Looking for a Limited Slip Differential

[HonkinDiesel]

Looking for a DANA 70 Limited Slip Differential

I have been looking for a Limited Slip Differential for my 93' RAM 250 LE (DANA Spicer 70 - 2wd rearend), I have called just about everyone here in town even the wrecking yards. I am waiting for couple replies back, but I am not going to hold my breath. These LSD's seem to be mighty rare and when found extremely pricy.



I found DANA 60 seems to be more popular, and ran across a few good deals for these but I don't believe that these limited slips are interchangable with DANA 70's. Anyone with experiance out there?



Is there anyone out there that can put me in touch with someone that can sell me a posi-traction for the beast? Really hoping to get this done before the fall hits the Great White North eh!

I can even provide a US shipping address if necessary.

 

[CRWilliams]

Ibought a Lock-Right from Central 4 wheel drive for $316. Installation is very easy, no need to reset gear mesh, it just replaces the spider gears. Am on vacation right now, first long trip with it and I love it. Tried to get W250 club cab stuck in sand the other day, never even needed 4wd.

 

[HonkinDiesel]

Hi mprtrpr;

You got a name and number or E-mail address for central4 that you can post or E-mail me?

I'll give'em a call this week see if I can get one shipped here. I heard read and heard many good things about the powertrax LSD's and Lockers. Now from what you got'em for is about 1/4 the price of the DANA 70 power-lok quoted me.



I have been reading many not so good things about the DANA 70 power-lok. Things like "They don't work worth beans" or things like "you gotta hit the brake or use the parking brake to coax them to kick in".



Power Trax seems to have better reviews like "these are the strongest, most heavy duty, and reliable lockers you can get" or "money well spent for a posi that really works!". Words like that you gotta like!



Lookin' forward to the upgrade.

 

[jsimpson]

Sounds to me like that setup on my 89 D350 should give me a better bite than my half ton 4x4.

 

[Speedo]

been reading many not so good things about the DANA 70 power-lok. Things like "They don't work worth beans" or things like "you gotta hit the brake or use the parking brake to coax them to kick in".

I personally believe that the Powr-Lok has gotten a bad rap because it is not set up for

the way that some people want to use them. It can

be set up in several different ways, from loose

(too much slippage) to tight (I've snapped 1 1/2"

axles) I use a Powr-Lok in a vehicle that is used

only off-road and in many ways it is more desireable than a locker. The Powr-Lok can be set

up with 3 or 5 active friction surfaces with a different amount of load based on the clutch arrangement.

 

[HonkinDiesel]

Say mprtrpr, I found the following website ... http://www.central4wd.com/ . Are these the guys? if so I should give them a call this week.



Maybe I should call these guys anyway and ask stupid questions like whats the difference between the 2 pc and 1 pc case?



By the way does anyone know how to tell if you got a 35 or 32 spline? According to the manual it is supposed to be on a tag located on the differential... . Heck if I can identify it 100%!

I jotted down the tag numbers as follows:

52068056

3 54 605509-7

Should we take a vote on it being 35 (Note: there is a space between the 3 and 5 of the bottom sequence)? Anyway I'll ask CENTRAL4 the question and let you know.



I have done I fairly thorough search on Posi's and LSD from this forum as well as the others. Seems like not much info in this area.

I read some of the complaints and problems about LSD's, but not too many people talking about making the switch from one wheel slip to a posi or LSD. Are we breaking new ground here or is that if you buy a truck it either has LSD or it doesn't?



FYI: I found some good info here on Posi's and LSD's >>>LSD



What is the use of having more power if one wheel looses it, I say!

 

[Racer Brown]

Powertrax Lockrite......NOT!!!

