Differential Questions

[68chevyK20]

Im thinking about new differentials in my 68 k20 and i am interested in limited slip or lockers. I have heard quite a bit of bad things about lockers but i have never had anything with one. Are they really that bad?

[doug70]

lockers are cheaper, but they tend to slip the inside tire when turning. They get into a bind. You would need to go to a clutch type limited slip to avoid that. If your truck is offroad only, locker is fine.

Doug

[LONGHAIR]

As crazy as it sounds, it depends upon what transmission you have. Detroit Lockers are more "clunky" or "twitchy" with a manual than they are with an automatic. This has to do with the "load" on the differential. When you push in the clutch of a manual, the drivline "unloads" which will allow a Locker to unlock. How much you feel this depends somewhat upon the truck. Short beds, smaller tires and less weight make it more noticable.
It is "managable" but you do have to know it's there and drive accordingly.
Never put one in the front, they are waaay to twitchy for that. A clutch type or gear type differential are better for that.
Big tires and pretty much any kind of positraction device are hard on front axles though. Be prepared to deal with that ($). It is usually the short side (passenger) axle that can't take it. There are stronger, aftermarket, axles available for them.

[68chevyK20]

Well the truck is going to be a daily driver and something that is isnt too bad offroad. I know i can find a limited slip or a locker for the front end but where can i find one for the eaton?

[GASoline71]

Eaton makes the original Posi-traction diff that came in GM vehicles...

Gary

[LONGHAIR]

Originally Posted by 68chevyK20

Well the truck is going to be a daily driver and something that is isnt too bad offroad. I know i can find a limited slip or a locker for the front end but where can i find one for the eaton?

As far as I know, the only thing available for the Eaton rear is a Detroit Locker, unfortunately you are probably looking at "used". That is one of the downfalls of that particular rear end, parts availibility. Brake parts and bearing are not too bad, but differentials are a different matter and gear ratios are ,imited.
Again......No Lockers in the front

[desertrat]

Originally Posted by LONGHAIR

...
Again......No Lockers in the front

I agree, unless you plan on doing some extreme wheeling .

I had lockers front and rear in a cj8 and the front lockers (detroit) where a pain even when out wheeling, but than again I was able to climb some cool stuff and it wasn't my daily driver.

[pumpkin]

I run a detroit locker in my twd 72 c20 and my 72 Blazer. Bothe have eaton ho72's. They work great on the street. The only time they lock is if one tire trys to spin faster than the other. The way they work is in a corner the outside tire overspins the inside tire that is doing the driving, so in a corner the truck actualy slows down a bit. I would never think about a posi, if a locker was available. If you have an eaton diff, the 14 bolt detroits bolt right in, and you just use the 14 bolt axles in the eaton. If your after the best tracktion with predictability the locker is the only way to go. A posi is just a comprimise between open and detroit, and in a situation when you realy need the traction the posi wont work.

[wildwilly4x4]

My cucv, my blazer, and my willys jeep all run 14 bolt rears with a detroit in them. The jeep is noticable that it has a locker, the blazer, you can feel it, and in the cucv I dont notice it at all....except when offroad....I like the true lockers myself, but it may depend on your driving habits. If you are on icey roads alot, it may be better to have a selectable locker, since an open diff performs better than any at keeping you going straight on slick roads.