LSD vs. Locker/Powertrax

[DanDB64]

I am bound to get one of these. My truck is officially an off-road vehicle now (sorry, jut too much fun, and I have gone wheeling every other day since I showed my muddy pics) so I need to prevent myself from getiing stuck like I did the other day (one side sunk, the other side was in some hard mud, but the sunk sides spun, damn open differential) so I am looking at the Auburn Gear LSD or the Powertrax. What would be better for my application?

[HemiDak]

Definitely the locker. You can install the LockRight locker right into your open differential carrier, by yourself with a minimal amount of tools. The LockRight will also be much cheaper.

The Auburn on the other hand won't perform nearly as well offroad (probably would have done the same exact thing as the open differential when you got stuck), and you'll have to pay someone to do it.

[DanDB64]

Lockrite it is

[mopar318]

:woot: Locker :woot: I love my locker :banana2: :banana2: :bow:

[HemiDak]

Just think of it like this, it was like a difference between night and day offroad for me. I also had a stock limited-slip that worked, so just imagine what it'll be like for you. ;)

[mopar318]

Just think of it like this, it was like a difference between night and day offroad for me. I also had a stock limited-slip that worked, so just imagine what it'll be like for you. ;)

And for me it was a difference in .8 seconds in the quarter. And I can even offroad some too. :biggthump

[HemiDak]

And for me it was a difference in .8 seconds in the quarter. And I can even offroad some too. :biggthump

Dang, that's a pretty good difference. I'm sure it was definitely worth that for you.

[bigred2000]

I have a question about the locker, how does it handle on pavement? I just got my durango and have taken it offroad once without issue, but I really don't want to end up getting stuck. But since it will be primarily driven on pavement I want to make sure it won't ruin the street driving dynamics.

[mopar318]

The locker unlocks around cornering, Unless you give it loads of gas while turning it wont lock up. I never get tire squeel unless I want to.

[HemiDak]

The locker unlocks around cornering, Unless you give it loads of gas while turning it wont lock up. I never get tire squeel unless I want to.

Same here. My truck handles almost exactly like it did before, unless I get jumpy with the gas pedal. That's when it gets fun though. :biggthump

[graham]

I've got a powertrax no-slip and it is certainly night and day. It is AMAZING what having both tires turning will do. I can do things I would have been to do before. On the pavement it gets a little tricky. The thing about it is in a LSD they aren't locked unil one spins - in a locker they are always locked. Mine is a 5-speed so I notice the backlash quite a bit. I also have to be giving it just a little gas around a corner to keep it from jerking but too much will begin to bark the tire. It's really something you have to feel to understand. It is definately a learning curve but you will soon get used to it.

[HemiDak]

The thing about it is in a LSD they aren't locked unil one spins - in a locker they are always locked.

A spool is always locked but a locker isn't. A locker toggles between open and spooled.

[graham]

A spool is always locked but a locker isn't. A locker toggles between open and spooled.

*sigh* more terminology

You seem to have more of a grasp on what they are all about than I do. I thought LSDs had clutches and such to engage them when one wheel started spinning?

Do you think you could do a write up about lockers, LSDs, opens, etc? I think that would be sweet. Like advantages and disadvantages, locker or LSD and how they work and how they act?

[HemiDak]

Absolutely, I can do that right now in fact. I'll make a new thread for it.

[graham]

Absolutely, I can do that right now in fact. I'll make a new thread for it.

Sweet - stick that dude on dakotausa too, as if you wouldn't already...

[MACHINIST]

I recently installed a Powertrax unit in my '02 Durango (9.25 diff).

I paid $150USD for the Powertrax unit. Time to install it took me a little over an 1.5 hours (including changing the axle seals). Installation was a breeze. Just remove the cross-screw holding down the crosspin and the spider gears just fall out. Installing the actual Powertrax unit took me about 20 minutes.

Driving with the Powertrax took some getting use to (my ride is for street use only). On asphalt, it can be tricky when attempting a u-turn.. you gotta ease off the gas pedal more than you would would driving with an open diff or else you hear the tire chirping and truck feels like it wants to go straight.

Gotta admit, I haven't tried the truck in an offroad situation, but I have no doubt that I'll be pleased with its performance.

[bigred2000]

Where did you get that Powertrax unit for such a good price?

[WentInsane]

I am personally going for an ARB when I do my SFA Swap.