POWERTRAX lockers

[shortbed70]

Does anyone know anything about these things? Are they easy to install and are they good for street race ??? Does anybody run these in there trucks/any problems. I might be buying on shortly and bassicly want to know the in's and out's of them...

[Mike C]

Don't do it. They are just OK for low power applications, but if you put any real grunt to it they tend to unlock. All of the guys I know who had them, sold them, then bought a true limited slip.

Just suck it up and get an Eaton posi from Tom's Differentials ($280) and pay the installation or learn to do it yourself.

[71MoneyPit]

I just put a Powertrax Lock-Right in my truck about 2 weeks ago and I would have to disagree with the low power only applications, If the 525ft lbs of torque from the 500 Caddy hasn't hurt it it would be hard to imagine what would.Ive leaned into it pretty hard and have'nt had it unlock on me yet.

The one thing that made me stray away from posi's was the fact that they wear out(eventually) and they still don't deliver 100% of the power to the wheels. They all have a certain amount of slip built in.

The only thing i can think of that would make the lockers unlock suddenly is if your diff. housing is worn or the thrust washers you use aren't thick enough.(the manual specifies the clearance between the two halves should be between .045 and .070, anything over .070 and they say you should replace the case or get thicker thrust washers if thats the problem)

They are simple to put in, they say you can reuse your pinion shaft and thrust washers but i would recommend replacing them anyway(they're 30 some years old ) or they sell they're own hardened pinion shaft(it's made out of "Zytanium" or something like that. We done ours in about an hour, if yours is a c-clip rearend(12 bolt) you don't even have to take the tires off. The hardest part of the job is getting the c clips back in.

The only reason you wouldn't want one is if you are wanting something that is unnoticeable because these aren't.
You hear it ratchet when you go around corners and you can feel it when it locks up. It will whip the rearend right around if you goose the throttle going around a corner.

but i think its advantages far outweigh the few disadvantages it has and it is great when you stomp the pedal and lay 2 tire tracks

[chaptr2]

Just wait awhile, you will have nothing but problems with it. I thought the world of mine until it started to unlock on me and send me across two lanes of traffic. I can't believe they still sell this unsafe crap. Save your money and buy something like Mike C said.

[cochino12]

anyone else? I was also looking at powetrax

[Bustedup]

I am also one that hasn't had any problems. Mine has been in for about two years and works as good now as it did when first installed. One of the things I did was take my time on the shims to make it tight with minimal slop. I use my truck to push sprint cars and it hasn't failed yet.

[shortbed70]

Well the score is two for two so I need more imput. I dont have a high horse motor maybee 300-350 hp but I run 15x10 with 295-50-15 and I just want something less harsh than a minispool but can still put what little power I have to the pavement.

[Jeff M.]

I'm running the Eaton behind a pretty stout 427. Installation was easy and I haven't had any problems with it at all. Don't know much about Powertrax lockers, but the gearheads I know all recommended the Eaton and some of them are puttin out some serious H.P. Very satisfied with the Eaton.

[Project1970]

I've heard too many bad reviews and not enough good ones for me to even consider one. Whenever I get the money and the time, I'll go with an Eaton, or maybe an Auburn...

[Ed ke6bnl]

Originally posted by Project1970
I've heard too many bad reviews and not enough good ones for me to even consider one. Whenever I get the money and the time, I'll go with an Eaton, or maybe an Auburn...

They claim that to install the powertrax you only need to remove the center section and replace it with the powertrax not set up fo the ring and pinnion what is the deal with the others and are ther other that are taht simple to install. Ed ke6bnl

[crazy longhorn]

I was advised by a local driveline shop NOT to use the Powertrax on a high HP application. they should be fine on closer to stock power levels, & normal driving usage from what I understand. I have thought about using 1 in my 78 K 20( 270hp sb, & not used too hard). Good luck,crazyL

[shortbed70]

Thanks for the replys and I think I'll stick with the open rear until I can afford another unit. Can ya'll shot me some prices on posi units and set up cost in your area?

[70cst]

I've got Eaton's on my 402BB 400 THD w/o any problems so far.