Opinions On The Ebay Trak-locs For The 8"

Cool Beans · Oct 27, 2014

My build is budget. . .I'm sure I'm not the only one, lol. Winter project is to rebuild the rear suspension and axle. My 8" axle has 2.79 highway gears in it. I'm going to 3.40 gears with a c4 (maybe one day a t5 swap). My HP goals are for around 300 fun hp. While I'd like a LS rear, the name brand price tag is off-putting. I'd rather have the ~$500 to put into more important things like exhaust or front end work. . .Ebay seems to have a number of, from what I can gather, no name posi's from china? for example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Ford-28-Spline-Posi-Unit-Trac-Lok-8-Inch-NEW-/251689000584

http://www.ebay.com/itm/8-Ford-Trac-Loc-Posi-Traction-Unit-28-Spline-/231368939511

They all seem to be around $300 give or take, ready to go. Still not cheap, but is tempting. Has anyone had any experience using these? Does anyone know anything about them?

Thanks!

horse sence · Oct 28, 2014

I wouldn't trust any thing from china ,buy American if possible .There is no telling what bearings or even parts they used .Cheap bearings will give out quickly and could ruin everything . There is a reason they are cheaper .

7991LXnSHO · Oct 28, 2014

So be careful where you put cheap things from China???

The OEM traction lock for 8.8" differentials is very reasonable. Is there a similar budget part for the 8"? There is usually a big price difference between style and vendors for 9" differentials.

Cool Beans · Oct 28, 2014

OEM 8" trac-loc are almost non existent, and only 2 pinion.

All the rebuild kits I've found had Timken bearings. Gear set I'm considering is a Motive Gear set on sale for $165.75. Budget Posi is tempting, but. . .I might send them a message for craps and giggles. . .to be honest, is a posi worth it?

cavboy78 · Oct 29, 2014

I bought a complete third member from TJ1141 on ebay. It was a 3.89 trutrac for something like 800 or 900 dollars (paid a little extra for the tru trac). He works out of PA and is very responsive and an overall great guy to deal with. He will also take your third member for a core charge/refund. Easy to swap out, follow break in directions, and move out from there...no issues. Mine is behind a built 351w with a t-5. I would highly recommend him.

Cool Beans · Oct 29, 2014

I've seen those on Ebay, and his name has come up in a lot of searches. . .though, I like doing this kind of work so I won't be buying a finished unit, hehe. You did mention however, the TruTrac. . .seen them around for under $500. I also sold some equipment last night and should be able to splurge for the detroit!

If you don't mind my asking, is that an 8" or 9" you have behind your 351?

7991LXnSHO · Oct 29, 2014

Is a posi worth it??????
Have you ever owned a car with one? Do you live in a place with roads that are ever less than perfectly clean and dry? Do you have a V-8? If you say yes to those, you should know a limited slip is worth it. A locker may be overkill for the street and in other sizes is more expensive than the clutch style.

Cool Beans · Oct 29, 2014

2 cars and 4 trucks, none of them ever had any kind of posi device One wheel wonders they were all, lol.

Soon to be rectified for this car though. . .just finished ordering a set of 3.55 gears and a trutrac from Summit, they had the best price and free shipping! Should be here early next week

cavboy78 · Oct 29, 2014

Mine is an 8" and has held up fine. As long as I don't run slicks, I should be fine. Been running it for a couple of years now with no issues. Some folks seem to have problems with the 8" and preach how weak it is. Some of this may be true...some may be internet forum myth that continues to get regurgitated by others. To me it all depends on usage. Mine is not a 1/4 mile queen...but I've left more than my share of two black stripes on roads!

Love the TRU-TRAC. It's not noticeable at all like a Detroit Locker...no clutches to replace.

Noobz347 · Oct 30, 2014

The TruTrac is nice unit. You generally forget it's there until you slam on the gas. I still think that the OEM unit is the best for the street. Clutches or no, they have the best manners IMO.

Regular ole Detroit Locker for the street? I was not a fan.

65ShelbyClone · Nov 14, 2014

Fer cryin' out loud.

Ford Traction-Lok
GM Positraction

One thing an LSD (limited-slip differential) will do is reveal the shortcomings of your rear suspension. if it hops on one wheel, it will hop worse on two.

I have an open 3.00 8in from a Mustang II waiting to go into my Pinto and want an LSD carrier, but got sticker shock when I started looking.

