Detroit Lockers

pluckyew · 05-09-2005, 06:12 PM

Has anyone else, other than the editors of "4Wheeler" magazine, tried a Detroit Locker for rear axle in their Titan or on any other 4wd pickups?

Why is a Detroit Locker more desirable than a e-locker?

Know any reputable axle locker installers around NorCal, Bay Area?

CharlienoX · 05-09-2005, 07:33 PM

I don't think Detroit has released it for the Titan yet...I contacted them about a week ago and they said 'sometime this year'

Some people like them beacause they work (are on) all the time, and others hate them for just the same reason. You will get a bit more tire wear out of a fixed rear setup. I'm sure others will pipe in with more.

From past experience, I like the Detroits...They make bombing down desert roads go a bit easier (not to mention the lower liklihood of getting stuck). Traction devices on a 2wd truck do wonders.

skyhammer · 05-09-2005, 08:58 PM

A detroit locker locks your rear wheels all the time. The e-lock only locks the rear wheels in 4lo. Other than that they operate the same. If had the choice to use the E-lock in all drive modes That would solve my only problem with the E-lock.
If I were you I would not get a detroit locker for the rear of your Titan. You will have difficulty turning on to Berkley's narrow streets. Have you ever tried backing up a travel trailer with a locked rear end? It ain't easy. I have a locking rear end in my 85 Toyota. I only drive it on pavement in a emergency.
As far as putting an ARB in your front diff, I would ask how often you think you would use it. Once you lock yor front wheels steering is going to be tough(especially if you have your rear wheels locked).
Here's my advice: If you don't have E-lock now, I would go with the ARB in the rear. I would leave the front diff. alone unless you want a real rock crawler( which means more mod$ to take advantage of increased traction).

CharlienoX · 05-09-2005, 10:24 PM

It can lock them all the time for straight line clawing for traction runs, but they release quite well for turning (rear mounted) albeit with some clicking and rackett. They have been getting quieter though so I don't imagine it will be that bad noise wise. For a front diff, the air locker would be better.

Hmmmm, Has ARB released one that will work with the Titan yet?

*JayDee* · 05-09-2005, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlienoX

It can lock them all the time for straight line clawing for traction runs, but they release quite well for turning (rear mounted) albeit with some clicking and rackett. They have been getting quieter though so I don't imagine it will be that bad noise wise. For a front diff, the air locker would be better.

Hmmmm, Has ARB released one that will work with the Titan yet?

I called ARB and they said they have one in the works as well, I got a call back by somebody who knew a bit more and he was unsure of an exact date, but he said that they "have had good results with the prototype models, and a production locker shouldn't take too much longer." One question that I forgot to ask ARB that somebody here may know: what is our rear axle's spline count? Is it a standard 30 spline "Dana 44" shaft, or something else?

I also notice the axle tubes don't neck-down where the bearing race and tube meet, I like that

. Anyone know the axle bearing size? Tube wall thickness?

JD

**loufish** · 05-09-2005, 11:09 PM

I had a D.Locker on my last full sized p/u, a F-150 with a built 460 and 4.10 gears. What a fun combo in the rain!
Yes it does wear rear tires quickly on the street, but off-road it rocks...Eaton has a E-Locker that works like a clutch type limited slip around town, but also locks up with a flip of a switch, but not for the Titan yet.

pluckyew · 05-09-2005, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skyhammer

....
If I were you I would not get a detroit locker for the rear of your Titan. You will have difficulty turning on to Berkley's narrow streets. ... It ain't easy....As far as putting an ARB in your front diff, I would ask how often you think you would use it. Once you lock yor front wheels steering is going to be tough(especially if you have your rear wheels locked).
Here's my advice: If you don't have E-lock now, I would go with the ARB in the rear. I would leave the front diff. alone unless you want a real rock crawle.

e-locker, arb-locker, detroit locker... i'd be happy with one of these on the rear axle. around town, i have a mini-suv, honda element 4wd (that i'm trying to convince my wife to trade it for a s2000...not happening, she loves that element and i love my titan), or bikes. but to good hear about the warning of detroit lockers. thanks, y'all.

i may never ever need an arb- or e- selectable locker on the front axle, but as long as they can be turned off back into open-differential for steering, i'd like one just the same...for mud, snow, beach, and rock crawling. even if i use it twice a year i'd be happier to have that. hey, some people are into collecting stuff. i like having a capable adventure truck and will use it (i'll just get stuck further out there, but as long as i make it out by... say a tuesday... it's all good.

oh by the way, what's a good CB radio for a Titan, for use in the remote mountian trails?

