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

I'm creating this thread because when I was doing research, I couldn't find many 2nd gen owners with a lunchbox locker. I just finished installing mine this morning and wanted to post my initial thoughts and pictures for future readers. This isn't necessarily a how-to thread for install but if you have questions, feel free to ask.

I ended up buying the Powertrax 9220803002 No-slip system. This is essentially the same thing as the Powertrax Lock-right

$300 1615-LR Lock-Right (Toyota Tacoma Rear)

1615-LR but the no-slip supposedly has better on road manners. I somehow got a great deal on it through Amazon to where it was only $20 more, so of course I went with that.

Install was fairly straight forward. The directions are mildly confusing, but this guys video came in clutch. It walks you through step by step of everything you need to do. I recommend watching this before even purchasing to see if it's something you wanna do. However you do not need to test backlash and pinion preload. It certainly wouldn't hurt, but if you put everything back together the exact same way that you took it apart, there should be no changes. Testing tooth pattern with the paint wouldn't be a bad idea, but I didn't do that. Time will tell if my rear end grenades.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIKJxAnRho4&t


For the install, I would highly advise you do it on a workbench and have a vice handy. I have a wooden bench, so I drilled a hole right in the middle and bolted the flange down so it was standing vertical. The 3rd will still rotate, but a couple of well placed straps through the holes will stop that.

When removing the ring gear bolts, I HIGHLY advise you have a powerful impact gun. The threadlocker that toyota uses is fucking nuts and I was surprised how hard my impact worked.

Took it for an initial test drive with a friend and we were both like "uhhhhhh" at all the noises it was making, even though I was expecting it. Just pulling out of my driveway it made a loud bang. It's understandable because I have to make this S turn while accelerating up a steep hill, but it was still surprising. Once I started coasting around corners it was pretty much silent.

On a slightly curvy road, you can definitely feel the rear end wanting to push you in a straight line. You have to give just a slight amount of muscle to keep the steering wheel where you want it to go.

Update 9/9/18:

There's really no need to clutch in and coast around corners now that I am used to the locker. If I just give it a steady, light throttle around corners, I can't even tell it's there. Really the only time I hear it unlock loudly now is in tight turn scenarios, tighter than parking lots. Pulling in and out of spaces usually doesn't cause it to unlock with a popping noise. I now have two wheeling trips with it, and I love it. I just crawl over stuff with much more control. I can't believe I waited this long to get a locker of any kind.

Update 11/6/18:

This locker is the bees knees. I barely even know it's there anymore because I've adjusted my driving habits and it's second nature now. Off-road it's invaluable and would recommend it to anyone who wheels hard.

Update 7/24/19:

Locker is still great. Driveline is pretty clunky due to the inherent backlash and slack this adds the driveline. I think it’s more an issue with manual transmission drivers. If you have a manual and it’s your DD probably wouldn’t recommend. Not the end of the world, but can be annoying.

Update 5/21/20:

Rear end still hasn't grenaded yet. So that's a good thing. Still love this locker.


Update 8/17/21:

I've since removed this locker in favor of an ARB selectable. I started to find small pieces of the locker springs while I was changing my gear oil so I wanted to get the locker out ASAP before it did any damage to anything else. Once I went to a selectable and back to normal street manners of an open diff, I'd forgotten what I was missing out on. The selectable is so much nicer. I don't regret doing a mechanical locker as it's a great way to ball on a budget, but it's definitely an inferior option.

 

Subd

 

@boogie3478 finished it up today!

 

Now show me some pics!

 

Post 2 is all there is! I’ll update with off-road videos once they happen.

 

I had an Aussie locker in my '91 for a while. They work fine, definitely a good value. The only times I didn't like it much were snowy roads, it tended to make the rear end drift a bit. The loading and unloading, the pops around turns are normal, you'll get used to it. The only time I ever really noticed was when it would hang up when I'd go into a yield/turn situation without ever really letting off the throttle. It would really release with a bang sometimes then.

 

I’ve read all similar things. These also seem to be very popular with the older jeeps. I’m excited to put it to use on the trail and see what the truck can do.

 

Your deadblow is dead.

 

That was from when I first got it and used it wrong. Was wailing on something really hard and it started splitting haha

 

Any updates on the paint job OP?

Nevermind. Wrong DIY thread

 

It may get a little quieter after about 100 miles. That’s just what I’ve been told at least.


Or maybe if you didn’t drive like a maniac it wouldn’t pop Randy!




<3

 

I’m still getting one though.

 

Boiiiii, you better!!

 

Took it on another test drive around town, experimenting more with driving techniques to see what the locker liked and didn’t like. Was accelerating around corners like usual and not a peep from the locker. Only reason I could tell it was there was from the steering wheel. Maybe yesterday everything was just settling into place? Not sure, don’t care!

 

Nice job

 

Awesome job!! Any plans for a lunchbox up front? Saw your bumper showcase this morning sick rig you got annnnnd subbed

 

Full walkaround of that rig going to be released soon!

 

Sweet always enjoy your videos when clocking into work