Powertrax No-slip Locker install

[Perry]

Well we picked up the Explorer tonight from our local 4X4 shop. We had him put in a Powertrax no-slip locker and 4.56 gears. It was the first one of the no-slips he has done.
As far as the installation he said it was very easy and straight forward. The one thing I would like to go over is should or do you have to grind down the pin or a tooth on the gear. Steve said he will NEVER grind the pin so we did have to grind just about a 1/16 off two teeth. Steve thought he could just install the locker along with the gears, but it is because of the "C" clip that you have to put the locker in afterwards. Steve said everything went well and he thought it looked like it will work well for us. Here is a few pictures of the before and after.

I tried getting a picture of the ground tooth, but it was so small it didn't show up.

Then we had to take it out and test it out on his play hill, but it was getting dark.

I will find out this weekend how it does on the road since Teri (Perry's Teri) was the one that drove it home and she said she didn't really notice much difference.
Hope this will help anyone that is thinking of doing a no-slip locker.

 

[Brian1]

Those are some good pictures Perry! I never realized your rig was so flexy. So the road manners are not too much different?

 

[Perry]

Don't know what the road manners are like yet since Teri drove it home. I will drive it around this weekend.
We got just a little snow last night so I might take it out and test it out on the snow if it is still around after work.

 

[Trckmagik]

I dont know if you had a locker in the rear to begin with, but I noticed a huge diff. on the road. Mainly in turns you will need to be very careful about giving it to much gas in the turns. I had mine installed before christmas and it is great. You will notice a big diff. off-road. Good luck.

 

[Perry]

Had a chance to take the Explorer out in the snow tonight. Went to Sam's so had to try doing some donuts in the parking lot. You can tell the locker is in there.
Backing out of the drive it started to spin and right a way headed to the side.
Haven't noticed anything around corners, but I haven't pushed it yet. When I come to a turn I coast around it and so far I haven't heard any popping or anything. This weekend I hope to get on it a little more and see what it does.

 

[Sinjin]

Perry, Brian, Gerald,

Maybe I missed this but why did you all decide to go with the PowerTraxx? Was there a particular reason? Thanks.

 

[GJarrett]

Reasons

1) Most street-friendly locker available. The new Detroit Gearless may be equal, but (a) requires special oil; and (b) is gearless. The plates can theoretically wear just like a limited slip clutch pack, though no definitive results are out yet.

2) Lunchbox design/easiest install - no need to hire a gearman to set backlash, etc.

3) Comes in a really pretty box.

 

[Sinjin]

Thanks Gerald.
Guess I need to get one if I want to keep up with you.

 

[Trckmagik]

For me, I have had experience with the Auburn Limited Slip and had problems with it and knew I didnt want to go that route again with the exploder. And to back Gerald up, the box is nice. The powertrax has the perfect name to, I can feel so much more power at the rear now w/ this installed. Sinjin dont go for anything else, get the Powertrax.

 

[Marvin-the-Martian]

I read an artical about the powertrax and after listening to you guy's it seems the way to go but what about towing a tent trailer or something light like that???.......not that i can with 3.27's and 31's but a guy can hope...LOL

 

[mav]

I just installed one on my '99 4x4, and I love it! During normal driving, you forget it's there. Once you get offroad, you know it's there! One thing to be aware of if you do install a Powertrax to replace your LS diff, is the type of gear lube you use. The Explorer owners manual says to use 75W-140, in addition to friction additive. During the install, one of the steps is to remove the friction plates. Since these parts aren't re-used, there is no need to use the friction additive. As a matter of fact, the friction additive can actually cause damage to the Powertrax since the fluid has abbrasive properties. I talked with Ken at Powertrax, and he verified this info.

 

[tiessen]

As for grinding a tooth down, there is a 'special' notched pin that you should buy for 4.56 gears. When I did mine, the notched pin was $20 more.

