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9 inch third member/drop in

mock

Jr. Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2015
Messages
64
Loc.
Highland
OK, so it’s a long story but I’m in the market for a new third member for my Bronco. I see that a lot of vendors are selling some with a variety of lockers in them. I’m looking for any suggestions/preferences that I should be looking at.
I have 33 x 10 1/2“ tires NP 435 transmission and use it 95% of the time on the street but dream of being off-road😬

I have stock 28 spline axles, but I’m guessing I should upgrade to 31
Thank you in advance for any advice
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
37,063
I would suggest going to 31 spline.
Budget, get something with a worm based limited slip (tru-trak, Torsen, or any other of that style).
Making it sweet, go ARB. Also highest in the budget.
Pass on lockers
Hard pass on spool.

Speedway Motors is apparently a good source for complete drop outs ready to go as well.

Really only avoiding the ratcheting locker based on the high street use. Friction based (plates, cones) limited slip is just the worst of both worlds. Too locked when you want it open, too open when you want it locked, but was the best you could get out of the factory and most aftermarket for the longest time.
 

Jdgephar

Bronco Guru
Joined
Sep 25, 2012
Messages
1,516
I bought a Speedway with tru-trac type limited slip. Works well for my occasional off-road use (sand and moderate trails).
 
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mock

mock

Jr. Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2015
Messages
64
Loc.
Highland
So I did some research on a true track and it definitely looks like a good option but honestly coming from a Detroit locker I’m leaning towards the grizzly locker unless somebody can convince me it’s a bad choice?
Mainly the true track can disengage a wheel that is in the air unless you apply the brakes slightly and with a manual transmission seems like it could cause issues off-road.
 

toddz69

Sponsor/Vendor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 28, 2001
Messages
11,205
I also purchased a 3rd member from Quick Performance with a TrueTrac - had a Detroit Locker for 32 years before that. I haven't missed the Detroit yet. But I haven't had wheels in the air either....and I have an automatic.

Todd Z.
 

toddz69

Sponsor/Vendor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 28, 2001
Messages
11,205
So ARB air locker not a thing anymore?

Very much a thing. For my type of 'wheeling, I like inexpensive and simple, and the TrueTrac should work well for what I do (I also added one in front, after having an open diff since '81).

Todd Z.
 

Broncobowsher

Total hack
Joined
Jun 4, 2002
Messages
37,063
So I did some research on a true track and it definitely looks like a good option but honestly coming from a Detroit locker I’m leaning towards the grizzly locker unless somebody can convince me it’s a bad choice?
Mainly the true track can disengage a wheel that is in the air unless you apply the brakes slightly and with a manual transmission seems like it could cause issues off-road.
You are not changing anything going from a Detroit to a Grizzly locker. It is the same thing.
The mostly street the worm style will work better.
Getting a rear tire in the air doesn't happen that much. I did an incredable amount of wheeling with an open diff thinking it was just a worn out limited slip (VIN said it had a limited slip but it had been changed to an open sometime before I got it) The locker made it go most anywhere in 2WD.

For how you describe how you plan to use the Bronco, a helical limited slip will work great.
If you are determined to wheel it on 3 wheels, get the ARB.
 

Apogee

Contributor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 26, 2005
Messages
6,345
Loc.
Tangent, OR
I'm a fan of the helical gear type differentials (Eaton Truetrac) for the street, as they just seem to work and don't require any special additives or maintenance like the various clutch type limited slip differentials. I don't know how often you're lifting tires off road on a mild wheeler, but even with a manual transmission, a little heel-toe action, left foot braking and/or hand throttle pretty well handles that assuming this is all happening at crawling type speeds. Otherwise, ARB or Yukon Zip lockers give you fully open or fully locked, best of both worlds really, though I don't think the Zip locker is offered in anything less than a 35-spline unit, which then requires an aftermarket case with the Ø3.25" carrier bearings...not a bad thing and starting to look pretty strong for a semi-float 9" rear end. There are some complaints about the early 35-spline ARB unit for the 9", RD99, as the comp guys have pretty well found every possible failure mode on those units and then some, hence the RD99CE upgrade.

For my EB, I built a Strange N-case, N1905, with the Ø3.063" bearings and 31-spline RD119 unit, but haven't gotten it out into the wild yet. If I were to do it over again, I would have gone with the N1906 case with the larger Ø3.250" bearings, though my RD119 ARB pretty much means I'm running 31-spline axle no matter what. I'm only running Ø37" tires max, so hopefully I won't have issues twisting or breaking axles, but only time will tell.
 
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mock

mock

Jr. Member
Joined
Jul 22, 2015
Messages
64
Loc.
Highland
I’ll be ordering from quick performance thank you for that info. Can you guys tell me what yoke I need ? I have a stock driveshaft.
 

toddz69

Sponsor/Vendor
Bronco Guru
Joined
Nov 28, 2001
Messages
11,205
I’ll be ordering from quick performance thank you for that info. Can you guys tell me what yoke I need ? I have a stock driveshaft.
I believe I chose the "forged 1310" option for mine. I use stock driveshafts as well.

Todd Z.
 

Nothing Special

Sr. Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2016
Messages
848
I had a TrueTrac in the rear of a pickup, and I've had Detroits in the rear of a CJ5 and my Bronco, and a LockRight in the rear of a pickup.

Lockers are very noticeable in a bad way on the street, particularly in short wheelbase vehicles and manual transmissions. But they are the best performance off-road.

A TrueTrac is invisible on the street (unless you get on the throttle too hard when it's slippery, it will try to come around then). And it works really well off road as long as you keep all four tires on the ground. I've never 'wheeled a TrueTrac, so I can't say how often it might come up short. But if you have good articulation and don't get too crazy it won't be often.

So what should you use? Whichever you want. My choice was a Detroit in the rear of my Bronco and I would never go with a TrueTrac in it. But it never lets me forget that I'm compromising street manners much of the time for better off-road performance rarely.
 
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