lockers

[Blackpony]

anyone have any experience with the powertrax lockers? I am looking at replacing the open diff in my truck and this seems to be an affordable option. But i am concerned with longevity and if they hold up well.. any input is appreciated!

[Jabes1]

I have one in my truck, its held up to a blown sbc that I used to run, now a tpi mill. You feel it ratchet in a turn, but that's about it. Nice little affordable device. Ive had it in my for about 6years.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

What's your current gearing? Tire size? How much power is you engine making do you think?

These aren't good for tires over '30in and wide tires as well. Or big hp. Basically it's not a good idea for track or heavy off road or high stress situations with wide or sticky tires.

Offroad guys like em take a look at what they seem to concur on for a Long lasting design. Lunchbox lockers have been around for a while but small differences between them all. Some are quiet and some are aggressive and noisy
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[Jabes1]

Have you ever ran one INSIDIOUS? I have and do... I know a few people who have run them off road as well with no problems. I'm not saying you are wrong, but I'm not sure where you get your information from. Heck, my best friend used to run a mini spool on the street... would I do that? No... these at least allow the wheels to differentiate in a turn which is safer than a spool or mini spool. How much power was I making with my blown SBC? Your guess is as good as mine....12lbs boost at the time with two fat black strips down the tarmac. Its held up fine. My diameter is 29", call it 30" with my 20" TTII'S. These are an affordable and durable way to get rid of a peg leg. First hand experience here...

[SkinnyG]

I'm interested in them as well, but being up here in Canada, I'm concerned about winter driving with one.

[meatwagon83]

i was looking into one of these for my dually

[dieseldawg142]

never had a powertrax (i'm running a detroit), but my friend has one in his TJ. very good off-road, but on road is not that great. always sounds like the diff is coming apart (ratcheting around corners) & quite often his jeep literally jumps around corners as it locks/unlocks. he also does not like driving it in the snow (unless he's going strait). a short wheelbase & 33's maybe why it acts so squirrely. he is currently saving his money for an ARB

[Jabes1]

The ratcheting is noticeable on a slow sharp turn, probably not so much in a heavier truck. My truck doesn't jump around turns, just ratchet. I think the wheel base and weight play a big role.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by Jabes1

Have you ever ran one INSIDIOUS? I have and do... I know a few people who have run them off road as well with no problems. I'm not saying you are wrong, but I'm not sure where you get your information from. Heck, my best friend used to run a mini spool on the street... would I do that? No... these at least allow the wheels to differentiate in a turn which is safer than a spool or mini spool. How much power was I making with my blown SBC? Your guess is as good as mine....12lbs boost at the time with two fat black strips down the tarmac. Its held up fine. My diameter is 29", call it 30" with my 20" TTII'S. These are an affordable and durable way to get rid of a peg leg. First hand experience here...

That's pretty much out of the instructions of any lunchbox locker. I can't imagine they are easy to break but the life of the diff would be severely effected. ESP when the possibility that what he needs for a diff could vary a lot depending on his setup and intended use. Durability is what I'm getting at. These are as strong as the case that the locker resides in. I'm sure a high power car with slicks would prob scatter the rear in a blink. That and boost is way gentler on these kinds if parts. Poster didn't state what he was running so prob be a good idea to see
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[Jabes1]

I agree with your statement that its only as strong as the case that its in, but that applies to any unit in any case. Torque breaks parts, not horsepower. Boost isn't gentle on anything be it a roots style blower or turbocharger. Naturally aspirated or boosted, 500hp and 500ft.lbs of torque is 500hp and 500ft.lbs of torque. I've had a potent small block in mine and I didn't scatter anything. I run 1350 U joints and a 3.5" driveline now and I think with slicks or a sticky tire the first problem he would encounter is the stock 1310 U joints on these trucks fragging and dropping the driveline. Ten and Twelve bolt cases are pretty strong.

[dieseldawg142]

Originally Posted by Jabes1

The ratcheting is noticeable on a slow sharp turn, probably not so much in a heavier truck. My truck doesn't jump around turns, just ratchet. I think the wheel base and weight play a big role.

they sure do. my '71 jimmy was always chirping the tires on corners (detroit) & was a handful in the snow (39.5's didn't help), my '77 camper special would only do it on sharp, hard throttle corners (again detroit), slightly better in the snow, & you never notice the detroit in my crew unless you HAMMER the throttle on a corner (doesn't turn sharp enough to notice anything else). only thing in the crew is a light clunk when shifting D to R.
we always told buddy to go with a limited for his jeep, his daily, but nope, he wanted a locker, it's a good locker, but not for how he drives it. still wants a locker-hence saving for an arb

[mitch1965]

I installed the Powertrax No-slip in my '87 K20. Auto trans, 4.10 gears, 265/75R16 tires.
I really like the powertrax. The no-slip is much more steetable than the Lock-rite, which is more off road oriented. I have had not issues at all with mine.

