Power Trax Locking Diff - Question

[Gus's 03]

I've sent several emails to Lock-Rite's (or whatever they're called) Tech Assist asking if my (see sig) HP & TQ will destroy the unit and/or asked for what they rate them at . . . no reply at all. This concerns me - you know customer service - lack there of. If they can't answer a question to help you spend your money- how much will they help after you've spent your money? ? ? #@$%!

richman gear owns lockrite. there customer service sux, and there tech guys are useless.

the part # you are looking for would be 2711 (32spl d70)

i would not recomend it for performance applications. the reason i say this is it is no stronger than a stock open carrier / cross pin. think of it this way, you have to 1. 3" dia shafts aplying all the torque thru a shaft that is less than 1" in dia. can you see the week link? now when the shaft breaks, it generaly flings the remainder of the shaft out of the carrier due to centrifical force. the shaft then usualy hits the pinion... your $250 locker has now taken out the ring&pinion, carrier, bearings, and posably axle shafts as well...





my recomendation is the powerlock. before installing it, restack the clutches so they alternate friction/steal. this will get 99% of the people out there all the traction they need with out the negitive side effects assoceated with a locker.

 

[Hammer]

Joe...

Why don't you just rebuild yours and restack the clutches and make them tighter???. There are threads on how to do this here and other boards... ... Andy

 

[Joe Mc]

Andy, Not a bad idea "if" I had an LS rear - mine is open carrier. . .

 

[SRath]

I have a PowrTrax waiting for me to find an open carrier for my Dana 80 to put it in. I can't wait to get rid of the worthless factory LS.



I always ran a Detroit Locker (which, by the way is also known as a NoSpin, and I've never heard of a Noslip) in my Chevys. Can't stand not having a locker now since I really hate getting stuck so easily.



Since Detroits are only made for 4. 10 and higher numerically Dana 80's, I want to try the PowrTrax.



I had no problem getting their techs on the phone and my questions answered.



Bear in mind, for those of you who have heard bad things about these "lunchbox lockers" that the limiting factor in strength is NOT the PowrTrax, it is the factory carrier they get installed into. With a Dana 80 and the beef of its carrier, it is not an issue. But if you put a PowrTrax in say, a Jeep or toyota with a tiny factory carrier, add big tires and big power, you will probably break the carrier or something else.



The legendary Detroit installs in the same manner in GM Corporate 14-bolt 10. 5 inch rears. It uses that particular factory open carrier as "lunchbox installation" because it is plenty strong. In all other applications, the Detroit comes as a full replacement carrier to deal with the weak factory carrier issues.



You won't likely break a Dana 80 PowrTrax or the carrier. Axle shafts may be a different story if you load heavy and corner too hard. But that is true with a Detroit, too.



Go here to watch a PowrTrax-equipped 2wd Ford kick the snot out of a 4wd Dodge with LS in BOTH axles:



POWERTRAX BY RICHMOND VIDEO DEMOS

 

[greyghost]

My 2 bits

Joe MC



My 2 bits. I started like you with an open dif. I bought the truck to haul heavy and many OTR drivers were recommending an open dif to a LS carrier, so I bit. Damn was I disappointed when I had to pull in bad weather. I went out and got an OEM LS, then had it restacked about 5,000 miles later due to it slipping. That work wonders but had the opportunity to install a Lock Right Locker (running it for the last 2 years). It performs very well and traction is what you'll get 100% all the time.



If you're in a corner, say taking a right turn you'll feel the teeth clicking. If you get on it just a little that bad boy will lock up and you'll bark the inside tire. Get on it hard and it becomes a full on smoke show. And if you're moving slow in a turn like pulling into a parking spot, you'll get a little drive-line wind up (Like having the truck in 4WD on dry pavement make a sharp turn, clunk-a-clunk-a). I have the standard Lock Right Locker they make one that's not suppose to click, I'd be interested in seeing if it really works as advertised.



Since I pull many different types of trailers for work and for play I do notice a certain amount of steering push when loaded heavy. The extra weight out back seems to make the locker unlock and lock smoother but playing with the throttle will result in the same as if you're unloaded. I have to say its nice to be pulling the gooseneck with skid-steer loaded thru a muddy worksite while everyone else is chaining up to get their equipment out of the pond.



So in short if aggressive is what you're looking for and make sure you understand what your asking before chucking this in the truck. Good for plow trucks, hauling in bad weather, loaded heavy in mud, daily driving empty but you'll have to learn to drive with the foot feed to keep everything in check.



Hope this helps



PS Just noticed this thread was started in 2005, is it still relevant?



Garrett

 

[Joe Mc]

Garrett, Thanks for reply. Yep believe it or not - thread is still relevant.

 

[Joe Mc]

Finally decided between the TraxLock and Lock-Rite Locker. Ordered Lock-Rite from Rocky Road Saturday and received today. Hopefully to be in tomorrow.

 

[Joe Mc]

It's in! Hardest part was getting the roll pin out to remove main spider gear shaft.



Works great, no clicking to be heard except when you get on the go pedal a bit going into a turn.



Other than that - silent . . .

 

[Joe Mc]

Still working fine