The powertrax in my c8.25 is actually a little noisy. Clicking and popping and such. But the ones we run in the cummins trucks don't make any noise at all. They are expensive $400.00 for the one in the jeep but that's my shop cost. Although mine is audible it still works flawlessly.

 

There are 2 PowerTrax lockers.
Lock-Right
No-Slip

 

I run a no slip. Couldn't find any fault with the one in the jeep.

 

So the OP daily drives his rig and wants to have more traction in wet/snowy conditions and people are suggesting selectable full case lockers? It seems like the most obvious choice for this application would be a limited slip diff. You get traction at both wheels without ever needing to ask for it, they are completely quiet, and you still have the luxury of your tires turning at the proper speed through a corner. No need to adjust driving style or anything like that. In fact, with a limited slip, you can gas it a little harder than you could with an open diff before the wheels start to spin.

From my understanding, a locked rear end is going to contribute to a spin out more than a limited slip in slick conditions in a turn because the wheels are moving at the exact same speed. Causing one of the wheels to slip on the pavement.

Straight line or crawling off-road a locker sounds great. But DD'ing around town in the rain it sounds crappy. With that said, someone who prefers to have a completely locked rear for off-road use can totally DD their rig with the locker. But for the situation the OP has presented, I'd think Limted slip all day

Just my .02

 

I run a Aussie in the front and an Auburn LS in the back. It is pretty tight and really acts like a locked diff when you give it the power. That combo has gotten me up some obstacles with little to no wheel slip that others would not make it over.


My son runs a Aussie in his front and open in the back. Unnoticeable in two wheel drive and a beast in four wheel. It has taken him through some holes with the front locked up only. I have been impressed with that set up many times already. It was actually what led me to get the Aussie for the front.


We went with Aussie because its American made and built for a tank like a tank. The ratcheting is only present in two wheel drive and only then when you make a sharp turn. And when it does its not that loud. Also very easy to install.


The son wants to put one in the back too this winter but we don't get snow here so that's not a concern for us.


Best of luck.

 

You are right, for the purpose of driving in the snow a Limited Slip would be better and he should be looking at something like Detroit Trutrac's, but they ain't exactly cheap with install... and he also said he did not want to bust his wallet..... There really is not a good answer for his original question.

 

Alright Detroit, time to end this debate and give us the true-trac/e-locker combo! Gear driven lsd all the time and locked with the press of a button.

Can you imagine.. Drooling

 

I would be poor if they offered that.

 

All fixed now...

 

Geese Louise. I'd pay a ton of money for that option

 

Then you're getting into the G80 realm of things with that setup.
Clutch pack LSD with an auto locker.
Had one in my old GM, worked amazingly well. --> Just not cheap and when they go.... they take other parts with them...

 

I'm going from open/open to front zip and rear truetrac. Also from being open in May to having these lockers for winter since my jeeps been on stands as I complete everything, so hopefully it's dry out still so I can actually drive it around before the snow comes. I opted for the truetrac as 1: I knew I wanted a LSD for the snow and the 9hr drives I do in snow sometimes to visit family. And 2: I wanted a full case locker to solve any problems the oem carrier and clutch based LSD had in the 8.8 I installed. I think I made a good choice on both time will tell.

 

I think you made a good decision too. Off-road the trutrac is better than most lsds dues to the high bias ratio. Its also super tough. I have beaten on mine without any signs of wear or strange noises. It will pop if you stand on the throttle during tight turns but that's normal. You're just overpowering the lsd with too much traction, power and difference in wheel speed.

 

I think I personally am going to go with a no-slip. Everyone says they're quite (which is important to me because things like that annoy me), they fully lock up unlike limited slip, I can put it in myself in my driveway for a few hours work, and it's around my price range. I wish I didn't have to pay like $200 extra for a quieter locker but oh well. It'll be worth it every turn I make.

 

Agreed, but.... Eaton does not make a selectable for a Chrysler 8.25. I wish they did, because I am saving up my pennies for an OX in the rear. Love the Eaton in the front, though!