Is LSD worth it?

[Vincent]

I’ve owned a 2013 JKR - virtually unstoppable in the terrain I’ve used it in. Before that had a 2009 JKU with 4.88’s and Truetracs front/rear, once again, nearly unstoppable, but would do the “crab-walk” on loose ground/mud, sometimes needing to touch brakes for “lock-up”. Now, my 2020 JT is open with a winch in this one which is good enough for the terrain I take this rig on although, I may install a Truetrac in the front if I ever decide to regear. Just my two pennies…

Sponsored

 

[Stuntman Mike]

Is LSD worth it?

I would say, yes it is.

 

[ALT2870]

And this is where my mind is at. We frequently make our way to Colorado as well as Arkansas (the main reason for the regear). I'm not trying to fool myself here, I know I won't use the lockers much but they will be used. I'm just more concerned about what I will lose.

As someone that actually lives in Colorado and has done numerous trails including the Ouray area ones, the LSD did fantastic. Never once did I feel like I needed a locker, 4L will get the job done pretty much everytime.

Lockers are nice but unless you are going to do mostly rock crawling, I'd go with the advice of lockers only in the front.

 

[Edub]

As someone that actually lives in Colorado and has done numerous trails including the Ouray area ones, the LSD did fantastic. Never once did I feel like I needed a locker, 4L will get the job done pretty much everytime.

Lockers are nice but unless you are going to do mostly rock crawling, I'd go with the advice of lockers only in the front.

Also solid advice.

But then I'm left with a button the locks the rear that won't actually lock the rear and it's going to drive me nuts lol.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

As someone that actually lives in Colorado and has done numerous trails including the Ouray area ones, the LSD did fantastic. Never once did I feel like I needed a locker, 4L will get the job done pretty much everytime.

Lockers are nice but unless you are going to do mostly rock crawling, I'd go with the advice of lockers only in the front.

Locked is much better for other types of off roading too. Sand, mud, snow, limited slip can become worthless pretty quick.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Another concern might be maintenance, service, and/or possible issues. The air locker might not mechanically wear like a clutch pack, but you may need to replace air lines every so often ( or a compressor ).

edit: I would expect an open diff to cause less wear on tires in a daily driver.

No, not really.

I've noted no difference.

As to the original question -
Is LSD worth it?

Absolutely. I've had it in cars and trucks with it since I was 14. I've NEVER had an issue with them wearing or breaking or wearing tires (tire wear is usually on me!)

Too much bad info out there.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

No replacement for lockers off road.
Selectability is king.
An open diff (locker off) will tow better and highway better than a limited slip.
My .02

Naw. Why would it?
Maybe people don't understand the inner workings of an LSD (although there are multiple types)
I've had LSD in both of my JTs. One reason I'm resisting trade so far is I can't get LSD AND the other options I want, like SelecTrac, any more.
LSD makes these things killer plow vehicles, they are excellent in Iowa winter driving conditions, I just haven't bought a truck without LSD in years - save for my F250 and that wasn't available in that truck then - and it was worthless unless it was in 4 wheel drive because of that open diff.

If I cared about off-roading in the rocks and ravines and it was a large part of my driving - maybe, but even then, LSD will come through in so many cases.

My 73 came without LSD - I swapped rear ends in that car 4 or 5 years ago and it turned it into a much better behaved car.

They are fantastic on our rain slick roads where it's dry for a while, the roads build up oils and debris, then it rains and the roads are slick with the oils and crap on the rain.
They are great in our snow where you don't really want it in 4H, maybe get one tire on a slick spot (I've seen it happen where the rpm jumps up a bit, then drops again on an open diff).

I just am struggling with the idea that if I ever traded JTs, I'd be screwed out of being able to get LSD.
For me and my use - lockers suck.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Naw. Why would it?
Maybe people don't understand the inner workings of an LSD (although there are multiple types)
I've had LSD in both of my JTs. One reason I'm resisting trade so far is I can't get LSD AND the other options I want, like SelecTrac, any more.
LSD makes these things killer plow vehicles, they are excellent in Iowa winter driving conditions, I just haven't bought a truck without LSD in years - save for my F250 and that wasn't available in that truck then - and it was worthless unless it was in 4 wheel drive because of that open diff.

If I cared about off-roading in the rocks and ravines and it was a large part of my driving - maybe, but even then, LSD will come through in so many cases.

My 73 came without LSD - I swapped rear ends in that car 4 or 5 years ago and it turned it into a much better behaved car.

They are fantastic on our rain slick roads where it's dry for a while, the roads build up oils and debris, then it rains and the roads are slick with the oils and crap on the rain.
They are great in our snow where you don't really want it in 4H, maybe get one tire on a slick spot (I've seen it happen where the rpm jumps up a bit, then drops again on an open diff).

I just am struggling with the idea that if I ever traded JTs, I'd be screwed out of being able to get LSD.
For me and my use - lockers suck.

I once put a Trac Lok in a TJ during the winter. I immediately noticed how much easier it was to kick it sideways with the limited slip. Open diffs are very predictable. That other tire not spinning keeps you straight.

 

[Jteakus]

If you plan to use your truck Offroad where you may lift a tire, go lockers. If you go lockers choose selectable.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I once put a Trac Lok in a TJ during the winter. I immediately noticed how much easier it was to kick it sideways with the limited slip. Open diffs are very predictable. That other tire not spinning keeps you straight.