Sorry to rain on your parade, but I had one of those in my 83 Chevy C10. It lasted just long enough for the warranty to run out, then it took a dump!!! Factory wouldn't do anything for me on it either. Put the stock spider gears back in it and file 13'ed the lockrite junk. It didn't have that many miles on it either as that truck was used mainly to pull my 20ft. car trailer. I'll bet it didn't have 15k miles on it. It worked ok when I first put it in but after a while it started to screw up and finally it got to where it was unloading and poping when I was running straight down the road. Pulled it out to check it and it was worn out!



You can do as you want but I'll never own another one of those!! I'd have been far better off to have bought the Auburn Gear Positraction unit instead. There wasn't much difference in the price of the two except that you had to reset carrier preload and ring gear backlash With the Auburn Gear unit. I took the lazy way out and it cost me $300... ... ... ..... Racer

 

[pcorssmit]

The locker thing was brought up a month or two a go on another forum. I second the motion, Lock-Rights suck and are not suitable for a rear axle application. I have seen more Lock rights and EZ lockers brake than I can count. One of the weaknesses is that they use the stock case. If you want to run a locker, I would highly recommend the Detroit Locker. Yes, they are more expensive (guessing $500-$550 for a 70), and they require you to set the backlash (but not the pinion depth). However, they are far more durable and IMO smoother in operation. I run them in both ends of my Blazer and am quite happy with them.



Pete

 

[Matt S]

Another opinion...

For what it is worth. Limited slips are great for cars but not our trucks. When you need them they can't take the torque. As for the lock-rites, I don't have any experience. However, I don't see many Dodges have problems with weak cases. The ones I've heard blowing up are on weak 1/2 tons with c-clips, large tires, and plenty of go pedal.

 

[HonkinDiesel]

I've been doing a bit more research on the matter and I am now convinced that the Power-LOK is the best for our DANA 70's (in my opinion of course). I talked to a fella over at Coast Power Train today. He is actually a DANA specialist and is going to help get the beast setup.



I ripped out the old manual tonight. Looked at what is process would be in making the switch. So feeling a bit cocky I opened up the differential cover had look in there.



I decided this is a bit out of my league to be doing this myself. Looks like some special tools are needed that I don't have.

Between to manual and what I saw I think I'm bringin her in to Coast for the change over. I'm a packing her up and bringing her in.



I'm probably going to keep the open differential ... just in case I might need it down the road though!



Thanks for your advice and words of wisdom guys.

 

[Midnite]

I talked with a local shop (Young's Gear) here in Anchorage about it. Mainly I'm trying to decide between going with a Detroit locker, or a clutch type limited slip (the Powerlok). Both seem to be about the same cost ($500 - $550 just for the units themselves).



It sounds like those of you who've gone with a locker don't mind the clicks/bangs that they make in turns--is that pretty much right? Is there anyone here who went with a locker who thinks now they probably should've gone with a clutch-type in stead?



Thanks,

Mike

 

[pcorssmit]

The wheelbase helps tone-down the banging and other side effects of a locker, however they do take getting used to.

An auto trans helps too. With a Detroit, it is a lot less noticeable than a drop-in locker. The newer design is supposed to be better too, I think I have the old one rear and new one front.



For what I do w/the Dodge, I'm quite happy w/the OE limited slip. For what I do w/the Blazer, the full locker is the only choice. If you don't four wheel, I'd go with the limited slip, they are much more transparant.



(Why I need lockers)

#ad




Pete

 

[HonkinDiesel]

Got my LSD!!!!

Hey just got the DANA Power-Lok Limited Slip differential put in today.



It felt soooo good to burn both wheels. Normally I had to take it easy going up this hill cause if I floored it too hard one wheel would just spin. No more!!! Now I get power to both circles... Yie Haaa! ... . Sorry that just slipped out!



It clicks a little around corners but thats what the fella's at Coast Power Train said it would do because everything is so tight. He says, after awhile the clicking is supposed go away. These guys seemed to be good. Pretty much up front and reasonable with the install, too. So any of you from B. C. looking for a set of Lockers or LSD's you otta give these guys a look see.



I also talked to them about the old Getrash 360 trany. They smiled and said when she packs her in come see us! They will set me up with an NV4500.



