PowerTrax No-slip or ARB Locker?

JPaul · **Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 11:46 pm

I like to plan out what kinds of things I want to do to my vehicles, and I'm currently thinking aobut what kind of locker I want in the rear. I'm trying to decide which I would rather have,m the No-Slip from PowerTrax or the ARB air locker. My Liberty is my daily driver, so I don't want it to handle wierd, especially if my wife ever needs to drive it, so I'm wondering if the No-Slip handles the same as a standard auotmatic locker.

I've heard that the automatic lockers can handle wierd, especially when accelerating through a turn. That's why I'm looking at the ARB, because then I don't have to worry about that at all. My only hang up is the cost. I'm wondering if the No-Slip helps reduce or eliminate the unfavorable handling qualities of an automatic locker.

I'm intereseted in hearing from those of you that have either one.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Oct 12, 2007 11:58 pm

Depends on your price range. ARB's run alot higher in price and install. The powertrax is a lunch-box locker so its easy to install.

I would not want my wife(if I had one) to drive my Jeep with the powertrax. Muchless in the rain. It gets alittle hairy unless I run fulltime.

jason thompson · **Posted:** Sat Oct 13, 2007 12:30 am

Yeah I would have to agree
I have a full time locker in the rear of the TJ an I will NOT put one in the KJ
as long as it is the wifes DD
now if it were not for the DD thing I would go Detroit soft locker
"in time my son"
I have a ARB in the front of the TJ and LOVE it

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:04 am

ARB.
My wife hated the powertrax so much I removed it and put the spiders back in. It will eventually be getting an ARB but not until I regear it to 4.10's.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Sat Oct 13, 2007 8:58 am

Don't forget a Trutrac - I know,I know, it's not a locker - but it's close - and it's a lot better than the Powertrax for a daily driver and a lot cheaper than an ARB.

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sat Oct 13, 2007 9:03 am

First Choice...ARB front and rear

Second Choice...ARB rear and DTT front

Third Choice...ARB front and DTT rear

Forth Choice...DTT front and rear (probably the route I would go)

***The Detroit TruTrac replaces the stock carrier with a stronger one...So does the ARB***

Fifth Choice...DTT Front and PowerTrax rear

KY Liberty · **Joined:** Sat Jul 09, 2005 1:46 pm **Posts:** 1195

DarbyWalters wrote:

First Choice...ARB front and rear

Second Choice...ARB rear and DTT front

Third Choice...ARB front and DTT rear

Forth Choice...DTT front and rear (probably the route I would go)

***The Detroit TruTrac replaces the stock carrier with a stronger one...So does the ARB***

Fifth Choice...DTT Front and PowerTrax rear

You also have all the choices, but with the factory LSD in the rear. Just needs to be listed below the others.

I'm planning on upgrading the factory LSD to choice 3. I have the Selectrac with the FT4WD, so I only want a selectable locker for the front. My KJ is a dd, not a trail rig, so I'm thinking the DTT in the rear will be a nice upgrade from the 6 year old factory LSD in the rear, but won't make bad on the streets.

JPaul · **Posted:** Sat Oct 13, 2007 4:41 pm

I alos thoguth about the TrueTrac, but wasn't sure how it would do. I don't know how hard core I will get, but I also like to be prepared. Would the TrueTrac turn into an open diff if a wheel gets up in the air?

rubigade · **Posted:** Sun Oct 14, 2007 12:49 am

I have an ARB in mine and I don't even know there's a difference. No noises or anything. I don't drive hard around roadways where it might be slick but when I have given it too much throttle, it'll still get around. I do know that when I want to be locked... I'm locked. The ARB is either IN or OUT. And that's the point, right?

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Sun Oct 14, 2007 10:19 am

JPaul wrote:

I alos thoguth about the TrueTrac, but wasn't sure how it would do. I don't know how hard core I will get, but I also like to be prepared. Would the TrueTrac turn into an open diff if a wheel gets up in the air?

It will but nothing that a little e-brake action can't fix

DarbyWalters · **Posted:** Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:48 am

JPaul wrote:

I alos thoguth about the TrueTrac, but wasn't sure how it would do. I don't know how hard core I will get, but I also like to be prepared. Would the TrueTrac turn into an open diff if a wheel gets up in the air?

Actually the DTTs are "preloaded" 2.5x-3.5X right out of the box. Without the "brake trick" it will still get both wheels turning. I had one in the front of my 2002 KJ and it worked great...that is why I like the idea of DTTs front and rear...if dual ARBs are too pricey. A DTT rear with an ARB front would be very nice if you have Selec-Trac...the DTT with Selec-Trac can make the front steering "heavy" in Full-Time 4WD

Albert · **Posted:** Sun Oct 14, 2007 12:17 pm

So If you wanted good road manners, then a DTT in the rear and you would still be better off road in mild to moderate off road conditions. Not as good as a locker but still good. That is how I am reading this. Is this correct??

Then you would feel the difference between the DTT and Trac-Loc??

JPaul · **Posted:** Sun Oct 14, 2007 1:34 pm

So I could get a DTT and be ok if I get a wheel in the air? I don't know if I'll ever put anything up front, if I find I'm doing enough stuff with it to warrant it then maybe, but for now just doing the rear is all I need. How much would it cost to get the DTT installed? I understand it needs to be done professionally because you need to set the pinion adjustments to get it meshing correctly.

dog_party · **Posted:** Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:56 pm

Man, this information should be put in the FAQ section.

