Which Locker?

animal · July 15, 2001

Which works best for on and off road, tires are too expensive to tear them up going around every corner.

I would think there has got to be the best of both world's, I just don't know what it is.

LT · July 15, 2001

I don't have an answer for you animal but welcome to the forum.

NeXuS1 · July 15, 2001

ARB i think is a company that makes a air-locker.. really cool deal.. open diff till you press a buttom then poof locked axle. i read an article about one being installed in a K5. might be worth looking into..

http://www.arbusa.com/arb_air%20locker.htm

Smitty00Z71 · July 15, 2001

This reminds me of something, may be a little off the subject but I'll ask anyway. I have a 2000 xcab Z71 with the G80 rear end locker option ( or atleast I hear it an option) . I noticed a few weeks ago when I was doing a little "off roading" the rear end woud jerk and bounce a little when the rear tires started spinning in mud. It felt like the rear tires would grap a rock or something then suddenly jerk a lilttle. Someone told me this was normal if I had the G80 locker option, they said it's the locker "locking" down, has anyone else experienced this? Everything else seems ok, it just happens after the rear tires start to spin. I was asking because my truck is still under warranty and if it sounds like a problem I wantl have GM look at it. thanks for your help. Brian

http://www.picturetrail.com/bsmith_tsg

(Edited by Smitty00Z71 at 2:32 pm on July 15, 2001)

NeXuS1 · July 16, 2001

i would guess that its a auto locker or something.. when it noticed a tire spinning it probably clicks in. so its possible thats what your feeling. kind of why i like the air lockers.. its only on when you press the button.

Stepside Z · July 16, 2001

The ARB air locker is the way to go. It's a little pricy but offers the best of both worlds. You can also use the onboard air compressor to fill tires and stuff like that. It will not run air tools but is useful.

Smitty00Z71 · July 16, 2001

one more thing since we are on the subject.... How often should the rear diff fluid be changed in a 2000 silverado? does anyone know what the manual says about this.

Ranger Dave · July 16, 2001

PS. G80 is not a locker it is a limited slip. It uses clutch packs to limit slip of the tires.

Smitty00Z71 · July 17, 2001

so then why is this G80 option so special, it doesn't sound any different from a normal standard limited slip

y2kz71 · July 17, 2001

G80 is an Eaton gov lock rearend not a limited slip. The locking rearends on the new body style silverados have a locking rear differential option (G80). The old chevys and new F150''s are only limited slip. Here is the difference: When the tire starts to spin the rear will lock and you get 50% power to each wheel for a total of 100%. The limited slip only adjusts the power to about 70% and 30% power split. This is why the locker is so much better. Also, since it is NOT a limited slip with clutch plates YOU NEED NO ADDITIVE to the gear oil. The advantage of the ARB locker is that you can lock it in fully until desired, where as the Eaton (G80) will lock and unlock as required by tire slippage.

my $.02

Smitty00Z71 · July 17, 2001

sounds good, thanks for the input

Ranger Dave · July 17, 2001

I believe G80 was the option code in 1998 and I am positive in 98 it was a limited slip axle. 99 and up could be a locker but wouldn't you think the RPO code would be different.