POWERTRAX Lock-Right

[SnakeEyeSS]

I was sick of tire spin. Spin spin spin at moderate throttle from a standstill with my "light" "engine" modifications. I had torque alright, but was almost sick of the amount, I could hardly get going in the rain. It was time for a upgrade. I was looking at the Eaton Posi unit's with Formula 1 style Carbon Friction disc's, but the prices were way above  what I wanted to spend, considering my differential was fine, and not in need to replacing. So I took advantage of Macromotive.com free-shipping deal at the time and orders it.

 

I was planning to install it myself, but when I took a look at the per-installation procedures alone, I knew I was in over my head. I took it the next day to my (entire) families' mechanic, but he was backed up and recommended a drive train specialty shop.

 

When I took it to the recommended shop(Drive Train Specialist in Tulsa, Oklahoma) the guy said the design looked like it would make a lot of noise. I told him about PowerTrax's claims, and I could tell he was skeptical, and tried to tell me it would still be loud. HE said as he took it to the guy who was going to be installing it, and the when the guy opened the box, he said the same thing the gear design looked like it was going to be very loud, but the guy I talked to told him what I said, it was supposed to be very quiet. They were amazed at the simplicity at the installation, it took them a little over an hour, for a Labor cost of 70 dollars.  Once done,  they said they wanted to try it out, and they took it "around the block", and they could not believe the quietness of the operation. they could only hear it, with the stereo off, windows down, and in a hard turn.  In fact they were so amazed with it, they stated that they are going to look into being an official distributer of the PowerTrax(hmm, shouldn't I get something out of that?)!!!!  The guy at the shop stated that they sell locking differentials they make for about 350 dollars for the differentials themselves. He said the PowerTrax was quieter, and seemed to work just as well. by the way he talked, it sounded like it is better just get a powerTrax than whole new differential.

 

Wheel spin? gone. Traction? more than I'm used to.

 

I got on a curved highway on ramp, and after making the turn on top a ramp, floored it. NO tire spin! NONE! just flawless acceleration. When making a turn while still giving throttle, the rear end feel more "pinned down " that it used to.  I can now give it good throttle from the start without having to worry about tire spin.

 

Now when I'm in the rain, oh yeah, appearently it dosn't rain in Oklahoma anymore. 1 rian in a month and a half and that was at night, so it could be a while before I can update this.

 

Some of you GM-TC members may know that I don't exactly like the idea of off-roading in my 2WD. But after reading the PowerTrax owner's manual(which is heavily geared toward 4x4 owners), I actually was looking forward to some light "dry [off] roading", I can't think about mud, I have Firehawk SS-10's that are a few thousand miles form needing replacement. Plus, the owners manual recommends seeing how much farther you can get up a steep hill in 2WD[before you need to switch to 4WD, but I don't have a 4x4]. I'm not going to test it, but if I ever need to climb a hill or get in a muddy situation, I'll let you guys know. But with the added traction I have now on road, I'm sure that this part is great for anyone who has an open diff 4x4 who needs more traction off-road. Remember, even the DriveTrain people said this is one great product, and they work with [locking] differentials for a job!

 

One time, when making the turn, the tires shuddered noticeably, but it only happned to that scale once. Since then it has ALMOST shuddered once or twice. The click sound when turning is very quiet, and unnoticeable under normal driving conditions(windows up, and/or stereo on), and you only hear it if your trying.

 

When testing this out at full throttle, I thought I saw a Ford F-150 peaking out to see what I was. Later, after a WOT from standstill and I turned into my neighborhood, the F-150(new body style, didn't get a good look)  revved up his engine when he passed the neighborhood entrance after we had turned in. Already, I have a Ford feeling overly threatened. That's almost itself a reason to buy it.

 

It also has a little "thing" that most of you will like. When it shifts, every now and then my tires will "chirp"(under more than light acceleration).  Through my mods and the dyno test of the mods from the manufacturer's, I'm estimating I have around 360 ft-lb.s of torque, versus the stock 300, so that might have something to do with it. Although I think its adds nice, powerful sounding touch to the truck.

 

Overall, so far I rate this product a 9.5. The calue is incredible, and having a drivetrain specialty shop talk about how great the part was helped to. It has quiet effective operation that really seems to get the job done. Well done, Powertrax.

[SnakeEyeSS]

It's been a few months......

 

RAIN UPDATE:

 

I'd say in the rain I have about a 40-50% grip improvement from stop. According to the Firestone dealer, the old SS10's I had had about a 0 rain grip compared to my new Indy's so next time it rain(its fall should be soon), I'll see if the wet traction improves again.

 

TRACTION UPDATE:

 

I have come to love a certain part: power out of a corner, and the back end straightens up a LOT. It really threw me off the first few times, but when its starts to straighten you you, there is less turning to do. Makes driving a truck a little more fun

 

 

NOISE UPDATE:

 

The clicking sound is still non-existent under normal driving, the clicking is only heard at turns, just as its supposed to. It's rythmatic, so its dosen't sound bad.

 

MUD UPDATE:

 

Yeah I'm insane. With my low tread firehawk SS10's I managed to wonder into a huge "mud zone" during a flash flood rain(inch or more in a half hour I think). It kept going, didn't even get caught up in the mud. I was probably going around 7 mph, for maybe 75 feet. yeah not much, but the mud was thick, and it mave have been insane, but I didn't want to get stuck, its still a 2WD.

[SnakeEyeSS]

Final Rain Update!!!!

 

I have finally gone through a good rain with my new tires, and I can say I didn't spin my tire once, even under well more than moderate throttle.  It still continues to have that vibration every now and under a turn, but dosen't seem affect the locker's performance.

[99silveradoz71]

Making me feel tempted to put 1 on my 99.

[swblr4]

It sure beats one tire fire, and truly does allow more off-road capability.  If you have an open diff, hate the one skin spin, and can't afford an Eaton unit, then this is the low cost option - with just a few quirky street driving characteristics.

[nonstop]

I put a powertrax loc-right, into my previous truck.

 

Installation was a piece of cake, and what a difference it made.

 

Three wheels with tourqe when the going gets tough, makes a difference.

 

Clicking noise is a small price to pay for the performance gains, I also had to re-learn how to drive around corners with a standard shift.

 

I'd do it to this truck but it has the G80.

 

Just my .02

 

[Black02Silverado]

Great to hear all is well with the Powertrax. I was going to install it in my 65 Impala SS  396 but opted to go with the Eaton when I researched that the powertrax was fine for mild build aplications and the unit it's self was bullet proof. The problem comes into play in the open carrier. That isn't made to take all that torque and they snap. I talked to several places, DTS and Drive Train Direct were among the few and they didn't recommend it if you plan on putting power to the ground and have some torque behind it.

 

But it sounds like you guys are not having any problems which is way cool. :thumb:

 

Keep us posted on how it holds up.

 

[SnakeEyeSS]

interesting!!!! I'll be sure to have enough cash on standby when I get do my big-mods in a few years!!!!

 

I'm guessing I have around 350-360 tq right now, but I'll have around 400, I think, within a year if all goes well.