powertrax opinions please

[yamikeylikesit]

has anyone used the "Powertrax No-Slip Traction Systems" by richmond? it appears to be a pretty good locker, and it says its fully streetable. if you look for it on jegs, they have some videos, and one of the trucks they use in the test is a 70 bump!! that pretty much sold me, but i thought i should ask.

[1970FordTK]

I've run one sense the second month of owning a 97 F-150 (truck was bought new) it now has 130 thou plus on it. Other than hearing the clucking sound of the locker slipping while turning I've never notice a difference other than not getting stuck on level wet grass again. Even though this was done on the 8.8, it was really as easy as the instructions said. Just replaced the spider gears in it with there unit, took about an hour.( that was reading the instructions and following them) I've helped do a couple more sense then and haven't heard about any trouble with them. Oh, make sure to remove the spare tire out from under the truck, gives you more room to work on the 8.8 or any other rear cover plate axle. Thats my on that.

[cdeal28078]

I have one in my 71 F100 and like it fine. Cheapest way I could find to get both wheels pulling and boy do both wheels pull. When I first installed it I was freaked out a little during my 1st slow speed turns as it felt like somebody took hold of the steering wheel and straightened up the truck after the turn. That was both axles locking together and pulling the truck straight.
I have jacked up one side and the truck will pull itself off the jack. You have to be careful in the rain with one. If you give it enough gas to make it lock up the back end WILL come around. I love doing it for fun but it's going to get me into trouble some day.
I have not really abused mine as I am not hard on my truck but I have raced it at the track 4-5 times and several burn outs on the street. I have moved it twice. Form the 3.70 I put it in 1st to the 3.25 I have it in now. Very easy and it does not mess up the mesh of the gears if done right
clint

[dustman_stx]

I like mine. When cornering, the inside tire will drag as if you've got a locker in it if you get into it too hard. But I can now climb hills that I couldn't even get the front tires started up when it was open. I never get ratcheting sounds from mine. I've had mine in both my somewhat hot-rod 72 and it's now in my daily driver 71. Did lots of burn-outs and playing around when it was in the 72. The only thing I'm cautious about is making sure both tires are engaged before getting on it when 1 tire has little traction and the other is on firm ground. It really surprised my step dad the other day when I pulled his F350 off with a 16' lowboy hooked up to it. It's about a 12,000 rig altogether and we were in a grassy pasture with lots of hay in spots from feeding round bales.

[69timemachine]

A friend of mine has one in his '89 GMC "SS" clone truck. It's gotten plenty of abuse from the 383 engine he had, as well as the mean 6.0 liter he just installed. He even took it to the drags several times with some ET Street slicks. It hooked up great and hasn't given any trouble.

I installed one in my '76 El Camino I used to have and it worked flawlessly, even when taking abuse from a 454 and tire-chirping TH400. It was also easy to install. When making a turn, you could hear the inside tire chirp a little sometimes if there was gravel under the tire, but that's normal. Straight-line acceleration was great, even though the big 295's on the back were straining for traction. The car would leave big fat black marks at will if you let it. Yes, you do have to be careful if you decide to hammer it hard when making a turn. If you're making good power, you will be able to work on your drifting skills with ease! Donuts are pretty mean too! I'm planning on ordering one for my truck as soon as I get it up and running, tuned, and broken in. I'm pretty sure the old one-legger rear end it has will be needing some PowerTrax help!

[72 F-250 410]

I had a lock right in my 86 when I bought it I drove it for maybe a week or two to work and back before it started takin chunks out of some of the locker parts. Dont know how similar a power trax is to a lock right but if I ever get another locker itll be a Detroit. The truck has 33s and a strong 460. It mightve lasted longer with smaller tires but not much.

[cdeal28078]

I think mine is the Lock-Rite and I know it is from Richmond. I am sure it is not nearly as solid as a Detroit but it cost about $275 or so from Jegs 7-8 years ago when I got it. My truck is not a daily driver and I don't have a job I go to every day but I do drive my truck when I can. If it is raining and I make a turn I cannot really help it but I almost always punch it just enough to get the back end sliding out. Too much fun not to.
Like I have said I have raced it 4-5 times with burn outs and so forth. I have done several burn outs on the roads around the house for fun.
For the money I am satisfied with it. It is easy to install without messing with the back lass or set up of the gears. I have moved it twice between to gears and had no problems as long as I followed the direction.
A detroit will cost a whole lot more and will have to have the gears set back up after wards.
If you are going to race your truck every weekend or abuse the hell out of it every time you get in it I would buy the Detroit or something like that. IF you are only going to get on the gas once in a while and take it to the track a couple times and year and are like many of us and tight with money...Try the Richmond.
If I had money falling out of my pockets I would only go with the best for my truck. Heck I'd have a 429 Boss instead of a low compression $350 460. I don't. So I tired the Lock-Rite and so far it has not let me down
clint