okoay, one really quick question... the G80 Locking Diff... is that a open diff (one wheel wonder) and is the G86 LS diff what im looking for???? please help... getting truck next week.

 

as far as i know the G80 is a locking diff

 

G80 is the locking rearend. strong rearunit. comes in the 2500HD and 3500.

 

gov loc, locking diff. believe it only locks up to certain speed/rpm. then releases, the shop i had lift my truck showed me several grenaded units. seems they tend to lock rather violently. all the 4x guys i know replace them with detroits. i opted for the high end auburn lsd, because my truck is mostly for street and towing. the lsd works fine for me, on the rare occasion when i break the 35" bfg's loose they both spin. the best compromise for street and fairly hardcore offroading is a selectable locker. if you lift a tire an lsd will spin the tire with less traction where a detroit or selectable will always give equal traction to both wheels.

 

G80 also comes in the 1500 trucks. It's weak. Replace it with an Eaton, and the rearend is very strong(1500).

If you plan on more power, just get the open rear and put in an Eaton. If you plan on leaving the truck stock, then the G80 will do.

The G80 releases at 20 mph and only locks when theres wheelspin. The locking and unlocking combined with a weak outer shell causes it to break.

 

I'm thinking that 11psi and a YANK 3800 also helps them to break!
I have one in my truck and with the little bit of power it makes the rear has held up fine so far...(knocking on wood). The drivers' side wheel was "giving up" a little, so I change the gear lube and posi additive and its working good again. I'm holdin' my breath on that and the trans tho!

 

Isn't the G80 an Eaton?

 

the down side is if it goes, it usually takes the r&p and spiders with it. which triples the cost of fixing it.

 

i guess thats the benifits of getting it with NO miles on it..gotta love the warrenty
thanks for your imput

 

Yeah, the G80 is an eaton. It isn't a clutch type though, It has weights that lock it with centrifugal force(one wheel spinning) and also unlock it at 20 mph.
It has a weak case that will break with enough power.

Eaton also makes a clutch type that has a stronger case and is locked up by the clutches all the time. Thats the good one.