I should REPOST (I've posted it a couple of times here in the past) a study done by Popular Mechanics where they proved - and disproved - a lot about LSD vs open differentials.
The thing about the JT LSD is they are quite different from those of the past - no longer can you jack up one rear wheel and spin it to see if it's open diff or not.
Both of mine I can raise one rear wheel with it in neutral and turn it.
Can't do that with my cars or prior trucks. That means it's not going to slide sideways so easily on pure ice (again, referring to the PM testing which showed that they aren't as "bad" as the talk)
I've never had an issue with my JT LSD, even in 2 wheel drive on ice or snow. I've driven mine through 5 winters now (19/20, 20/21, 21/22, 22/23 and winter of 23/24) and never a bit of problem.
My driveway is sloped to the west for drainage (it's a fair hill up to the road so we had it sloped to dump water off before it goes down to the garage and house)
I've driven up my driveway with pure ice on it - no troubles going sideways. But again, it's a different animal.
These appear to take some higher torque before the wheels start to lock together. In the past it was a pretty tight spring pressure clamping the disk pack.
Even my Silverado with LSD didn't slide easily so they've apparently made changes in how much torque it takes to lock them. They aren't locked from the word go like in the past.

A couple of years back when I pulled the guy out of the "ditch" with my winch, I was on pure ice that whole stretch of road, with the typical road crown Iowa uses - no sliding.

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

I should REPOST (I've posted it a couple of times here in the past) a study done by Popular Mechanics where they proved - and disproved - a lot about LSD vs open differentials.
The thing about the JT LSD is they are quite different from those of the past - no longer can you jack up one rear wheel and spin it to see if it's open diff or not.
Both of mine I can raise one rear wheel with it in neutral and turn it.
Can't do that with my cars or prior trucks. That means it's not going to slide sideways so easily on pure ice (again, referring to the PM testing which showed that they aren't as "bad" as the talk)
I've never had an issue with my JT LSD, even in 2 wheel drive on ice or snow. I've driven mine through 5 winters now (19/20, 20/21, 21/22, 22/23 and winter of 23/24) and never a bit of problem.
My driveway is sloped to the west for drainage (it's a fair hill up to the road so we had it sloped to dump water off before it goes down to the garage and house)
I've driven up my driveway with pure ice on it - no troubles going sideways. But again, it's a different animal.
These appear to take some higher torque before the wheels start to lock together. In the past it was a pretty tight spring pressure clamping the disk pack.
Even my Silverado with LSD didn't slide easily so they've apparently made changes in how much torque it takes to lock them. They aren't locked from the word go like in the past.

A couple of years back when I pulled the guy out of the "ditch" with my winch, I was on pure ice that whole stretch of road, with the typical road crown Iowa uses - no sliding.

I honestly don’t know if my daily driver F150 is limited slip or not. If it’s not, I guess I don’t miss it. My Gladiator is an open diff and I’ve never wished it had a limited slip.

I had a couple Quadradrive Grand Cherokees with front and rear limited slips. Those did pretty good on the road. But off road they always seemed to spin the wrong tire.

I’m not convinced limited slip is worth it when you are paying out of pocket for it. If it’s going in a Jeep that gets wheeled like OP’s does, pay the extra and do a selectable locker.

 

[mrmo]

I can't speak for having lockers, but I do have a Max Tow as well with the LSD, and I love it. I've towed a lot, rock crawled, done a good bit of driving in the snow, and have a little over 76K on my JT. Me personally, I'd probably keep the LSD in the rear, and maybe put a locker in the front just for some added peace of mind. Just my $.02

Thats exactly what i just did on my Willys. Regeared to 4.10s, left LSD in the back and put an electric Eaton locker in the front

 

[mrmo]

Poor driving technique causing the inside tire to unload is probably not the common use case of the gladiator but I've been there. If you're driving your truck like a race car I'm willing to bet a heavy sway bar in the rear is more of a benefit in hard cornering than an lsd though. These 37s are way too expensive to be turning on the locker on dry pavement, but I have been known to drift the roundabouts during a heavy rain. I 100% relate to the 15 year old maturity. Even if I wanted mechanical convenience I'd run a Detroit locker before an lsd personally.

I have to disagree w that, my full size F250 diesel has a limited slip in it w about 260k toeing miles w two different 38ft 5th wheels w zero issues. Its 4wd but the LSD has pulled me thru various slop prior to having to put it in hi or lo range

 

[Zachanadandy]

I have to disagree w that, my full size F250 diesel has a limited slip in it w about 260k toeing miles w two different 38ft 5th wheels w zero issues. Its 4wd but the LSD has pulled me thru various slop prior to having to put it in hi or lo range

By slop are you talking wet roads or mud? If it's mud then a locker will outperform an lsd. I didn't say they don't help, but aside from ice there's no situation where a locker doesn't provide more traction than an lsd. Many times an lsd will be enough, until it isn't. Of course you can still find the situations where both front and rear lockers won't be enough. For a tow rig that isn't wheeled alot I might lean lsd as they are smoother. That wasn't the discussion or the ops stated use though. If it's a rig that gets wheeled in the rocks, even occasionally, the locker is the way to go.

 

[RudeJeepin]

But then I'm left with a button the locks the rear that won't actually lock the rear and it's going to drive me nuts lol.

If you go LSD rear and locker front, there won't be a rear locker button. Unless you install one.

I've had front and rear LSD, factory and aftermarket. My current Jeeps have front and rear factory lockers, both are Rubicons.
If I was gonna build a Jeep/toy from scratch, I'd probably go true truetracs front and rear. But then I'd have front locking hubs also.
Since we don't have front hubs, I'd suggest front locker and rear truetrac.

I miss the limited slip rear that my last 2 rigs had. I definitely miss it when taking off from stops in the rain and snow when I'm 2wd only.

Sponsored