Posi unit on a Strange

[Craig 94 TA GT]

I ordered a new Strange 12 bolt through Tbyrne about 5 weeks ago - lo and behold they told me that they ran out of posi units - or at least the one I'm supposed to get. So it will be another month until they get that in, then install it, and ship it out. Tbyrne told me I have 3 choices:
1) Wait until they get the posi unit in
2) Cancel the order
3) Get a different posi unit, ship to them and have them put it in.

Now they say if I go with option #3, then I will void the warranty. I thought she (Tbyrne) implied that I would void the whole rear end warranty, but it seems that Strange implied that I would only void the posi unit warranty. For now, though, I told them to wait. However, I'm paying for a rental car and that long is getting ridiculous. Does anyone think it's worth to get a different posi unit? If so, which one? Thanks in advance.

[fastTa]

I don't understand how ordering a different rear would in any way void a warranty of property that you have yet to even receive? If you are buying something new it needs to come with a warranty period.

Maybe I'm missing something?

[Craig 94 TA GT]

I'm confused too. From what I got from Strange, regarding the conversation, they said that they won't honor the Posi warranty if the Posi unit breaks. However, it sounded like that it wouldn't void the rest of the rear end's warranty.

But according to Tbyrne, they said that I would void the whole warranty - unless I misunderstood. They would ship the new posi unit to Strange and Strange would install it. However, Strange would take no responsibility in the posi, nor the rear end, if it breaks.

So I'm stuck. I don't know whether to find a good posi unit and have it shipped, or to just wait. I don't even know what posi units are better (street and strength-wise) than the Eaton HD.

[fastTa]

Oh, ok now I get it. I'm sure Strange is contractually bound with whatever center section manufacturer(Eaton) they typically use in their 12 bolts. So I guess if you were to choose another center section manufacturer it would void the warranty.

Maybe you can get T-Byrne to give you a discount for creating this delay.

Maybe ask them in the sponsor/vendor section?

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

Hell I'd call up Randy Moser and see if you can get a Eaton posi from them and send that to Strange and tell them to honor the wty cause it's the same part they use. Unless Moser is out of them as well. Call around - someone's got some of those.

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Good idea, thanks Kevin. I tried to call Moser and they're closed. I'll try tomorrow morning. The thing is, though, I've alway assumed it's an Eaton HD posi. However, tbyrne's description says "Super Strength posi." I think I'll try to confirm what they're using first, so I can ask Moser. Unless Strange rears always come with Eatons?

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

I could be wrong, but it seems like Moser had the 33 spline Eaton Posi, then I thought some time later Strange was offering it as well, but my memory is fuzzy on that. Make sure what Strange uses, and call Moser, National Driveline, Raytech, Randy's and whoever else does those things. Someone will have what you are looking for.

[Injuneer]

Are you getting the Strange unit with the HD posi AND 3-channel ABS? If so, you need an Eaton unit with the ABS reluctor gear cut directly into the Eaton unit. That's why it takes so long for Strange to get the Eaton units - they need the reluctor gear machined into the carrier, its not just a bolted on gear. At least that's the story I got from Strange when they shipped my 12-bolt without the reluctor gear. I had to wait another full month until they had another Eaton machined, so they could ship the new carrier to me for a shop to install (fully warrantied by Strange). If you're not getting the ABS, it won't be an issue.

(Alll this is based on my experience 7 years ago. They may have changed something since then.)

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Fred, yes I'm getting the HD posi + 3 channel ABS. And I just spoke with Jim at Strange, and they still do it the way you describe. The posi unit for Moser and any other brand is different, so I have to simply wait until they get it. They also said, if I were to send a different posi unit in, it would void the whole rear end warranty. Looks like I have to wait

[Injuneer]

I got my Strange delivered. I degreased it and painted it. Next weekend I installed it. After it was in, I pulled the cap off the housing where the ABS sensor goes, and realized that my old sensor would not swap over. Stuck my finger in the hole, and there is no gear.

Called T. Byrne, he put me directly in touch with Strange, and turned out Strange had forgotten to include the ABS carrier, even though they agreed it was clear from my order that is should have been included. They asked me to send the rear back, but I told them it was already installed. So they agreed to send me a complete new carrer (picture above), to a shop we would mutually agree on, and I would take my car there for the replacement. The offered a full warranty on the shop's work.

We agreed on a shop, and then they told me it would be one month to get the new carrier because they were "out". They said I could drive the car with the current unit, no problems. It did take at least that long. Took it to the shop, the guy managed to swap the carrier out without even putting the car on a lift or pulling the sway bar. He did it all "by hand".... measured nothing, just kept moving the ring gear until he was happy with the backlash. I was a little worried at that point that he was either a genius or a complete quack.

In the end it worked perfectly... no noise, no unusual wear over the three years I had the gears in the rear. Then I swapped them out for 4.11's and its been perfect for the next four years.

One other odd "problem".... the parts list that came with the original shipment showed that it had a 3-series carrier for the 3.73 gears. I ordered the US/Strange 4.11 Pro-Street gears, and when we pulled the cover off, we found it was actually a 4-series carrier, so I had to return the gears and get a new set.

The good thing about dealing with Strange was that they were extremely apologetic for the error, went out of their way to assure I was fully satisfied with the arrangements, and were extremly honest and knowledgable on every question I asked.

Too bad they don't "stock" a few of the HD carriers though.

[Craig 94 TA GT]

I'm not sure what else to do now. They promised be the HD posi units would come in on the 18th, which was last Friday. Well, I called to make sure and guess what, they don't have them in. They don't know when they will be getting them in either. They're trying to shift the blame to Eaton and US Gear? which means I can do nothing. They said they'd call me back this afternoon if I'd hear anything, but enough's enough. If I don't hear back within a few hours, I'm going to cancel the order. I'm not sure what else to do, except go with Moser. This is absolutely ridiculous, espcially considering I've been borrowing and renting cars for weeks and weeks now.

EDIT: Alright, they just called, mid Sept now. That would be an absolute minimum of 14 weeks from order date, but I know they'd just delay that again. Enough's enough, I'm getting a Moser now.

[Injuneer]

How about the Strange Dana 60 for the F-Body? Stronger than a 12-bolt or a 9-inch, more efficient (5% gear loss vs. 7%). Not sure how much more it weighs though. The prices I've heard sound good.

[Craig 94 TA GT]

Talking with Spohn, I've decided to get a Moser 9". I know the extra drivetrain loss is no good, but the torque arm mounting is good, as well as the Detriot 35 spline center section. My ABS is INOP anyway, so I don't see much point in getting the ABS - unless I fix it in the future.

I think the total before shipping will be around $2500-$2600, but it will ship within 2 business days. According to Strange, their Dana 60 needs 4 weeks, and is around $2400, I believe. I just can't wait that long anymore.

EDIT: Scratch above where it says the Detroit Locker 35 spline. I don't know what I was thinking. I mean the 31 spline "soft" Detroit Locker, which is the more "streetable" version.

[Craig 94 TA GT]

I just ordered through Spohn. I really like that company, and their service agent (I'm not sure who that is?) was awesome.
The options I got for are:
Detroit Truetrac 31 spline
3.50 gears
Iron case
No ABS (obviously), stock wheel studs
Fill and drain bungs
Sway bar install kit
And he told me to get a Spicer conversion u-joint p/n 5-460X for the 1LE DS.

S/H was around $170, over $100 cheaper than freight shipping with liftgate service. Not bad, considering it will arrive here by mid next week.

[Kevin - Blown 95 TA]

You shoulda sprung for the extreme duty driveshaft with the 1350 U-joints front & back instead of those spindly ones you got now.