locked dif
hey, are you looking at getting a locked dif, or a limited slip? there is a big difference. The whole job of the differential is two-fold. it needs to transfer power to the rear wheels and also allow them to turn at different speeds when cornering(the inside wheel will turn slower than the outside). A locking differential will transfer power equally to both wheels all the time, unfortunatly, since it is essentially a solid link between the wheels it takes away the wheels' capacity to turn independintly of each other, so it affects handling and makes the wheels squeel sometime around corners because one wheel always is turnign slower or faster than it wants to. its positive is in snow, grvle roads, or any slippery surface you will have much , much better traction. A limited slip only allows one wheel to turn freely(jsut spin) alittle before it engages and allows the opposite wheel to be driven by most of the power, it is not as affective in addiing traction as a locked differential but it will improve you wet surface and all around traction dramatically. Another positive is that the limited slip dif, will allow your wheels to turn at the different speeds during turns and not affect your handling adversly. If i were you i would for sure go with the limited slip, but be weary of the locked dif. the traction is nice, but if it is primarily a highway or city vehicle it might now be worth the trade off. now, if the locking mechanism is part time( you can turn it one and off from inside the cab) that would be the ideal combination because you can lock the dif when you need traction and unlock it in normal situations. (tacoma trd's have this feature and is very affective). hope this helps and if ive explained someting wrong someone correct me.
Tim
sorry for the long post