D2 with rear auto locker - what's it like to drive on road, particularly tight turns?

Thanks for the replies so far.

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Originally Posted by PhilipA

I had one in a 77RRC. It was an "interim" Detroit locker so may not be quite as civlised as later ones.

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From what I've read they've continued the development of them and have improved in their smoothness. I think I read that they're around 5th generation now with changes to the teeth for meshing smoothness etc?

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Originally Posted by PhilipA

PS , If competing in a competition that requires full lock turns, the Detroit will increase the turn radius quite a bit, as I found in the Nissan Trials.

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No competition intentions. Larger turning radius is a pain but can live with. Probably still turns sharper than my old Defender 90.

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Originally Posted by rangieman

Simply that and im not getting into a dick waiving discussing with the clan that think they know :whistling::bangin::Thump:.
With all the hype that has gone on with this lately really it is just not worth it :wallbash:

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But that's exactly what you are doing. You've opened up a thread with a very specific question as indicated in the title, an outline of my desires and requirements in the OP (e.g. you seem to have missed the fact that track 4WDing is a minor part of my vehicles use compared to the majority of circumstances where a continually active traction diff provides me great benefit) and you've ignored all that to make your comment about the air locker to promote your own interests agenda. It's in no way relevant to the purpose of this thread and so clearly is just because you wanted to get it off track. Please don't. If you don't have anything to contribute towards the target discussion then don't post, find another thread or start your own if you want to discuss air lockers.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

If you don't want to go the full Detroit auto locker you could go the Tru Trac instead.

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Ummm... That just seems like spending money to get back to where I started. As mentioned I currently have the triple ATB combination which is just Ashcroft Transmissions Homebrand version of the TrueTrac.

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Originally Posted by justinc

however if you have a deflating tyre on one side at speed they are fairly unforgiving... but that is not everyones experience so don't let that sway you..

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Tell me more, what happens?


Any recommendations on where to purchase the Detroit from? I assume that the Rover 24 spline is the correct model variant for the rear of a Discovery 2?

They tend to want to start 'steering' all by themselves😅

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From what I've read they've continued the development of them and have improved in their smoothness. I think I read that they're around 5th generation now with changes to the teeth for meshing smoothness etc?

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Yes AFAIK they have improved in smoothness, BUT they are still a set of dog clutches that engage and disengage.
Look I was happy with mine and found it a great help in the right circumstances. I ultimately fitted JACMAC axles to get over the extra forces on stock axles and subsequent breakage. However this then maybe contributed to the carrier bearings dying. Mine weren't changed by the dealer who built the diff .
I don't know how one will go in a D2 , but IMHO it is the soft bushings in the rear suspension of a RRC that perhaps contributed to problems and a D2 has soft bushings also. I had some other problems also like the axle mount for the ball joint tearing out.
The fact remains that a Detroit will slide down any side slope if it is slimy, and AFAIR they even have a decal to this effect if fitted to trucks. If you are aware of it then no problem. Whether there is enough compression in the bushes to tighten up a turn when changing gear on a D2 I don't know.
I soon got used to the idiosyncrasies of the Detroit and I was generally happy with it. However when I bought my 91 I felt a Maxi Drive was a better and more civilized option, as it was just a normal open diff until needed so had NO quirks or idiosyncrasies.
I think you have just about the ideal setup now. Maybe stab bar disconnects would give better articulation and therefore keep the wheels on the ground more.
Have a read of this site
Excerpts from NoSpin/detroit locker? OWNER'S MANUAL

Regards Philip A

The way they are adjusted when being installed seems to make a difference to how smoothly they perform. Regular diff oil changes are also important. I used to notice mine was smoother with fresh oil.

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Originally Posted by justinc

They tend to want to start 'steering' all by themselves😅

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Mainly in 2wd short wheel base vehicles - in heavier AWD vehicles like landrovers this is not an an issue in my experience - the front drive counteracts any tendancies there may be to want to drive ahead on sharp bends when you are going too fast.

Garry

My steering was unaffected by the rear Detroit locker.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

My steering was unaffected by the rear Detroit locker.

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So was mine... i just mentiomed the steering bit because of its propensity to begin thr unlocking and locking process with uneven circumferences when druving in a straight line and applyung a reasonable throttle input...

the understeer when putting your foot down when going around a corner a is characteristic of a rear wheel drive vehicle. With a Detroit locker in the rear you will have more traction at the rear and it behaves like a rear wheel drive vehicle.

Most people have forgotten what it is like to drive a rear wheel drive. It takes about 1/2 a roundabout to adjust your driving style. If your even slightly worried fit true-track front and back.

my only advice is regardless of whether you fit Detroit or True-Track don't tell anyone, they will think you just have amazing driving skills. [thumbsupbig]

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Originally Posted by Gullible

the understeer when putting your foot down when going around a corner a is characteristic of a rear wheel drive vehicle. With a Detroit locker in the rear you will have more traction at the rear and it behaves like a rear wheel drive vehicle.

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must've been something wrong with my rear wheel drive cars in the past then , if I was to put my foot down in a corner back then ,I would get oversteer .....thinking about it ...yes , definitely something wrong because the rear tyres would get all smoky as well[bigwhistle]


twr7cx I'm not sure it would be a worthwhile exercise in your case unless you will be lifting a wheel from time to time, but in tight turns / loose gravel you'll know it's there ( detroit )

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Originally Posted by Gullible

If your even slightly worried fit true-track front and back.

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But a true-track is not a locker - certainly far superior to an open diff but when it all turns to custard the true-track will have one wheel spinning and no forward momentum but it is a top LSD and works great in most situations.