Front locker?

[Mastiff]

I'm sure this has been discussed to death... my new D60 went to the shop to get the spring perch fixed and we noticed the bearings are shot (seems like all of them). Bottom line is that they are going to tear the diff apart and so if I want to put in a locker now is the time.

I'm not very interested in running wires or air down there if I can avoid it. I was thinking about a Detroit since I lockout the hubs on the road anyway. My only concern is if steering will be too painful even just cruising trails. What's the word on that?

The diff guy kind sounded like he liked Powerlocks. I don't know anything about them. Any opinions?


I remember a recent article in Petersens about how by the time you fix up an old set of 1-tons you may not be far from Dynatrack prices. At the time I was like "yeah right", but here I am looking at at least $750 in fixes and they aren't ready yet...

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

A power-lock is a limited slip, not a locker. It's a clutch type posi and not one I've ever been impressed with.

I've had a Detroit in the front of my Blazer for nearly a decade and before hydraulic assist, the steering was terrible. I seriously felt like I was going to rip the box off of the frame all the time and I ran as much as I could in 2WD simply due to steering. Of course, that's all in high traction/rocks.

Hydraulic assist fixes that right up, but that takes a big chunk from the budget.

 

[prairie]

Have powerlock limited slips in D60 fronts of two vehicles, and like them.
One in a 2005 Ford F550, and the other in a CUCV M1008 (1984 Chevy military pickup).
Mainly off road farm use, mud, snow, and loose dirt. I don't have much experience with other limited slips, but the powerlock seems pretty agressive, when compared to the GM factory rear limited slips in my other two pickups.
For a limited slip, I think it would be a good choice.

 

[WJACKSON11X]

I have had a lockright locker in my D60 for a few years now and running 39.5". It did suck without hydro assist, but I took care of that recently. I think for the price, the lockright is a great locker.

 

[Bowtie85]

I have a yukon grizzly in my d60, works good, no real complaints about the steering either.

Got a few buds that like powerlock's, they seem to work okay from what Ive seen.

 

[sweetk30]

power lock is beefy unit . almost like full locker . easy to reman IF you ever wear one set of clutches out. ( putt one in my buddys farm van with 7.3 p/s and he LOVES IT !!!! also sold one to thunderson ( member here ) for his dana 60 in his burban with 572 BBC in it and he beets on it no problems.

trac lock = light duty waste of money .

if you dont want hydro assist for steering ability off road then god arb and be done with it.

otherwise detroit unit . or a lockright in stock open carrier .

and dynatrac does ball joint knuckles unless you spend more and custom order with king pins.

 

[K85 Octane]

my Spartan has been good to me, but I have hydro assist and no experience without it

if it's just trails and light on road duty during snows, stick with a posi unit. I only have experience with an Eaton unit in the rear of my DD and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

 

[Mastiff]

Not sure about posi. I have Auburns in both ends now and they chatter without just the right additives. Not much in the way of mud out here, so I'm also unclear how well the posis work without wheel spin? My Auburns feel locked when the vehicle is jacked up... I guess I don't fully understand how posis work.

Sounds like steering may be an annoyance with normal steering. Would a posi be any better as far as that goes?

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Not sure about posi. I have Auburns in both ends now and they chatter without just the right additives. Not much in the way of mud out here, so I'm also unclear how well the posis work without wheel spin? My Auburns feel locked when the vehicle is jacked up... I guess I don't fully understand how posis work.

Sounds like steering may be an annoyance with normal steering. Would a posi be any better as far as that goes?

A posi still uses spider gears just like an open differential, they just use some mechanism (usually clutches with spring pressure against them) to force some power to the tire with traction. For mud and snow they work great, for high traction surfaces (like rocks) they don't do much.

The posi up front won't affect steering much, a mechanical locker will leave you really wanting hydro assist.

 

[4xcrazy]

I run my Loc-rite with the hubs locked, but t-case in 2wd until I need the front axle to work, then drop it in 4wd, front axles lock up when you apply torque to the front drive shaft, get through the obstacle and drop back in 2wd to continue on through the trails with easier steering.

 

[kellyjohn]

Wife uses an OX locker.

The OX was fairly easy to install and is relatively simple but does have a cable to actuate.
I know you said you are not a fan of air lines, but I have had no trouble with my ARB from ORD.

 

[sweetk30]

manchildau65 here is reading up on hydro assist for his rig. few trips out with locker in front on 38" tires has him wanting hydro assist.