Hey guys, I'm new to this forum, looks like a great site for info: I drive a black h3 fully loaded except for the adventure package, big mistake.
I spoke with dealer and GM and both tell that it is not possible to install a rear locker so my question is does anybody know about the Powertrax locker and if so
does it work well and can it be installed on a h3.


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Unless you are a seriously hard core off roader, I would pony up for a selectable locker vs. an automatic locker. Auto's are OK on the street for people who are willing to "live with them" there, to enjoy them on the trail. But, if you don't know what to expect from them, they are often undesirable to most people. They pop, and make ratcheting noise often.. they wear tires out faster.. and they can be a real bear on wet streets (an even worse on snow and ice from what I hear).

Some assume that they will be better for wet roads etc. NO, .. they are not. When you spin an open diff, the othe non spinning tire acts like an ancor, and holds the rear of the vehicle in a linear track. A lockers that breaks traction on the street wants to travel sideways, and will go *** over tea kettle real quick... you'll be looking at where you've been, rahter then where you are going. Another thing they do is "unload" when you let off the gas. hence the "auto" locker. They are "locked" by throttle input only. So, when you give it gas, they turn not matter what .. be it in the air, or on the ground. When they do "unload" or unlock going down the road, such as letting off the gas for a curve, they can cause lighter vehicles to lurch to one side. It can be very un-nerving in something like a lifted Jeep... especially at speed. They also cause "under steer" which happens when the rear end tries to push the vehicle straight forward while your trying to turn. Pulling that U turn takes on a whole new experience with a locker. The vehicle wants to go straight, and when you do start to turn, the inside tire will spin out since there is no differentiation in the diff.

I have detroit lockers front & rear on my K5. You have to learn to "adjust" your driving style. But, theres onthing like having lockers front and rear on the trail.

Also, I'm not sure that many, if anyone carries a locker for the H3 yet. they could, since they might have made it for the Colorado, but if they did, you would probably be limited on selection. I have heard that ARB/Old Man Emu are gearing up to make some products for the H3's in the future. I'm not sure if it will include a rear locker or not, time will tell I guess.

Hope this helps some.

 

So far everybody I talk to all say the same thing that there is no locker available yet for the H3. The only positive news is I heard that AM general will
be coming out with a locker in January.

Thanks for the info:

 

This is not a good selection for a fulltime 4wd vehicle. This is an automatice locker and will result in very poor driving characteristics. At this point, I would wait for an ARB or OX lock. These are selectable lockers which run as open diffs for street drving. I personally prefer the OX locker as it is cable operated and does not have the ability for air leaks like the ARB. If you were to put an OX Locker front and rear in an H3, you would pretty much have an unstoppable vehicle.

 

I guess in desperation you start looking at any possibility like the powertrax, I do agree that the best option would be like
you mentioned, I guess I'll just have to sit tight for a while.

 

Why is it not possible to install the factory locker in your axle?

 

From what I understand the diff on the adventure package is not the same size as the stock H3.

 

That is interesting. I would have figured that the housings would be the same to cut down on parts inventory. Anywho, what would it cost to replace the axle? Obviously this isn't a cost effective solution, but for grins it is an interesting concept to entertain.