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Yukon Installation Kit Instructions
Limited Slips: Gov-Lock Vs. Yukon Dura Grip
In the early 1970s, real muscle cars were fading away, and average Americans were becoming more concerned with a plush ride than with high performance. In the 1973 model year, General Motors decided to start using the Gov-Lock in trucks, in an effort to eliminate chatter associated with conventional spring preload clutch type positractions limited slip differentials. This was the one of the few solutions available using 1970’s technology. Thus, for GM trucks produced after 1972, the only traction-enhancing option was the Gov-Lock (produced by Eaton). These governor actuated units provide a locking differential without chatter. Great for the average truck owner, but not for those who really use their trucks off-road. Often referred to as a “time bomb” or “Timex Posi”. These locking differentials work fairly well for occasional use when traction is of small concern, but not when power transfer and traction are the main goal. The Gov-Lock can fail in any number of ways, and often does. Usually, the case will break in half, but sometimes small internal parts will break. I have no intention of defending them except to say that the Gov-Locks used in 3/4 & 1 ton trucks hold up fairly well due to their sheer size, and especially well when compared to the smaller designs. For readers looking for something stronger, Yukon makes redesigned units that are worth showing off. The Yukon Dura Grip is not actually a “new” design so much as a vast improvement on the old design. The basis for these new units is the heavy-duty positraction that was originally produced for big block GM muscle cars in the 60s and early 70s. Dura Grips now come with composite clutches that are more durable than their steel counterparts. New units also use stronger spider gears produced with Net Form Forging technology. These stronger spider gears look very different compared to standard cut gears. They are made from 8620 steel to increase strength and durability. Net Form Forged gears perform at least 20% better than standard cut gears in both impact testing, and testing for fatigue under heavy loading. In addition to the other improvements, Yukon has improved the case designs. The original 12-bolt truck positraction was very similar to the passenger car design but was not nearly as strong as it’s passenger car counterpart. The new 12-bolt truck cases are about three times stronger than the original ones used in the early 1970s, and all Yukon Dura Grip cases are now made of nodular cast iron with increased material thickness in critical areas. The new 10-bolt cases now have larger bearing journals that increase the case strength and use bearings with more rollers than stock. Overall, the new Dura Grips are superior to the admired and sought after original OEM GM positraction. By using 90’s technology, Yukon has built a stronger, harder working positraction that does not chatter. Yukon has developed Dura Grip limited slip differentials for: Chrysler 9.25″ Dana 44 Dana 50 Ford 7.5″ Ford 8.8″ Ford 9.75″ Ford 10.25/10.5″ GM 7.5″ GM 7.625″ GM 8.2″ GM 8.5/8.6″ GM 9.5″ GM 11.5″ GM 12 Bolt Passenger Car GM 12 Bolt Truck GM 10.5″ 14 Bolt Truck Nissan Titan CI Corvette 17 Spline Popular Resources: Ford 9 Inch Differential Information Four Critical Ring & Pinion Settings
Yukon Soap Box Derby Racer
The Soap Box Derby is an all-American pastime with a storied past that stretches back to 1934. Aspiring racers compete in local derbies to qualify for the big race in Akron, Ohio. The road that led to the Yukon car can be traced back to 2007 and RANDYS Worldwide salesman Tate Hudson was the flashpoint. “We have been a part of the Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby since 2007,” says Tate. “My son Sam, who was a fourth grader at the time, was picked out of his scout group to race their car. From the first time he went down the hill, he was hooked. Marla and Randy Heagle with Stanwood-Camano Windermere have been hosting this community event since 2006. During those days, we collected donations from the community and purchased our own car with the