Gears & Lockers

Gears Why?
Larger tires change the gear ratio at the wheels therefore taking you transmissions gears out of the original power brand they were intended to work at. This causes all sorts of little annoyances like not enough power to go up hills while towing or constant up and down shifts of your automatic transmission. Prestons has the experience to do your gears right. We will calculate how much gear you will need to get the most performance out of your vehicle. This is a “must do” for lifted trucks that intend to tow!!

Which Gears?
There are many manufacturers of gears, some great some not so great. If you intend to purchase your gears form the internet or another shop for us to install, please contact one of our sales staff for guidance in order to get an explanation on which gear is right and what other component parts you may need. Chances are good you will need more than just a ring and pinion set.

Lockers
If you want true 4×4 performance, then a locker is what you need. Lockers lock your axles in the drive position assuring that all four wheels are turning with full power. Limited slip only allows one axle to turn at a time. There are full time lockers “pos i traction” not recommended for street use. There are lockers you can control inside you truck or jeep engaged at your command. This way you can drive your truck to where you want to off road and still have tire tread when you get there.

Which Lockers?
Debate between advocates of the venerable Detroit Lockers and lovers of the selectable ARB air-powered locker is as hot as that between automatic and manual transmissions. Everybody’s got an opinion! There are other fine solutions, but the Detroit and the ARD seem to have become the Hatfield and McCoy of lockers. Some say the Detroit has the edge on strength, but I hear stories of both types breaking. A failure in the air system will render the ARB useless, but it’s open, daily streetability is a powerful lure. The Detroit is locked when you need it to be locked, but can be unlocked. That can make steering difficult (for a Detroit in the front) and daily driving clunky (for one in the rear). ARB in the front and Detroit in the rear? There truly is no right answer, and that’s what makes this sport/hobby/obsession so fantastic!