Detroit Locker

[turboexplorer]

Anyone running a Detroit in their 8.8? I am consideing it, but since I have $400 per tire of tires on the rig I really dont want to scrub them off. My other option is the powertraxx No-Slip which sounds nicer on the tires but heard about possible strength issues.

 

[Maniak]

Been running a full detroit on our X (8.8) with 4.10's for just over 200k miles.

BFG AT's (33's) were lasting us about 40k miles. The rears do wear a little faster than the fronts.. but rotating helps take care of that.

We are finally having our first locker issue. The drivers side won't unlock. I'm not too worried about it "yet".. I'll pull the cover after this wheeling season is over.

~Mark

 

[IZwack]

...but since I have $400 per tire of tires on the rig I really dont want to scrub them off.

From my experience, this locker does just fine turning - doesnt really "scrub" tires unless you're heavy on the gas pedal, at which point you'll hear the tires groan like the entire planet is dying from friction.

 

[DB_1]

I'd go with a full case replacement like a Detroit or ARB. I've got a Detroit and haven't had any problems with it so far. It does chirp tires around corners at times but keeping your tires with equal pressure will alleviate some of that but it will still happen.

 

[turboexplorer]

Its always something for nothing. Detroit is stronger yet driveability suffers. Powertrax Chad and Stic-O seam to really like their powertrax's. And I love to wheel but I'm not a throttle wheeler so I wont be full throttle bouncing on slick rock. However wearing tires as expensive as the locker isnt very appealing either. Hummm....

 

[4x4junkie]

I didn't really notice much difference in tire wear after I put the Detroit in my Ranger's 8.8" (this even in spite of the occasional tire barking around corners if I gas it harder). I still easily get about 25,000-30,000 miles out of a set of tires to the 50%-worn mark (I've had the Detroit for a good 9 years and maybe 50,000 miles now).

Like was said above, if you take it somewhat easy on the gas pedal through turns, your tires won't scrub or chirp at all (causing more tire wear).
The Powertrax won't be any different in regards to tire wear either, they both operate on the same principle (unlocking the 'outside' tire in a turn so that it freewheels while power continues to be delivered to the 'inside' tire during a turn).

 

[turboexplorer]

The Powertrax won't be any different in regards to tire wear either, they both operate on the same principle (unlocking the 'outside' tire in a turn so that it freewheels while power continues to be delivered to the 'inside' tire during a turn).

Very true and I know that. The benefit to the No-Slip is that if you watch it when it disengages it stays that way. It doesn't overrun with the gears against each other. That is where the clicking on the cheaper lunchbox lockers comes from. The No-Slip center section gets pushed to the side and stays there and does not rub the teeth until the wheel speeds match again then it slips back into place. I think I am going to try out the Powertrax.

3 reasons. 1: It is a little bit cheaper but still has good quality and with this build when I start my thread you will see why money has disappeared quickly! 2: My brother has his 91 Explorer on 31's and so if for whatever reason I don't like it he will buy it from me. (I Love Ford tons of things on many vehicles interchange, since my rear is a F-150 rear) 3: Several others have been very happy with it and slightly better road manners is worth it to me because the wife and baby will drive the truck a lot when done. Plus my tires (Not Cheap) I want to have as little scrubbing as possible so if ultimate strength is sacrificed a little then I'm okay with that. Like I said I'm not a heavy throttle wheeler I like to do lots of technical wheeling.

I disassembled the rear tonight and the case and shafts all look perfect!!! Always nice to see the axles perfect where they ride on the bearings.

 

[rabbit91]

how was the Powertrax?

 

[turboexplorer]

Long story short the powertrax was on back order indefinitely because the news we got from the vender was that Richmond had sold and was moving their operation over seas. So one I didn't want to wait for an unknown amount of time and I didn't want to be a customer with the first batch of possibly a cheap product. So I went with the Detroit Locker. Has been really great to be honest. Really quiet, smooth, strong so far. I have no real complaints about it. When making a turn and jumping on the throttle with my V8 and the 5.13's I can spin the inside tire easy but it just chirps until it reaches the outside tires speed but no real problem. No tire wear issues. Been great offroad. Even on slick rock in Moab was smooth quiet and easy to turn etc. No bad unloading or anything. So it's been good. Winter is here now so will report on that when the snow really starts flying. But don't see it being or having any different characteristics than my limited slip had. So shouldn't be an issue at all. But will report on that to when I can.

 

[Four0Sport]

sorry to resurrect this thread again but been considering ditching the LS for a detroit. still running fine with no issues? my only concern was the added stress it would put on the shafts (if any) and c-clips.

thanks!

 

[turboexplorer]

Yes still going well. No issues, dead silent, smooth, no pops or bangs, nothing. Been very happy so far. I am long at 114" wheelbase so that helps as well. C-clips will only ever see the side load force of a tire trying to pull out of the housing, the inward pressure is taken by the center pin. So c-clips are a no issue, its a Ford axle not a wobbly heep 35.

As far as axle stress yeah little more torsional stress but with a locker you often don't have to have wheel spin up things which limits stress as well.