Questions about 8.8 Detroit Locker

[Jason_25]

I have a a few questions for the guys running the detroit.

Since it is a full carrier replacement, it creates no backlash, correct?

How streetable is it?

Thanks.

 

[Jefe]

I don't have experience with an Explorer, but my Brother has the Detroit in his Jeeps Dana 44.

It still has backlash just like the powertrax, and it is much less "streetable" than the no-slip. With the manual tranny I believe I would rate driving his Jeep now as difficult.

But you sure can't beat it off-road.

 

[Jason_25]

Thanks Jeff.

geez.....this is a lost cause.

 

[tiessen]

I have a Detroit. Buy one for sure. Can't beat the strength and as for streetable...in my truck, you don't even know it's there. All the talk of horrible lane changing, and loud noises are crap! It'll lock up if you gas it around a corner, otherwise you won't know it's there....on the other hand, I have a newly rebuilt factory Trac Loc for sale, cheap....

dale.tiessen@med.ge.com

 

[Jason_25]

Originally posted by tiessen
I have a Detroit. Buy one for sure. Can't beat the strength and as for streetable...in my truck, you don't even know it's there. All the talk of horrible lane changing, and loud noises are crap! It'll lock up if you gas it around a corner, otherwise you won't know it's there....on the other hand, I have a newly rebuilt factory Trac Loc for sale, cheap....

dale.tiessen@med.ge.com

Interesting. There are alot of different opinions about this. So yours doesn't have backlash? I wouldn't mind getting one at all if it doesn't.

 

[Jason_25]

Just talked with a guy from the Ranger boards. He says his Detroit has no backlash. I wonder if it has to do with the way it is installed using shims and such?

If anyone else has any feedback please post.

 

[Maniak]

Our '92 has 4.10 gears and a detroit locker in the rear.

You do notice it is there.. If I get on/off the gas I get a little locker wiggle..

Also, when i get on/off the gas it does feel like it is pulling a little.. but I think it is from the front left of the truck lifting/dropping (bump steer).. At a light I can get the front left ot lift about 2" if I stomp on the throttle front a stop (we have no sway bars and progressive springs up front).

In mid corner (long sweeping corner) you can get it to understeer by getting on the gas.. if you get on/off/on the gas you must correct your steering.

I do notice a little more driveline windup since the detroit but to us it isn't a big deal..

I think the things that help the Explorer (at least for us) is that it is heavier than a jeep, longer than a jeep and in our case we have an auto tranny. A manual tranny in a short wheel base light vehicle would be interesting driving with a detroit.

You do have to drive differently.. but not much. For example.. making a u-turn at a light require hitting the gas then turn the wheel and coast around. If I step on the gas during the turn I go from needing 2.5 lanes to do a u-turn to over 3.5 lanes. If you are on the throttle going around sharp corners you can get tire squeel and or tire scrub. If you are on concrete and hit the gas hard with the wheel slightly turns it will chirp the tires (I get that when I pull out of the parking garage at work and merge into traffic).

I think thats everything.. Overall we love the detoit.. best upgrade (that + 4.10 gears) we have done.. even better than the lift.

~Mark

 

[Jefe]

Originally posted by Maniak
. . .I think the things that help the Explorer (at least for us) is that it is heavier than a jeep, longer than a jeep and in our case we have an auto tranny. . .

I agree with that