I'm trying to decide on whether to go with a limited slip or Detroit type locker in my daily driver Silverado. I don't wheel it and don't intend on it, I just want some traction when I'm out in the woods and reasonable street manners. I.m not looking for any type of air,electric or cable locker.
My '05 has the factory G80, works real well. I have snow tires on it and haul a snowmobile up to 10,000ft each weekend. 2wd is fine most of the time with that setup, even during pretty major snow storms.
3/4 ton ones have worked good for me, I have a couple trucks with them. Buddy of mine just blew up a 1/2 ton one so I hear you there.
The G80 works great in my truck, same axle as your 02. I took it apart and cleaned all the clutches and reassembled it.
If your using on snow/ice, I’d stay away from a true locker. My experience w the G80’s (except 1/2t) has been pretty good, never broke one, but then they aren't turning big tires and wheelin either...maybe just a burnout or two.
My son has a D-max (11.5 AAM) which had the G80. After 230K it started to stay locked. We installed a True-trac, and he has been very pleased with it on dry pavement and snow too. He said that it pulled smoother and kicked in faster than the G80, it didn't need one wheel to speed up to start transfer of power. I have felt the same way about the one in my '70. Had it in all conditions too. The one for the 11.5 was not cheap, though.
The G80's seem to work better in the bigger axles due to them and the axle components just being physically larger and beefier. I'd probably still put a full locker in myself but the G80 in my 9.5" under my '19 works well.
