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

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

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?

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.

Originally Posted by justinc

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

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.

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

My steering was unaffected by the rear Detroit locker.

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.

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.

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


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 )