Best Locker for 14Bolt FF in 85 K30

[WyoK30]

Looking for input and pros and cons. I want to put a locker in my K30 14 B FF, and I dont know mutch about them other than to avoid the "GovBomb" Thanks in advance

 

[HotRodPC]

So here's the deal on the Full Float carrier. It's a split carrier with spider gears inside it. Now if you have the Gov Bomb carrier now, then you're jacked and will have to swap out the whole carrier with an open diff.

With the open diff on a Full Floater 14b, as said, being a split carrier, you can open it up and replace it with a Detroit Locker which one of the bigger famous name brands. My point being, since it's a split carrier that you open up and replace the spiders, in this case, even the Detroit Locker works as a "lunchbox locker". I don't know that there is a bad lunchbox locker for a 14b full float axle since they are all just about the same whehter you get a Detroit Locker, a Lock Right, a Spartan locker or some Grizzly locker whatever it is. But there is several of them now days. I personally would just Google Locker for 14 bolt Full Float and then choose one based on price and reviews. Detroit Locker is good, and I think you'll pay more just for the name, but as said, due the FF carrier design, they are all about the same. I know for a fact Lock Right is made by Richmond Gear or their parent company and we always used Richmond Gear back in the race days cuz it was always good stuff at budger prices and street racing wasn't cheap. PowerTrax Lock Right is the name. Heres is an example of the Yukon Grizzly at Amazon for $415. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0078UBMZM/ Link Included. PowerTrax LockRight at Rocky Road Outfitters for $411. Now make sure those are the correct ones for the correct axles and all, these are just examples, I didn't do any research. https://rocky-road.com/shop/gm-14-bolt-lockright-locker-1955/ Link Inluded.

 

[HotRodPC]

If it's the correct one, here' the PowerTrax LockRight 1955-LR for $238 for the 14b 10.5in 30 spline axle. for $238 at Amazon. That should be the right one, but I guess you use the same cross bars that are currently in use with your spider gears if it's an open diff, since they do not seem to be included here. See if you read over an install guide or something to make sure it'll work, but $238 is a fantastic price to convert your 14B FF to a Locker. Comes with 2 year 100,000 mile warranty. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003JBV9RK/ <<< Link Included

 

[SquareRoot]

I hated my Detroit locker so bad I gave it away and went to an open carrier until I can afford an ARB. I effed around and found out. Disclaimer: I only hated it the 100% of the time I was on pavement. Off road, it was decent. Would have been great if I had an auto trans. With manuals, not so much.

 

[bucket]

I know I've hated on the GovLoc a bunch in the past, but it's really not a bad unit in the 14ff.

 

[bucket]

I hated my Detroit locker so bad I gave it away and went to an open carrier until I can afford an ARB. I effed around and found out. Disclaimer: I only hated it the 100% of the time I was on pavement. Off road, it was decent. Would have been great if I had an auto trans. With manuals, not so much.

Did you actually give it away? I would have been a happy bottom-feeder in that case

 

[Bextreme04]

I have a Yukon Grizzly locker in mine. Like bucket said, you really can't go wrong with any of them. I drive mine a lot on the street, gravel logging roads, and some mild offroading and the Yukon has been pretty good. I don't get a ratcheting noise at all, but I do get a bit of wheel skidding in very tight turns on pavement. It's not a big deal at all. I only got the yukon because someone had a brand new in-box unit with a richmond rebuild kit available locally for $200, but I don't have any regrets about installing it.

 

[nvrenuf]

I ran a Detroit Locker in my old K10 and later moved it to my crew cab, I loved it. I'd buy another one.

 

[SquareRoot]

Did you actually give it away? I would have been a happy bottom-feeder in that case

CL for $50. A guy called me 15 minutes later and wanted it so bad he drove 150 miles from Phoenix that night after work to get it. I was like damn, I should have asked $55. lol

 

[bucket]

CL for $50. A guy called me 15 minutes later and wanted it so bad he drove 150 miles from Phoenix that night after work to get it. I was like damn, I should have asked $55. lol

Damn! I can't say that guy stole it from you, because you knew what it was and just wanted it gone, lol.

