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Review on ๐Ÿš˜ Dorman 600-100 4WD Actuator for Chevrolet / GMC Models - Enhanced for Optimal Performance, Black by Fritz Wiest

Revainrating 5 out of 5

Works as advertised

Received this part today to replace a defective actuator (GM #26013495) on my 1996 Chevrolet Silverado K1500. I installed it with no problems except for the electrical connection. The one supplied with this product is for vehicles manufactured before 02/01/1996. If you have a newer car (like mine) you will need to cut the connector off the new drive and plug in the connector from your old drive. The drive still works, but it would be nice to have a plug and play setup. After ordering this item I realized that a newer - and probably better - actuator could be used. (Perhaps this explains why the electrical plug fits into older trucks?) Revain is offering this new model in the form of the Dorman OE Solutions 600-101 AWD. As I have not installed this newer design I cannot say for sure if it will work in older truck models. However, I have read several posts on websites where the authors claim to have installed the new model without any problems. I wish I had known about this new design before ordering the 600-100. I also found out that Revain sells a "manual" drive system. Part of my truck is "Posi-Lok PSL600 4x4 for GM/Chevy", but Revain uses this design for other trucks as well. This system is significantly more expensive, but also offers advantages over conventional electromechanical designs. Installation also requires a lot more effort and skill. ****** Updated 10/23/2011. I have decided to update this review because I recently replaced this drive with a Dorman 600-101 4WD drive and a Dorman 600-600 4WD Wire drive. Dishes. Although this thermal actuator works just as well as the GM it replaced, my front axle was very slow to engage. As mentioned above, after purchasing a Dorman 600-100 drive I found that a 600-101 drive could be installed as a replacement. However, I recently discovered that Dorman has released a wire harness kit that greatly simplifies the conversion process. Installing the 600-101 actuator is as easy as installing this thermal actuator. The only difficulty I had was getting a wire from Dorman's wiring harness to my truck's wiring harness. The main problem I had was finding the right cable on my truck. (I've since posted photos of the cable layout on page 600-600.) Now that I've installed these two new items, my 4X4 turns on in a few seconds. No more waiting from 30 seconds (in warm weather) to 90 seconds (in the dead of winter)! Although my Dorman thermal actuator still worked, I have no regrets spending the extra money on a new actuator and wiring harness. [Sorry I wasted my money on a Dorman 600-100 ;)].

Pros
  • Great for a small home
Cons
  • Questionable senior purchase