Thread: Detroit Locker Vs Truetrak Vs E Locker

Originally Posted by Tote

How difficult to live with is a detroit locker on a vehicle that could be called agricultural at best so NVH on cornering probably isn't a big issue, however it will be driven on bitumen for a proportion of

I have a Detroit in my 130 defender, can’t even feel it, even when I had front drive shaft out. Sometimes it will bang when taking up drive but very rarely, usually don’t even know it’s there.

Hi Tote - you know my 101 - well it has a detroit in the rear since 2009. You would never know it is there and in normal driving you never hear it. The only time you might hear it is on bitumen when turning on full lock in slow conditions like U turns - also tight turns on grass can rip it up a bit. Dont believe the old stories of noise and impacts on steering which were probably true for early versions but not relevant now.

Now I agree having the flexibility locking and unlocking with other lockers may be an advantage but there is the issue of cost. Back in 2009 the detroit cost $550 and at the time I also bought a ARB air locker to go in the front (still sitting under the bench) and with the locker air compressor came to $1400 at the time - so as a cost benefit analysis going the detroit is a no brainer - no real operating disadvantages and a major cost advantage.

Buying from the US may save money if you can work around stupid shipping costs - the ARB locker from the US is also a lot cheaper (or was).

Garry

Freight from the US is a bit of a killer, some places like VPW are actually cheaper if they happen to have what you want in stock, but if they don't, delivery times are quoted when the next container is due. Still doing the sums on the best approach

Regards,
Tote

There are shipping agents that can be used - Tombie knows of some or you could just get someone to slip one in a diplomatic bag

OK I had a Detroit in my 77RRC.

There are a few things that are a bit annoying but gee they work well.

1 On soft going they increase the turning circle a lot. EG mountain track in the rain, you have to remember to cut the corner and maybe zip off the accelerator.
2 On a muddy slippery track with a camber you will drive sideways. I once went from Wanaaring to Bourke sideways most of the way.
3 If you accelerate hard in say second high to third high around a gentle curve you will feel the car nose in as you change gear.
4 At roundabouts you have to be smooth or you will get some clunks.
5 If starting at say traffic lights that are on a slight curve you may get a very loud clunk as power is applied. Mine regularly used to clunk at only one set of lights at Spit Junction.

I don't know how strong the Jeep axles are but I had to fit JACMAC axles to my old 12 spline as I broke a couple and permanently twisted some admittedly in the Nissan Trials.

All in all would add to a Jeep.
I went to maxi rear and Quaife front in my 91 RRC and it was awesome.
Regards PhilipA

Re Quaife or other torque biassing. The one in the front of my RRC was almost totally transparent, with just a little more self centering than normal. I never saw a disadvantage, but you can of course drive through brakes to load a wheel in the air.

+1 on the detroit locker , I have had one in my 130 for a LOT of miles , simple , bullet proof & gives no problems .
Possibly not the perfect locker for the purists , but very effective none the less .
Scares the **** out of you the first few times you get the bang , after that you just ignore it .

Dunno about jeeps, but in a RRC with an automatic trans with the centre diff locked you can emulate traction control by just using your left foot very gently on the brake, while your right foot is on the go pedal.

That said I've got the front MD locker in and hopefully the rear when I get time. Just for those odd occasions...........

DL

Thanks for the responses all, you have dispelled my concerns around the Detroit locker, I reckon that's the way we'll go.

Regards,
Tote