proceeds to race a Warm Beach Community-sponsored car, which Sam raced until he got too old for it.” “Fast forward to 2018 when my daughter Sophie decided she wanted to race in the Soap Box Derby, we realized that since it had become such a huge event with many local sponsors getting involved, it would be a great idea for Yukon to sponsor a car. I pitched the idea to Neal Hollingsworth in our marketing department and he was enthusiastically on board immediately. We had a local shop in Sedro Wooley wrap the car in the same style graphics as the dragster we sponsor and it turned out great! For kids that can’t afford their own cars Randy and Marla have a lottery system for loaner cars and the Yukon car is driven each year by a less fortunate young boy or girl who gets to experience building the car from the ground up with their parents or guardians.” Yes, the ‘Yukon Special’ is dismantled after each season, waiting for the next hopeful racer to enter its life. Soap Box Derby events are open to competitors age seven to 20. Our car is part of the Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby, which consists two races per year, the Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby on Father’s Day weekend and the Summer Classic Rally Races in mid-August. But the Soap Box experience begins well before the green flag flies. Racers are teamed with a mentor who helps them construct the car. Typically, the cars are built from kits but interested parties like us at Yukon sponsor the car for those who can’t afford their own kit. Participants work with mentors and learn STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), collaboration, and how to handle tools as they construct their cars at dedicated Build Clinics in the months leading up to a race. There are three racing divisions, two for beginners and one for advanced racers. The entry level Stock Division is for children between ages seven and 13. It uses simplified lean-forward style cars with a maximum overall weight of 200 pounds. The Super Stock Division is open to competitors nine to 17 years of age who compete in more advanced cars with a total weight maximum of 240 pounds. The Master’s Division caters to participants from 10 to 19 years old and features even more sophisticated cars built from Scottie Masters kits. These cars sport four-piece fiberglass bodies and advanced wheels. Our car is a Stock class car and Randy says it’s one of 75 racers that he has in his stable of sponsored cars. “The kids and the parents really love the Yukon car,” says Randy. It’s very cool looking and it pops… it might be the only car with purple on it as well.” The biggest difference makers of any Soap Box racer are precision of assembly, design and placement of weights within the car, wheel alignment, and steering cable tension. But Randy is quick to point to the cockpit as well. “The cars all weigh the same with a driver in them, the wheels and lanes are swapped for every round at all the races. Sure, there’s some amount of fine tuning… but the drivers are difference makers too. Staying super low and tucked in the cockpit and driving the natural slopes down the track are often the keys to winning.” Events at Arrowhead Ranch can attract up to 1,500 spectators. In fact, the recent 14th Annual Windermere Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby held the Saturday before Father’s Day 2021 was the biggest race ever this side of the Mississippi River. The track at Arrowhead Ranch is 800 feet long and the cars can reach speeds in excess of 30 mph. Racers accumulate points that can earn them a trip to Akron, Ohio for the World Championships at the famed Derby Downs track. “How can you not take advantage of keeping youth involved in the sport that so many of us in motorsports participated in,” said Neal Hollingsworth, Yukon’s VP of Marketing. “They feel like a part of something big and learn great skills along the way. As community outreach is so important today, this was a no-brainer for Yukon to get behind and support so less fortunate kids have a platform to build and drive a branded race car.” Click here for more info on the Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby.
