There are several key reasons why this merger is a good fit for our business.

First, both Midwest and S&S hold similar values and philosophies on doing business. We both share a passion for customer service, an emphasis on honesty and integrity, and stress the importance of supporting an inclusive culture in the workplace.

Second, both organizations are close to one another in the greater Chicago region.  We will be better able to support one another from our mutual headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois and Crown Point, Indiana.

Finally, this is a combination of two highly compatible organizations that will provide a wider array of services and more breadth across products. We will use our combined strength to continue to grow and, in a challenging global supply chain environment, help provide you the best pricing and service possible.

In total, our union offers a compelling, highly complementary combination that will be best suited to meet your needs in the years ahead.

It is important to us that this transaction does not disrupt your business activities in any way.  Please address all future payments to Midwest Truck and Auto Parts, LLC.  This is our new legal name as of August 1.  As other process changes occur, we will proactively communicate to you.

If you have any questions or concerns, you’d like to address personally about the merger, you can always reach out to your sales representative who can provide more information.  

We are excited about Midwest’s future with S&S, and we look forward to speaking with you about our combined offering.  We thank you as always for your support as we continue to serve you with the quality and respect that you’re accustomed to!

Sincerely,

Mark and Michael Chudacoff

The post Midwest Truck & Auto Parts, Announces a Merger with S&S Truck Parts appeared first on PowerTrax.

Diesel Differential

Diesel pickup truck owners and the shops that support them asked, and we delivered! Motive Gear and PowerTrax differential products in one easy to use brochure. Quickly find the right ring & pinion gear sets, installation kits, axles, limited slip differentials and lockers for Chrysler^®, Dana^®, Ford^®, GM^®. The detailed sections offer one-stop-shopping by truck and engine combination for everything related to a vehicle’s differential in one spot across the Motive Gear and PowerTrax product lines.

Click to get your own copy of this new brochure: Download Here.

The post PowerTrax Announces Diesel Pickup Differential Brochure! appeared first on PowerTrax.

Traction is also important for outdoor enjoyment and recreation. Whether you want your muscle car to lay two stripes when coming off the line, are trying to get your family to their favorite skiing spot, or are getting ready for a weekend of recreational off-roading, hunting, or fishing, you need traction.

Open Differentials

Very poor traction on low-friction surfaces is a characteristic of conventional “open” differentials that are common today as standard equipment on most rear wheel drive vehicles. This century-old technology delivers virtually all the engine power to the wheel that begins to slip first. Because the wheel that begins to slip has the lowest amount of traction and because all the power is delivered to that slipping wheel, there is insufficient power applied to the non-slipping wheel to adequately propel the vehicle. Although open differentials work adequately on ideal driving surfaces, they perform poorly under adverse traction conditions.

Electronic Stability or Traction Control

Electronic stability or traction control detects wheel spin and activates when one wheel loses traction. It applies braking action to a spinning wheel and holds back the throttle, all in an attempt to propel the vehicle forward using the traction remaining in the other wheel. Electronic stability or traction control is usually designed to work in conjunction with the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system (ABS), and is adapted primarily to passenger cars rather than heavier duty vehicles. Even with light duty applications, performance results are inconsistent. Car owners with electronic traction control often learn that their traction improvement is so limited they can’t even climb their driveways after a light snowfall. Therefore, on/off switches are used with almost all electronic traction control systems. Because of their idiosyncrasies, some drivers opt to leave them turned off, providing no traction benefit whatsoever.

4 Wheel Drive

The increasing demand for more traction has made 4×4’s so popular that they continue to be produced in record numbers year after year. But four-wheel drive is a misnomer that misleads consumers into believing that they have the ultimate traction vehicle. Many four -wheel drive vehicle owners get stuck in situations they believed their vehicles could easily handle. As surprising as it seems, most 4×4’s are equipped with the same open differentials with the same shortcomings as are found in two-wheel drive vehicles.

A small percentage of 4×4 owners understand all of the ramifications of 4-wheel drive operation and how to fully utilize the potential of their vehicle. It’s an unfortunate reality that vehicle performance sometimes is poor even in brand new 4-wheel drive vehicles. Thankfully 4×4’s can be upgraded with the Powertrax line of EXTREME TRACTION SYSTEMS to achieve the extreme traction performance that experienced drivers’ demand of their 4-wheel drive vehicles.

