The Powertrax/Lockrite are inexpenesive lockers.
They replace the spider gears in your diff carrier. You can get a lot of feedback thru the driveline coasting around turns.They work OK. A Detroit is about the best locker on the market and for the 14bolt FF is the cheapest of all Detroit's on the market. A Detroit replaces the
the whole diff carrier,and has a smoother operation than the Powertrax. It's more labor intensive to install. Both of these lockers are
are positive lockers, which means they are engaged all the time and will release 1 wheel for going around turns unless you are appling power around that turn. They will also allow your vehicle to fishtail if not carefull on wet or loose road surfaces because both wheels are engaged. It's not bad, but you need to be aware of this condition. The Eaton Govloc,which is what GM uses in their 14bolts, is considered a good highway locker. It engages when 1 tire spins more
than another. Approx 200 rpm difference. It's not a limited slip though. The locking device is only effective up to about 25mph. Going down the highway it basically runs like an open diff. If you are stuck and spin this locker over 25mph there's a good chance it will disengage & engage repeatedly, make alot of noise during this time and possibly explode. As for a limited slip, it engages when you make it, or when it wants to.
It is not very consistent in its operation.

The purchase of a traction aiding device is really going to depend on what you are going to use the vehicle for. I have a Govlok in my C2500
which works fine for my tow vehicle. If I were doing less towing and wanted an all around locker in my 4wd, no question it's Detroit. I would never consider a limited slip. I prefer positive lockers. Knowing they're engaged gives me predictability on how the vehicle will respond
in a certain situation.

My FJ40 has a Detroit in the rear and an ARB in the frt. I wouldn't have any other way. I used to have a Lockrite in the rear but it didn't like the new tire size and broke. They are also very noisy compared to the Detroit. Just my experiences.

[ 10-09-2003, 12:09 PM: Message edited by: cruzer ]