Powertrax No-Slip traction system

[racerX_244]

i'm looking into getting the Powertrax No-Slip for my dakota. i've got a 2wd 3.55's with an open rear, and am in serious need of some sort of traction control for winter driving. i've read some good things about the powertrax unit, and it looks to be a whole lot easier/cheaper of an upgrade than putting in posi, which would break my bank. anybody have any experience with the powertrax setup? is the installation supposed to be as easy as they make it sound?

i'm not looking for dragstrip performance or anything, just something to give me traction in the snow and ice. i'm looking to buy the unit from v8performance.com. any input, likes/dislikes or experience about the powertrax no-slip?

[racerX_244]

i'm also gonna put on a chrome diff cover and put in some good synthetics :rck:

[racerX_244]

well i went ahead and ordered the powetrax setup, i'll let you guys know how it is when i get it in.

[WASRUST]

Any results yet? I'm also looking to install a no-slip in a 3.55 open in my 4.7 auto Dak RC, but have heard good and bad news about the noise and smooothness of the unit.

Let us all know what you think, after you break it in.

[racerX_244]

i'll let you know first thing, it hasnt gotten here yet. i'm anxious to see how it works. ive heard on automatics and for street use theyre a great way to go. guess i'll find out.

[2k2_AtlanticBlu]

How much was it and were did you get it from? I paid $390 for mine, but Powertrax sent the wrong parts, so I had to wait and get the correct parts. I haven't put it in yet. Let us know how it works.

Andrew

[racerX_244]

i got mine from Ryan at v8performance.com, i think it was $410 after shipping. just got fresh snow today and had to peddle around spinning my right rear this morning, can't wait for it to get here and to put it in. i'll keep you guys posted

[racerX_244]

well boys, i just got through installing the powertrax setup this afternoon. so far ive put about 15 miles on it, some of which was city driving in tight turns and all i can say is WOW, this is an excellent setup. both tires are definately locked in solid when going straight or slight turn, but when you get to a certain point, going forward or reverse, no matter what speed, you hear a slight tick (just one) and the unit unlocks itself, giving you full mobility. i've heard some serious horror stories on dodgedakotas.com about powertrax kits that clicked, banged, grinded, popped and eventually exploded from day one, but ive also heard ones that say its smooth as butter, and mine for sure is the smooth version. i believe that the people with excessive noise and roughness are results of crappy installs. you really have to make sure that the teeth and everything are lined up exactly how they describe, or else the whole kit doesnt sit right within the carrier.

first off, the install wasnt bad, but it was kind of a bitch to do. i'd recommend taking it to a trusted mechanic with a lift if possible, but if not it can be done with just jackstands. making sure you have everything alligned perfectly is crucial, but it all does fit together like it should. the instructions are very helpful and detailed. just in a couple short drives i can already tell its even smoother than it was when i first took it out the driveway, on a few turns i couldnt even notice the unlock. next week i'll be taking it snowboarding (I've got a big air competition coming up on saturday :rck: ), and ive driven that mountain road a couple times with my stock open end rear. i made it up, but it was squirrley as hell. i can't wait to see how the powertrax works in snow. so far a great investment, i'm very pleased :)

[sgbofav]

racerX_244,

Thanks for being the guinea pig for DT. I rarely give much credibilty to the kids on Dodgedakotas. I don't think a unit like that is good for "built engines" that do burn-outs for the track but, for day to day use, they should work fine. I have the same gear ratio and open diff on my 4.7 Dakota and it will light one tire up with zero problems. I'd rather have both wheels driving the truck instead of just one.



