3.73 ratio with a G80 locker?

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

94Chevyshorty

Newbie
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
29
Reaction score
0
Location
New Hampshire
Ive got 3.73 gears with a g80 in the back.. getting old, any common issues with them? ive been seeing alot of them needed a rebuild. im running high miles
 

df2x4

4L60E Destroyer
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Mar 1, 2012
Messages
11,159
Reaction score
12,702
Location
Missouri
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If it is broke, just don't put another G80 back in it! They're not a great design in any sense of the word. For most people who daily drive these trucks and don't beat on them they'll hold up just fine, though. If you want a real locker I'd look into Eaton Detroit Lockers. Pricey, but you get what you pay for.
 

slowburb

all motor
Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Messages
1,632
Reaction score
676
Location
Louisiana
It is a perfectly fine design, just doesn't belong in a full size/half ton pickup or SUV.
 

94Chevyshorty

Newbie
Joined
Feb 9, 2016
Messages
29
Reaction score
0
Location
New Hampshire
I dont beat the truck, the differential is fine at the moment, it just caught my eye that it did not want to lock both tires when i was in snow once, but the i tried again and it did.. locker getting tired?
 

slowburb

all motor
Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Messages
1,632
Reaction score
676
Location
Louisiana
Wheelspin on snowy roadway is about the most awkward situation for an Eaton gov-lock carrier to do what it's supposed to do.
 

df2x4

4L60E Destroyer
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Mar 1, 2012
Messages
11,159
Reaction score
12,702
Location
Missouri
This is exactly why I'm of the opinion that they're a bad design. They will unlock when your wheel speed reaches 10-15mph no matter what.

EDIT - I've also had mine just refuse to lock from a dead stop more than once. They don't do it all the time, but they can be picky. I've kept up on the maintenance on both of them. Maybe yours and both of mine are wearing out, who knows.
 

Ironhead

I'm Awesome
Joined
Dec 20, 2015
Messages
480
Reaction score
109
Location
Vancouver British Columbia
My G80 is what I would call awkward. It will lock and unlock in slow speed turns on wet surfaces. If I give it enough gas from a stoplight, it will do a very short "one-wheel peel", then lock suddenly, with a pronounced drive line shock. It also seems to affect the steering of the truck on low speed tight turns, as it tries to "push" the truck in a straight line.

Not sure if this is how the G80 is supposed to feel, but if it is, I do not like it. I had a G20 van years ago with a 12 bolt posi rear, much smoother and more effective.
 

slowburb

all motor
Joined
Mar 26, 2011
Messages
1,632
Reaction score
676
Location
Louisiana
Right, this is why I seeked out a rig missing the G80 code on the glove box sticker back in 2010. A proper clutch style LSD (rebuildable Yukon Duragrip) now resides within the confines of my 8.5" axle housing.
 

Jrgunn5150

Enjoying tomorrow's success today
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
5,847
Reaction score
1,283
Location
Ionia Michigan
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If it is broke, just don't put another G80 back in it! They're not a great design in any sense of the word. For most people who daily drive these trucks and don't beat on them they'll hold up just fine, though. If you want a real locker I'd look into Eaton Detroit Lockers. Pricey, but you get what you pay for.

Agreed. If it breaks, get something else.
 
Top