I run the Yukon Brand in my truck and have installed many sets on other trucks from Yukon. I highly recommend them.
If you are going to do the gear upgrade yourself I would avoid the "Sierra Gear" brand. I have installed 4 sets ranging from 3.73-4.88 and each has had detrimental problems.
I would also avoid GM Gears on NBS vehicles. GM no longer uses Motive Gear for the new 7.625" and 8.625" gear sets. They switched to a new company I can't spell or say. It sounds like OlSan or OlKan. Something like that. Anyway, the pitch of the gear teeth are different on these gear sets to make them quieter. The bad part is backlash must be EXTREMELY "TIGHT" and the pinion depth pattern will not come out correct.
IMO any 8.5" gear set other than GM (NBS Only) or Sierra Gear is fine.
I run and Eaton Posi LSD. You can modify them so they are so tight they work "similar" to a locker. I chose this differential because I use big 37" Swampers and drive 97% of the time on the street. A Locker in a mainly street driven vehicle will place a high load on the carrier itself and could cause it to crack. The clutches (Or cones if you use an Auburn) of an LSD allow just enough slip to prevent damage and just enough traction to satisfy almost every need.
However, there is nothing like a Detroit Locker. Chose a Locker when off-roading is in your blood or if you don't want to give any excuses was to why you got stuck. When off-road you never know what you may come too and an LSD *could* let you down where as a Locker will almost guarantee dual rear wheel tire spinning.
I am a cautious driver off-road and my LSD has never let me down, but I can usually predict when it would.
If you are going to do the gear upgrade yourself I would avoid the "Sierra Gear" brand. I have installed 4 sets ranging from 3.73-4.88 and each has had detrimental problems.
I would also avoid GM Gears on NBS vehicles. GM no longer uses Motive Gear for the new 7.625" and 8.625" gear sets. They switched to a new company I can't spell or say. It sounds like OlSan or OlKan. Something like that. Anyway, the pitch of the gear teeth are different on these gear sets to make them quieter. The bad part is backlash must be EXTREMELY "TIGHT" and the pinion depth pattern will not come out correct.
IMO any 8.5" gear set other than GM (NBS Only) or Sierra Gear is fine.
I run and Eaton Posi LSD. You can modify them so they are so tight they work "similar" to a locker. I chose this differential because I use big 37" Swampers and drive 97% of the time on the street. A Locker in a mainly street driven vehicle will place a high load on the carrier itself and could cause it to crack. The clutches (Or cones if you use an Auburn) of an LSD allow just enough slip to prevent damage and just enough traction to satisfy almost every need.
However, there is nothing like a Detroit Locker. Chose a Locker when off-roading is in your blood or if you don't want to give any excuses was to why you got stuck. When off-road you never know what you may come too and an LSD *could* let you down where as a Locker will almost guarantee dual rear wheel tire spinning.
I am a cautious driver off-road and my LSD has never let me down, but I can usually predict when it would.
