Midnite

I'm really getting sick of the lack of traction I have with the Trac-loc in my Dana 80. My truck originally came with an open diff, and I had a local driveline shop install a Trac-loc.

It seems that there were a lot more options available for the D70 back when I had my 1992 truck. Back then, I was looking hard at a Detroit locker but ended up going with a Powr-loc and was very happy with it. Unfortunately neither appear to be available for the D80.

I'd really prefer a locker at this point but I'm having trouble finding anything. Anyone have any experience here that can point me in the right direction?

Thanks,
Mike

Midnite

A week later and over 50 views and nobody has any suggestions?

jstone44720

Just saw this one. I have had good luck with the Truetrac in mine. It is a worm gear type LSD. It disappears when not needed - no chirping tires or bad steering manners, and always spins both tires when traction is poor. It treated me well during the snow this year. The install on mine was easy as well. D80 carrier changes are a snap.

Midnite

Interesting--I'm not familiar with the Truetrac. I'll have to look that one up.

I wasn't too worried about the bad manners of a locker, but the increased tire wear is something I'd love to avoid, so this may be just what I'm looking for. Thanks!

johnh

re stack the clutches in the trac lock, they are stacked to eliminate customer complaints, not for performance

1-5-3-6-2-4

I've had a Detroit True Trac in a D80 and and now in my D110. love 'em. If you drive on the street, thats the way to go.

totalloser

I would steer away from the True trac if you are already unhappy with with a clutch type posi. The performance difference isn't much.

http://accuautoparts.com/list1.jsp

Here's listings from one random vendor for the d80 but note: The Detroit locker is for 4.10 and lower gears (4.56 etc.) I have heard of folks having the carrier machined to accept 3.73 and taller gears though.

Lunchbox lockers like Lock Rights fit in the open carrier, but I wouldn't use them in a daily driver due to longevity unless you don't mind replacing the guts once in a while and having rough on-road handling comparable to a Detroit locker.

I'm going to have to look for "restacking" the clutch pack though. I hadn't heard that before. Guessing they didn't stack the packs steel/clutch/steel/clutch but instead steel/steel/clutch/clutch? You can also shim the preload springs on most clutch type positractions.

totalloser

Ahhh, that is SLICK, I am SO doing it on mine!

http://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/Produc...rce=DiffWizard
http://www.turbodieselregister.com/f...-D80-Trac-lock

Looks more like 300 bucks though.

Clutches plus spiders/sides for $240
http://accuautoparts.com/axledetails...id=DAN:2003857

u2slow

I run a cheapy Lockright. Better than any posi IMO. Actually works when you have payload in the bed and treading on soft ground. Most posi units do a decent job when running empty, but act like an open diff when the trucks all loaded up.

Grizzly or Detroit will be stronger because its a full case design.

Midnite

That's the problem--Detroit doesn't make a locker for my 3.54 geared D80. I'm not sure about Grizzly though.

u2slow

There's a Detroit that fits or can be made to fit with some minor machining. Two of my friends have it in their 3.54 D80 trucks. Ordered it from Reider Racing. Its been in one guys truck ('94 2500) 5 years, and 2 years in the other ('01 2500).

Midnite

Are you sure they've got 3.54 gears? I've heard of people machining the ring gear in some way on 4.10 geared D80s to get a Detroit installed, but not 3.54.

u2slow

Yes. Both are 3/4-ton 5-speed trucks - they have 3.54 D80.

Reider Racing's site won't load.

My buddy says Reider sold him a D70HD (4.10 down) Detroit that had the ring gear bolt holes drilled out bigger. But to install it, you have to place both of the fat 'case-saver' spacers on one side. This '94 truck has been in the 350-530hp range for the 5 or so years he's run the Detroit. He's broke his NV4500 a few times, but the rear end still holding strong.

u2slow

Correction:

The 2nd truck with the 3.54 D80 locker used a 4.10+ version with both spacers on one side.