Detroit locker

[Jotto82]

Originally Posted by Matt Man

Yep mine is fine as well for daily driving, I agree with both of these posts.

Cool, what is it that makes the loud bang with the DETROIT Locker? Just curyff

[4x4k30]

you just need a spool if you are gona act like a fool QUOTE I just want both tires to turn when doing a burnout lol[

[Matt Man]

Originally Posted by Jotto82

Cool, what is it that makes the loud bang with the DETROIT Locker? Just curyff

The detroit locker makes some noises that the inexperienced might think there is something wrong, but in reality the detroit locker has backlash and when you let off the gas pedal you feel a clunk, this is the locker unloading. The bang has only happened to me 3 times. The first time I took off from a red light and it made a bang and you can feel the rear of the truck push to one side slightly. The 2nd time it happened in my school parking lot while making a very sharp turn. Needless to say it scared some girls walking by The last time it happened I took off from a stop sign turning left and this one was VERY loud first time I got scared from it.

Personally, I would only install a Detroit locker in a 4wd, this is because if you have one tire off the ground the detroit locker will always spin both tires no matter what which is what you want if you wheel your truck hard.

The truetrac on the other hand will only spin both tires if they're both on the ground and one tire loses grip. Which is why I would recommend a truetrac on a 2wd truck. You can get a truetrac to spin both tires if one is in the air if you lightly apply the brakes.

The detroit locker and truetrac are fantastic units, I have a detroit in the rear of my 81 and a truetrac in the front. Both have no clutches to wear out and take no additives, just plain gear oil.

Here is a video on what the bang kind of sounds like, even though this is a cheap spartan locker watch at the 1:38 mark. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi7ze7149HE

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

Installation should be the same. Both the Detroit and the trutrac replace the carrier.

Not true, the detroit locker is not a complete unit in the 14 bolt where-as the tru-trac is. You use the existing carrier and take apart the halves, remove the spider gear assy and put in the locking assy. Bolt it back together with the ring gear and remove the holding bolt.

[Jotto82]

Originally Posted by 4x4k30

you just need a spool if you are gona act like a fool QUOTE I just want both tires to turn when doing a burnout lol[

Lol

[Jotto82]

I do have 4WD so I guess I can just pick one. I gotta look at my gear ratios and I will probably just buy everything and then build it all at once. I appreciate all the explanations.

[dieseldawg142]

the detroit "clunk" i find is more noticeable on lighter trucks than on heavier ones. i can't ever recall hearing it in my crew, but got it a couple times in my K5
there is a lot of backlash with the detroit, but in no time you will adjust your driving style to accommodate it and then you won't even notice

[kwmech]

I found out years ago how to reduce the severity of the detroit when I had the locker in my wrecker snap into itself on a stretched out turn on a mountain road with a full load on the back. Talk about squirrelly at 50 mph. Anyways I drained the diff and pulled the cover thinking I had broken something but didn't. When replacing the oil I put in 2 quarts of Reline Shock Proof and 2 quarts of regular 85/90. Never had that clunk again and it was much quieter.

[Jeepwm69]

Originally Posted by kwmech

Not true, the detroit locker is not a complete unit in the 14 bolt where-as the tru-trac is. You use the existing carrier and take apart the halves, remove the spider gear assy and put in the locking assy. Bolt it back together with the ring gear and remove the holding bolt.

Well I'll be.....

Had to look into that a bit as I've only done Dana/Spicer Jeep axles.

Looks like the 14 bolt carrier is heavy enough to reuse so the Detroit is just a heavy lunchbox style for that axle.

Learned something new.

As for on the street use, I'd still go with the Truetrac.

I have a Truetrac in the rear of my green Jeep. Invisible on the street, and unless you have a wheel in the air it performs just like a locker.

I have lockrights front and rear on my tan Jeep. They rachet and bang occasionally going around corners, but if you stay off the gas in a turn they usually don't make much noise. They do NOT like it if you have even a couple of PSI difference between the two tires on the axle.

I have a Powertrax no-slip in the rear of my other tan Jeep. It's about the same as the lock-right, just doesn't make the noises.

I would 100% go with the truetrac for a street driven truck. Buy once, cry once.

[Jotto82]

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

Well I'll be.....

Had to look into that a bit as I've only done Dana/Spicer Jeep axles.

