Converting to a locker. . .

So this question is actually about my silverado, but I figured you gear heads (especially the full-sizers) could help. I have a 1998 C1500 Chevy truck. 3.42 rear... Vortec V6. My problem is, everytime I pull off the pavement into some mud or a field to go fishing or whatever, that one wheel spinning about burries me. So I figure the best traction I can get out of a 2wd is with a locker or at least limited slip rear. So, what all does it take to convert the stock rear to a posi, locker, or limited slip? Where can I get the parts? Should I have it professionally done? all help is greatly appreciated...

Try getting a 10 bolt Gm corp axle full floating
 
It comes with everything you are looking for factory set and it a lot more stout then the one you have now.

so it might be a better idea to replace the whole axle??

That should be an 8.5" 10 bolt, isn't it?
I know Auburn makes a limited slip locker for that size... Not sure on the price of it, though...

Flip a switch, and the diff is locked, when the switch is off, you have LSD/Posi... Best of both worlds, lol

I know there's probably other companies that make 'em, but Auburn was the first to pop into my head...

Though, a Powertrax locker is probably a lot easier to install...

From what I hear, the process is simple... just time consuming, might have to do some adjustment with shims and the like...
 
I'm waiting to see if they make one for my Blazer, lol

They do make an independent axle that has that locker in it. Just don't recall right now which ones have it (years and types that interchange). Most of them are limited slip (one wheel wonders). I have to dig that information up again due to I want to do this mod for my 95.
 
As for the rear if its a solid axle housing, you can use close to about any full axle that has it. The 1500's that I have worked on are solid rear axles, not independent. So just about any GM axle that is the same width can be used. And the GM 10 bolt corperate full floating axles came factory with lockers in them (think they were Detroit lockers). I think the 89 1500 had them I would have to check.

quote:

ORIGINAL: MNHawk

 Most of them are limited slip (one wheel wonders).

 
Open diff is the one tire fire... limited slip is clutches and/or springs that work to make the wheels spin at the same speed, when there's a certain RPM of difference between the two wheels, which allows normal cornering to be open diffed, while hard acceleration will make both tires work, and whipping sideways around corners with your foot on that gas at 40 MPH makes it kick in for better control...

Yeah,......uh MNHawk...you have just about everything screwy on this one dude.  Like Drperry said an open diff is a "1 wheel wonder" , a limited slip is a "posi", and a locker is an aftermarket device that physically (via electric, air, or cable...etc) locks the two drive axles together only allowing them to turn at the same speed.  And a "full-floating" rear axle was NEVER used on a 1/2 ton G.M. pick-up.  A full-floater is only for the HD pick-ups and you won't see one with less than 8 lug-nuts.  These are the 14 bolt axles,not 10 and the axle itself bolts to the carrier (housing) they aren't held in with a c-clip like the 10-bolts.  As for your question a_tack, just google GM 8.5 locker and I'm sure you'll find what you are looking for.  It's not a terribly complex job, but if you don't know EXACTLY how to set up a ring and pinion, you are better off leaving it to a professional.

thanks for the help..... I will probably leave it to a professional or completely swap the rear axle for a auto-locker off of a wrecked one or something.....

Check the sig...

"A limited slip is for limited off-raoding" 

If your going to spend the money, get a good locker.  It'll set you back a car payment, but you will be happy with it.
 
**Edit:**
 
Having soemone put one in for you will set you back 2 car payments, but you know it'll be done right.  You just need a locker that replaces the carrier.  Pull off the diff cover, tires, brakes and c-clips that hold the axles in the housing, pull the carrier and install locker.  Re-assemble and cook at 350° for 20 min's, remove from oven and allow to cool for 5 mins.  Serves 2. 
 
Ok, not sure where that came from, but it's a relatively process that I am looking at doing to my 91' Burb, "One Wheel Wonder".

Actually, limited slip is more for racing than it is off-roading... Works wonders when drifting, lol

its a 2wd i just dont wanna get stuck out in a field by a farm pond...lol and the truck is paid off so it wont set me back any payments...lol

Then yes, either go limited slip locker, or just plain locker, lol. I've heard good things about PowerTrax and Auburn....

na just go welded live possi
 
wont be fun taking corners, but you will for sure have both wheels turning.
 
Possi traction (both wheels leave their marks)
Limited Slip (one wheel wonder mark maker)
Flinstone style (need new shoes yet?)

quote:

Limited Slip (one wheel wonder mark maker)

Nope.....a G80 differential is a "limited slip" or "posi" and believe me...they leave 2 strips of rubber on the road.

Posi and limited slip are pretty much the same thing... "Posi" is just Fords term for it...
 
An open diff is the one tire fire...
 
The G80 LSD, however crappy it might be, is still a limited slip, lol

The G80 itself isn't weak IMO, it's the ring and pinion in these trucks (and 3rd and 4th gen F-cars) that is weak.........The 8.5" G80 in my Caprice has been beat to death with 350+ horsepower and it never misses a beat. 

I didn't mean the construction itself... It's just not an aggressive enough unit for my tastes... lol
Plus, if what I remember is true... it doesn't kick in above 20mph...

True it's no auburn or detroit, but I have been very impressed by the one I built for mine...it came from a 1984 Delta 88...lol  And you have been misinformed about the speed thing I have spun mine through a burnout well over 5800 RPM's and it still smokes both 275mm wide tires.

quote:

ORIGINAL: lastcoupe

True it's no auburn or detroit, but I have been very impressed by the one I built for mine...it came from a 1984 Delta 88...lol  And you have been misinformed about the speed thing I have spun mine through a burnout well over 5800 RPM's and it still smokes both 275mm wide tires.

 
That must be for the older G80 Locker from the first gens then...
I remember reading that on the Eaton website...

The G80 diff is different for the trucks than it is in the passenger cars is it not?  The G80 for our trucks in particular is the Gov-Loc diff which acts as a posi unit but when power is delivered and one wheel starts to spin faster, a speed triggered latch will lock the axles together.  This unit is more of a limited slip locker than it is a true limited slip.  This latch inside is the weak point of the Gov-Loc diff.

This is my understanding of the diffs in our trucks...  Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

Yup, that would be the "GOV LOC".  It's a "3-pin" stlye, instead of your nominal 4-pin.  Which means if it ever breaks, your up do-do creek with out a paddle because no one else makes a 3 pin. 
 
If that happens, the guts of the diff need to be replaced.

And if I remember right, the centrifigul force of being above 20MPH unlocks it... so above that, it's an open diff, is it not?

It still acts as a limited slip even at higher speeds.  I have had my back end snap out before the front could engage on me a few times over 20mph when I was just out on the back roads playin' around.

When I serviced my diff, I messed around with it just seeing what it would do.  It was not easy to turn one tire at a time.  Very difficult in fact.  It required one person at each wheel to get it to spin.

quote:

ORIGINAL: swartlkk

It still acts as a limited slip even at higher speeds.  I have had my back end snap out before the front could engage on me a few times over 20mph when I was just out on the back roads playin' around.

When I serviced my diff, I messed around with it just seeing what it would do.  It was not easy to turn one tire at a time.  Very difficult in fact.  It required one person at each wheel to get it to spin.

 
 
Ahhhh, I just know that the posi in a F350, when drifting around a corner, is a lot more aggressive feeling than the G80, lol

quote:

Ahhhh, I just know that the posi in a F350, when drifting around a corner, is a lot more aggressive feeling than the G80, lol

 
Like Kyle said...maybe a gov-loc G80, but the G80 in my Caprice will drift right along side the ricers....lol   If I can keep from running over that little toy ricer....or sucking it through my K&N.....I'll try it sometime...lol