Gear oil & Truetrac's
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JK Freak
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 577
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From: 46514
Gear oil & Truetrac's
Hoping Dynatrac will give some info here. Looking to change the oil in my diffs this weekend. This will be the 1st time I've done it myself since the installation/break-in period of my gears and Truetrac's which the shop handled for me. What I need to know is what petroleum/mineral based brand oil is best and what weight should I use with my Truetrac's? I'm privy to the fact that I should NOTuse synth or any friction modifier. Jeep says 75w90 I think...should I adhere to this?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 123
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From: Durham, North Carolina
Follow up question for both Vincent and Dynatrac . . . .
Have either of you observed any conflict between TrueTracs and the BLD system in the JK? My understanding of the BLD is that when a wheel slips the JK applies the brake on that wheel to stop the slip. If the BLD system kicks in prior to the slippage meeting the requirements of the TrueTrac's gearing and stops or slows the slip, doesn't the BLD have the potential to essentially "fool" the TrueTrac into continuing as if no slip had occurred? By contrast, the OEM LSD is a clutch style, so it avoids this issue though obviously also comes with its own problems.
I ask here rather than creating my own thread simply because I'd of course love Dynatrac's input and Vincent is one of the few folks I'm aware of who has actually installed front and rear TrueTracs. Since you're both here, I figured I'd toss this out to you guys as it's a set up that I've long considered. I just would first want to fully understand how the JK's BLD system impacts (if at all) the effectiveness of TrueTracs.
Have either of you observed any conflict between TrueTracs and the BLD system in the JK? My understanding of the BLD is that when a wheel slips the JK applies the brake on that wheel to stop the slip. If the BLD system kicks in prior to the slippage meeting the requirements of the TrueTrac's gearing and stops or slows the slip, doesn't the BLD have the potential to essentially "fool" the TrueTrac into continuing as if no slip had occurred? By contrast, the OEM LSD is a clutch style, so it avoids this issue though obviously also comes with its own problems.
I ask here rather than creating my own thread simply because I'd of course love Dynatrac's input and Vincent is one of the few folks I'm aware of who has actually installed front and rear TrueTracs. Since you're both here, I figured I'd toss this out to you guys as it's a set up that I've long considered. I just would first want to fully understand how the JK's BLD system impacts (if at all) the effectiveness of TrueTracs.
JK Jedi Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 11,463
Likes: 165
From: Austin <--> Colorado Springs
There is a some info in post 14 that may help a bit. Not exactly what you're looking for, but...
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...ling-LSD/page2
https://www.jk-forum.com/forums/show...ling-LSD/page2
JK Super Freak
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
I have a TruTrac in the rear axle. It is hard to tell BLD is more or less cancelling out the
TruTrac when the BLD is engaged! But, When I get in I turn off the ESC and just use the TruTrac. Well allways using it!
When I leave on the ESC, NO slinging of mud and dirt, brakes get applied. Turn, the ESC off and let the fun begin! Both rear wheel slinging all I can find!
I started turning off the ESC when i get in, because. Went to make a hard left into a parking lot, while giving it plenty of gas, and turning the steering wheel hard. I dam near got killed by on comming traffic. The power to the engine was reduced and rear brakes applied, right when I got into the on comming traffic lane!
Will most likley use the ESC on snow/icey roads. Don't get much here though.
TruTrac when the BLD is engaged! But, When I get in I turn off the ESC and just use the TruTrac. Well allways using it!
When I leave on the ESC, NO slinging of mud and dirt, brakes get applied. Turn, the ESC off and let the fun begin! Both rear wheel slinging all I can find!
I started turning off the ESC when i get in, because. Went to make a hard left into a parking lot, while giving it plenty of gas, and turning the steering wheel hard. I dam near got killed by on comming traffic. The power to the engine was reduced and rear brakes applied, right when I got into the on comming traffic lane!
Will most likley use the ESC on snow/icey roads. Don't get much here though.
Last edited by GunDude; Nov 16, 2011 at 12:24 PM.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Durham, North Carolina
I have a TruTrac in the rear axle. It is hard to tell BLD is more or less cancelling out the
TruTrac when the BLD is engaged! But, When I get in I turn off the ESC and just use the TruTrac. Well allways using it!
