Thanks! I didn’t think about that, I will definitely replace the u joints, & have everything that’s not new checked out. A little piece of mind goes along way.
Detroit lockers front & rear
- Thread starter Robert Sullenger
- Start date
I really haven’t looked too hard for them yet, other than typing Detroit lockers into google. Looks like around $5-6 hundred for just the locker, not including the S35 kit.
If I’m being completely honest the type of off roading we’re gonna be doing , I probably don’t “need” front lockers, I just kinda want em.
Major brand i.e. Revolution Gear Super 35 kits include your choice of several lockers including the Detroit Locker. Talk with Ricky, a long term dealer for Revolution Gear, at www.4lowparts.com who is a Jeeper/good guy.
Sounds like a plan. I can’t wait to get it done and start having fun.
Lockers will amaze you.
Rubicon88
TJ Addict
This ^^^^^^^^^
Absolutely positively damn straight..
Having said that have you really priced out a good selectable locker?
Detroit locker is strong no doubt but they definitely have quirky street characteristics.
Selectable there are some equally as strong and honestly install isn't too much more daunting.
Just sayin
That hasn't been true in 25 years since it was redesigned as the Soft Locker version of the Detroit Locker, yet some still spread outdated information on it.
Those of us who have actually owned and driven them as I did on a daily basis would absolutely and totally disagree with that. It is absolutely the best behaved automatic locker available for our TJs. You wouldn't have been able to tell one was in the rear of my TJ if you rode around with me. It is only 'quirky' for the first day or two until you learn how it likes to be driven. It's a complete non-issue after that.
Jerry, could you explain a little more about the flex in the housing of the Dana 30 with a Detroit? What trouble does it cause? Are we talking failures, bad performance? I appreciate any additional info.
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I did think about it, but after reading people’s experience with detroits like @Jerry I really like the thought of them. My wife has a jlur so we already have a Jeep with selectables. P.S. Why the hell do we have to put @ in front of everyone’s name?????
Rubicon88
TJ Addict
Really?
News to me...
The Detroit is not a spool and nobody suggested it behaved like such...
Having said that it is quirky on the street. Let's just define quirky as in not an open differential.
Now you can adapt to it and or ignore its behavior because it's not going to make you wreck.
I think you're doing a disservice by implying it behaves exactly like an open as it definitely doesn't.
See on one hand you suggest it is quirky until YOU learned how to drive it, but then suggest afterward that nobody would ever know.
In my world drivers have all sorts of abilities, learning curves and patience. Some have a tremendous amount of sense of feel with their machine while others do not. I see them every day. Hundreds. They grab a key and go with no care what makes the grass grow.
Just another with zero personal Detroit Locker ownership experience spreading bullshit they heard from cousin Billy Bob.
The @ symbol notifies the person, so they get a notification to see what's up.
I wheeled years ago with no lockers....it essentially was getting drunk and getting stuck. Then my CJ 5 clutch linkage would pop off.
Things usually went south from there.
My 03 was my first experience with positive traction and 4wd combined. Oh my word....near idling up stuff that appeared unclimbable.
Often I mention lockers and people think "locking it in 4 wd, ie; manual hubs" .
No no no , I mean locked at the chunk and let's get it done. I've had people say " I didn't think we would be able to get back out." I love it.
I wheeled years ago with no lockers....it essentially was getting drunk and getting stuck. Then my CJ 5 clutch linkage would pop off.
Things usually went south from there.
My 03 was my first experience with positive traction and 4wd combined. Oh my word....near idling up stuff that appeared unclimbable.
Often I mention lockers and people think "locking it in 4 wd, ie; manual hubs" .
No no no , I mean locked at the chunk and let's get it done. I've had people say " I didn't think we would be able to get back out." I love it.
Okay I had the OLD style Detroit locker in my TJ so it would pop and jerk the ass end around now and then. But I also have driven the current Soft Locker design Detroit Locker and they are TWO different animals. Now I came to the TJ world having been driving a CJ5 with a Dana 44 & a LocRite locker. They are nosier and more quirky than a Detroit. And before the CJ5 I had a Suzuki Samurai with LocRite's in both axles and I drove it all the time on ice and snow covered roads.
Now as @Jerry Bransford said it takes a day or two to learn how it wants you to drive. And I'll give an example of that.
When I came back from Iraq I had no weight bearing on my right leg for 6 months. I couldn't stand not getting out in my Jeep so my girlfriend tried driving it. She would grind the gears every time she tried to shift. I don't know why it does that but I was so used to driving it I drove it with no issues. She only drove my TJ twice and got frustrated with it and wouldn't drive it anymore.
Now AGAIN I had the OLD style Detroit in my TJ so you can't use that as a gotcha.
I installed Aussie lockers into a club members TJ when I was regearing his rig and he sold it a month after I was done because him and his wife didn't like the way it drove. Auto lockers just that but they aren't going to make your rig a trailer queen.
Now as @Jerry Bransford said it takes a day or two to learn how it wants you to drive. And I'll give an example of that.
When I came back from Iraq I had no weight bearing on my right leg for 6 months. I couldn't stand not getting out in my Jeep so my girlfriend tried driving it. She would grind the gears every time she tried to shift. I don't know why it does that but I was so used to driving it I drove it with no issues. She only drove my TJ twice and got frustrated with it and wouldn't drive it anymore.
Now AGAIN I had the OLD style Detroit in my TJ so you can't use that as a gotcha.
I installed Aussie lockers into a club members TJ when I was regearing his rig and he sold it a month after I was done because him and his wife didn't like the way it drove. Auto lockers just that but they aren't going to make your rig a trailer queen.
Man Jerry, being in FL this week you must be going through rock withdrawal - and it’s making you cranky.
By the way, here in TN everyone has a cousin Billy Bob - and it’s all the same guy...
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Rubicon88
TJ Addict
LOL...
This coming from the guy that says NO...you can't take a wheel lock off with a socket...
Love posters like you who want to whip out the resumes for some self validation with people you've zero clue about. Nada, zip...Zero. If you're keeping score you're the only one looking at the scoreboard.
Yet when you're attempting to help a fellow Jeeper get a wheel lock off ahd giving him bad information I don't recall calling you names or referencing some Billy Joe Jim Bob Danny frank.
See it's called class and maturity.
Now...Does a Detroit behave like an open diff?
Yes or no?
If you need to say yes after you get familiar with it...(which you've already done)then that's a no.
Now...if you noticed...I didn't suggest the OP would flop on his lid if he installed a Detroit...did I? Nope. Nor did I suggest he'd bark tire at every corner or become proficient at doing 180's in the snow...
I just merely said they're quirky. You agreed it was until you learned how to drive it but then you want to split hairs on the word quirky.
That's hilariously rich
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