07 Silverado Eaton Auto Locker Differential

emejay · July 2, 2007

What have you experienced with the auto locking rear end in the new Silverado/Sierra as far as traction? I currently have a 4x4 03 Silverado and I am planning on getting a new Sierra, but a 2 wheel drive with the auto locking rear end. How does it perform, better than a limited slip? Thanks for your feedback.

RobDarden · July 3, 2007

The only chance I've had to test it was on a wet road. I stomped the gas from a stop. There was a quick spin then they lock and I had traction instantly. I am looking forward to trying it out in the sand at the end of the month - going to the outer banks of North Carolina.

plainvanilla · July 3, 2007

great for pulling a boat trailer up a wet ramp

emejay · July 3, 2007

great for pulling a boat trailer up a wet ramp

Is it noticeable when engaged with a sound or "clunk", or do you just notice immediate traction? Can you tell when it disengages? My intended use is in sand or soft soil.

sonjaab · July 3, 2007

The G80 from either the 03 or 07 in both are identical and work the same !

cmoore74 · July 3, 2007

Engagement does not happen right away. The wheels need to spin for a second and then it'll clunk and lock up.

The locker works great when going straight, but if you've never had one before be careful going into a turn if it's slippery. If your spinning one wheel in a sharp turn and it locks up and both wheels spin the whole back end of the truck can slide out. This can be scarry the first time it happens. Just takes some getting used to.

This was my first truck with a locker and I took a sharp turn from a stop on a wet road and almost spun the truck completely around.

Can't really tell when it disengages.

dknarnd · July 3, 2007

The G80 from either the 03 or 07 in both are identical and work the same !

On the 04 Sierra crew I purchased the window sticker indicates a "LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL" as a manufacturer installed option, is this what you are talking about?

mhubbard · July 4, 2007

The G80 from either the 03 or 07 in both are identical and work the same !

On the 04 Sierra crew I purchased the window sticker indicates a "LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL" as a manufacturer installed option, is this what you are talking about?

I believe eaton has been the manufacture of the locking diff for quite some time, and i dont believe they have changed their design for the new 07's

mhubbard · July 4, 2007

The G80 from either the 03 or 07 in both are identical and work the same !

On the 04 Sierra crew I purchased the window sticker indicates a "LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL" as a manufacturer installed option, is this what you are talking about?

I believe eaton has been the manufacture of the locking diff for quite some time, and i dont believe they have changed their design for the new 07's

Also i believe it will disengage at 20mph

asilverblazer · July 4, 2007

To engage it requires a 100 rpm difference between the rear wheels. It will remain locked even above speeds of 20 mph, if it was locked and no coasting or slack entered the drivetrain before reaching that speed. It will not lock past 20mph. Engagement can be felt with a slight clunk, disengagement is not noticeable.

I have seen it printed that the design was improved for '07 but I could be making that up.

plainvanilla · July 4, 2007

great for pulling a boat trailer up a wet ramp

Is it noticeable when engaged with a sound or "clunk", or do you just notice immediate traction? Can you tell when it disengages? My intended use is in sand or soft soil.

I can't say I've heard anything.. but when it locks I can feel a surge as the other wheel kicks in

plainvanilla · July 4, 2007

The G80 from either the 03 or 07 in both are identical and work the same !

On the 04 Sierra crew I purchased the window sticker indicates a "LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL" as a manufacturer installed option, is this what you are talking about?

now it is standard equipment on 1500's

98 Z71 SLT · July 4, 2007

The G80 from either the 03 or 07 in both are identical and work the same !

On the 04 Sierra crew I purchased the window sticker indicates a "LOCKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL" as a manufacturer installed option, is this what you are talking about?

now it is standard equipment on 1500's

I truly don't think so.

Last week, the new-car truck came by and dropped off 13 new cars/trucks.

I checked out a 2007 NBS Sierra 1500 SLE-2 with a 4x4.

I liked almost everything about the truck, EXCEPT that it did NOT have a G80 locking diff.

So, I walked away from it. Not a special-order truck; just a truck for new-vehicle inventory.

Be VERY careful when shopping fellas...we actually have a bunch of trucks on the lot that are equipped with open rear axles.

mrbop · July 20, 2007

What have you experienced with the auto locking rear end in the new Silverado/Sierra as far as traction? I currently have a 4x4 03 Silverado and I am planning on getting a new Sierra, but a 2 wheel drive with the auto locking rear end. How does it perform, better than a limited slip? Thanks for your feedback.

I have a 2002 1500 HD 2WD with the factory (G80) locking differential and it works great. It locks up immediately when I have any wheel slip at all, usually before I even notice it.