Hey!
The differential on my -91 F-250 is no longer working properly.
I wonder if this is the right time too do something about the rear axle.
The powertrax is quite cheap compered too other lockers, and it seems to be quite easy to install. Are there anyone here who have some experiance with it?
Does it work satisfying in the terrain, and how is it working on the highway?
Anything special to be aware of during installation?
Or maybe it is better too go for ARB airlockers or Detrit lockers, even tough they cost much more?

 

Depends on what you do with your truck.
I haul lots of weight and live in the mountains.
I had a Lock Rite locker in mine for about a year.

Steep hills, a couple tons in the bed and a locker are not a good combination.
Truck went straight no matter which way you turn the wheel, even on paved roads.
In the end the locker exploded, took all the bearings, ring gear and pinion with it.

When I was running around with an unloaded truck, in the mud or snow and on road or off road it worked great.

If I did not use my truck as a dump truck, I would probably been fine with the locker.

 

Well, Let's start with a bit of a clarification. Richmond Gear is the parent company of both PowerTrax and Lock-Right, but they are two different products. The Lock-Right line is the cheaper, less sophisticated design. The PowerTrax line is a much more refined design and around 50% more expensive.

FWIW, I have PowerTrax No-Slip lockers in BOTH differentials of my Jeep Cherokee. Probably the best-behaved "lunchbox" auto locker on the road - other than the Detroit Gearless (which is no longer available).

The PowerTrax lockers are are WAY, W-A-Y better than the Lock-Rights. I had one of those in the rear for a while and it was OK, but it didn't compare to the No-Slip. Lock-Rights are much noisier, and don't unlock nearly as easily, predictably, or smoothly when you want them to. Much like Dave said - when power is applied to them they want to stay locked and going in a straight line.

I also know of half a dozen people who have experienced differing levels of failures with Lock-Rights - anything from simply wearing out, to stripping the teeth out of them, to totally grenading, just like Dave described. So far I only know of one person who had a problem with their PowerTrax No-Slip and that was because he didn't install it right.

If you aren't going to be doing a LOT of seriously heavy hauling (like Dave) and you want an auto locker, the PowerTrax No-Slip is the one to get. They cost a bit more than a Lock-Right, but their design is so much more sophisticated and their operation so much smoother, more predictable, and more reliable, that they are worth it IMHO....

 

I really don't think a lunchbox locker is a good idea if you're hauling heavy, the cross pin is only so strong. I'd really want to do a full case replacement.
Mine is welded solid, pulling the gooseneck, it does get a bit of the wanting to go straight, but, not enough to make the truck hard to drive.... I may just be used to it... LOL
I really wouldn't recommend welding the rear if you do all pavement miles and do lots of heavy hauling, you'll chew up tires like there's no tomorrow.
A selectable locker like an ARB is the absolute best way to go, it's a spool, or an open diff, no in between, no racheting, no noises on corners, no strange cornering habits when you get on the power.

 

Yeah, I can't argue with that - which is why I said "if you aren't going to be doing a LOT of seriously heavy hauling (like Dave)..." Meaning that if you ARE going to be doing a lot of heavy hauling then maybe the lunchbox might not be the best choice.
Well, I can't say that I completely agree with that statement. The No-Slip doesn't do all the ratcheting, corner hopping, and weird cornering of a Lock-Right. Or at least not to any where near the same degree. Ever driven one? They're a totally different animal.....

I have also seen a LOT of people have their share of problems with ARBs too. There are too many single points of failure with their system IMO. Any ONE of the following can completely disable your locker. Compressor failure - either mechanical or electrical, air line failure, "lolli-pop" (actuator) failure, switch failure, solenoid (air valve) failure, internal mechanical failure - and those are just the ones I have personally seen happen that I can recall off the top of my head...

If I were going for a selectable I'd go for either an Eaton Electric OR, best of all, an OX. Assuming they are available for our axles of course.....

 

Well, I was only using the ARB as an example... Being half asleep when I wrote that, I couldn't think of the other ones... LOL I'm not sure that there are others avalable though.
The OX is a nice setup, and apparently they did get their customer service straightened out, for a while there tho, there were far more Ox related complaints than ARB ones....
Personally, if I was running an ARB, I wouldn't run their compressor, or controls... A mechanical compressor is much more useful, and a simple air valve on the dash is just as functional as a solenoid, with nothing to fail.

On pavement, the no slip does seem to work ok, but, put nearly any locker on a snowy, icy road, and you're in for a thrill ride. Even the gov lock in my old GMC made things interesting, had to remember to dump the clutch before you turned a corner, even in 4wd, or you might be going straight... That is why my diesel is welded, it ALWAYS acts the same, and, with the weight on the nose , with my studded 235/85R16 winters, steering is not comprimised.

 

Ok, so where do i buy the powertrax no-slip?

Is this thing a "in-my-garage-installation?

 

That's probably the best thing about the PowerTrax - or even the LockRight for that matter - anyone with average mechanical skills and a few hand tools can put one in.

Installing a full-case locker (Detroit, Ox, ARB, Eaton) requires special tools and skills to do correctly, and if NOT done correctly will result in serious damage to the differential gears - or worse.

Check out richmondgear.com - they should have a dealer locator in their website.