I wrote this up on the powertrax install......
This weekend I installed a PowerTrax No-Slip traction System in my Dakota. I
have a 2000 SLT+, CC, 4.7L, Auto, with a 9.25 rear and 3.55 gears.
First the installation: The book says it installs easily with only basic
mechanical skills, and for the most part that's true, but you should not try
to do the job alone like I did. Two people would have made the job go easier
and faster, there is a lot of wheel and driveshaft turning, as well as
pulling the axles in and out, while you are trying to fit things together.
Maybe that is why I ended up doing it twice. I figured it would have taken
about 2.5 to 3 hours by myself. The first time I put it in, everything went
great until the final test before you put the cover back on. You have to
hold one wheel forward against the driveline and the other should spin
backwards easy but should not spin forward, (I did it with two floor jacks)
you do this for both wheels and then the book says to repeat the test on
both wheels again. The first time I did it, it worked great, the next time
though it would only unlock on the passenger wheel. I tried to call
PowerTrax but the tech line is only available M-F from 8-4 Pacific Time. I
had followed the directions and everything looked good but for some reason
something wasn't working right. So after yelling and screaming a lot, I
pulled the whole works out again and went through the install again and
basically put it back just the way it was.only this time it worked every
time. The only thing I found was a hunk of metal shaving about 1/4 inch
long. It wasn't the same metal as the unit or the same as the ring
gear...but it was in there, must have came off my sometimes cluttered
workbench. Maybe this had caused the thing to not engage right? Anyway I
filled it up with Valvoline semi-Synthetic 80W-90 and was done.
Driving Impressions: The book calls for a 50-mile break-in period where you
drive normally, without any extreme 4 wheeling or anything. I did finally
call PowerTrax tech line (I had a question about the side gear thrust
washers) and they said this about break-in ."Well them things don't act
right for the first 100 miles or so"?!? So use you own judgement on the
break-in. I went 100 miles before I started to see how she worked. The book
mentions many things about Payload, Steering, Tire Chirp, Clunk, Side-Slip,
and Driveline Windup (actually the book is written pretty well with lots of
explanations and things to watch for). The first thing you will notice,
especially in a newer truck is "Clunk". There is lots of play in the unit,
when you put it in park you will notice that the truck moves an inch or two
when you take your foot of the brake. Also at any speed under 30mph, if you
blip the throttle, it will give you a very loud and nasty clunk from the
rear end. I had two days of big snow to try it out and found several things
that are worth noting.
Pros- 1) You can definitely lay down two black marks as long as you like.
2) Quiet in normal operation - regular driving and corners on dry (not icy
or snowy) pavement are seamless as unit locks and unlocks. 3) Performance on
snow is generally good .except for low speed corners. 4). I assume it would
be great for drag racing, boat ramps and 4 wheeling. 5). Did not effect
normal operation, truck still felt the same going down the road, ran it at
75mph for about 15 min with no problems, book said it works at all vehicle
speeds.
Cons- 1) Driveline play (and the resultant clunk factor and noise). 2)
Accelerating through icy and snowy (or sandy) corners allows locked wheel
(inside) to slip and as unit tries to get traction on the other wheel it
kind of bangs back and forth looking for traction. Especially noticeable in
parking lots any time you hit the gas on snow while turning... Clunk Clunk
Clunk. Having the truck in 4 wheel drive solved this problem by putting less
stress on it (I assume), I believe this would also happen if you were
powering through a corner on dry pavement with the inside wheel spinning
(quick get away) and could really cause a problem. 3). Noise makes you
wonder if you are hurting the unit. 4) No more parking lot donuts.
Conclusion- I am undecided at this point on weather I love it or not, I had
hoped for smoother operation in the snow and ice (turning), also the
driveline play turns me off. But I do like the idea of not spinning one
wheel every time I take off . Remember these are only first impressions. I
will need to try it for a while more to see what I think, I only have
150miles on the unit and it may or may not smooth out. If you live in a
place where snow and the resultant sand and salt on the roads are not a
problem, then I think you would be happy with it. Give me 500 or 1000 miles
and I'll let you know how it works out in a variety of conditions and
driving styles.
Gary
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Fri Jun 20 2003 - 11:48:08 EDT