Limited-Slip Dana 23 Solution ?

1941 - 1945, MB, GPW modifications, sugestions, and ideas, official MWO's and unofficial WWII field mods NO EBAY or COMMERCIAL SALES.
Post Reply
ndnile
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 551
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 8:09 pm
Location:

Limited-Slip Dana 23 Solution ?

Post by ndnile » Sun Oct 22, 2017 9:27 am

I want to make my stock 43 Willys a bit more capable on mud and snow without detracting from it's military appearance. The only thing I can find for upgrading my Dana 23 rear end is an auto-locker and I understand that is best for dedicated off-road rigs, which mine isn't. Is anyone aware of a limited-slip solution for our rear-ends ?
Doug
Sacramento Area
1943 Willys MB
1943 GPW-125334 (Sold)
1962 M170
1959 Willys Wagon


User avatar
tamnalan
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6309
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:58 am
Location: SW Oregon
Contact:

Re: Limited-Slip Dana 23 Solution ?

Post by tamnalan » Sun Oct 22, 2017 6:54 pm

Some guys run Lock Rites in one or both differentials. I think it's about the only solution for a bolt-in.

https://www.4wheelparts.com/Drivetrain- ... PTX2110-LR
Alan W. Johnson
_______________
MB, 201453, "Lt Bob"
MB, 1942, not stock
M-100, Sep 1951
MB-TD, Mar 2012
Ford 91C, 1939

ndnile
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 551
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 8:09 pm
Location:

Re: Limited-Slip Dana 23 Solution ?

Post by ndnile » Sun Oct 22, 2017 7:49 pm

Thanks for the response Alan. That is the conclusion I had reached, but was hoping I missed something obvious. I am concerned about it messing up the on-road manners of the jeep. If I go this direction, I will report back. Thanks again.
Doug
Sacramento Area
1943 Willys MB
1943 GPW-125334 (Sold)
1962 M170
1959 Willys Wagon

User avatar
tamnalan
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6309
Joined: Sat Feb 02, 2008 9:58 am
Location: SW Oregon
Contact:

Re: Limited-Slip Dana 23 Solution ?

Post by tamnalan » Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:11 am

Welcome!

The cj2a forum https://www.thecj2apage.com/forums/tech ... rum11.html has a fair amount of discussion on them.

I already have locking hubs on my front axle, and I'm thinking of putting a Lock Rite in my front differential.
Alan W. Johnson
_______________
MB, 201453, "Lt Bob"
MB, 1942, not stock
M-100, Sep 1951
MB-TD, Mar 2012
Ford 91C, 1939

Wolfman
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6863
Joined: Sat Jan 12, 2008 5:25 am
Location: Tipton,In.

Re: Limited-Slip Dana 23 Solution ?

Post by Wolfman » Mon Oct 23, 2017 5:34 am

A limited slip unit that was originally set up for highway use would work. They are set up to be highway friendly without chattering while turning.
I would stay away from racing versions. They are much more aggressive. They
" bark " the tires when cornering and tend to pull one way when driving straight. Why dragsters do burn outs. Gets everything in line before the run. It ain't for the show. Well. Maybe a little bit. 8)
Mike Wolford
CJ-2A
VEP GPW
Comm./Inst. SEL
AOPA ( 50 yrs)
EAA ( 49 yrs)
4th Inf. Div. - 5th Inf. Div. - 2nd Armor Div. - CIB

Marty, SoCal
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6319
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:34 am
Location:

Re: Limited-Slip Dana 23 Solution ?

Post by Marty, SoCal » Mon Oct 23, 2017 3:07 pm

The old Dana 25 Powr Lok will fit the WW2 G503 front or rear axle just fine. I put one in my GPW's rear axle a couple years ago. Works well. You can change the arrangement of the internal clutch packs for front or rear operation. It makes a huge difference off-road as to traction and I don't notice it on the street.

Some info from the CJ-3b page:
http://cj3b.info/Tech/SB500PowrLok.html

Late Model Marine Corps spec M-38A1's had them in the front Dana 25 and the rear Dana 44 axles. Mitey Mites had them in both Dana 27 axles.

