Thread: detroit decided front?

Selectable locker. ARB Airlocker, Ashcroft etc.

I have a rear Detroit & front Ashcroft ATB, seems a good off road combo..

Originally Posted by DeeJay

I have a rear Detroit & front Ashcroft ATB, seems a good off road combo..

How do you find the ATB in the front affects the steering? I am considering installing ATB front and rear but have received some advice/opinion against the front and suggestions of a locker there instead due to the possible steering issues in day to day use.

Originally Posted by mudder110

hi all, ok ive decided on the Detroit locker for the rear, has anyone any suggestions for the front, as I need to redo the diff anyway, can I go a limited slip true trac type or will that not work with the rear auto locker the front diff is a bit sloppy so rebuild is near finally getting to the end of the driveline upgrades once again cheers

The trutrac in the front will work fine with the rear Detroit.

Originally Posted by filcar

How do you find the ATB in the front affects the steering? I am considering installing ATB front and rear but have received some advice/opinion against the front and suggestions of a locker there instead due to the possible steering issues in day to day use.

I have an Ashcroft at in the front, does not affect the steering at all. The only time you notice it is when you give it a boot full on low traction surfaces, you can feel it hook in. Bit hard to explain. Very happy with mine though

Originally Posted by filcar

How do you find the ATB in the front affects the steering? I am considering installing ATB front and rear but have received some advice/opinion against the front and suggestions of a locker there instead due to the possible steering issues in day to day use.

No such thing as "steering issues" with an ATB in the front diff. ATBs & and truetracs are more like a LSD than a locker. (Not the same action as a typical LSD - ATBs work better than LSD and none of the pitfalls and maintenance headaches like overly stiff clutch packs when new, wearing out too fast)

I have Ashcroft ATBs in the front and rear of my MY2013 DCPU.

I chose ATBs over lockers (and unlockers like the Detroit) because I was willing to sacrifice the ability to totally lock my diff occasionally when off-road - for improved traction and handling 24x7 both on and off-road.

You can feel the ATB in the front working its magic under certain circumstances. It is very subtle at the most. Completely unnoticeable 99% of the time.

What you feel at the steering wheel, at most, is slightly more effort needed to turn the steering further from centered and slightly less effort needed to turn the steering wheel closer to centered. Ie a very subtle increase in "self centering" steering. (Totally UNLIKE the nasty "power steer" that older FWD vehicles displayed under hard acceleration)

When do you feel it most? When you are putting down a LOT of power/torque (which of course requires a high grip surface) and the available traction of the surface differs left/right (even by a little!)

Example: powering along full quoit in 3rd gear on a tarmac curve just short of inducing 4 wheel slide - then on one side your wheels track over a little damp patch of road or the thinnest dusting of sand...

What it feels like at the steering wheel - nothing felt if you are not making any steering inputs. But if you do move the steering wheel it feels like an extra hand, invisible and steadying, was on the steering wheel subtly damping steering inputs. Nice! (Remember this is where this subtle effect is felt MOST).

In very slippery circumstances where the trail surface has extremely low grip - you cannot lay down huge torque so it is near impossible to feel any effect at the steering wheel - but the ATBs still work their magic despite reduced adhesion limits at the tyre.

In mud/deep sand/snow(? Haven't tried yet - no snow in Malaysia) you'd feel the above sensation at steering wheel even more mildly - proportionate to torque you can lay down (after all they are "torque biassing" diffs)

You also notice improved handling generally.

And specifically in situations such as hitting water at speed on the highway with just the left (or just the right) side wheels - the usual pull to the side you feel normally is reduced to almost nothing.

Originally Posted by mudder110

hi all, ok ive decided on the Detroit locker for the rear, has anyone any suggestions for the front, as I need to redo the diff anyway, can I go a limited slip true trac type or will that not work with the rear auto locker the front diff is a bit sloppy so rebuild is near finally getting to the end of the driveline upgrades once again cheers

Mate, you mention being near a rebuild for the diff. If you were to go the trutrac or Ashcroft ATB path: these products replace the diff centre so you wouldn't need to rebuild the centre. Most likely you'd keep the R&P you have now if in good nick - then just need to set them up right.

Ashcroft also offer HD R&P if you felt a need there. You can also pay even more and get Ashcroft's to supply a whole diff set up and ready to drop in. (You'll then have the original diff as a complete drop in spare)

When I bought into ATBs from Ashcroft I did the latter: asked them to fit the ATBs into whole diffs they had reconditioned. Cost me a whole lot more of course. Was thinking having both original diffs as drop in ready spares (only maybe 10,000km on them) and not having to worry about finding someone in Malaysia who can do a proper R&P set up - totally worth the cost for peace of mind.

thanks for all the help everyone, I am going to take my time and go through all these options. and decide what I need to suit my driving and the conditions I generally encounter. once again the info and help on this forum is unreal cheers all.