Gov lock? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cam.man67 · 02-15-2011, 10:29 AM

http://york.craigslist.org/pts/2213487187.html

Considering this axle for my truck.

"1985 Chevy 1/2 ton 6 lug , 3:73 gov lock rear, fits many gm 1/2 trucks $175 "

My question, what exactly is a gov lock? I'm looking for a posi unit, how well do these work. Also, is 175 a good price?

**jerry moss** · 02-15-2011, 11:15 AM

to me, those 10 bolt diffs are not strong enough for a truck-just finished building another one for a customer at work yesterday. left side carrier bearing completely came apart. save youself some trouble and buy a namebrand limited slip carrier. just my 2cents.

**special-K** · 02-15-2011, 12:02 PM

The Gov-loc is just "ok" as far as posis go,if you drive the truck the way GM would like them driven (if you know what I mean). About any other posi will allow for more playtime. I'm with Jerry on the 10-bolt thing. They may work out ok but for my money I'd at least want the 12-bolt that slips right in the same. I'm used to 3/4t trucks and if it were me I'd want an 88-98 14-bolt semi-floater from a light duty 2500 (6-lug). Then,you will have a bigger ring & pinion and a tougher Gov-loc. I have the same axle in 8-lug in my '91 Suburban with Gov-loc and 35" tires which has worked just fine for me. If you start spinning in the mud you let up until you feel the posi kick in,then let 'er rip! You'll like that Gov-loc more than an open diff when you see it got you out of the mud.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 02-15-2011, 12:09 PM

Around this area prices asked for the gov-locks are $100 or less. The guys with snow plows don't care for them. I have always leaned toward the clutch style like the Eaton posi's.

My friend has one in his truck and it "pauses" before locking. Not sure if this is normal or not but after a moment when one wheel slips the other side will engage and it is a strange sensation compared to the Eatons which I have.

Jim

**special-K** · 02-15-2011, 02:25 PM

They are a ball ramp design activated by momentum. The key is to let it spin but not too fast before it engages. They are know for failure due to letting them engage at too much momentum causing them to grenade. They don't engage at the slightest slip,which sometimes is a good thing. It's all about understanding the equipment and treating it as such.

Myself · 02-15-2011, 03:02 PM

Fine for a daily driver or occasional off road use. I have one that I modified so the posi kicks in at a very low rpm differential. You can also modify the swingout weight so it stays locked up to a certain mph.

02-15-2011, 10:29 AM	#1
cam.man67 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Jefferson, MD Posts: 2,397	Gov lock? http://york.craigslist.org/pts/2213487187.html Considering this axle for my truck. "1985 Chevy 1/2 ton 6 lug , 3:73 gov lock rear, fits many gm 1/2 trucks $175 " My question, what exactly is a gov lock? I'm looking for a posi unit, how well do these work. Also, is 175 a good price? __________________ '68 Dodge Dart 270, 225, 904, 2.76--"Lucy" 1996 Gmc 1500 Z71, 350, 4l60e, 3.73s 1995 Jeep Wrangler Rio Grande 2.5, AX5, 4.10s 1989 Toyota Pickup 22re, auto, 3.73

02-15-2011, 11:15 AM	#2
jerry moss Born Psycho Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: brentwood,cal,usa Posts: 4,947	Re: Gov lock? to me, those 10 bolt diffs are not strong enough for a truck-just finished building another one for a customer at work yesterday. left side carrier bearing completely came apart. save youself some trouble and buy a namebrand limited slip carrier. just my 2cents. __________________ jerry moss 72 cheyenne super K20- tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,tow hooks,bumper guards,toolbox,aux. fuel tank,posi front and rear,plus other goodies!!! SOLD 69 suburban K20-tilt,tach,vacuum,speedwarning,buckets,shoulder belts,am/fm,4 inch all spring lift,4 speed, 14 bolt full floater, dana 44 HD,warn winch,posi front and rear,tow hooks,plus other goodies. 73/80 chevy/gmc K20 SB400,turbo 400,205,tilt,a-c,gas hog. 77 K/5 cheyenne blazer-daily driver/beater. SON HAS IT NOW BRENTWOOD,CALIFORNIA

02-15-2011, 12:02 PM	#3
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Gov lock? The Gov-loc is just "ok" as far as posis go,if you drive the truck the way GM would like them driven (if you know what I mean). About any other posi will allow for more playtime. I'm with Jerry on the 10-bolt thing. They may work out ok but for my money I'd at least want the 12-bolt that slips right in the same. I'm used to 3/4t trucks and if it were me I'd want an 88-98 14-bolt semi-floater from a light duty 2500 (6-lug). Then,you will have a bigger ring & pinion and a tougher Gov-loc. I have the same axle in 8-lug in my '91 Suburban with Gov-loc and 35" tires which has worked just fine for me. If you start spinning in the mud you let up until you feel the posi kick in,then let 'er rip! You'll like that Gov-loc more than an open diff when you see it got you out of the mud. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-15-2011, 12:09 PM	#4
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	Re: Gov lock? Around this area prices asked for the gov-locks are $100 or less. The guys with snow plows don't care for them. I have always leaned toward the clutch style like the Eaton posi's. My friend has one in his truck and it "pauses" before locking. Not sure if this is normal or not but after a moment when one wheel slips the other side will engage and it is a strange sensation compared to the Eatons which I have. Jim __________________ 1971 Shortbox step side 4x4, 350 sbc, 3:07 rear end 1965 Impala SS 400 sbc, Muncie rock crusher 1966 Impala SS 396 bbc, TH 400 1969 El Camino, 350 sbc, TH 350 1971 Snowplow built on a Blazer frame 1972 GMC Short bed, stepside, TH 400, 427 BBC

02-15-2011, 02:25 PM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Gov lock? They are a ball ramp design activated by momentum. The key is to let it spin but not too fast before it engages. They are know for failure due to letting them engage at too much momentum causing them to grenade. They don't engage at the slightest slip,which sometimes is a good thing. It's all about understanding the equipment and treating it as such. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

02-15-2011, 03:02 PM	#6
Myself Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Northern Arkansas Posts: 1,146	Re: Gov lock? Fine for a daily driver or occasional off road use. I have one that I modified so the posi kicks in at a very low rpm differential. You can also modify the swingout weight so it stays locked up to a certain mph.



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