Cheers

Dale

 

[Rob2000XLT]

Mav, so you don't notice the Powertrax while on the road. Does it affect your turns and stuff? I am interested in the unit but most of my driving is on city streets. Thanks for your input.
Rob

 

[Perry]

Rob2000XLT
I have been taking it a little easy, but so far I haven't noticed it much.
I try and coast around the corners. I did get a chance to play in a parking lot and you can do donuts REALLY easy.
I have played on some dirt hills at the 4X4 shop and I still get in places that I spin out. The front comes off the ground and then I can't go, but it is a lOT better then it was. The elete Explorer picture is the dirt hills. They aren't much, but they are steeper then what I would do four wheeling.
Hope this helps.

 

[mav]

Rob2000XLT,
I did notice a little bit of understeer, and it is better to go easy and not accelerate through turns. Other than that, it actually drives better than the stock LS diff I had already. It takes off from the line much smoother, and the difference offroad is incredible. I've never worked on a diff before, but a friend and I installed it in just 2 hours. The instructions are excellent, and you only need minimal tools. Pay close attention to the type of gear lube you use on the rear diff. It should be Synthetic 75W-140, but don't use the friction additive. This is for the friction plates, which are removed during installation. Let me know if you have any other questions...

 

[Rob2000XLT]

I did some researching on the auburn l/s. It was about $330 but it mentioned that re-gearing setup or something like that. Whatever that is, it sounds difficult. Have you guys used your powertrax in the snow and ice. It doesn't really matter to me if I can go over big dirt hills, I just want to get back and forth when the streets are snowy and icy. If I do any offroading it will be very minimal.
So I want:
Good handling on normal streets and turing
Easy install
Able to conquer ice and snow
and hopefully not pay a fortune!

Therfore I need?
Powertrax No-slip
or
Auburn Posi L/S

Thanks

 

[mav]

Rob2000XLT,
Not much ice here in San Antonio, Texas... We do get alot of rain during the fall, winter, and spring time. I've already driven quite a few times in the rain, and haven't notice any adverse handling characteristics. Just go easy around corners, and you can hammer it on the straight-aways. If you drive normally, you'll never know it's back there! Once you get off the road, then you'll know you got a Powertrax No-Slip!

 

[Perry]

Rob2000XLT
If you are going to just use it on the street why do you want one?
The little bet that I have had ours I don't think they do real well in snow and ice. Our driveway is slanted so I park at the bottom so we can get two cars in it. When it snowed last week we would back the Explorer up and yes both wheels spin but it starts going sideways right a way.
I have been told any locker will want to pull you down hill which makes since to me since both tires are spinning. The no-slip has a 2 year warrenty which I don't think the Auburn does.
If you are getting it for more traction on the street I don't know if it is really worth it. It does pull away at lights better, but if there would be snow on the ground it would want to wonder side to side. I know you can do donuts really easy.
Teri (Perry's Teri) has driven it more then I have and she drove it one day with snow and said she didn't have any trouble with it, but then she did say she could slide around corners pretty easy.
Hope all this helps.

 

[Tom Wilk]

I have the auburn and I like it. I think that on ice, either one will act like a locker, i.e. you can get the rear end sideways if you try (and sometimes without trying). On the other hand, the traction benefits of having two rear wheels providing effort helps immensely. Personally, I enjoy the ability to steer with the throttle.

That said, the powertrax would be easier to install. The Auburn replaces the entire differential "spider" gear carrier and requires a complete rear end set-up. Generally, this type of work should be left to those with experience.

If you live where there's plenty of wheelin' opportunities, the powertrax might be a better choice, though it isn't as rugged as other options such as the Detroit locker. I don't get off road much so the limited slip is enough for me. I basically retained more on-road driveability instead of off-road traction.

 

[FMExplorer]

Ok,
Now that the bug is biting me in full swing...
I am currently planning on rebuilding a L/S and installing 3.73's in the next few weeks. What was the cost of the Powertraxx? The reviews seem to be great here...

Jon M