Bill,

[ragtoplvr]

I put a trak-lok in my 92 dakota about 60 K miles and 4 years ago. It took 7 hours including making a tool to set the preload and doublechecking everything. It is still going strong, and is quiet!, and snow and mud performance approaches 4wd levels, but you have to be much more careful, and plan ahead to preserve momentum. Basically, the only real problem is finding a nut that fits the adjuster, then get some scrap pipe, and weld nut to pipe, then weld smaller nut on other end that fits your torque wrench. When time comes to rebuild the Traclock, I bet I can get it out in about an hour, and back in and adjusted in 3, and I have jackstands, no lift. Someday, it will take an unknown amount of time to replace the clutches, but I am not ready for that yet, it still works great. Only cost me about $230 so was way cheaper than powertrax. When rebuild time hits, I hear that the clutches are only about $50. However, if I was doing a GM, you can bet a powertrax would be used, as setup on GM axle is a disaster. So, please keep posting about how the powertrax holds up, as I may be doing a GM install soon.

Rod

[racerX_244]

thats cool ragtop, thats why i went for the no-slip was to get snow and everyday traction. living in the northwest you can run into weird storms or icy spots out of the blue. and plus im a pretty avid snowboarder and driving mountain roads with a 2wd open end isnt much safe.

it just seems to keep getting smoother, and im not even close to the recommended 50 mile break-in period yet. the handling on street does not seem compromised at all, due to the ease that it unlocks. i dont know if maybe my heavier wheels make it easier to unlock or what, but all i hear is a slight *tick* every now and then.

i think the only tools i needed for the install was a 1/2" socket to take off the diff cover and an 8mm wrench to remove the pinion shaft. i used a flathead screwdriver to keep everything coupled together while rotating the unit inside the axles to put in the springs, other than that it was all pretty much by hand. i've never even pulled the cover off a differential before or know the first thing about one (i'm only 18), but this wasnt a bad project at all. i've worked on motocross bikes for most of my life but never on trucks. it sure was satisfying to take it out the driveway and have it work exactly like it should.

if any of you guys are looking for a good setup to run to get full traction, i highly recommend the powertrax no-slip. i'll let you guys know after next monday or tuesday when i take it to the mountains to go snowboarding.

[WASRUST]

"...I don't think a unit like that is good for "built engines" that do burn-outs for the track but, for day to day use, they should work fine. "

It was my impression that the materials used in the PowerTrax are much stronger than anything else in the driveline, and it won't wear out. Isn't it better for track use then? I've heard that street-use only trucks are better off with the stock lsd, as it is more forgiving. PowerTrax is locked or open, no in-between.

[racerX_244]

i've never really heard much about dragstrip use with no-slip, i've heard about off road guys usin em though. it seems plenty strong, but its also really forgiving on the street. plus there arent any clutches and stuff like an lsd to wear out. works for me.

[FLDak]

racerX_244;
Have you ever driven a vehicle with LSD, POSI, Sure Grip... differential before?
Just a word of warning when those rear wheels break loose on a slippery surface, the vehicle is not going to go in a straight line. That rearend is going to go left or right and try to trade places with the frontend.
Just be careful, and have fun!

Later...

[WASRUST]

FLDak, or anyone--

Do you think the PowerTrax would be worse than a regular LSD (fishtailing), being that it actually locks the wheels together? I also drive in the winter, and I don't want to make a mistake here.

[FLDak]

FLDak, or anyone--

Do you think the PowerTrax would be worse than a regular LSD (fishtailing), being that it actually locks the wheels together? I also drive in the winter, and I don't want to make a mistake here.

Both are going to fishtailing if you lose traction on a slippery surface, as to what degree I don't know what to tell you. We hardly ever get any snow or ice in northwest Florida but we do get a lot of rain. I can tell you from experience as long as you go easy on the gas pedal when the roads are wet and slick you will be ok. If you get a little to heavy on the pedal your going to start to fishtail. With the open diff your right rear tire will spin but you will go straight, thats not the case with LSD.
Don't get me wrong though, I like my LSD and when road condition are dry you get more traction and power to the ground. I was only cautioning racerX_244 because he is only 18.
I don't think you would be making a mistake, you just have to be aware.
Hope this helps...
Later.

[WASRUST]

Yeah, and supposedly the unit disengages when turning. I think that as long as you learn when it engages and drive carefully around corners, it should be fine.