I have to say thanks to all of your contributions here on the TDR threads. Thanks for the great info, support and suggestions I've been getting. It sure is nice to know whats available, the alternatives and share the what would be secrets.



76's all

 

[Midnite]

HonkinDiesel--that's great! Mind if I ask how much it cost to have done?



For me it looks like it's going be US$800 - 1000 here in Anchorage.



Mike

 

[HonkinDiesel]

Hi Midnite



Brand NEW Parts cost $700 cdn + 4 hrs labor for the install. Be prepared to pay $1k. These guys had the best price in town and I really mean that!

I got quotes from almost every rear end place in town and most were between $1000 to $1800. Used/Rebuilts were going for around $650 to $800. This baby was Brand new for right outta the box from DANA for 7 bills. A Power-Trax Locker was going to cost $650 and Power-Trax LSD was around $900. As you can see on previous threads Power-Trax was not so HOT! Lot's of other alternatives out there, but I stuck with DANA. They got a good reputation out there!



Having read the service manual on doing the install myself, this job would have taken me a week+ to complete, plus the purchase of a few extra tools, which I'd probably never use again!



It feels good to have done my homework and know that I've made the best choice for me and the beast.



Good luck on your upgrade. Let us know how it goes!

 

[Midnite]

Limited Slip Finally Installed!

Well, it's been awhile but I finally got the power-lok limited slip installed! Boy, the difference is like night and day!



For a while I had a really hard time deciding between the Detroit locker and the power-lok, but in the end I went with the power-lok. I do much more long distance highway driving than I do offroading so rear tire wear was a significant factor for me. Also, my fiance drives my truck from time to time, and the last thing I want is for her to get into an accident because she's not used to the new handling characteristics with the locker.



I just can't get over the increase in traction! Before, when I stopped at an intersection that had any amount of ice on it, I would have to pop it into four wheel drive just to get going.



I'm definitely a happy guy now...



Almost forgot to mention--I had the install done at Northern 4x4 Suppliers in Anchorage, and they are ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL to deal with. Any work I need done to my truck in the future I'm taking to them. An incredible group of people! Did I mention I was happy with their service?



Mike

 

[jsimpson]

total cost?

 

[Lars]

Midnite, Northern 4x4 Suppliers just did the same thing done to mine. Got it back last Friday, definite improvement. And yes Northern 4x4 Suppliers are good people. I was tring to do this myself until I found I was in over my head. Speedo offerd to help but by then my timing was all messed up. I e-mailed Speedo but no response?



I bought the posi about 3 months ago so I would have to check my receipts but total cost was under $1000 for sure.

 

[Midnite]

It looks like the total cost on mine was about $900. I bought the power-lok unit from Youngs Gear for about $550, and then installation at Northern 4x4 was about $370. I also had them change out the fluid in the front diff and transfer case though, so if I didn't have them do that it would have been less.



If I do anything to my front differential, it'll *only* be an ARB air locker. The problem I see with a full time locker in the front up here in Alaska is that it would be way too dangerous to drive in four wheel drive on icy roads. Without one of the wheels "freewheeling" it's just too easy to lose control. An ARB would be well worth the extra money to have the option of either "three wheel drive" or four wheel drive at the flick of a switch.



Mike

 

[Matt S]

Air lockers

They do have one an ABR for the Dana 70. Problem is that it only takes a 35 spline shaft and ours is 32 spline. Adding to the cost of needing an air compressor, drilling the case, etc. I've been trying to look into the McNamara locker I saw in Peterson's 4-wheel and off-road. www.mcnamaradiffs.com.au They have what appears to be the same operation as an ABR but with a better design. It is made for Dana 60 and 70 axles. Uses a plate between the case and differential cover so no drilling the case for the air line. They also have a system that uses the vehicles vacuum pump system instead of installing an air compressor. I'm still waiting to hear back from the only US dealer about prices, etc. Looks like a good alternative.