Stoffregen Motorsports
Explorer
You make very important distinctions.
In a 4x4 only situation, ie- mine site operations, they are a very inexpensive way to have a positive locked differential.
Carrying spare parts is a good idea if you're using the truck for heavy use, whether for work or pleasure.
But that distinction is something each person needs to accept. Maybe the vehicle is street driven. Maybe the clicking and "in-out" operation is not something the driver wants to deal with. Maybe they don't want to carry spares. Limited slips can be adjusted with shims or different thickness clutch plates to make them more or less grabby and if the proper friction modified gear oil is used, they last quite a long time...in mild to medium use applications. So the main distinction here is the intended use of the vehicle. The user has to adjust their expectations for either scenario.
I have seen the toothed gears break in half. I have also seen them wear out so the teeth are rounded and thereby leaving metal shavings in the diff.
In a 4x4 only situation, ie- mine site operations, they are a very inexpensive way to have a positive locked differential.
Carrying spare parts is a good idea if you're using the truck for heavy use, whether for work or pleasure.
But that distinction is something each person needs to accept. Maybe the vehicle is street driven. Maybe the clicking and "in-out" operation is not something the driver wants to deal with. Maybe they don't want to carry spares. Limited slips can be adjusted with shims or different thickness clutch plates to make them more or less grabby and if the proper friction modified gear oil is used, they last quite a long time...in mild to medium use applications. So the main distinction here is the intended use of the vehicle. The user has to adjust their expectations for either scenario.
I have seen the toothed gears break in half. I have also seen them wear out so the teeth are rounded and thereby leaving metal shavings in the diff.