Need rear end help, please.

[Sigma.40]

I have a 1990 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 with a 350 TBI and an open 8.5" rear with 3.42 ratio. My spider gears have been going out for awhile and I have decided to rebuild the rear end very very soon. I have a few questions that I would really appreciate some help with.

I am thinking about switching to a Detroit Trutrac LSD instead of the open diff that I have. Rebuilding my open diff would cost me about $500 and the LSD kit is around $700 so costs aren't that far apart.

My questions are, is LSD worth it? I live in northern Michigan so roads do get slick but I already have 4wd. Will it affect the 4wd operation?

I have a link to the LSD kit. Does it have everything I will need to rebuild it?

 

http://www.ronsmachiningservice.net/gear-posi-packages/general-motors/gm-8-5/30-spline/gm-8-5-aam-ring-and-pinion-30-spline-truetrac-lsd-pkg/

 

My last question is, does anyone have any experience with USA Standard gear or American Axle and Manufacturing (AAM) for ring and pinion? Are they good companies?

[Logan Lanfear]

Looks good to me.  LSD will definitely help with slick roads.  It wont affect 4WD.  For an extra 200 I would spring for the LSD.  It looks like the kit has everything.  

[pronstar]

Definitely worth it.

I won’t own a truck - 2WD or 4WD - without LSD.

 

Open diffs with 4WD can still get stuck if one front wheel and one rear wheel are slipping...not good.

 

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