RE: [ihc] Dana 60 Factory Locker?

["Mac @ TRIAD" <mac@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

## >> Did the '69 and up 3/4 ton Travelalls have an option for a
## >> factory rear
## >> locker or is this guy mistaking it for a Trak-Lok?
## >>
## >> Thanks,
## >>
## >> Isaac Hastings

there were, to my knowledge, at least four different limited slip/locking
differentials available in the axles on IH trucks.  the Trak-Lok and
Powr-Lok are both limited slip units that use a clutch plate system much
like the Positraction from GM and the Sure-Grip from Chrysler, both commonly
found in Dana axles.  if i am remembering correctly, in IH trucks the
Powr-Lok was the first, replaced in later years with the Trac-Lok.  i could
be misremembering that, however.

Powr-Lok and Trac-Lok were available in all Dana axles, to my knowledge.
the rear D44 in our 800A has a factory Powr-Lok, and the front D30 has an
aftermarket Trac-Lok installed.  our 1972 1110 TravelAll 4x4 came from the
factory with what i believe were Trac-Lok differentials installed in both
axles, or so the stickers in the doorjamb and on the dash claim.  the PPO
replaced the stock 5-lug 3.73 D44 axles and 1/2-ton springs with an 8-lug
4.10 D44/D60 axle and spring combo from a 1200/1210, and the new axles have
open differentials.  i'm disappointed in the differentials, but happy with
the axles.

additionally, IH Corporate axles, most notably the RA10, RA15, RA20, and
RA25, were available with two more limited slip/locking differential
choices.  these were the Detroit Locker better known in those days as a
No-Spin; and something called the "Traction Equalizer Differential", which
is unique to IH corporate axles, and quite interesting, too (i've only seen
one in person, and it was damaged).  there have been rumours in the past
that the No-Spin was available in Dana axles for IH trucks as well as those
from other companies, but i haven't verified that one way or another.  there
have also been mumblings that the Trac-Lok and/or Powr-Lok diffs were also
available in IH corporate axles, but i haven't confirmed/denied that,
either.

for my own experience, i've owned two RA15s and one RA20 (previously
identified as an RA25).  in every case, each of these axles came to me with
a No-Spin installed.  in the case of my D1200, i don't have any real
evidence to show whether the No-Spin was factory installed or not, and i
didn't even know it was in there till i took the diff out for the B122.  my
B122 came with a No-Spin originally, but was replaced with an open
differential by the railroad at some point during its service with them,
1960 to 1970.  when my mother destroyed that differential in 1977, my father
replaced it with another No-Spin, which i destroyed and replaced with the
diff from the D1200 in 1989.  the RA20 from my 1500A, according to the guy i
got it from who was its original operator at the winery from the day it was
delivered, says it came with the No-Spin diff that's in it today.

i know, a lot of stuff saying basically almost nothing.  however, the last
point i'd like to make is that a lot of people confuse "locker" and "limited
slip" and conveniently use the terms interchangeably.  it is possible that
the truck in question came with a limited slip diff and the guy is calling
it a locker out of habit.  i do that a lot myself, and so do many other
people.  most likely that's what's happening here.  i bet it's a Trac-Lok.

--Mac

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Krystof "Mac" MacBryghde
TyrGothi

http://master.triad.ath.cx/