Just installed the PowerTrax System in my Dana 70. For anyone comtemplating installation of this unit, the unit is well made, directions clear, and the installation was straight forward. So far all seems to be working very well. Initially I had a loud sound from the rear which reminded me of the time I blew the spider gears in my Barracuda, but a quick call to the service line assured me that all was find-just drive it for about 50 miles to get it to work in. Well two days later it is very quiet. Just need to adjust myself to the sensation in the turns. It just snowed 12 inches. Going to test it out in the white stuff.

 

Where did you get it and how much? I have been kicking that one around for a while. Is it better in the snow or does it make it more squirrelly?

 

Got it from Trucksperformance.com. They had it listed as a clearance item. Price was $409.00. The original open diff. would have never gotten me out of the driveway. With the Powertrax, I got around with a lite foot on the gas. I found that the rear skipped quite a bit if it were given too much gas. I guess it has to do with the power transfer and both wheels slipping in the snow. But the old girl jusy chugged through it at alittle above idle. I did note a slight burning smell (tranny?) so I headed home. I got it for the boat ramp in the summer-good thing we don't get too much snow here. It's good but it ain't no 4wd!

 

Oh -my girl is 2wd!

 

I wish they made this for the Dana 80. I believe I could use the Dana 70 model and drill my ring gear, but that's something I'd leave to a good shop.

I'm trying a set of Blizzak snow tires this year to see if it makes the difference (so far I'm impressed but I'll find out today - 20-30" of snow by the end of the day), but if not, some sort of traction device is going in the rear end. I like the Powertrax design.

 

cditrani
I think you will be surprised by the performance of the blizzaks, I know I was. They are particularly impressive on the ice for sure....
Mishkaya

 

cditrani They do make one for the Dana 80 I think...
Personally I think an automatic locking differential is a little dangerous on a street vehicle. They're awesome for offroad though...

 

According to Powertrax website, njoverkill is correct. Here is the contact information from their website:


If you need to find contact information for a distributor near you or if you are a distributor in need of sales information or would like information about becoming a distributor for Richmond products, you may call (800)583-GEAR (8 AM - 5 PM ET)or e-mail us at sales@richmondgear.com. Most of your questions can be directed to our sales department.

Njoverkill, limited slips are a factory option. Are the "full lockers" what you think may be unsafe?

 

There is a powertrax in the classifieds over on the TDR for a D80. I am right now, I let a powerlok go for 60 bucks on ebay last week! I would like the powertrax, just because you can install it yourself without having to set anything up again.

 

PowerTrax doesn't make LSD's, they make lockers to my knowledge and yeah dangerous in the rain/snow when you're taking a turn and then end up doing a 180

 

According to Powertrax website, it sound to me that the standard Powertrax is a limited slip and the Lock-Rite is their full locker option. I could be wrong, of course.

I agree that a full locker could be dangerous and also probably would cause premature tire and/or driveline wear in a street application.

Anyone tried the regular Powertrax?

 

NO SLIP is a auto locker, Lock-rite is also an auto locker.... NoSlip is just the nicer, not so noisy one. I think.

Not exactly sure how it works but I think its' something to the tune of when it "feels" the wheels spinning at 2 different speeds it locks up.

 

The Powertrax users manual states" Should a wheel begin to slip due to poor tire-surface contact-Powertrax No-Slip Traction System will immediately transfer more torque to the other wheel to maintain optimum traction."
Now on a good surface going straight the manual states "Should a wheel lose traction, the Powertrax No-Slip Traction System engages both sets of drivers and couplers to transfer power to both axles.
The difference is "good" surface versus "poor tire surface". So is it a "locker"? No where do they call it a locker or use the term to describe the unit.

 

I think we are all partially correct. I just sent them an email to try to get some more info.

I'll post whatever they reply.

 

I've run one of these things in rear of my old 94 1500. Their install was simple, the instructions are very helpful. That same unit broke due to my sibling trying to spin 3 doughnuts in a row in the parking lot. Richmond gears warrentied the unit and sent us a new one, no questions asked. Both the No-Slip and LockRight units function by replacing the spider gears with splined halves, 2 per side. When on wheel turns faster than the other wheel, the springs in the unit allow it to 'ratchet' over the splines and the power stays with the axle turning 1:1. It was the single most effective device I added to that truck. I will not own another open-diff vehicle.

Here's a link to my install photos with pictures of the parts included in the kit. You can see the splines on the halves in several photos. You can also see the springs that adjust the preload on the halves:
http://www.orangeplug.com/truckweb/powertrax.html

Here's a link with photos on the install on a D44:
http://www.4x4wire.com/reviews/d44lo...installation/?

brandon.