Adding Rear Locker

Mowerpan · August 21, 2010

Well after months of looking I found and purchased my perfect truck, however the few things it doesn't have I have added liked adding the factory cruise. Now I need to add a locking differntial of some sort. My 08 I turned in(lease) had a g80 locking differential that saved me when launching my jetski on the beach or very crappy launch ramps. I would like to add a locking rear differential but I am not sure which is the best way to go. I am only familiar with the factory Eaton Gov-Lock I had in the 08. This truck see's only towing on pavement 80 percent of the time so road manners are very important. I also prefer something that does not require activation(ex: arb air locker or e-locker) Is the Eaton Gov-Loc the best for me or does anybody know of something that would work better.

rodram · August 21, 2010

my opinion is that the G80 Eaton Gov-Lock is a very useful mechanical locker... I truly appreciate mine, especially in snow and in wet sand/mud, and I would not want to have a truck without one (ever again... been there!)

... some people on this forum will dump all over the Eaton Gov-Lock because it can fail or blow up if you are abusing it in conditions far beyond what it was designed to do..

... based on your description of your truck use, I believe that an Eaton Gov-Lock is a good choice for you..., although I have heard of some other lockers ... I just don't remember any details.

Mcguinness · August 21, 2010

Yukon grizzly is one for our trucks and eaton limited slip which is what i bought.

McLeod · August 21, 2010

I'm in the same situation....new-to-me '03, but with regular open diff. How difficult is it to find someone with the skill to "re-set" the gears after installing the Gov-loc? Is it possible (practical) for DIY? (Incidentally, I have read that the Detroit "Easytrac" is very close in function and driveability to the OEM). Mc

Z45 · August 21, 2010

Have the dealer install the G80. I have done that before. It will cost around $500 for parts + abut $200 installation. These are estimates based on general knowledge of what it took to do the work on my 2001 GMC Sierra. I was able to get the G80 case and parts for dealer cost but had to look around for a dealer to install it. Some gave me carp, don't do it line or their differential tech was afraid to do install it but I went to a big Chevy truck dealer and they did the work in under 2 hrs.

Never the less, for your use the factory G80 is the best solution.

IMO installing it is NOT a do it yourself job, requires technical knowledge and tools. You cannot just put in the parts.

Diesail · August 21, 2010

If all your driving is on the street you DO NOT want a grizzly. It is a very aggressive locker that is locked all the time and must release in a tight turn. They simply do not have good road manners. As other have said the G80 is a good choice. I would also look at a Detroit TrueTrac

Mcguinness · August 21, 2010

If all your driving is on the street you DO NOT want a grizzly. It is a very aggressive locker that is locked all the time and must release in a tight turn. They simply do not have good road manners. As other have said the G80 is a good choice. I would also look at a Detroit TrueTrac

Truetrac is not available for 2500hd as of now

Also consider a posi traction eaton makes an excellent one of these and they are better if you get stuck in snow/ice than a locker.

Diesail · August 21, 2010

If all your driving is on the street you DO NOT want a grizzly. It is a very aggressive locker that is locked all the time and must release in a tight turn. They simply do not have good road manners. As other have said the G80 is a good choice. I would also look at a Detroit TrueTrac

Truetrac is not available for 2500hd as of now

Also consider a posi traction eaton makes an excellent one of these and they are better if you get stuck in snow/ice than a locker.

I was wondering about that, I have a Duramax and it available for the AAM axle, but I wasn't sure what axle is in a stardard 2500HD

Z45 · August 21, 2010

fyi Eaton makes the G80 mechanical locker.

Posi-traction is a limited slip differential and you would not want one of those in a truck.

Mcguinness · August 21, 2010

fyi Eaton makes the G80 mechanical locker.

Posi-traction is a limited slip differential and you would not want one of those in a truck.

I am aware of the G80 and many others like the yukon grizzly locker and the auburn, but was offering alternatives.

And why not in a truck ?I have a truck and have a eaton posi. They are better in all around weather conditions especially ice.

A limited slip differential:The Eaton Posi LSD prevents wheel slip before it can get started. To do that, carbon disc clutch packs, preloaded by a central spring assembly, are located behind each differential side gear. When torque input increases the clamping load on the clutch packs increases. That causes the chatter-free clutch packs to grab and transfer power to the other wheel.

Eaton website info.