[Blackpony]

Thanks for the input guys. My truck will live 80% of its life driving 60 miles to and from work with maybe the once a month or every other month it will see the track just for fun. Currently I have 29" tall tires and might go a little shorter next time around. I have a clutched unit from a 70's camaro but the cost of axles, bearings, a rebuilt kit is damn near twice the cost of this unit and it will be done. The rear end is 1000 mile fresh with new bearings everywhere and new 3.08 gears. I plan to do a set of 3.42 gears at the same time. Seems this might be just the trick for me. If I end up not liking it then I'm sure it will be easy to sell and just suck up the price of axles, etc..
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[Blackpony]

Oh and I live in Texas so we might see snow for a day each year but otherwise it's just a little rain and dry roads. My main concern is longevity on the unit and if the ratcheting is loud/obnoxious for a daily.
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[bilfman]

I have ran lockers in all my 4x4's . You rarely ever hear them . I run a 400hp 520lbs torque 454 and currently have a Detroit locker in a Dana 70. No problems . I run a tru trac up front in a Dana 60 . A locker, in my opinion is the single best mod for a truck. I would never run without one.
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[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by Jabes1

I agree with your statement that its only as strong as the case that its in, but that applies to any unit in any case. Torque breaks parts, not horsepower. Boost isn't gentle on anything be it a roots style blower or turbocharger. Naturally aspirated or boosted, 500hp and 500ft.lbs of torque is 500hp and 500ft.lbs of torque. I've had a potent small block in mine and I didn't scatter anything. I run 1350 U joints and a 3.5" driveline now and I think with slicks or a sticky tire the first problem he would encounter is the stock 1310 U joints on these trucks fragging and dropping the driveline. Ten and Twelve bolt cases are pretty strong.

Well a cast iron carrier with say a powertrax isn't as strong as say a billet locker but in the posters case I think this will do fine. Boost doesn't have the brutal low end of say a low geared drag type setup and Wont stress the Diff the same as say turbo car in which those usually are higher geared anyways. And even then like I said its not an application which you would call for something like this right? I've seen the pins snap an some axles break with these but they were getting run hard. A truck with a light rear and high power I don't think would hurt them as much as a car that puts the power to the ground a little better

I was thinking of getting one to try out in my stepside project.
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[INSIDIOUS '86]

Originally Posted by Blackpony

Oh and I live in Texas so we might see snow for a day each year but otherwise it's just a little rain and dry roads. My main concern is longevity on the unit and if the ratcheting is loud/obnoxious for a daily.
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I think people with cars would prob complain more of ratcheting. A truck is longer and the passenger area isn't next to the rear axle. You may hear a slight ratchet but I don't think it will be obnoxious. If it is you can always get a gear drive to drown that out hahah.
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[Rubble]

[QUOTE=dieseldawg142;6133191]they sure do. my '71 jimmy was always chirping the tires on corners (detroit) & was a handful in the snow (39.5's didn't help), my '77 camper special would only do it on sharp, hard throttle corners (again detroit), slightly better in the snow, & you never notice the detroit in my crew unless you HAMMER the throttle on a corner (doesn't turn sharp enough to notice anything else). only thing in the crew is a light clunk when shifting D to R.
My 86 had a Detroit in it when I first got the truck.It opened up my eyes a couple times in the snow...coming into a 90 deg corner a bit too hot & really worn front tires = right into the ditch,luckily the Detroit helped get out too!! You could hear it ratchet on the pavement when turning,but worked great otherwise.Piled up a pinion bearing,so I swapped in an open diff for now til I get the other rebuilt.
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[Rubble]

Originally Posted by bilfman

I have ran lockers in all my 4x4's . You rarely ever hear them . I run a 400hp 520lbs torque 454 and currently have a Detroit locker in a Dana 70. No problems . I run a tru trac up front in a Dana 60 . A locker, in my opinion is the single best mod for a truck. I would never run without one.
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My 86 has a truetrac in the front & it works great in mud or snow. Only downside is bit harder to steer when locked up,but if you let off a bit not bad then.
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[LynnJr]

From personal experience I like the ARB air lockers.
Again from personal experience forget all about Eaton or Auburn Gear.
Again from personal experience forget about limited slip or posi-traction as doing anything at all after 1 months time.
Again from personal experience there is nothing on planet earth that hits likes boost from a supercharger down low.Turbos kick in blowers smash your eyes into the back of your head.

