Power Wagon Registry

Just got my new to me 2006 PW last week. I have been wanting one since they came out, and finally got one. I am pretty excited, I have read quite a bit of the posts regarding the lockers on this forum, but this was all after purchase. I got a pretty clean truck, for the year, no mud caked on in all the nooks and crannys, from what I can tell, it hasn't been used offroad much if at all.
I come from the Land Rover scene from the late 90s, and have had my fair share of things not working and things being very expensive, I just wasn't expecting the lockers to not work right off the rip. My smartbar works fine and fairly quick, the locker lights blink slow, and there is no serv 4wd light either. I am just wondering realistically how long it can take for them to lock up. I did a few swervy figure 8s and never got anywhere. I have always had ARB lockers on my trucks, and am used to locked axles right after the button push. Is there a chance I just didn't do enough swerving or wait long enough? I would say i left the switch on for at least 1.5 minutes, stopped and started a few times and even backed up.
I have read a lot about the locker bypass using the stock switch, and it sounds well worth the money, i just didn't want to start dumping money into this thing a week into it. Any advice??

Thanks,.
Brad

First thing is to carefully remove the wiring plugs and make sure they are clean and dry, then apply di-electric grease to seal them up.

Secondly, service the diffs and clean the magnets.

Lots of solid info on both of those procedures is posted here, and it usually cures the slow locker issue.

I know on my 2012 my lockers won't lock up unless the tires are spinning (especially the front locker). If you have good traction they aren't going to want to hook up. In loose snow I spin the tires real quick and they lock up right away.

Or, try the "Power Wagon locker dance". On a loose surface (mud, gravel)

Put the lever in lo, turn the rear locker on, turn the wheel all the way to the (left or right), go slow (so as not to torque up the driveline). When it locks, turn on the front locker & repeat the same.

NEVER-EVER-TRY TO LOCK IT UP ON A HIGH TRACTION SURFACE ---unless you are rock crawling. It seems to me, that if the driveline is under high torque, it does not like to lock up quick. I tried once while i had my toyhauler hooked up. No workie at all. But that was when the truck was brand new & off road going up an 1800' gravel hill after 4 days of rain. Mine locks up quick now, empty. Within 3' usually. Have not tried it with camper since. I will next time it's hooked up, if i remember. It also dis-engages instantly if i push in the clutch while rolling---after i switch them off---even with the wheels straight.

X2 on cleaning the magnets. Average time for me: Rear-5-10 sec- usually in reverse for some reason; Front 30-45 sec- unless axles are perfectly aligned then it's instant..love the bypass using the factory switch...4hi lockers are soon much more useful for me.

going to head out again today and see what happens. I guess i will put my name on the bypass list, are the 3rd generation now being made?? I saw there were some issues with the connectors. Also i guess a good cleaning and a filtermag will be put on the list.

TwinStick wrote:Or, try the "Power Wagon locker dance". On a loose surface (mud, gravel)

Put the lever in lo, turn the rear locker on, turn the wheel all the way to the (left or right), go slow (so as not to torque up the driveline). When it locks, turn on the front locker & repeat the same.

NEVER-EVER-TRY TO LOCK IT UP ON A HIGH TRACTION SURFACE ---unless you are rock crawling. It seems to me, that if the driveline is under high torque, it does not like to lock up quick. I tried once while i had my toyhauler hooked up. No workie at all. But that was when the truck was brand new & off road going up an 1800' gravel hill after 4 days of rain. Mine locks up quick now, empty. Within 3' usually. Have not tried it with camper since. I will next time it's hooked up, if i remember. It also dis-engages instantly if i push in the clutch while rolling---after i switch them off---even with the wheels straight.

LOL after you clean The magnets and connections the power wagon dance is needed had to do it on my 05 before i hardwired and sometimes still do. Up on our trails thats what my jeep buddies called it haha. People would yell down and be like what the hell is he dojng. My buddies sould chime in he is locking his lockers..

The trick it to go slow, less than 3 mph and do wide s turns they will lock up faster the more you use them. Cleaning the magnet with a soft clean rag will help since they gunk up with metal shavings. Be sure to unhook the battery before you clean them or you can fry the actuator.

Top pic the magnet is covered with crud you can't even see it, in the botton pic it is nice and clean.

Trick is hard wire it direct no more problems. Best mod I have done.


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Or Myoungs bypass. Instant lock, no dance, no gear restrictions. Love it

Hope I'm still on the list for the myoung locker bypass! It's almost next year ya know. Lol!!!!

yeah, i would love to hardwire, but really want to keep the stock switch. I will hold out for the bypass, but it isn't looking very promising at the moment because of the Chinese suppliers. I may end up getting the bypass and just splicing it in if all else fails.