Truetrac finally released for the JL

After years of waiting, looks like Eaton is finally releasing the Truetrac for the JL: https://www.eaton.com/content/dam/e...ormance-differential-application-guide-en.pdf (See page 4).

Press release: https://www.businesswire.com/news/h...entials-for-popular-off-road-makes-and-models

I had one in the rear axle of my last Jeep and it was fantastic. About time.

Thanks for this update!

Do they also have lockers for JL or just LSDs? Are these truetracks different from the LSD they have on Willys from the factory?

The TrueTrac is a helical-gear LSD so it doesn't have the pre-load issues clutch-based LSD have, meaning it can be used in a front/steering differential application and are typically better mannered on road in slippery conditions (rain, snow), while still transferring torque in limited traction situations. Also, because they don't have clutches, which are a wear item, they last longer while maintaining their effectiveness.

I've installed them in Jeeps and a Super Duty (any time I need a LSD), because in my opinion they are the best aftermarket limited slip. I replaced the factory LSD in both a Jeep and my Super Duty, and the True Tracs are much better.

If I didn't have a Rubicon, I'd have True Tracs. No other LSD compares...for me.

libis22 said:

Thanks for this update!

Do they also have lockers for JL or just LSDs? Are these truetracks different from the LSD they have on Willys from the factory?

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Looks like the Eaton ELocker is available for 2018-current Wranglers (non-Rubicon obv) now.

WhereRU_A-A-Ron said:

Looks like the Eaton ELocker is available for 2018-current Wranglers (non-Rubicon obv) now.

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When I grow up and rock crawl, I'll probably get this! I'm glad they introduced it for the XR axles as well!

Add this to the list of things that I didn't plan on purchasing but am now seriously considering. Pretty much my only gripe with the Willys trim is the lack of a true rear locker from the factory.

Totally agree!! Jeep should make this an option tp purchase for Willys models at least.

Wouldn't that be a Rubicon?

I literally, like today, swapped my OEM LSD with a locker because aftermarket LSDs were not available.

WhereRU_A-A-Ron said:

Looks like the Eaton ELocker is available for 2018-current Wranglers (non-Rubicon obv) now.

Click to expand...

As I pointed out in my thread last year : https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/eaton-e-locker-now-available-for-jl-axles.81369/

azwjowner said:

As I pointed out in my thread last year : https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/eaton-e-locker-now-available-for-jl-axles.81369/

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Well, there you go... I have no idea how I missed this.

mtbjeep said:

I literally, like today, swapped my OEM LSD with a locker because aftermarket LSDs were not available.

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Would you mind clarifying for me: You wanted an LSD over a locker? It seems like everyone raves about lockers for off-roading. I think I'm supposed to prefer a true locker over my factory LSD but now you've got me wondering if maybe I'd be making a mistake swapping.

I will vouch for Eaton. I have their E-Locker in the Dana 30 of my '21 Willys wired to a factory AUX switch. It works beautifully.

When the factory LSD wears out in my Dana 44, I'll be adding Eaton's Trutrac

WhereRU_A-A-Ron said:

Would you mind clarifying for me: You wanted an LSD over a locker? It seems like everyone raves about lockers for off-roading. I think I'm supposed to prefer a true locker over my factory LSD but now you've got me wondering if maybe I'd be making a mistake swapping.

Click to expand...

I'm not mtbjeep, but lockers will improve your traction in the hard situations. The Truetrac improves your traction all of the time, except in the hard situations. It's an interesting tradeoff.

With a Truetrac in the rear of my WJ I'd notice that even on easy 2wd roads with mild ruts of loose dirt in them I would cross a rut with a solid feeling instead of even slightly spinning a tire coming out of them. It felt much better on trails filled with 8 inch river rocks where my rear tires were moving up and down like crazy but I wasn't fully lifting a tire at any time, etc. And the Truetrac will really help in rain and snow on the road, where you can't use a locker.

But if a tire is off the ground, the Truetrac isn't helpful like a locker.

WhereRU_A-A-Ron said:

Would you mind clarifying for me: You wanted an LSD over a locker? It seems like everyone raves about lockers for off-roading. I think I'm supposed to prefer a true locker over my factory LSD but now you've got me wondering if maybe I'd be making a mistake swapping.

Click to expand...

Lockers and limited slips do almost the same thing, well like AWD versus 4WD. There are benefits to a limited slip in some situations, like lateral stability. Normally though, if you want the differential to lock up, you want it to completely lock up (off road), so the locker is better in those cases.

The limited slip usually provides "enough" lock up to transfer "enough" torque to get you through the muck, but in rocks for example where you might have a wheel in the air, there isn't "enough" (any) torque transfer and your limited slip acts as an open differential. A locker still transfers torque to the wheel on the ground, where the limited slip may not.

You might then think, that proves that the locker is better. It does in that situation. However, when you're driving in the rain or the snow, when you're cornering, or on a sidehill, a limited slip may provide "enough" traction to get you through the muck, but may have a lack of torque transfer that keeps a wheel from spinning, and possibly holding the lateral line. A locker is also known as a low-side finder when sidehilling, when both tires spin and you lose lateral traction.

Just like applying brake to an open diff will sometimes get you moving, like the brake-lock differential, you can apply brake and the True Trac will transfer torque (lock up). So, the True Trac works as an open differential, then transfers torque to the wheel with traction like a locker (in a limited sense), and you can even force it to transfer torque by applying the brakes. It just won't ever transfer a 50/50 torque-split.