Looks like the 14 bolt carrier is heavy enough to reuse so the Detroit is just a heavy lunchbox style for that axle.

Learned something new.

As for on the street use, I'd still go with the Truetrac.

I have a Truetrac in the rear of my green Jeep. Invisible on the street, and unless you have a wheel in the air it performs just like a locker.

I have lockrights front and rear on my tan Jeep. They rachet and bang occasionally going around corners, but if you stay off the gas in a turn they usually don't make much noise. They do NOT like it if you have even a couple of PSI difference between the two tires on the axle.

I have a Powertrax no-slip in the rear of my other tan Jeep. It's about the same as the lock-right, just doesn't make the noises.

I would 100% go with the truetrac for a street driven truck. Buy once, cry once.

Amen to the buy once cry once.

[mongocanfly]

" buy once cry once. ".....so true ...so true

[SunSoaked]

Been running a Detroit Locker in my 85 K20 (14 bolt transplant from a CUCV) for two years. Have yet to hear/feel any clunk or lockup.I know it's working because it leaves a nice parallel set of lines of black rubber when I hammer it. I am completely satisfied with it.

[Jotto82]

So if I decide on trutrac do just choose the gear ratio I want? Sounds like that’s a complete unit. I think I have 4:56?gears now but I think 4:10 might be bettter. Any options on what has been effective for them? Finished product is a low end torque power house. Motor has been completely rebuilt about10k ago so I’m thinking get the rear end setup how I want it then throwing in a nice loping cam and a decent top end kit. 350 400 HP and proper gearing and I’ll have a beast.

[kwmech]

Originally Posted by Jotto82

So if I decide on trutrac do just choose the gear ratio I want? Sounds like that’s a complete unit. I think I have 4:56?gears now but I think 4:10 might be better. Any options on what has been effective for them? Finished product is a low end torque power house. Motor has been completely rebuilt about 10k ago so I’m thinking get the rear end setup how I want it then throwing in a nice loping cam and a decent top end kit. 350 400 HP and proper gearing and I’ll have a beast.

Ratio would depend on tire size, engine and transmission, AND being 4wd you'll have to possibly match the front.

[mongocanfly]

and here ya go on the gear calculator...
http://www.csgnetwork.com/multirpmcalc.html

[homemade87]

Originally Posted by Jotto82

So if I decide on trutrac do just choose the gear ratio I want? Sounds like that’s a complete unit. I think I have 4:56?gears now but I think 4:10 might be bettter. Any options on what has been effective for them? Finished product is a low end torque power house. Motor has been completely rebuilt about10k ago so I’m thinking get the rear end setup how I want it then throwing in a nice loping cam and a decent top end kit. 350 400 HP and proper gearing and I’ll have a beast.

There is no gears that come with this ( I think this is what your asking ). You use the gears you have unless you are planning a gears change and ordering gears as well .

Removing the pinion for a gear change changes the hole ball game as far as gear set up.

[sweetk30]

there is a carrier split for gear ratio's . you need to know what you have or are swapping to so you can get the correct one.

[Jotto82]

Originally Posted by homemade87

There is no gears that come with this ( I think this is what your asking ). You use the gears you have unless you are planning a gears change and ordering gears as well .

Removing the pinion for a gear change changes the hole ball game as far as gear set up.

Yes that was what I was asking. An earlier post made it sound like it was essentially a complete unit with gears. I probably just read it wrong.

[JacobSchni]

i have a detroit in my 83. it has a 14ff 4.10 gears and 680hp. honestly its not bad at all. barely notice it. you can tell its there, but mainly on fast turns from a stop. Definitely would reccomend.

[Jotto82]

Originally Posted by JacobSchni

i have a detroit in my 83. it has a 14ff 4.10 gears and 680hp. honestly its not bad at all. barely notice it. you can tell its there, but mainly on fast turns from a stop. Definitely would reccomend.

Damn 680hp. I just drooled all over my phone.

[trukman1]

I like my Detroit but it does require some getting used to ESPECIALLY in slippery conditions! Not the best in snow...can get a little tricky till you get used to it.
Read the safety disclosure if you go that route. Sounds like you have an open carrier which is required with the Detroit.
Sounds like your leaning towards something else anyway just wanted to put this out there.