GMC Canyon Locking Diff

My brother recently got a GMC Canyon. It’s not a 4wd or anything, but it’s a really nice truck. Anyway, it has an automatic locking rear diff. I’m not familiar with that. How does that compare to the locking diffs on the Tacos? Are the advantages one over the other?

 

Its limited slip.

 

The electric locker is not a auto lock, you need to push the button and get it to engage by making it line up. The auto lock on the GMC sounds like it would just lock up if it feels wheel spin kind of like our auto LSD, but only transfers some power over while applying the brakes to the spinning side.

 

If it was like on my 1500 Silverado it is a centrifugal locker. I believe it is made by Eaton. Once the spin starts it locks hard no limited slip. My truck you could always hear a little clunk when it did lock. It unlocks once there is no load again

 

We tested it on gravel and when he gassed it hard, both wheels spun. I don’t much about the types of locking diffs, I was just wondering if one was “better” than the other.

 

I guess it depends on your style of wheeling and preference. Both get the job done.

 

The only true auto locking rear diff I know about is a full time locker that locks on power and unlocks out of power. Detroit lockers being the most common.

They are exceptionally dangerous in snow and ice conditions and cause wheel chirp when turning under power.

I can’t inagine them using this so it makes more sense that they are using an LSD with maybe a helical gearing like a Detroit Trutrac

 

http://www.fourwheeler.com/product-...s-of-different-differentials-making-traction/

 

GMs use the G80 auto-locker. I’ve had it, it is better than nothing and does lock both wheels together. It is also not known to be the most reliable unit.

 

Fixed!

 

It depends, it's not so bad in a nice, big 14-bolt. The carrier in the rear of a Colorado is probably not so durable.

 

Ah ok it’s a G80. Doesn’t that use a clutch pack? I can see that wearing out regularly.

If I had a G80 I’d probably just replace it. Better than nothing but given a choice it would be kicked to the curb.

I’ll take the Toyota OEM locker over it.

 

The centrifugal locker is not a good idea on slow technical trails simply because it requires wheel spin to engage. If your wheels then grab suddenly, you break things. A selectable locker is much preferred.

 

The G80 has been nicknamed the GOV-Bomb for good reason. As stated before in this thread they have to have wheel spin to apply. When they apply under high torque the have a tendency to come apart.

 

Had one in a blazer when it locked you would feel a thud and both wheels would spin. Not very smooth at all and I could see how it would easily break parts.

 

Does the Colorado use the old 7.5" 10-bolt?

 

No, I think it's a Dana model called the M220 these days.

 

Years ago Pete Weismann made a very clever differential that was fully locked under power for racing cars but people kept putting the wrong oil in it and breaking them so he stopped

 

I think it's a G80 mechanical automatically locking rear diff. I have one one on my Silverado. Also called the GOV BOMB.