Does anybody have any experience with the 4x4 Posi Lok? I am sick and tired of the vacuum failing. The first time this year, it went out, just slipped the vacuum lines down further, and its good to go. Now yesterday, and today, it is very intermittent when it locks in. We can't take the chance of that truck going down during a storm. It gets snow and ice built up underneath, and it creates leaks, and freezes in the line. The cable actuator would be nice to have. Has anybody used it before? Any problems with the cable freezing up? Would it be worth it?

www.4x4posi-lok.com

Thanks

 

I havent personally used one but, for what its worth, I've heard that they work great....if ya get one, let us know how you like it....

 

I have installed that kit on a Chevy, and while they are two different manufacturers, they are both about the same in function. It did work well, but I would say not as well as the original design. If properly maintained, the vacuum system works very well. You are willing to spend 150.00 on a replacement, but nothing to service the one you have. The vacuum motor on the CAD system is not very expensive, if yours is truly shot, and the rest is just some simple vacuum lines. If you would go over your system, and correct any deficiency's will well work perfectly.
If all this scribbling hasn't convinced you to keep your original CAD system, both Summit and Jeggs has the manual kit.

 

I would like to keep the current system, but we are willing to pay for the reliablility of the posi-lok. Like I said, it is incredible the amount of snow and ice that gets built up underneath that, because we have to pull through 3-4 foot piles of snow that build up after backdragging. On the first occasion, it jarred the line a bit, causing it to loose its seal. We were at such a loss today, because that is our most comfortable, most efficient plow truck that we have.

Y-not : why do you say it doesn't work as well?

 

It has alot of design flaws, I suppose if it was all that HOT, Dodge would have used it and not went what seems to many as the long way around the lake. Besides being ugly and not looking very much at home in the cab, it is not the cure all fix. It appears to work fine when first install, it is new, the weather is most likely pleasant and all is well. But the funny thing about 4 wheel drive is you usually need it when it is snowing, freezing, realy raining and you wanted to play in the mud, or you decide to drive to Silver lake and run with me Thur the dunes. Any how, it is a mechanical cable, that is flexible and will be use to allow the driver, who is in the comforts of his warm cab, to engage or dis-engage the front axle. Now this axle is located under the front of the truck, were it is constantly exposed to water, salt,mud,oil,heat,objects in the roadway, sand (my favorite), you name it. Also you install this cable, and it sit there everyday for months till one day you decide to use it, now comes the problem. They tend to freeze in the winter, which does you no good. In the mud, water, ect they also tend to get "gunk-ed" up, which makes the use frustrating it not impossible. The current system that Dodge uses, is in fact a very good one, it takes into account all the important issues. First it is aesthetic, second it is functional, third it is convenient, fourth it is dependable, and fifth did I ever tell you I like the sand, oh yea of fifth it is cost effective .

 

I wasn't all that impressed with it on a `96 I just sold. It was usually a pain to get engaged or disengaged.

 

Doesnt sound like they are so great....

 

Maybe I'll hold off a bit. I am going to let the truck thaw out and put new boots on everything. Would it hurt to put some sort of silicone or RTV to really seal the water out? I don't like the fact that they continuously state that the last 1/4 inch of engagement is critical. It leads me to believe it doesn't engage all the way.

 

How much vacuum should there be at the CAD? I am kinda thinking I have a shortage of vacuum, because now that it is in, it doesn't want to unlock. I think I read 30 in. Hg somewhere else, but want to double check.

Thanks

 

I actually run a vacuum gage, if your pump is in real good shape 25 is about the most you'll get. I think 20 and up is fine.