So I'm building a m/s air locking rear for my gen1. Wondering what my options are for the front.

This is a daily driver and occasional offroader. I'm debating an Aussie locker, stock starquest lsd, or restacked starquest lsd with two friction plates.

I'm worried that too much lock will be difficult/dangerous in snow driving and not enough will not offer any benefit on the trails.

I'm am (or was) a gear setter to pay the rent vodooo... Mitsu LSD stock are very looooose ... The FSM says to stack the plates one way ... Guess what when ever I open one there not stacked as the FSM says ... Do not understand all the kittys that cant drive in the snow with a front lsd diff ... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />.. My front lsd in my DOHC 4g64T monty is stacked as tight as you can get one ...The lsd going into my V6 is stacked to the max ... No need to add plates <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />...No problem in the snow once you know how to two foot the brakes ... Ford and Dodge put lsd in the front in the 70 and 80s oem...Dodge did it with full time 4x4...

Captain Gear Box

Hazardous Toys inc

Fully locked in the snow would definitely be dangerous. Mine are welded, but the terrain is a bit different down here. I can verify, having lived in the Midwest for 29 years and having driven in plenty of snow, that fully locked is definitely not a safe thing. It frequently wants to travel in a straight line in mud even when you want to turn. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> Unlocking one hub helps, but what is the fun in that? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> If'n you can do the LSD for the front, I can see where thatw ould definitely be beneficial.

Maybe Az snow is different but i mowed through snow better locked front and rear. So is it the 4 wheeling through snow or driving on a road with ice on it we're talking here?

I would say driving on icy roads. I feel personally I could handle driving either way, but we have gotten quite familiar with slick surfaces here in Florida, albeit Muddy slick. And warm. I hate snow anymore. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

On my third winter here in the Northwest with an Aussie locker in the front of my Montero.

When not in 4x4 don't even noticed it. When in 4x4 the steering is a little heavy but the additional traction far outweighs heaviness.

Originally installed the locker in my '94 SR and moved it over to my '95 when the frame rusted out.

The LSD mod I came up with was to remove the pre load springs and add extra clutch plates.

Loose when your off the throttle and quick to lock when you load it up.

I have a Torsen in the back. Basicly, when I need to go I just pre load the brakes a little and the internal friction of both diffs goes up very quickly.

In the snow, it does drive a little different. In 4WD on snowy roads it feels a little squirrely above 45 mph. Then again its a SWB on tall tires in the snow!!!

In the deep stuff if you want to go around a corner you need to use the throttle. Drive it easy and it just pushes the front end.

Goose the throttle cut the wheel and you're good.

It works for me.... I dont know if anyone else tried the no preload extra clutch front diff or not. That was my answer to the LSD units being tougher in the snow. Way better than open.... Off road, pre-load is a better call. Most times I'm on the road so thats what I went for. Regardless, its still better than open and very fun to drive in the snow.

We get all kinds of weather. Starts off as fluffy snow, then it freezes up or sometimes it rains on it. Then there's ice. So I guess the Aussie locker is out. If I did more wheeling and less ski trips, I'd do it.

I just put in an lsd in the rear by chance as I was regearing. I left one wheel on the Jack stand and couldn't even drive off. I just figured it was worn out, but I guess it's supposed to be that loose you guys say? That would be the perfect amount of grip for snow I bet, but would it do anything on the trails? (Mostly rock crawling and mud)

The LSD should have some preload. If you have the car in gear ( or park) and both wheels off the ground, you should be able to turn the tire, but it will have some decent resistance. The factory has a spec.

On the road, as you start to put some torque on the unit, the differential gears push against the clutches. That increases the amount of locking.

It won't work like a locker, but ( assuming the unit is OK) will make a good difference in the snow.

Jdavis... So you say that the steering feels heavy. That I don't mind. Does it handle well and predictably in the snow? I'm mostly worried how it will drive at highway speeds.

Kevin... So stock the lsd has only one friction surface and the springs tucked together. So some guys add an extra friction disc for more grip. Some guys move the springs away from each other to add pre load. I see some like Haz do both.
What are you suggesting? Take one or both springs out? Then you end up with three friction discs and three plates and the only preload comes from acceleration? Or leave a spring in with two disks and three plates?

Thanks gentlemen.