Just working my way down the ol' wish list.

I'm not certain which is the better route...upgrading my '03s non-locking transfer case or adding lockers.

With a used '04 case and the Ashcroft lever, I'm probably looking in the neighborhood of $1200 if I attempt the swamp myself.

The consensus seems to go with a Detroit in the rear and a Truetec in the front. The last I checked, they ran about $600 and 500 each, respectively. One advantage of going this route is that I can start out with one and then later swap the other, thus not needing as much money to get some upgrades going.

Either way, I'm going to get some better traction offroad.

Ideally, I'd like to have both.

Which do you suggest going with first?

 

So, do you have the 04 t/case, if not, save some money and install a new Ashcroft diff. in your t/case, costs about $350 at Lucky 8.
What kind of wheeling will you be doing? I have the detroit/T.T. combination, works really well but will also require H.D. rear axles also. Might want to consider ft./rear T.T's, save money and still lay out some great traction when needed.

 

Yeah, def the way to start, except its about $428 bucks now... they changed the price 3 days before I ordered mine....

 

So I can upgrade my existing t-case?

Thanks for the tip.

Starting out, though...which is the better first step for moderate offroading: CDL or lockers?

Most of the stuff we do here is mudding and old mountain roads. Not much in the way of rockcrawling to be done.

 

start with CDL.

i think you don't have the CDL then the transfer case could send 100% of the power to one of the axles. so with a locker you'd have two wheels spinning on the same axle but the other axle wouldn't have traction...

is that true?
(of course TC minimizes this effect a bit.)

 

Hmm...I'm confused.

I thought the '03 t-case was non-locking period.

But this Ashcroft lever magically makes it lock just like an '04 and I don't have to change the guts?

 

Dave I can't remember if it is just a kit or if it is a complete front output with the housing, but it allows you to have a locking center diff. Just add a shifter and presto.

 

Without CDL lockers in your axles doesn't help much. You'll still only put power to the axle with the least traction. With the locker/limited slip you'll put power to both wheels on that axle but power to all four wheels is even better. Start by upgrading your existing t-case to CDL then worry about lockers. I always wanted lockers in my D1 but never found them a necessity with CDL.

 

Yes, the 03 is a non-cdl t/case but adding the Ashcroft diff to it makes it lockable. If your t/case is quiet and has been maintained then you are better of rebuilding yours instead of buying an unknown.
You must have a CDL to be able to use a locker, so it is the first item on your list.

 

Ok....got it, Mike.

$450 sounds like a good deal to get better traction and the video makes it seem pretty straightforward.

The t-case is leaking a bit of fluid around the bolts at the bottom, but nothing serious (drops forming, but nothing hitting the ground - 1/2 quart over 18 months). This would give me a good reason to drop the pan and fix it for good.