I am looking at installing the Powertrax locker in the front differential on my JK - any experience doing this and how it worked out?
Richard

Most folks that install a front powertrax take em out real soon! Front lockers can cause some scary moments.. On the street they can cause some bad things to happen.
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

"With a Powertrax No-Slip Traction System in the front, you might hear a single click, but otherwise it is invisible and feels just like an open differential until you try to use high range 4WD. Then, it is very noticable and almost unpleasant. If you need to use high range 4WD for many months out of the year, then you may want to consider a switchable alternative, such as the ARB Air Locker." -rockcrawler

X2 on this, I had a lockright in the front of my ZJ for a couple months and outside of it not working properly at times, when it did it was very hard to make sharp turns when offroading in 4wd. I often had to shift back to 2wd to make a sharp turn and sometimes depending on the obstacle or traction/lack of traction, that was not an option. I went with an ARB and never looked back, definitely the way to go <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Fred R.

Many thanks for the response - sounds like I will be looking at an air locker like ARB in the near future.
Richard

There are other options for a selectable locker such as the cable actuated Ox locker, or the ECTED locker, which is an electronic one....just some other ideas in case you do not want to hook up an air compressor and/or an air tank.

Ox Locker: Problem / Solution -B. Johnson

Defective cable: The shift cable sheath was pulling away from the crimp nut. The original brown cable was replaced with a new style black cable.

Inadequate amount of material removed from internal flange: To install the Ox locker in the Dana 44, part of an internal flange in the diff housing must be cut away. The instructions had us cut too little and the shift fork interfered. We were nearly finished, but had to tear down the entire diff to re-grind the flange.

Pinion tooth/locker interference: There was no mention in the early documentation about the pinion/locker interference. Imagine our shock when the teeth started binding on the carrier! The Ox carrier is so big and strong, it can touch the pinion teeth. Newer versions of the instructions discuss grinding the pinion teeth. Not a big deal, but I question the design of the carrier. I think ease of installation was sacrificed for the overkill strength.

Shift fork/carrier binding: After tightening the diff cover, the shift fork would not move. The instructions did not mention the critical adjustment between the fork and the carrier. Instead of using only RTV to seal the cover, I used RTV and a cork seal. The seal (sent by OxTrax) provided the necessary gap.

Carrier out-of-round: The runout on the carrier is not perfect. It was enough out-of-round that Jess mentioned it. Not bad enough to be upset, just not great. The wobble causes the gear pattern to vary as the carrier spins. The problem could have been in my housing.

Inadequate shifter: throw My early shifter did not provide as much throw as the later versions. Shifter throw equates to locker tooth engagement. I met OxTrax co-owner, Laz, in Moab and he happily gave me a new shift plate that allows more throw. OxTrax widened the lock-stops, and added the cool "O" and "X" marks. I still think it needs more throw, but unless I break it, I'm happy.

ECTED electric locker

What i dont like about it is that when locked, its just a glorified limited slip and still allows slippage as its not a fully locked unit. Not sure how much of a problem that would be with smaller tires and wheelin in the sand/snow, etc, but if you were running 35s or bigger and do alot of rock crawling, i could see it not performing nearly as well as say an ARB or an OX. For the money, id pay just a little more and get a true selectable locker. -Jeffro, colorado4x4.org

Fred,

I think you're wrong about the ECTED locker. When it is LOCKED, it is a true locker. When it is UNLOCKED, it is a limited slip differential.

I don't see much sense in such a locker. Most guys want a selectable locker up front so they can have a completely open front diff on the street, aprticularly on icy pacement or reverse cambered ramps. With the ECTED, you never have an open diff.

Bob, that was my impression,too, after reading information on the ECTED locker from Auburn. But, recent discussions with a mechanic that installs these electric lockers, he described the full lock mode, my words now, not his, as a tightening up of the assembly to allow less slippage, but the locker still slips on hard climbs. I've never had the opportunity to be in a rig out on the trail that has one of these lockers, so it is second hand information. That is why I quoted the guy in the above post. I agree with your assessment that such a locker would be a concern on icey roads; but, MAY be adequate for busting trail on deep snow covered trails over a true full locker such as a Detroit. PERHAPS one would snap fewer axles. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />