Congrats Neal!
While driving I hardly ever hear it but every now and again I'll feel or hear a
clunk or click if I have the radio off or the volume down really low... Not
bad but enough to know it's there and it's working. When parking or really low
speed turning like in a shopping mall parking lot. I can hear it disengage as
I turn but it still isn't real loud to my ears. Same deal as when driving
(enough noise to know it's there and working) but it is much more frequent in a
parking lot as you make multiple low speed coasting maneuvers from left to
right.
As I've said before, when making a turn under power from a stop, the rear
wheels definitely want to (and will) chirp unless you are really easy on the
throttle or turn really wide. On the other hand, if the mood grabs you and you
want to light 'em up and then power out of the turn like a rapped ape, well,
let's just say the locker will oblige you! ;-) All due safety precautions
(and a look out for our friends in blue) observed, of course! The only other
negative I've noticed is an increase in drive line back lash. This rarely
occurs while driving but can if the tranny downshifts too rapidly (very rare
for me so far). When I really notice it is when shifting from Drive to Reverse
(haven't really noticed it from R->D). What you get is the standard Dodge
"whack" or "clunk" when you shift plus quite a bit more. I don't think it is a
problem but I definitely notice it.
On the plus side, meaning traction, all I can say is WOW! We have a LSD
equipped Kota at work and I can tell a big difference between the two. The
locker is so much more immediate and powerful it's amazing. I still haven't
had the opportunity to go off-road yet but in the rain my truck will now bolt
from a stop in 2wd that would have just left me spinning before. The
difference is intense! I did happen upon a dirt road though and I just
couldn't resist leaving two completely parallel loooong lines behind me! :-)
Can't wait to get on the beach or up to VT to really put her to the test.
In your climate, Neal, I would suggest using 75W-140 gear oil as it should
quiet down the operation of the locker if that is a concern for you. That's
what I'm running now and I consider my locker very quiet but that's clearly a
subjective opinion. I will have to change to a lighter gear oil before next
winter though as I live in New England.
Anyway, have fun making some crushed pineapple for Dole and be sure to send me
some of that red dirt (clay?) for my Hawaii collection! :-)
Tom
P.S. Do you know if PowerTrax fixed the "active spacers" so they will accept
the C-Clips without some grinding?
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: DML: Got the Power-Trax No Slip (Tom F)
Author: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net> at smtpout
Date: 4/7/00 11:09 AM
Got the No-Slip yesterday !! Plan on installing it on Monday.
This unit looks very well machined, can't wait to see/feel
the results. No snow to test it in, no ice either - only some pineapple
field dirt...
Tom, what is the latest on yours - has it been silent-running so far?
Neal Arita - from Hawaii
'97 CC, 5.2L, Auto
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