[Unca]

as a former jeep guy... yeah I know... but anyhow. 350 tuned port,700 r 4 lock right's front and rear ( lunchbox locker's) 33 x 12.50 tires... the lockers held just fine. I did break one cross pin, and several axles, but I was in the rocks playing and got what I deserved.. but the lil lockers held just fine and they shipped me a new cross pin when I called, so customer service was great. they held up to me and some small horsepower / torque off good tires on rocks, id say you'll be fine on the street, that being said, they are lockers. they have poor road mannerisms. they will rachet, click, jerk when turning ( and maybe even after the turn if they haven't meshed back together. they WILL eat your tires. they can be a blessing and a hinderence in winter driving. ( jeeps are short wheel based and like to change ends on slick roads unless your in 4 wheel). but true posi, gets good traction. if shes going in a straight line that is...

[Jabes1]

Originally Posted by INSIDIOUS '86

Well a cast iron carrier with say a powertrax isn't as strong as say a billet locker but in the posters case I think this will do fine. Boost doesn't have the brutal low end of say a low geared drag type setup and Wont stress the Diff the same as say turbo car in which those usually are higher geared anyways. And even then like I said its not an application which you would call for something like this right? I've seen the pins snap an some axles break with these but they were getting run hard. A truck with a light rear and high power I don't think would hurt them as much as a car that puts the power to the ground a little better

I was thinking of getting one to try out in my stepside project.
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I'm not trying to have an argument... Sometimes you give really great information INSIDIOUS. Sometimes I think you are misinformed. Boost is boost, be it a SC or a TC. Its positive pressure, above atmospheric. Roots style blowers and even centrifugals are capable of building boost when you crack the throttle... there is no lag and are belt driven, responsive ( spike in torque & hard on parts). Turbochargers are exhaust driven and depending on the length of manifold tubing, up pipe, diameter of said tubing can have lag. (There are ways to combat this) The size of the hot and cold side plays a huge role in how fast it builds boost (lag) and when its fully spooled. You can size a turbo to efficiently build boost at low, mid, and high rpms. When that turbo spools, it causes a spike in torque that can be hard on parts, but there are ways to manage it. You're making a lot of general statements especially about boost and its not correct info. Most turbo cars are high geared? Its basic physics things not in motion tend to... blah blah blah. SOME drag cars run spools/lockers to keep it straight down the track...but it depends how hard its run, how specific the application. Did I need a blower and was it intended for my application? Nope... but it sure was fun

If you look at gearing in Jeg's or even Summit you will notice they specify street or drag. The difference between street and drag gears is the hardness of the gears themselves. Drag gears are softer and designed to take some of the shock out of the drive line, therefore not recommended for the street and longevity.

Is a Powertrax bullet proof, no. Will it work and work well? Yes. Powertrax recommends a hardened shaft to prevent cross shaft failures. I think if you give it a try you will like it for the traction, ease of installation, low cost and durability.

[Blackpony]

Originally Posted by Jabes1

I'm not trying to have an argument... Sometimes you give really great information INSIDIOUS. Sometimes I think you are misinformed. Boost is boost, be it a SC or a TC. Its positive pressure, above atmospheric. Roots style blowers and even centrifugals are capable of building boost when you crack the throttle... there is no lag and are belt driven, responsive ( spike in torque & hard on parts). Turbochargers are exhaust driven and depending on the length of manifold tubing, up pipe, diameter of said tubing can have lag. (There are ways to combat this) The size of the hot and cold side plays a huge role in how fast it builds boost (lag) and when its fully spooled. You can size a turbo to efficiently build boost at low, mid, and high rpms. When that turbo spools, it causes a spike in torque that can be hard on parts, but there are ways to manage it. You're making a lot of general statements especially about boost and its not correct info. Most turbo cars are high geared? Its basic physics things not in motion tend to... blah blah blah. SOME drag cars run spools/lockers to keep it straight down the track...but it depends how hard its run, how specific the application. Did I need a blower and was it intended for my application? Nope... but it sure was fun

If you look at gearing in Jeg's or even Summit you will notice they specify street or drag. The difference between street and drag gears is the hardness of the gears themselves. Drag gears are softer and designed to take some of the shock out of the drive line, therefore not recommended for the street and longevity.

Is a Powertrax bullet proof, no. Will it work and work well? Yes. Powertrax recommends a hardened shaft to prevent cross shaft failures. I think if you give it a try you will like it for the traction, ease of installation, low cost and durability.

Thanks for the input. I think I am going to just save up and stick with the clutched lsd i have now. Install is no big deal. i work at a performance shop and build everything from bolt on mustangs to 1500+ hp custom built tt shelbys. So building the rear is no big deal, i just really did not want to spend the cash on it right now, but guess I will just save up and do it once and be done knowing 100% it will do what I want.

thanks guys!