Thread: Detroit rear locker installation

Originally Posted by Ranga

So where do Detroit (auto-locker) fit in that list you reckon?

I have only driven a few vehicles with detroits, and personally am not a huge fan of auto lockers.

Earlier detroits would fail if the vehicle broke an axle - but they appear to have fixed that now. They are easier to install than any of the manual lockers, and seem very reliable these days.

I'm not a fan of Detroits either, but I've only ever driven the earlier versions, not the newer Soft Lockers.

I like the look of the Kaiser Locker that Ashcrofts are now selling, it looks like a revision of the Wiesmann Locker to my eyes, which was popular on high powered circuit race cars through the seventies and eighties.
Think Sports Cars, Can-Am and F1.

It unlocks on a trailing throttle so you don't get the understeer on corner entry that you have with a Detroit (or spool) and yet locks 100% in drive.

It also won't ratchet on and off like a Detroit does on partial throttle.
That used to drive me insane in the wet with the older Detroits in a light car, it used to make the bloody car jump all over the place, something you probably wouldn't have happen with the weight and wheelbase of a Landy.

Apparently Weismann (Traction Products) are building the Weismann Locker again in the US for 4WD's too after being out of production for twenty five years.

As stated before I think the Detroit lockers are good. Only concern is the slow speed round-about shudder sometimes.

Without side tracking the tread I like the idea of going round a courner into mud and straight away the auto locker "works".

I'm sure there are lots of pros and cons "each to their own"

it may be a remote probability, but if you go travelling around this big island and blow the locker somehow, then ARB may get another tick for warranty servicability.

Originally Posted by newhue

it may be a remote probability, but if you go travelling around this big island and blow the locker somehow, then ARB may get another tick for warranty servicability.

Don't bet on it. Once when I was looking for parts I was told there was at least a 4-week wait. Even parts like o-rings took a couple of days to get to my local dealer. Chances are that ashcroft etc could get you parts from OS as quickly or quicker.

I want to set you blokes straight about the detroits.
Have any of you blokes driven a Detroit soft locker in a permanet 4x4 system fitted in the rear?????.
I have very much in a 101 landy which runs the salisbury on a shorter wheel base vehicle running 35/36 tyres which are bar threads and are slippery as on a wet tar road.
Round abouts, towing trailer ect , been there done that.
I also run a ARB in the front and I know what I would like to have.
Three other 101 landy owners on Aulro here have fitted detroits to the rear of ours 101s.
the reason being they can not pick the difference driving the vehicle to there own except for the extra traction.
I have just fitted a detroit to the rear of a mates 80 series land crapper (permanet 4x4 system).
My mate was told all the normal detroit stories.
Guess what he doesnt pick any difference in the way the vehicle drives than what it used too.
I the only things I found with the detroit other than the 2hr instalation(very quick and easy) on a salisbury is a slight increase in backlash.
The soft locker doesnt make any noise or do any thing wrong on or off road.
I challege any one to prove me wrong on a pemanet 4x4 system.
Driving a older detroit in a part time 4x4 or a 2wd car exspecially a light one is a different story.
Is any one experience to comment of the operation of a detroit in the rear of a permanet 4x4 system.
You need up graded axles with a detroit (or any locker in a salisbury) or you may break axles and the diff.
Another interesting thing is the local RFS cat one fire truck is a part time system fitted with a detroit from the factory,,,,,,,, and guess what most of the many drivers of the vehicle do not know its there unless told.
And theres the other stories......the detroit will make a vehicle slide side ways on a side slope.
The fact is to get to that point you have all ready driven futher than you would have with a open diff is the high side wheel would have started loosing grip when the weight came off it.
Just making muddy water clear.
Ron

PS I forgot
Having a permanet 4x4 system removes any draw backs of a detroit on road when it is fitted in the rear.
You must remember the front diff is pulling the vehicle along too so any effects of the detroit dropping the drive out from one axle or another is not noticed.
The cost of the detroit is about the same of a ARB, but it is easier to fit with no compressor and no hoses, switches and valves etc.
It is simple and saves money greatly on the installation.

I think you've just about won me over Ron - thanks for your advice

Also, thanks to each other poster for your advice. I'm sure everybody's got their own experiences, opinions and beliefs, and have genuinely tried to help me in my quest for more traction! I'm also confident that all systems mentioned have their pros and cons, and probably all would be better than just an open diff.

I reckon I'll just stick to a Detroit in the rear for a while, and see if I find myself needing/wanting a solution for the front. A few trustworthy types have told me I'll probably never need it, but we'll see

So, I guess I'm off to Lucky8, then find someone to install it for me for a fair price (hint, hint Dave!). Is this the one I should be chasing? http://lucky8llc.com/Products.aspx?ProductID=3341