 

[vr1967]

The Gov Loc for 14b ff is not a bad unit. Like someone mentioned above, I did not care for either the Lock Right or Detriot Locker’s manners on the street. So much so, I replaced with a new Gov Loc unit. The money I had trying the 2 others was the same as the new Gov Loc from Eaton

 

[HotRodPC]

I know I've hated on the GovLoc a bunch in the past, but it's really not a bad unit in the 14ff.

It's not near as bad as it is in the 10 bolts, but it's not what I'd call great either. The Gov Lock only stays locked til about 20mph then it's unlocked again. This is why I'll say it's good for pulling a boat up a slippery boat ramp. If you're in mud and trying to spin your way through it, you'll just be peg legging it. But, you're correct. It is stronger in the Full Floater than the other smaller axles.

 

[HotRodPC]

I hated my Detroit locker so bad I gave it away and went to an open carrier until I can afford an ARB. I effed around and found out. Disclaimer: I only hated it the 100% of the time I was on pavement. Off road, it was decent. Would have been great if I had an auto trans. With manuals, not so much.

So what you'd likely be really happy with then is the PowerTraxx No Slip Locking Diff. Same company that makes the PowerTraxx Lock Right Locker which is the one that works like the Detroit Locker. It's still a locker, not a limited slip, but it's a much smoother, seamless lock and unlock to the point you won't even know it's unlocking to turn corners and as soon as you're done in your turn, it's locked bck up again. It does cost more than the Lock Right by like $80-$100, but if the ratcheting and tire barking bothers you that bad, then it's certainly worth it. We have a member here that hasn't been on in quite some time, @skysurfer, skysurfer, but that's what he went with and he swears by it that it's locked up and none of the notorious ratcheting noise and tire barking that lockers are known for. Here are the bullet points for the PowerTrax No Slip Locker.

• Combines the smooth operation of a limited-slip differential, with the traction performance of a locking differential
• A precise synchronization mechanism eliminates the ratcheting sounds typical of other locking differentials
• Special gear and spring design reduce the backlash and therefore driveline windup
• Only ultra strength material is used which is 67% stronger than titanium
• Simple installation because no ring and pinion set-up, no special tools or oils, are required; step by step model specific instructions are provided with every kit

Here's the link to Amazon for the 14B Full Float 10.5 inch kit for $454. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IVQQEIC/ <<< PowerTrax No Slip Locker Amazon Link.

 

[HotRodPC]

The Gov Loc for 14b ff is not a bad unit. Like someone mentioned above, I did not care for either the Lock Right or Detriot Locker’s manners on the street. So much so, I replaced with a new Gov Loc unit. The money I had trying the 2 others was the same as the new Gov Loc from Eaton

Yep, the Lock Right is just about identical to the Detroit Locker, and Yukon Grizzly and Spartan Locker. Those are all about the same and function like a lunchbox locker since it's a split carrier and pretty much the only way to do with a complete carrier replacement as you did. I'd have suggested the same to you as I did above with the PowerTrax No Slip. It's still a locker but has the manners of a limited slip. It installs just like the Lock Right, it just cost more is all. Made by the same company as the Lock Right also. PowerTrax which parent company is or was at one time anyway, Richmond Gear. Great Prices for good quailty if they are same these days as they were in the 80's. Back in those street race days, the poor guys went with Zoom gears and would scatter those, or you could step up for a bit more and get Richmond gears and they'd hold up to most abuse. I myself would go with either the Lock Right or the No Slip either one by PowerTrax. Some people even like to do the Lock Right in the rear diff and the No Slip in the front axle so they don't have the torque steer near as bad. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IVQQEIC/ <<<< NO SLIP

 

[HotRodPC]

Damn! I can't say that guy stole it from you, because you knew what it was and just wanted it gone, lol.

Yes, he gave it away, I'd have sure took it for $50 and I'da given him the $5 tip too if I had it. Or gave him 3 20's and let him keep the change. I wouldn't even stop to get change.