u2slow

The DRW pickup of the 73-87 chevs is a 70HD and always 35 spline. More variations on the Ford side... 23, 32, or 35 spline; 70HD would be optional in a cab & chassis.

Interesting tidbit as far as strength... powr-lok guts are common to the D60/70, but open diff guts (and lunch box lockers) are common to the D70/80.

Im also not sure how long a powerlok will put up with one tire spinning away in the muck, loaded down with a ton of wet firewood in the bed.... since with a locker i know i'd just keep moving and not get stuck ;-)

MrFusion

Maybe I'll put a p'trax into it if I can find one fairly cheap. If I don't like it I can always take it out and sell it. I'll see what I find. Thanks for your guys input so far.

KYLEBOY

yes just the chevy dual wheel pickup and some motorhomes used the D70. u would only use the carrier and there are at least 2 different carriers used. one for higher gear ratios and one for the low gear ratios 4.56-4.88 ect.

KYLEBOY

I don't know what the p'trax is but if it's the one that you remove the spider gears and install a ez locker, they lock good but are not very strong, and eat tires alive

bobva

I hated it.
CLATTER CLATTER. Mainly in fuel stations, parking lots, pulling into my drive way
Eats rear tires. More weight in the bed the more it ate.
Slightest trace of snow had to put truck into 4 wheel so it would turn at slow speeds like turning into my drive way.

u2slow

The D70HD is also a different case - its machined to fit wider bearings. Just another wrinkle to deal with. Not many powr-loks in motorhomes either.... but you may run into the 4-spider (split case) open diff.

Tire wear (as with any locker) isn't bad if you drive a manual trans, and unload the drivetrain for turns. Auto's tend not to let it unload, so you're always dragging a tire in turns - the same as a spool or welded diff. I used to have an F350 Powerstroke with a Detroit locker. Tire wear was acceptable. Sold the truck to my buddy he scrubbed the tires off in a matter of weeks.

My lockers have come from Complete Offroad, PORC, and RockyRoad Outfitters.

u2slow

Driving style. Take it out of gear and locker unloads... less noise, normal tire wear, normal steering.

I drive a Lockright on pavement daily. Before that, a Detroit. If it was ridiculous I wouldn't do it. Instead, I want it for ALL my trucks.

MrFusion

My gut feeling is to go with a power lok. I've read a couple of blogs about using more discs when you rebuild a p'lok to increase the pre-load. However I've never had a locker before and would kind of like to try one. the Powertrax looks like a bit less hassle to install. The truck is 5 speed. Drivability seems better with a posi. It will probably depend on what I find first.

MrFusion

P'trax is short for Powertrax. Its a drop in locker similar to an easy locker. I'm not too sure what to worry about strength wise. The truck will be mostly on road and not towing real heavy. May occasionally see 10-12k trailer. It will have stock tires. I might put 35's on it in the future but that's not going to be for a long time if ever.