For the rear end of my V6 '91, which would you all suggest given the following. Truck is not really a daily driver, but I usually use it on my days off for doing all my running around town, etc. I am working on turning it into a trail rider, not a rock crawler. So, how do the Softlockers behave on the road? What about the E-Z Locker and the Gearless Locker? Am I just better off going LSDs front and back? Greatly appreciate the advice.

By the way, I know about the ARBs, but at this point I just don't want to spend almost $1000 for a single unit when I could use that money for something else.

Also, I am getting ready to put a 4" Lift on my '91 IFS truck. I have no intention of doing any rock crawling, so I am staying with the IFS. Should I upgrade the axels to something like the Slip Yoke type from Downey so my axels don't fly apart? Any brand recommendations on axel upgrades?

Also, do the heavier duty torsion bars automatically add more lift, even without "cranking" them up? I would like to upgrade them also, since I will be adding a winch and winch bar, etc, but I don't think I need any additional lift over what I will get from the 4" susp lift and 2-3" body lift.

 

Hi Scott, and welcome to the forums.
I can't answer your ? about lockers, as I don't have one.
But I know a few have gone with the Detroit back there if you want t full time locker.

A lot have gone with the Toy E locker too. That is cheaper than adding the ARB type as no compressor is needed.
Matt & Ken have both retrofitted the Toy E locker in their rigs, so I'm sure they will have some advice on it.

Now on the T bar thing. Switching to an aftermarket T bar like I run (SAW 25mm) will not add lift. It only make the rig be able to handle heavier loads up fronts such as a winch and aftermarket bumper.

You crank it up the same as you would a stock T bar.
I would think if you are going with the body lift and IFS lift, you could leave the T bars at a unloaded setting, so it's not going to add as harsh a ride as I get with mine cranked up a bit.
I had to crank mine up some to compensate for the Downey coils back aft.

Which IFS lift are you looking at, and what size tires?
You can get a good 2" lift with just cranking up the T bars and adding an add a leaf to the rear of your truck.
That and a body lift should let you run 33" tires, and possibly a little bigger, but I'd think anything over 33s is going to mean new gears for the power loss.

 

To be perfectly honest, I don't know hwat brand lift I am getting. I am buying it from a friend who, after using it on his truck, decided to do a solid-axle conversion and go with about 10" of lift. I figure for the $100 I am paying for it I can't hardly go wrong, and I am getting the shocks for free! As far as tire size, I will use 31" Pirelli Norsemans on the road (just got those 3 months ago) then will probably go with 35s for hitting the trails. My friend also has a front-end with 5.29 R&Ps that he will sell me for $250, then I would just need to pony up for the rear gears.

So many frickin' desisions to make! How do you people do it?!