Yukon Soap Box Derby Racer
The Soap Box Derby is an all-American pastime with a storied past that stretches back to 1934. Aspiring racers compete in local derbies to qualify for the big race in Akron, Ohio. The road that led to the Yukon car can be traced back to 2007 and RANDYS Worldwide salesman Tate Hudson was the flashpoint. “We have been a part of the Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby since 2007,” says Tate. “My son Sam, who was a fourth grader at the time, was picked out of his scout group to race their car. From the first time he went down the hill, he was hooked. Marla and Randy Heagle with Stanwood-Camano Windermere have been hosting this community event since 2006. During those days, we collected donations from the community and purchased our own car with the proceeds to race a Warm Beach Community-sponsored car, which Sam raced until he got too old for it.” “Fast forward to 2018 when my daughter Sophie decided she wanted to race in the Soap Box Derby, we realized that since it had become such a huge event with many local sponsors getting involved, it would be a great idea for Yukon to sponsor a car. I pitched the idea to Neal Hollingsworth in our marketing department and he was enthusiastically on board immediately. We had a local shop in Sedro Wooley wrap the car in the same style graphics as the dragster we sponsor and it turned out great! For kids that can’t afford their own cars Randy and Marla have a lottery system for loaner cars and the Yukon car is driven each year by a less fortunate young boy or girl who gets to experience building the car from the ground up with their parents or guardians.” Yes, the ‘Yukon Special’ is dismantled after each season, waiting for the next hopeful racer to enter its life. Soap Box Derby events are open to competitors age seven to 20. Our car is part of the Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby, which consists two races per year, the Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby on Father’s Day weekend and the Summer Classic Rally Races in mid-August. But the Soap Box experience begins well before the green flag flies. Racers are teamed with a mentor who helps them construct the car. Typically, the cars are built from kits but interested parties like us at Yukon sponsor the car for those who can’t afford their own kit. Participants work with mentors and learn STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), collaboration, and how to handle tools as they construct their cars at dedicated Build Clinics in the months leading up to a race. There are three racing divisions, two for beginners and one for advanced racers. The entry level Stock Division is for children between ages seven and 13. It uses simplified lean-forward style cars with a maximum overall weight of 200 pounds. The Super Stock Division is open to competitors nine to 17 years of age who compete in more advanced cars with a total weight maximum of 240 pounds. The Master’s Division caters to participants from 10 to 19 years old and features even more sophisticated cars built from Scottie Masters kits. These cars sport four-piece fiberglass bodies and advanced wheels. Our car is a Stock class car and Randy says it’s one of 75 racers that he has in his stable of sponsored cars. “The kids and the parents really love the Yukon car,” says Randy. It’s very cool looking and it pops… it might be the only car with purple on it as well.” The biggest difference makers of any Soap Box racer are precision of assembly, design and placement of weights within the car, wheel alignment, and steering cable tension. But Randy is quick to point to the cockpit as well. “The cars all weigh the same with a driver in them, the wheels and lanes are swapped for every round at all the races. Sure, there’s some amount of fine tuning… but the drivers are difference makers too. Staying super low and tucked in the cockpit and driving the natural slopes down the track are often the keys to winning.” Events at Arrowhead Ranch can attract up to 1,500 spectators. In fact, the recent 14th Annual Windermere Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby held the Saturday before Father’s Day 2021 was the biggest race ever this side of the Mississippi River. The track at Arrowhead Ranch is 800 feet long and the cars can reach speeds in excess of 30 mph. Racers accumulate points that can earn them a trip to Akron, Ohio for the World Championships at the famed Derby Downs track. “How can you not take advantage of keeping youth involved in the sport that so many of us in motorsports participated in,” said Neal Hollingsworth, Yukon’s VP of Marketing. “They feel like a part of something big and learn great skills along the way. As community outreach is so important today, this was a no-brainer for Yukon to get behind and support so less fortunate kids have a platform to build and drive a branded race car.” Click here for more info on the Stanwood-Camano Soap Box Derby.
Gorilla Glass Windshields For Select Jeeps
Wrangler’s get beat on. We know this all too well as most of our products help zealous owners push the limits of their rigs to the extreme. Yukon Gear & Axle fortifies drivelines with chromoly axles, lockers and limited slips, and protects them with Hardcore Diff Covers. Jeep® Performance Parts (JPP) by Mopar has a fine line of protection parts including off-road bumpers, side steps/nerf bars, and winch kits. We were particularly impressed with Mopar’s line of Gorilla Glass replacement windshield offerings. The super strong windshield line was recently expanded to include the latest Jeep Wrangler and Jeep Gladiator models. From Jeep’s press release: “The new JPP windshield made with Corning Gorilla Glass uses the same chemical-strengthening technology as cell phone screens. Mopar’s combination of an ultra-thin Gorilla Glass inner ply with a 52% thicker outer ply makes this windshield lightweight and durable, offering superior resistance to chips, cracks and fractures from stones and off-road debris that hardcore Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator owners are likely to encounter.” Mopar/Gorilla Glass Jeep Availability 2018 – 2021 Wrangler (JL) 2018 – 2021 Gladiator (JT) 2007 – 2018 Wrangler (JK)