Cool Beans · Dec 25, 2014

I thought a follow up would be nice, and include some pictures because. . .well, I like to show off

Love the Trac-Loc! No more one wheel peels, but not enough power to break both loose. Which, gunning it around corners where I was used to the one wheel peel to slow me down, the rear end stuck 100% and I've nearly wrecked out a couple times Yes, I need to slow down. With the new suspension, shocks, and rear end I feel really stuck to the road in stead of floating about. . .

As for the 3.55 gears, it is not the night and day difference I was expecting. Acceleration is better, but not jaw dropping. Driving 60 on the highway is pleasant. I wouldn't want to drive to Richmond without OD, but for tooling around town, I kinda wish I went with 4.10 gears. Oh well, maybe if I build a 9" later on lol. Haven't figured out the speedo gear yet. I just have a sticky note with conversion speeds on it lol.

And now, some eye candy

horse sence · Dec 25, 2014

A little thought for your new limited slip ...what may feel like it will stick on a dry road ,will spin you around very quickly on a wet road .Ask me how i know ! 4.11 gears is a big jump from 3.50 and your top end will be gone without a high reving motor .It will launch from a take off but you will quickly top out your speed . It would be very hard to drive 60 mph or more because of the high rpms you will be turning . Limited slip is fun but it can get you in trouble on wet or icy roads .

Noobz347 · Dec 26, 2014

Cool Beans said:
I thought a follow up would be nice, and include some pictures because. . .well, I like to show off

Love the Trac-Loc! No more one wheel peels, but not enough power to break both loose. Which, gunning it around corners where I was used to the one wheel peel to slow me down, the rear end stuck 100% and I've nearly wrecked out a couple times Yes, I need to slow down. With the new suspension, shocks, and rear end I feel really stuck to the road in stead of floating about. . .

As for the 3.55 gears, it is not the night and day difference I was expecting. Acceleration is better, but not jaw dropping. Driving 60 on the highway is pleasant. I wouldn't want to drive to Richmond without OD, but for tooling around town, I kinda wish I went with 4.10 gears. Oh well, maybe if I build a 9" later on lol. Haven't figured out the speedo gear yet. I just have a sticky note with conversion speeds on it lol.

And now, some eye candy

It sher iz perty.

As for the rest of your formula, you still have two options to get the git-up-an-go you're after. More gear or better yet, more motor.

65ShelbyClone · Dec 26, 2014

horse sence said:
A little thought for your new limited slip ...what may feel like it will stick on a dry road ,will spin you around very quickly on a wet road .Ask me how i know !

That's no joke. It can happen on dry pavement with a healthy engine. Fortunately there's an appropriate song to have playing when it happens:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGNiXGX2nLU

4.11 gears is a big jump from 3.50 and your top end will be gone without a high reving motor .It will launch from a take off but you will quickly top out your speed . It would be very hard to drive 60 mph or more because of the high rpms you will be turning . Limited slip is fun but it can get you in trouble on wet or icy roads .

I agree. 3.5X is as high as I would go without some kind of overdrive. I have 3.50s with a toploader and 2700rpm at 60mph is a little buzzy for a V8 IMO. 70mph comes in at 3200rpm.

Cool Beans · Dec 26, 2014

Hmm, I will keep that in mind. Like previously mentioned, I've never had any traction device equipped vehicles before, so this is all new, lol. I originally went with 3.55 gears so when I swapped in a T5, the first gear would be usable.

horse sence · Dec 26, 2014

Not only can to much gas pedal in a turn spin you ,Letting off the pedal to quickly after to much gas in a turn will spin you when the rear hooks up .Kind of embarrassing also .

n8rfastback · Dec 31, 2014

I'm also running the stock 2.79 rear gears, open. I'm planning on tearing into it in the next few months and getting some 3.55 gears and dropping a locker in it. I'm going to go with a ratcheting set up though. I have a 289 and did the t5 swap a couple years ago. My 5th gear is a .70, so these 2.79 gears are pretty useless.

Here is the locker I'm looking at.
http://m.summitracing.com/parts/pwt-92-0680-2800/overview/make/ford

Opinions On The Ebay Trak-locs For The 8"

Cool Beans

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horse sence

7991LXnSHO

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cavboy78

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Opinions On The Ebay Trak-locs For The 8"

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