Just Installed a Powertrax No Slip AKA Lunchbox Locker in my 2nd gen

The condom over the laptop is a nice touch

 

Helping the work day pass quicker is my mission statement.

 

That sounds like it was staying locked. The threshold for the locker needs to be overcome for it to pop and ratchet, it's default is to be locked. If it's not unlocking around turns that's not ideal. Are your tires chirping in turns? It didn't take much to get my Aussie to ratchet, a person casually holding the opposite side tire was enough.

 

BTW, reading your words closer you said accelerating in corners. With you accelerating that should hold it locked up but only up to a point. It should release when you let up on the throttle to shift if you're still turning.

Auto lockers can have a mind of their own, sometimes staying locked when you don't want, sometimes banging open when you don't expect. So your testing is a good thing to do to figure them out. Also be on top of keeping your tire pressures equal, that's one of the main things I found that make them act weird.

 

Thanks! No plans for a lunch box up front. If I ever lock the front it'll be selectable, but I doubt I'll even do that.

Certified YouTube Mechanic pro tip! It actually really came in handy.

No tire chirp at all. Supposedly this specific lunch box has really good on road manners, and other people that run them don't even know it's there. That's kinda what I'm thinking it is.

And accelerating maybe isn't the best term. I was on the throttle steadily through out the turn, but once I was 90% through I'd start accelerating. I couldn't feel under steer around corners which is why I assumed it's not locked.

 

I did order a front lunch box locker but after reading more bad than good things about them I canceled the order. Went trutrac in the rear does great but for sure ain't no locker.

 

Yup, sounds like that's what's happening. Have you been able to tell or test that it's locked, then? I liked those Aussie lockers off-road but on-road they weren't the greatest to live with. One thing is for sure, they were definitely locked and they let you know when they differential-iated.

 

Most times I can tell it's locked because of the steering wheel feel. On a slightly curvy road, the truck wants to push itself in a straight line. Around corners though that feeling goes away which tells me it's unlocked. I also did the initial "test" per the installation guide and everything was working properly.

 

Was noticing more clunkiness from my driveline in general, and I was curious if it had something to do with manual vs. auto trans. Low and behold I come across this thread, and it described my differences to a T. I thought my transmission was shitting the bed all of a sudden but according to others, it's normal.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/lunchbox-locker-users-manual-trans-please-step-234177/

 

I had one of these but the Lockrite version in my old '99 Prerunner...the 'CLACKCLACKCLACK' they make when turning is unmistakable and takes some getting used to. Funny seeing people's faces when I'd drive around a corner and they'd hear my truck.

I loved mine at the time, but a word of caution...those things can get squirrelly or even downright dangerous when the road gets wet or icy. Gotta be more careful than usual with the throttle. Other than that it worked like a charm especially offroad, but not gonna lie...I like my selectable e-locker way better.

 

Trust me I would definitely prefer a selectable locker! It's just not in the cards though. If I do that, I'm gonna regear and then I'm gonna need to do the front and blah blah blah there goes $2,300. I have a subaru for my DD that can handle any of the weather that MD can dish out, so I really only need to drive my truck to and from wheeling/camping. If it was my DD I'm unsure if I would do it.

 

I considered a lunchbox locker in the rear but decided on a TrueTrac and a Lokka up front, Aussies do it this way with great success.
Can't wait to hear back of trail reports with your new upgrade

 

That’s exactly what I was gonna do but chickend out up front. Love the TT how’s the lokka?

 

Haven't installed it yet, was waiting to install when doing engine swap. I'm intrigued by the FR-S torsen project, may go for that.

 

Curious for your decision/results

 

I always turned my ex-gf loose in my third gen 4Runner with lunchboxes in the snow and never even thought twice about it. She said she never even noticed them and typically just drove in 2wd unless it was really snowy.

@EatSleepTacos I don’t want the get in your head now after the install but I blew up a no-slip on the interstate running 75. Took out the R&P, an axleshaft, and the transmission when parts went flying and locked things up. Talked to Chase at ECGS and he strongly recommended the lockright and does not sell the no-slip for a reason.

Granted, my use is very different from yours... 37’s, duals, etc so ymmv

 

I would really hope that doesn’t happen. I’m sure it’s not too terribly common otherwise I wouldn’t have read a bunch of good things on them on other forums.

 

I’d hope it doesn’t happen either.

I’m also sure that ECGS handles a large number of gearset builds with lockers, sells quite a few individual lockers, and has consciously decided that there were too many issues with the no-slip to sell/warranty them.

 

@BravesTaco95

This guy attempted to put a lunchbox locker. You may have the same luck. Read his diy. OP doesnt post often but you get the idea

 

You have any details on this? Like year model of truck? How many miles locker was in? Hardcore wheeling? Self install or shop install? 37s on stock gears or regear? Etc, etc

Considering the no slip for my DD prerunner so just wondering.