• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Powertrax in a front axle


TexCaliBII

TexCaliBII

New Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
426
Reaction score
4
Points
0
Location
Palmdale, California
Vehicle Year
88
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
Anyone here have, or know someone who, installed a powertrax locker in the front axle on a truck that also needs to be a DD? I'm curious as to how it handled. I know the electric/air/line actuated lockers are better but again I'm reigned in by cost. Thanks in advance for your inputs.
 


4.0B2

4.0B2

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Sep 24, 2009
Messages
10,700
Reaction score
151
Points
63
Location
Walls, MS
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0 v6
Transmission
Automatic
never used a powertrax, but have had aussie's and lockrite's and they are unnoticable with hubs unlocked.. you have manual hubs right?
 
gwaii

gwaii

2010 OTOTY Winner
OTOTM Winner
2010 Truck of The Year
Joined
May 10, 2010
Messages
4,171
Reaction score
66
Points
0
Location
haida gwaii
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
460
Transmission
Manual
4.0B2 said:
never used a powertrax, but have had aussie's and lockrite's and they are unnoticable with hubs unlocked.. you have manual hubs right?
Click to expand...
this was my initial thought,but being in alaska he's probably running locked a large amount of the time in daily driving.

in this case i would be reluctant to run any locker in the front unless it's selectable.
 
4.0B2

4.0B2

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Sep 24, 2009
Messages
10,700
Reaction score
151
Points
63
Location
Walls, MS
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0 v6
Transmission
Automatic
Alaska? Ice? Oh yeah get a selectable. Save up and get a good a good one
 
The_Dealer

The_Dealer

New Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2010
Messages
1,543
Reaction score
10
Points
0
Location
Macon, GA
Vehicle Year
1985
Make / Model
Duh!
Transmission
Automatic
i vote selectable or l/s, would be way more happy with it, locked front will suck in the ice
 
TexCaliBII

TexCaliBII

New Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Oct 6, 2010
Messages
426
Reaction score
4
Points
0
Location
Palmdale, California
Vehicle Year
88
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0
Transmission
Manual
Yeah,that's what I thought. And yes indeed both my BIIs are manual hubs and I keep both locked in winter here. On the Chevy, I've no choice but to rely on the little button.... Quess I'll be saving up for the selectable locker.... Thanks!
 
Hahnsb2

Hahnsb2

New Member
TRS Banner 2010-2011
Joined
Aug 8, 2007
Messages
4,416
Reaction score
36
Points
0
Age
35
Location
Battle Ground WA
Vehicle Year
88-95
Make / Model
Ford-Dodge
Engine Size
4.0-5.2 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
Anything sucks on ice..

I've got an Aussie in the front and love it, no issues in the snow.
 
Andres629

Andres629

New Member
Article Contributor
Solid Axle Swap
Joined
Feb 24, 2009
Messages
2,367
Reaction score
11
Points
0
Age
35
Location
Saskatchewan!
Vehicle Year
1985/91
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.9 screamer
Transmission
Automatic
Just a thought, but while running it on road, why not just lock one hub? Would handle just like an open diff, but when you get off-road you just lock that one hub and bob'syeruncle, locked. I was going to run an Aussie up front, but I decided to go selectable.
 
chrwilkins30

chrwilkins30

New Member
Joined
Jul 8, 2010
Messages
1,720
Reaction score
6
Points
0
Location
Mishawaka, Indiana
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
2.9
Transmission
Manual
Are you supposed to only lock one hub. i would think this would mess stuff up in the diff.
 
gwaii

gwaii

2010 OTOTY Winner
OTOTM Winner
2010 Truck of The Year
Joined
May 10, 2010
Messages
4,171
Reaction score
66
Points
0
Location
haida gwaii
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
460
Transmission
Manual
Andres629 said:
Just a thought, but while running it on road, why not just lock one hub? Would handle just like an open diff, but when you get off-road you just lock that one hub and bob'syeruncle, locked. I was going to run an Aussie up front, but I decided to go selectable.
Click to expand...
uh,sorry dude...with a locker in the front and one hub locked it will pull hard opposite the side of the locked hub every time the gas is pushed....even a little.doing this will make the truck virtually uncontrollable.
 
Hahnsb2

Hahnsb2

New Member
TRS Banner 2010-2011
Joined
Aug 8, 2007
Messages
4,416
Reaction score
36
Points
0
Age
35
Location
Battle Ground WA
Vehicle Year
88-95
Make / Model
Ford-Dodge
Engine Size
4.0-5.2 Turbo
Transmission
Manual
Never tried locking one hub because my rig has always been fine with both locked :dunno:
 
4.0B2

4.0B2

Well-Known Member
Supporting Member
TRS Banner 2012-2015
Joined
Sep 24, 2009
Messages
10,700
Reaction score
151
Points
63
Location
Walls, MS
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0 v6
Transmission
Automatic
I can just say I've heard from people you dont want something like an Aussie or lockrite on ice.. Here in Mississippi, I've never really had ice! Lol
 
gwaii

gwaii

2010 OTOTY Winner
OTOTM Winner
2010 Truck of The Year
Joined
May 10, 2010
Messages
4,171
Reaction score
66
Points
0
Location
haida gwaii
Vehicle Year
1991
Make / Model
ford
Engine Size
460
Transmission
Manual
Hahnsb2 said:
Never tried locking one hub because my rig has always been fine with both locked :dunno:
Click to expand...

when one front axle is busted and you still have to get out to civilization,you find these things out fast.


4.0B2 said:
I can just say I've heard from people you dont want something like an Aussie or lockrite on ice.. Here in Mississippi, I've never really had ice! Lol
Click to expand...
lucky you:icon_thumby:

but you're right...a front locker on icy roads is deadly,a rear locker simply scary.
 
ryan

ryan

Forum Administrator
Administrator
V8 Engine Swap
TRS 20th Anniversary
TRS Event Participant
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
3,437
Reaction score
893
Points
113
Location
Wayne, PA
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
6.0
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
Solid Axle Swap 4x4
Tire Size
42
i had a lunchbox locker in the front of my explorer and it wasn't terrible in deep snow, but packed snow and ice was not very pleasant. i wouldnt recommend it
 
CopyKat

CopyKat

New Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
2,274
Reaction score
8
Points
0
Location
Manitoba, Coldest place in Canada
Vehicle Year
1987
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
4.0L
Transmission
Manual
I'm with ryan on this. I had a lockright in the front at one time too. If it's a DD I would advise against it. It was good in the deep snow but sucked when it came to sidehills.

For a wheeler I would say selectable, but for DD keep it open. Lock/spool the back and you'll be surprised at what it can do.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Members online

Total: 685 (members: 8, guests: 677)

Today's birthdays

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Latest posts

Truck of The Month


Shran
April Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

Latest Album Photos

Hunters
20240409_190831.jpg
20240409_190818.jpg
20240409_180824.jpg
20240409_182648.jpg
20240409_181010.jpg
20240408_175026.jpg
99 Ranger
20200706_161414.jpg
20240207_155117.jpg
20240207_155111.jpg
20240207_154537 - Copy.jpg

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top