What solutions have you guys found for differentials?

[tucsonborn]

Hey all,

Just ordered a 23 Trail Boss. Not my first off roader, but my first off road truck.
3.0 Diesel, LT.

I noticed that it comes from the factory with auto locking rear diffs. I intend to modify this truck for serious off roading to tackle the sandy washes and hardcore trails around my area (bigger tires [maybe 33s or 35s?], air compressor in bed, winch, bed canopy/tent setup, etc), and one mod I’d love to make is to add front diffs. I know I’ll need them haha.

Sorry if this is a dumb question; what’s y’all’s experience with adding them? I’ll figure out some sort of way to turn them on from the cab, but I’d love to have manual locking diffs in the front (and try and jailbreak or swap out the rears too). The auto option doesn’t appeal to me, because frankly, I don’t trust computers. Some folks do, but not me. I’d get a manual transmission if I could but that’s not an option unfortunately.

What suggestions/ideas/specs do you guys have? Anyone else done the front diffs? Furthermore, is it even possible to turn the rear diffs manual? If not, I’ll be changing those out too.

Thanks for the input.


And if this is stupid/dumb/not a good idea, please let me know. I don’t want to ruin a truck I’m gonna drop 80k on.

 

[PistolsFiring]

I’d bump up to ZR2 or ZR2 Bison. Just my 2 cents.

 

[tucsonborn]

I’d bump up to ZR2 or ZR2 Bison. Just my 2 cents.

I need the diesel. Plus, the 6.3 is useless in my area. They only have up to 91 octane, so the engine would shit itself by 200k anyway. I’m looking to drive this truck for a while, and lots of highway miles. About 100 a day.

If the ZR2 came with the 3.0, absolutely. Unfortunately, it’s not an option for me.

 

[PistolsFiring]

Gotcha, totally understand wanting the mileage and longevity of the duramax. Everyone whose got one seems to love them. If I could have found one at the time I got mine I’d have one.

With the ZR2 and AT4X starting to hit the ground, may have to wait until aftermarket catches up and parts become available, or schematics are released and someone with money figures out how to retrofit, if even possible.

 

[tucsonborn]

Gotcha, totally understand wanting the mileage and longevity of the duramax. Everyone whose got one seems to love them. If I could have found one at the time I got mine I’d have one.

With the ZR2 and AT4X starting to hit the ground, may have to wait until aftermarket catches up and parts become available, or schematics are released and someone with money figures out how to retrofit, if even possible.

Makes sense.

What have people done for earlier iterations? The ‘19 or ‘20.

 

[GETGONE]

The G80 diff is a mechanical locking mechanism. When there's ~100 RPM difference between wheels it engages both axles together. I haven't read of anyone making electronic locking diffs for the T1's other than the factory ZR2 setup now. It would be nice if whoever makes them came out with a kit to add to non ZR2 trucks.

 

[tucsonborn]

The G80 diff is a mechanical locking mechanism. When there's ~100 RPM difference between wheels it engages both axles together. I haven't read of anyone making electronic locking diffs for the T1's other than the factory ZR2 setup now. It would be nice if whoever makes them came out with a kit to add to non ZR2 trucks.

Wonder if you could buy a ZR2 front axle and do some retrofitting…

I imagine it’d be possible. They’re sister trucks, after all.

 

[GETGONE]

Physically it would bolt in, but the electronics would be the issue. I would think it should just be a power circuit to engage it.