When I leave on the ESC, NO slinging of mud and dirt, brakes get applied. Turn, the ESC off and let the fun begin! Both rear wheel slinging all I can find!
I started turning off the ESC when i get in, because. Went to make a hard left into a parking lot, while giving it plenty of gas, and turning the steering wheel hard. I dam near got killed by on comming traffic. The power to the engine was reduced and rear brakes applied, right when I got into the on comming traffic lane!
Will most likley use the ESC on snow/icey roads. Don't get much here though.
TruTrac when the BLD is engaged! But, When I get in I turn off the ESC and just use the TruTrac. Well allways using it!
When I leave on the ESC, NO slinging of mud and dirt, brakes get applied. Turn, the ESC off and let the fun begin! Both rear wheel slinging all I can find!
I started turning off the ESC when i get in, because. Went to make a hard left into a parking lot, while giving it plenty of gas, and turning the steering wheel hard. I dam near got killed by on comming traffic. The power to the engine was reduced and rear brakes applied, right when I got into the on comming traffic lane!
Will most likley use the ESC on snow/icey roads. Don't get much here though.
Interesting . . . .
My recollection of the manual though is that you CAN'T turn off the BLD feature. I could try to find the specific page, but IIRC the BLD is the only aspect of the ESC system that stays on regardless of whether you "partially" turn off the ESC (push the button), "fully" turn off the ESC (hold down the butten), or even do the steering wheel dance to permanently fully turn off the ESC.
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JK Super Freak
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,060
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From: South Carolina
I believe you are right about the ESC not turning off the BLD. Either way, I like the way it drives without the ESC on! I, also believe the BLD would assist the TruTrac. One of these day I might put in that kill switch, to turn it all off!
Sponsoring Manufacturer
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
GunDude's feedback is pretty typical of what I'm seeing. Different vehicle systems have different interactions but most still seem to work pretty well. I'm a big fan of teh Truetrac for anything up to Moderate/aggressive wheeling. I've had them in a couple of my persoanl rigs (still do now) and love the way they work. This may sound blasphemous but...
I really think most vehicles equipped with selectable lockers would be better suited to a Truetrac. Every factory rig (that I'm aware of) that is equipped with selectable lockers requires that the vehicle be in low range before the lockers are engaged. Few of these vehicles, the Rubicon being one of the very few exceptions, ever see much time in 4wd, much less low range. Wouldn't the end user find a Truetrac more valuable in everyday slick conditions than a locker that they may never engage?
I really think most vehicles equipped with selectable lockers would be better suited to a Truetrac. Every factory rig (that I'm aware of) that is equipped with selectable lockers requires that the vehicle be in low range before the lockers are engaged. Few of these vehicles, the Rubicon being one of the very few exceptions, ever see much time in 4wd, much less low range. Wouldn't the end user find a Truetrac more valuable in everyday slick conditions than a locker that they may never engage?
JK Super Freak
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 0
From: South Carolina
GunDude's feedback is pretty typical of what I'm seeing. Different vehicle systems have different interactions but most still seem to work pretty well. I'm a big fan of teh Truetrac for anything up to Moderate/aggressive wheeling. I've had them in a couple of my persoanl rigs (still do now) and love the way they work. This may sound blasphemous but...
I really think most vehicles equipped with selectable lockers would be better suited to a Truetrac. Every factory rig (that I'm aware of) that is equipped with selectable lockers requires that the vehicle be in low range before the lockers are engaged. Few of these vehicles, the Rubicon being one of the very few exceptions, ever see much time in 4wd, much less low range. Wouldn't the end user find a Truetrac more valuable in everyday slick conditions than a locker that they may never engage?
I really think most vehicles equipped with selectable lockers would be better suited to a Truetrac. Every factory rig (that I'm aware of) that is equipped with selectable lockers requires that the vehicle be in low range before the lockers are engaged. Few of these vehicles, the Rubicon being one of the very few exceptions, ever see much time in 4wd, much less low range. Wouldn't the end user find a Truetrac more valuable in everyday slick conditions than a locker that they may never engage?
Since this is my dd for the next 4-5 yrs., I do not do much hard stuff. This is why I got the TruTrac, forget and go, and I believe the BLD in the JK will aid the TruTrac, as opposed to old vehicle that do not have this type of BLD feature.