Limited Slip/Posi Differentials

Limited-slips are an ideal solution for increased traction and performance. Upgrading to a posi-traction differential when purchasing a vehicle, or adding an aftermarket limited slip differential will immediately provide demanding drivers with a vehicle that transfers more engine power to the wheels that matter.

Limited-slip differentials behave similarly to open differentials when all wheels have equal traction. Limited-slips and posi units utilize a variety of friction mechanisms to smoothly and quietly transfer power to the non-slipping wheel as needed. Some limited slip/posi units utilize friction plates to achieve this while other types feature spiral gearing to achieve similar results. The best limited-slip differentials are able to vary the amount of torque sent to each wheel, based on engine RPMs and wheel slip. Overall, limited slip/posi units are a quiet, affordable and durable option in lieu of the traction limitations imposed by conventional open differentials.

For more information on the Powertrax line of limited slip/posi units see: GRIP LS and GRIP PRO.

Locking Differentials

Another example of Powertrax EXTREME TRACTION SYSTEM’S traction enhancing technology, locking differentials, will lock the two drive wheels together when the vehicle is driving in a straight line. They deliver straight line driving performance similar to racing “spools” that solidly connect the axles together. When powering straight ahead, engine power is equally delivered to both drive wheels. However spools, when turning, will not allow both wheels to differentiate – resulting in a dangerous condition called “wheel hop” which can result in loss of control of the vehicle. Spools should only be used in dedicated use performance vehicles that are trailered to events. Locking differentials actively and automatically work to prevent wheel hop, allowing full wheel differentiation when cornering and returning to a locked state when the vehicle is going straight again.

Designed for maximum traction and performance that is easy to install – without requiring differential gearing to be reset, “drop in” locking differentials are popular with home mechanics. While most drop in lockers are nearly as strong as a solid racing spool, some models produce a ratcheting noise while cornering. Some performance oriented drivers are reassured by the sound, knowing that their wheels are now “locked”. Drivers who prefer more quiet performance should spend a little more to purchase lockers that will lock their axles together using a quieter synchronized mechanism.

For more information on the Powertrax line of lockers see: GRIP LOK, Lock-Right, and No-Slip.

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The post The Importance of Traction appeared first on PowerTrax.

We’re bouncing around Baja so updates are difficult at times, but here’s a sneak at one of our Pre-runners (other is a Jeep JK!). Race truck photos to follow from Contingency.

The post Rusty’s and Powertrax Hit the Baja 1000 appeared first on PowerTrax.

Powertrax Grip-Lok, Lock-Right Lockers and No-Slip Traction Systems automatically provide 100% traction on-demand, under the toughest circumstances.

The POWERTRAX® GRIP-Pro and GRIP-LS performance limited slips offer smooth dependable torque transfer and traction for the best of both worlds!

• Forged Steel
• Fully Machined
• Black Chromed
• 6 Pinion Design Top/Bottom Vs. 4 (Competitor) Allowing For A Smoother And Quieter Torque Transfer
• Torque input variable limited-slip builds progressive traction on-demand
• Ford 8" and 9" (9" 28 31 & 35 spline)

• Fully Machined
• Black Chrome
• Carbon Fiber Clutches
• “S” Spring design
• Designed for street and strip
• GM 10 Bolt 8.5"/8.6" 28 & 30 spline
• GM 12 bolt car - coming soon
• Ford 8.8 31 spline - coming soon

• Fully Machined
• Black Chrome
• Full Case Strength
• Heavy-Duty Ratcheting Lock
• Designed for street, strip & circle track

The post Dominate With NEW Powertrax Traction Differentials appeared first on PowerTrax.

Be sure to stop by and see what’s new with all of our brands. This is a great time to see us on a causal note. Get a hands-on look at:

• Powertrax new full-case limited-slip posi differentials and lockers
• Richmond Gear late model ring and pinion gears for GMs and Mopars

The post Powertrax at SEMA and PRI Shows – 2013 appeared first on PowerTrax.