ARB front and rear - Avg prices, advantages, disadvantages, etc.

ARB rear and DTT front - Avg prices, advantages, disadvantages, etc.

ARB front and DTT rear - Avg prices, advantages, disadvantages, etc.

DTT front and rear - Avg prices, advantages, disadvantages, etc.

DTT Front and PowerTrax rear - Avg prices, advantages, disadvantages, etc.

Advantages/disadvantages of SelecTrac

clday25 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 17, 2007 5:02 pm

I went to have a DTT put in my 05 CRD last month and the shop (Six States Distributors) ran into a problem. The stock ring gear bolts are a metric left-hand threaded bolt with a shank/taper that requires the stock carrier to have countersunk bolt hole. Well, the DTT and most other carriers don’t come with countersunk holes to accommodate this funky bolt. The shop told me it shouldn’t be a problem because they can either get new left-hand threaded bolts with no taper or just countersink the holes on the DTT carrier…. Not so much.

The DTT is made of a hardened steal that broke 3 of the shops fancy drill bits. Next, we called the premier bolt supplier right down the street to get some new bolts, again, no dice. They hadn’t heard of such a bolt and for sure didn’t have anything in stock.

My next course of action was to take the bolt and/or DTT down to the closest machine shop and have them either machine down the bolt or countersink the carrier. Neither though could have been done that day or that week even. Suck!

So here I am, jeep up on the lift, no guts in the rear and a frustrated tech and shop supervisor. Six States just didn’t have the machine equipment to fix the problem, but then again, why is this necessary?!

I then called the Eaton/Detroit's tech line to discuss the issue….. as you could have guessed, they had never heard of the problem. Lucky me right. Apparently the Chrysler 8.25 went through a part change, switching to the left-handed ring gear bolts/threads at some point.

The shop supervisor took pity on me since I couldn’t leave the jeep for a week and he couldn’t tie up his shop that long, so he gave me a deal on a Dana Spicer Trac Loc installed, including synthetic lube for $450… Ya I wanted the DTT, but it just wasn’t gonna happen and well, its only money…..

Anyway, that’s my experience on a 05 CRD. So if you’re getting ready to buy a DTT, ask your shop the right questions and plan ahead.

Chris with no DTT

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Wed Oct 17, 2007 8:47 pm

You're not supposed to reuse Ring gear bolts - so I ordered some from Summit before I took it apart- no problems with bolts.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:02 pm

clday25 wrote:

I went to have a DTT put in my 05 CRD last month and the shop (Six States Distributors) ran into a problem. The stock ring gear bolts are a metric left-hand threaded bolt with a shank/taper that requires the stock carrier to have countersunk bolt hole. Well, the DTT and most other carriers don’t come with countersunk holes to accommodate this funky bolt. The shop told me it shouldn’t be a problem because they can either get new left-hand threaded bolts with no taper or just countersink the holes on the DTT carrier…. Not so much.

The DTT is made of a hardened steal that broke 3 of the shops fancy drill bits. Next, we called the premier bolt supplier right down the street to get some new bolts, again, no dice. They hadn’t heard of such a bolt and for sure didn’t have anything in stock.

My next course of action was to take the bolt and/or DTT down to the closest machine shop and have them either machine down the bolt or countersink the carrier. Neither though could have been done that day or that week even. Suck!

So here I am, jeep up on the lift, no guts in the rear and a frustrated tech and shop supervisor. Six States just didn’t have the machine equipment to fix the problem, but then again, why is this necessary?!

I then called the Eaton/Detroit's tech line to discuss the issue….. as you could have guessed, they had never heard of the problem. Lucky me right. Apparently the Chrysler 8.25 went through a part change, switching to the left-handed ring gear bolts/threads at some point.

The shop supervisor took pity on me since I couldn’t leave the jeep for a week and he couldn’t tie up his shop that long, so he gave me a deal on a Dana Spicer Trac Loc installed, including synthetic lube for $450… Ya I wanted the DTT, but it just wasn’t gonna happen and well, its only money…..

Anyway, that’s my experience on a 05 CRD. So if you’re getting ready to buy a DTT, ask your shop the right questions and plan ahead.

Chris with no DTT

Should have gotten a master install kit for the 8.25,it would have included the correct ring gear bolts to use with the TT,When ever doing a gear swap or carrier swap(to LSD or locker) you should always get a master install kit to change all the bearings,seals,shims,and ring gear bolts---here is a content list of what a master install kit includes---http://www.4wheelerssupply.com/catalog/product_info.php/products_id/70683
----It's only $74 to.

Quote:

ATXKJ

You're not supposed to reuse Ring gear bolts - so I ordered some from Summit before I took it apart- no problems with bolts.

You are correct.

Goglio704 · **Posted:** Wed Oct 17, 2007 9:31 pm

ATXKJ wrote:

You're not supposed to reuse Ring gear bolts - so I ordered some from Summit before I took it apart- no problems with bolts.

Were they the oddball type that clday25 described?

clday25 · **Posted:** Thu Oct 18, 2007 1:34 pm

I'm kicking myself for not asking any questions before hand

PowerTrax No-slip or ARB Locker?

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