Sammy Sandbag · 05-10-2005, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loufish

Eaton has a E-Locker that works like a clutch type limited slip around town, but also locks up with a flip of a switch, but not for the Titan yet.

Detroit now offers the same thing.

FLA-Titan · 05-10-2005, 07:04 AM

Since i am not a mechanic, but i play one on TV. How much would the install and parts cost?

Yomama · 05-10-2005, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FLA-Titan

Since i am not a mechanic, but i play one on TV.

You don't think you are going to let THAT one slide.... Who on what program?

I am the opposite, I am a mechanic that can't act......

pluckyew · 05-10-2005, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sammy Sandbag

Detroit now offers the same thing.

Detroit Electrac
The Detroit Electrac functions as a heavy-duty limited-slip differential and as a driver-activated fully locked performance differential. A simple push of the dash mounted button and the Detroit Electrac becomes a locked differential. When activated, the unit provides maximum traction for off-road or high performance operation.

Detroit Truetrac
Detroit Truetrac is the only unit currently available to the aftermarket featuring a gear type limited slip design (no clutch or friction plates to wear out). Designed for medium duty 2 & 4 wheel drive applications, positive gear action provides quiet, automatic splitting of torque, without creating the steering problems associated with other available differentials.

http://www.detroitlocker.com/ProductsPage.htm

ptgarcia · 05-11-2005, 02:28 PM

I would put a Truetrac in the front and an ARB (will be close to $1000 installed) or Detroit Locker (probably about $700 installed) in the back. For a limited slip the Truetracs work great. If you don't mind hearing the snapping and clunking and ratcheting of the Detroit it will be fine. The ARB is the Cadillac of the lockers but you pay the price, not to mention you need to make sure the shop doing the install knows what they are doing. You also have the added expence of an onboard air compressor and the risk of leaking air lines or damaging the air lines while offroad.

My old '89 4Runner had a Detroit out back. It was my daily driver and once used to it the Detroit was no problem, actually it became quite fun. Good luck!

pluckyew · 05-11-2005, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ptgarcia

I would put a Truetrac in the front and an ARB (will be close to $1000 installed) or Detroit Locker (probably about $700 installed) in the back. For a limited slip the Truetracs work great. If you don't mind hearing the snapping and clunking and ratcheting of the Detroit it will be fine. The ARB is the Cadillac of the lockers but you pay the price, not to mention you need to make sure the shop doing the install knows what they are doing. You also have the added expence of an onboard air compressor and the risk of leaking air lines or damaging the air lines while offroad.

My old '89 4Runner had a Detroit out back. It was my daily driver and once used to it the Detroit was no problem, actually it became quite fun. Good luck!

"Truetrac in the front and a Detroit Locker on rear" sound like my kind of plan: simple and reliable. besides, i don't mind paying $180 x2 to replace them rear tires more often than usual, as long as i can prevent getting stuck out there while poking around remote places alone. snapping and clunking and ratcheting sounds cool to me, as long as it's normal. if a Detroit Locker works for you ptgarcia and them Four Wheeler folks than it may work me.

now where do i find good people to pay to install 'em?

ptgarcia · 05-11-2005, 03:00 PM

If you go with the Truetrac and Detroit Locker combo any shop that specializes in gearing will be okay. The Detroit is cake to install (relatively speaking). Look for a reputable 4-wheel shop or hot-rod shop and start there. If they don't do it they'll know someone who does. Good luck!

**loufish** · 05-11-2005, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Look for a reputable 4-wheel shop or hot-rod shop and start there. If they don't do it they'll know someone who does. Good luck!

Kind of moot....since NOBODY makes an aftermarket locker, or L/S.....yet