I Love My Truck.

[SRH916]

It's so much more fun to drive than newer cars. But one thing I would love it to do is to hook up a little bit better. Its always fun to show friends up by just peeling out like its nothing, but its also nice to get off the line fast instead of just roasting the tires... Any help for getting my truck to hook up a bit better? Oh, its a 1975 C-10 LWB "BIG 10" 350/375/gears unknown.

Thanks in advance,
Jared

[f.monroe]

Install a posi carrier . Frank

[streetstar]

Cal Trac traction bars will help a ton -- they keep the leaf springs from winding up so much

Frank's suggestion of installing a posi carrier is solid too unless you alredy have one (does it leave one black stripe or two?)

[SRH916]

I've got 7 leaf springs in the back, if I get rid of some, will it allow it to bring the back down for a bit more traction right?

[flamingbig10]

it might a little, wide tires like 295 or 305 would help it hook, also traction bars.

[swb85]

Get a posi, traction bars and decent tires. I've got a locker, lakewood slapper bars and 275/60/15 BFG T/A's and hook ok with a 450hp 383 & 4 speed.

[SRH916]

Originally Posted by swb85

Get a posi, traction bars and decent tires. I've got a locker, lakewood slapper bars and 275/60/15 BFG T/A's and hook ok with a 450hp 383 & 4 speed.

Do those traction bars help alot? I just looked at them, and they seem to be a reasonable price.

[swb85]

Originally Posted by SRH916

Do those traction bars help alot? I just looked at them, and they seem to be a reasonable price.

They helped quite a bit with traction, but more importantly they eliminate wheel hop.

[SRH916]

Where should I look to get a posi?

[swb85]

Depends how much money you want to spend. I have a richmond powertrax locker in mine, was $300 from summit. Clutch type posi's will run you $400+.

[SRH916]

What would be the problems with running a detroit locker on the street?

[84 400]

^^^
In wet and slick conditions they can get a bit hairy. On ramps can also be a pain when you hang it side ways. But you will get used to the limits of it very quick.
Aside from the locker wanting to throw the rear one way or the other tire wear increases. Personally I like lockers because they don't wear out like Posi but the posi is more streetable.

[SRH916]

Thanks for the explanation. How much should I expect to spend on a decent locker? And is there a different gear oil for each? Open carrier, posi, locker? I have NO experience with differentials.

[swb85]

Expect to pay a touch over $400 for something like a Detroit Locker, then you'll have to pay someone to set it up for you. The powertrax lockers like I have in my truck are about $300....they install inside your stock open differential with hand tools. 84 400 is right though, you need a fairly loose definition of "streetable" if you want a locker on the street. I've got the powertrax locker in my truck (10 bolt, 3.42) and a Detroit Locker in my camaro (9", 4.56). They do want to kick the rear sideways at times, especially while shifting a manual trans vehicle. They also make quite a bit of noise when they unlock around corners. Both of those characteristics are much less pronounced in auto trans vehicles though, mine are both manuals. You never have to worry about burning up your posi though.

EDIT: Open carriers and lockers will just run straigh 80/90 or 85/140 gear oil, most clutch type posi's will need a friction modifier additive in the gear oil.

[69BBsuburban]

Do not remove leafs for better traction....it'll make wheel hop even worse.....
Traction bars will only help if you already have a problem with wheel hop....a posi would be the best investment...like an Eaton, as they are a clutch type and are rebuildable.
Detroit$ are tough, but noisy, and are sketchy on slick roads, or if ya snap an axle....