Posi or Locker?

[thirdstreettito]

I have an 84 K10 with dual 10bolts, 3:42 gears. I want to have a posi or locker in the rear, but which is better? I dont offroad much, and it HAS TO BE 3:42 for a 8.4/5/6 10 bolt truck rear end, preferably cheap not expensive. So basically, what should IO get? Posi or Locker? Anyone have any good links to parts or info? All help appreciated.

[LONGHAIR]

For street driving and clutch-type Posi-traction unit is much more "user friendly". Lockers are harsh, do a lot of clunking and banging, and are somewhat unpredictable to a novice. They take some practice to master. It is generally not a good idea to "just let anybody" drive it. They can cause a front end push when the pavement is dry or a wildly loose rear end in the rain....of course the more power you have, the more exaggerated this becomes.
A plain ol' Eaton posi.....not Gov-lock, is a great way to go.

[Manbearpig]

Detroit Tru-Trac

[Sniper X]

You only need a locker if you are going mudder or rock crawling so no locker...posi all the way. How bout a lock right? I hear they work well on the street and are cheap.

[nlped]

Ooh, I had a lock rite in my old Toyota and it was terrifying in the rain. My Jeep has a Detroit Locker front and rear, but it is an off road toy primarily. I put a Eaton Posi 10 bolt under my '87 GMC 2wd and it does wonders for pulling my boat out, even on a wet/steep launch. It is also smooth on the road. Just my .02.

[Sniper X]

Originally Posted by nlped

Ooh, I had a lock rite in my old Toyota and it was terrifying in the rain. My Jeep has a Detroit Locker front and rear, but it is an off road toy primarily. I put a Eaton Posi 10 bolt under my '87 GMC 2wd and it does wonders for pulling my boat out, even on a wet/steep launch. It is also smooth on the road. Just my .02.

I never drove a lock right on a wet road. But they work phenominal in the mud, and on dry pavement but truely you can't beat a posi for street use.

[Manbearpig]

Originally Posted by Sniper X

You only need a locker if you are going mudder or rock crawling so no locker...posi all the way. How bout a lock right? I hear they work well on the street and are cheap.

word

[nlped]

A Lock Rite isn't a "posi", it is a "LOCKER", hence the name LOCK.

[KQQL IT]

Ive a detroit locker in a 9inch. Its so loud when i turn that people stop me to tell me something has got to be wrong

[Dave Kay]

A truck w/locker used mostly on pavement will wear out rear tires twice a fast as front tires... gone thru three sets of rears in less than 100k. So I've never been stuck in the soft stuff but forget about rotating tires.

[Manbearpig]

Originally Posted by nlped

A Lock Rite isn't a "posi", it is a "LOCKER", hence the name LOCK.

" This is a mechanically-operated unit which locks when power is applied, giving full power to both tires, and unlocks when you let off the gas."

It can be considered both.

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by Manbearpig

" This is a mechanically-operated unit which locks when power is applied, giving full power to both tires, and unlocks when you let off the gas."

It can be considered both.

Ah....no, it can't. A "locker" has to have the ability to "un-lock" or it is just a spool. A locker does positively lock together with square edged teeth, no slipping.
I clutch-type "limited slip" (Posi-traction is GM's word) works just like it sounds. It allows one axle to "slip" so that it can go at a different speed. This keeps one tire from squeeling during turns. The "limited" part comes from the friction of the clutches. The amount of pressure applied to them and the amount of "grip" they have affects the amount of slipping. A really tight Posi unit in a really light car may still squeel the inside tire in a low speed sharp turn.

The word "LOCK" in some cases is just a marketing thing that sounds tough. As an example: Eaton's "Gov-lock" .....it is NOT a locking differential. It is a clutch-type posi-traction unit that has a "variable pressure" mechanism that can apply more pressure to the clutches. It never gets any more than a traditional posi, but it it will loosen-up to the point of acting more like an "open" differential.

[thirdstreettito]

Thanks guys, so where can I (for a good price) get a 3:42 posi for a GM truck 10 bolt rear?

[3r!c84]

what no one likes the one wheel wonder?

[thirdstreettito]

Anyone?

3r!c84 - It is fun in coldesacks at full throttle, it makes a PERFECT circle.

[3r!c84]

lol havnt tryed that.
i got pulled over for flooring it at a stop sign.didnt even spin and the cop shows me the marks and im like thats not me,if it was it would be one line.lol he laugh and said true and let me go.

[Manbearpig]

Originally Posted by thirdstreettito

Thanks guys, so where can I (for a good price) get a 3:42 posi for a GM truck 10 bolt rear?

www.ringpinion.com

If you have a 10 bolt it is probably a 8.5" ring gear.

They don't make "3:42 posi's" either BTW

They make posi carrier's and you can get a 3.42:1 R&P set seperate if you feel the need to swap them.

[3r!c84]

this is what it should look like

YouTube - 1984 Chevy Burnout!

[Wildstreak]

sorry to jack your thread but I was wondering the same thing. my truck will be seeing its fair share of mudd and offroading but still be street driven, so I was wondering if a locker is a good choice or?