[WASRUST]

Sorry to revive this old post, but I finally installed my No-Slip over the weekend. It was easier than I thought, and the resutls are better than I expected. I've also never even pulled a differential cover, never even changed my own oil. racerX was right on about the smoothness. I'm surprised how quiet it is. Even when I do hear the unit disengaging / engaging, there is no loud clunk or slap. I do feel a little more understeer at the end of a turn, but it is almost insignificant. It just feels like there is a little more resistance in the steering wheel. The only downside so far is that I've chirped the inside tire a few times, but I think that will go away as I break it in and learn when not to stab the gas around a corner.

I drove it 40 miles in the rain right that night, and noticed no increased likelihood to spin. But then again, I'm used to driving in Chicago winters, so I was being careful. The good news-- TWO black marks on the pavement now!!!

[Diranged]

I'd love to get racerX's opinion now after he has had it for a few months. I have an 04 4WD Dakota that I want to put this in because I do some wheeling on a regular basis and drive to Tahoe frequently. Its still going to be driven 99% of the time on dry cement -- so I want to know how it does with that kind of driving.

[racerX_244]

ask and ye shall recieve

still love it, works just as smoothly as it always has. although my truck is mainly road use only (2wd, low clearance, street tires & bigger rims) i've heard testimonials from jeep & offroad types who love their powertrax's. mine still locks & unlocks smoothly, backing up out of the driveway i can hear it unlock when i go to turn, but thats no big deal.

when i first installed it, i just bought some cheap pennsoil 80w90 gear oil for the break-in time. ran that stuff for a few months through the winter for about 1000 miles, drained it out. that oil was crap, already dirty and whatnot. but the powertrax was still in perfect shape. no metal shavings on the magnet, everything fit just like it did when i put it in. replaced it with amsoil 75w90 and put in a tube of limited slip/posi friction modifier. still works like a charm :)

[joe91584]

Ok I am a little confused. Would this powertrax locker kit be better than a basic true posi rear? And how would this compare to a limited slip rear

Second question I have a dodge 98 Dakota sport and a dodge 79 lil red express truck witch both have limited slip rear's I am thinking about changing them both to maybe a posi. I was told I can put a pin to lock them, But this powertrax sounds better.

Please help on choosing

In addition, what does this do to top speed and gas mileages? Oh a stupid question how about smoking up the tires still about the same easy

Could some one help me on where to buy this at..

One last thing I looking for parts for my 79 dodge to restore it could you please help with some places

Thanks Joseph

[racerX_244]

honestly its just as driveable and streetable as a posi or limited slip. the difference being, limited slips and posis are basically open-end with clutches that transfer power to the other wheel when one starts to slip. mine hasnt had any effect on mileage or top speed, its like driving a posi or anything else.

check out the site, it'll show how it works

http://powertrax.com/noslip.html

hope this helps, good luck!

[joe91584]

After all the reading I have done looking and at movies on people trying showing off it’s performance sides I really thinking about buying into this powertrax. Still have the thought of putting a true posi in. However, this powertrax sounds to be a better deal.

Here is one question I do have before I buy anything and hope for good weather. Is when it unlocks and locks do you feeling it. On the other hand, is it just as a natural thing and you never know it was happing? What I am saying does it eat up a chance of a smooth ride and quiet? In addition, the big one will I still have the power to light then up when I feel I need to show off and lay rubber on the ground. If I can, I would love having two burn out marks compared to my one lines.
Just I side note I am looking to do this on my 79 dodge 360 lil red express tuck with 340 heads. Moreover, if I love it this will go into my 98-dodge Dakota sport v6 5 speed with a v8 tb.
One good thing I liked about this from what I hear from my finding is I would not lose my top end and would not eat fuel but have a better take off. Also if I ever though of towing something or putting my motorcycle in the bed I would have no problems with it unlike now when it rains this truck sucks if you like to take off fast everything needs to be babied.
How is the up keep on this compared to what I have now about changing gear oil and stuff? Does anyone one know the life of this powertrax too?

When I do my rear, I will put many pictures of this project up online here and on my webpage.