Deep snow/Packed snow and Ice, the locker will rule.

The selectable locker is a great option over an auburn.

 

[Tapage]

Can I add my experience .. ?

First was a Lock right rear and Auburn front .. auburn useless in my kind of OffRoad ..
Sencond was a EZ locker rear and front lock right .. damn .. ! horrible
3rd was a detroit rear and lockright front .. not that bad, but still horrible on road manners
4th is .. Front & Rear ARB and I'm just another happy customer for more than 6 years ..

 

[Devils Paw 80]

IMO, the ideal set up for snow and ice would be to run with open diffs all the way-unless you really get stuck by, for instance, going in the ditch. Then you'd flip the switch(es) lock up and crawl out.