05 Sierra 1500

[ProSport Tim]

Got an 05 Sierra, 5.3 w/ 3.42's. It's got the Z-71 package with the G-80 locker. Been raining here in the northeast and I've been having some fun. Not beating on the truck, per se but around corners slip n' slidin' etc. My buddies have no issues with posi-traction in there trucks but I do. It's pulling one-leggers on me at times. I'd say 50% of the time. Should this happen? Shouldn't the locker prevent this? I came into work this morning, nailed it and when it downshifted to first it just burnt one tire. Granted I do have 20" chrome wheels which I understand are heavy but I don't think that should affect the truck much. Is this something to worry about or is the "limited slip" function just working? TIA!

[lrymal]

That's certainly an interesting question, and I haven't tried this yet. My only observation on this issue that one of our fleet's 2 WD crew cab truck that does NOT have a locker will absolutely NOT be used in a pasture. Just a slight amount of wetness will disable it. I mean, it won't go anywhere. Those tires have GOT to be replaced.

 

But, my '05 Z71 with its locker doesn't spin at all. It just goes across the wet grass---boringly so. And the 4WD is not selected.

 

One other observation... I accidentally backed into a deep rut as I was u-turning in the pasture. The back wheels went down and normally, I would have pressed the AUTO-4WD button to get out. Instead, I decided to see if I could get out without doing that, just for grins. The tires spun then there was a catch and the truck lurched out. I really don't think a 2WD drive without a locker would have done that. But that is really the only test I have done.

 

Next time the streets are wet, I'll give a test at a stop sign that used to bother my 2WD truck.

[trever1t]

Mine will leave pretty even amounts of rubber when willing

[builderpaul]

It will only lock at speeds below 20mph.

 

From a stop, when it is really slippery, it is possible to floor it and reach the 20mph wheel speed before it locks.

 

These are made to help you move in low traction conditions. Any driver, snow belt anyway, knows you don't floor it to get going. Slow and gradually gets you moving.

 

As far as having fun, these are not built for that. GM has decided the average driver cannot control their trucks with both rear wheels locked thus the limitations on when they can lock. From what I see every year, after the first snow, it is probably a good decision. People can"t control them with even one wheel spinning.

[asilverblazer]

I need lubrication to leave rubber.

 

First the last time "downshifted to first" sounds like you mighta been goin more than 20mph, in which case the locker will not engage. Also the wheel spin must be greater than 100 rpm's different between the rear wheels, to engage the locker.

 

For instance on my truck going around corners I can stab the gas just enough to break the inside tire loose, causing it to spin a little, but not enough to spin so much faster than the other tire to cause the locker to engage. You say it only works 50% of the time, I bet that 50% you are pushing a little harder or traveling under 20mph, which is why the locker engages at those times.

 

 

The way I see it my locker may not engage when I WANT it to, but it engages everytime I NEED it to.

[ProSport Tim]

I won't go as far to say there is a problem. I'm just curious as to how everyone else's responds. No, they are not meant to beat on at all. But it was in the rain, just a wee bit of fun. Never tried it when dry out. I will say I have felt it lock in at times and it has worked when I need it to. I just didn't know if it was a "full time" action or not. She broke loose no problem though this morning. I was probably up around 15-20 mph or so. As a limited slip function I'd say it's doing it's job.

[lrymal]

Go to the Eaton site. There are a couple of movies, a wet boat ramp, and a ditch area. Demonstrates how the locker works quite well. Also, the site has some good explanations:

 

http://traction.eaton.com/prod2.htm

[trever1t]

Tel you what, that ELocker looks pretty darn kool!

[Ape0r]

My truck with the Goodyear Wrangler stockers just can't help but kick its own ass around in the rain. My solution is to get me a set of them fancy Revo tires everyone keeps jabberin' about. Stock tires on my truck are worthless, can't say anything about yours though.