Negative Side Effects of a Locker?

[Benelli]

I was talking to a friend and he claims if I put a locker in my pick up (the rear axle) the following will happen:

It will "clunk" around corner
It will be shaky and "pop" when driving
it will kill my gas mileage because instead of turning 1 tire its turning both, and that will kill how fast it goes when you open it up
and lastly i wont notice that big of a difference when offroading in 4wd

Are these true or are they just....worthless?

[LONGHAIR]

Some are at least slightly true, the rest is bunk.

How it reacts has something to do with the truck itself.....manual or automatic transmission?

It will fell a bit more "harsh" with a manual transmission. There is more of a "coasting" factor with a manual. When-ever you coast in a turn, the locker will unlock and you may undeed feel/hear it. Tire size has a little to do with this as does over-all weight of the truck. It will react less when loaded.
If you go aroung the corner "under power" it will not unlock. This will probably cause a squeel, depending again upon weight, sharpness of the turn, degree of acceleration. It is just something you get used to.

"Shakey and Pop" no, if so there is something wrong. As I said before with a manual transmission, it will be more clunky, but only on turns or right after straightening out from the turn. In a straight line....no clunks.

It will have no measurable effect on fuel mileage....as long as you drive it the same way. If you get into tire spinning or other horse-play, yes...but that's not it's fault.

You will notice a huge difference off-road. I have seen 2 wheel drive trucks with lockers do nearly as well as open differentialed 4x4s with comparable sized tires in a trail riding type off-road environment. Sloppy mud and rocks, no, but mild off roading they keep up pretty well.


The downside, other than the clunking (if that bothers you) is not really any different than any other posi-traction. You do need to be careful in the rain and especially snow. The rear will want to "come-around" more than an open differential does. Both tire spinning leaves nothing back there "rolling" to keep you going straight....and again this is worse with an automatic.

[AJs72K5]

Originally Posted by Benelli

I was talking to a friend and he claims if I put a locker in my pick up (the rear axle) the following will happen:

It will "clunk" around corner
It will be shaky and "pop" when driving
it will kill my gas mileage because instead of turning 1 tire its turning both, and that will kill how fast it goes when you open it up
and lastly i wont notice that big of a difference when offroading in 4wd

Are these true or are they just....worthless?

Your friend needs to do some more homework. He's making a broad swipe at all different types of lockers.

1. The classic Detroit is known for ratcheting around corners. But that's the locker action of locking and unlocking to allow the outside tire to spin faster around a corner.
2. If you're shaking and popping when driving, you've got other issues. I don't know a single locker that will do that.
3. On the open highway, you're already putting power to both tires. A locker comes into play when you start to lose traction on one of the tires. Most drag racers run full spools. Both rear tires are totally locked for traction. You really think it slows them down?

Lastly, look into the different types of lockers. You've got the classic, and very dependable Detroit. Yes, it will make a little more noise. If you're concerned about that looked into the selectables: ARB, Eaton e-locker, Auburn Ected, or a Yukon Zip locker....in no specific order of preference. For a primarily street driven rig, a good posi never hurt. Besides....pegleg burnouts are uncool. Put something in to give you some traction on both tires. You'll be glad you did.

Hope that helps a bit.


EDIT: Apparently Longhair and I were typing at the same time...

[Benelli]

Thanks guys. Thats what I was thinking too. He was telling me that because his dad's Dodge has a locker that it gets 2mpg less than the open axles types.....

This pick up is mostly used for farmwork and daily driving, occasionally used for some weekend mud play. I don't do burnouts, anymore.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the fast replies!

[chevy71super]

The other thing is they get a little "squirrely" on the highway covered by snow or ice. The rear end will try to come around. I just ran mine in 4 wheel drive when the roads got icey. That took care if it. Investing is a locker is worth the money even if you occasionally go four wheeling.

[CG]

I have a Detroit locker in my 71 K20 with a 4sp. That thing is noisy and clunky when I'm driving around town. Kind of weirded me out when I first got the truck.

[Mike C]

The longer the wheelbase, the less noticeable the effects of an automatic locker. My M38A1 with its 80" wheelbase, 35 inch mud tires, manual trans, and LockRight it is very noticeable when shifting gears, especially when turning slightly.

Offroad there is a pretty big difference over a posi and a HUGE difference over open. If you spend 90% of your time on pavement, a limited slip is a better choice. Or best, something like an Electrac or E-Locker that is both.

[KQQL IT]

My locker is really loud when turning. And When i lift out of the gas going down the freeway i can feel it do something.

[Benelli]

Originally Posted by Mike C

The longer the wheelbase, the less noticeable the effects of an automatic locker. My M38A1 with its 80" wheelbase, 35 inch mud tires, manual trans, and LockRight it is very noticeable when shifting gears, especially when turning slightly.

Offroad there is a pretty big difference over a posi and a HUGE difference over open. If you spend 90% of your time on pavement, a limited slip is a better choice. Or best, something like an Electrac or E-Locker that is both.

What is the difference in the two?

[Mr-Jack]

I have built trucks and rearends with many differant types of lockers. my favorite setup for offroad is a detroit hard locker in the front and an electric or ARB setup rear. E-Lockers and ARBs give you an option while driving in differant settings. You can turn the locker off while you're driving around town, or engage it to go offroad. I have driven with a fully locked rear end (equivalent to a spool) around town with 35" 37" & 40" tires. At lower speeds in tighter turns, it will definately pull the outside making your tires bark...this is due to the fact that the axle shafts are spinning at the same rate so if the inside tire doesn't have far to go, your outside tire is gonna get pulled a little. It could feel like brake drag. I pulled into a gas station fully locked up in the rear and some fella walked up to me to let me know i probably have a brake prolem or a seized drum cause my tires barked turning into the station. I just said thank you and went about my business. With a manual tranny, you'll feel the rear end engage. (Clunk) a little bit. Sounds like you'd be looking more for a posi...i have run those before and love them. very nice on the street and pretty decent offroad

[special-K]

The only negative side effect of a locker is on a slippery muddy slope you will slide sideways.

Loud?I thought a real 4wd was supposed to be loud and all the rest don`t need a locker anyway.Good tires are loud,a powerful motor is loud,low gears are loud,lockers are loud...you just described my kind of 4wd.

[Big J'72 GMC]

Amen to that special-k, worrying about how "loud" your truck is, is more womanly then worryin about gas mileage

[Mr-Jack]

Originally Posted by Big J'72 GMC

Amen to that special-k, worrying about how "loud" your truck is, is more womanly then worryin about gas mileage

we should make a milwaukee's best beer commercial out of this topic...have a guy talkin to a buddy about how he's worried about puttin a locker in his truck cause he's afraid it will be loud and then a giant beer can drops on his head...then have some prostreet rat rods come screamin driving by all loud

[Mike C]

A limited slip is just that, it allows for some slippage between the axles with the differential engaged. A locker allows no slippage. It is either engaged or not engaged. The automatic lockers "unlock" the inside tire when going around a corner and you are not slipping the other tire. If you have tire slippageon the outside, they stay locked. This locking and unlocking side to side is what clunks and bangs. This is a very simple explanation and you should google how it works for a more in depth explanation.

But bottom line, if you run mostly on the asphalt, limited slip is a better choice.

[special-K]

It takes technique.I let off the gas when I see cops and making turns.The tires?They don`t have a law for that...yet.

[Mr-Jack]

i think it's more noticeable when the locker drags the outside tire at slower speeds than faster speeds to tell you the truth

[special-K]

Yeah,that`s what I mean,I drift my sharp turns or go light on the throttle when pulling out.I have no ill side effects from lockers.