Herm the overdrive guy sells them occasionally, and adapter parts to use Dana 27 units in a Dana 25.
http://hermtheoverdriveguy.com/d232527- ... oss-shafts

I have a LockRite locker in my CJ-8's Dana 30. If you have unlocking front hubs, you won't notice one in the front diff. I have a custom Dana 60 rear diff in it now and I had the Model 20 diff before, both have PowrLoks in them, a perfect combination! One thing you will notice off-road with the hubs engaged and in 4wd is that the jeep will always be trying to pull straight in higher traction situations. This is because a LocRite or Detroit locker will always drive the slowest turning wheel. As you turn, the inside tire is turning slower, so it receives the power, which tends to try to straighten out the steering wheel. Not too noticeable with power steering, but you will notice it with manual steering more. If you are in 2wd, but the front hubs are engaged, steering is unaffected, but you will hear racheting noises as you make turns.

My old CJ-5 had a Detroit Locker in the rear Dana 44 which works on the same principles as the LockRite. Lot's of snapping and popping as the locker engages, and since it drives the inside tire in a turn under power, there is a bit of unusual direction shift in turns. It's kind of scary to anyone not used to a Detroit in such a short wheelbase vehicle. 100% traction with it though! The effects on turns can be minimized by feathering the gas as you turn so the locker does not engage.

I have pictures of the installation of the powerlok in my GPW on my Photobucket album. I can link to it but can't post the pics direct anymore.
http://s551.photobucket.com/user/MartyS ... ial?sort=3

Hope this helps!
43 Ford GPW 92098
53 Dunbar Kapple M100
Sold: 61 CJ-5, 41 T207 WC-1 Dodge closed cab pickup
MVPA #8266
USMC Tanker (1811, 1812), 85-93
ASE Automotive Master tech, former Chrysler-Jeep Level 4 Mastertech, CA state EA smog license

ndnile
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 551
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 8:09 pm
Location:

Re: Limited-Slip Dana 23 Solution ?

Post by ndnile » Mon Oct 23, 2017 6:45 pm

Hi Marty,

That was an outstanding reply, thanks!

The Powr Lok from Herm looks like it is exactly what I was hoping for and your slide show lets me know what I'm in for to get it installed.
Doug
Sacramento Area
1943 Willys MB
1943 GPW-125334 (Sold)
1962 M170
1959 Willys Wagon

85jeepcj
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Sergeant Major of the Gee
Posts: 455
Joined: Sun Jun 07, 2015 5:58 pm
Location: New Hampshire

Re: Limited-Slip Dana 23 Solution ?

Post by 85jeepcj » Tue Oct 24, 2017 1:25 pm

I would go with lockers in front with locking hubs

Marty, SoCal
G-Lieutenant General
G-Lieutenant General
Posts: 6319
Joined: Thu Mar 09, 2006 10:34 am
Location:

Re: Limited-Slip Dana 23 Solution ?

Post by Marty, SoCal » Sat Apr 28, 2018 4:49 pm

Bringing it back up, Doug, did you find/ install the traction diff yet?

Also, we had a good trail run at Petaluma this year, glad to see you and your wife again!
43 Ford GPW 92098
53 Dunbar Kapple M100
Sold: 61 CJ-5, 41 T207 WC-1 Dodge closed cab pickup
MVPA #8266
USMC Tanker (1811, 1812), 85-93
ASE Automotive Master tech, former Chrysler-Jeep Level 4 Mastertech, CA state EA smog license

ndnile
G-Second Lieutenant
G-Second Lieutenant
Posts: 551
Joined: Wed Sep 17, 2014 8:09 pm
Location:

Re: Limited-Slip Dana 23 Solution ?

Post by ndnile » Wed May 09, 2018 6:26 pm

Hi Marty,

I have not taken the locking/limited slip plunge yet. I’ve been trying to put time into a 4wd 59 willys wagon that happily landed in my lap to get it up to reliable driver status first. I’m a slow mechanic. Figured having two rigs would let me be working on one while still having the other one for fun while I wrench and re-wrench the other one.

Thanks for checking in sir.
Doug
Sacramento Area
1943 Willys MB
1943 GPW-125334 (Sold)
1962 M170
1959 Willys Wagon


Post Reply

Return to “MB GPW Modifications”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests