anyone running a rear Detroit locker in a daily driver weekend wheeler?

[bigstags]

The time has come to decide on a rear locker .I know a selectable would be best, but I like to keep things simple and not have to worry about another thing taking a crap on the trail if anyone has some input on how they drive would be much appreciated. all the things I've heard are a 50/50 split good and bad, so any input would be much appreciated!

 

[jps4jeep]

I used to DD my jeep and it had a detriot front and rear. Both axles are D44's so the front I had manual hubs and could disconnect. never knew the rear was there unless I was turning and got into the throttle a little.

Offroad, never had a failure to lock up and was a little more fogiving on a front axle than a full spool (which I have now)

 

[bigstags]

I think I'll go with it I just like the fact its always there nothing else to fuss with I like things simple and reliable there's enough stuff to worry about on the trail I don't need another one

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Which year and model Jeep are you working on? Detroits behave differently depending on wheelbase and suspension design. They can be downright unnerving on the road in a short-wheelbase coil spring suspension. The locking and unlocking with the throttle can cause unexpected lane changes (little exaggerated but you get the point). Leaf spring suspensions and longer wheelbase rigs tend to mask some of the Detroit's quirks.

I run front and rear spools for simplicity's sake. Much more road friendly than you would think, and very predictable. No banging or pulling of the steering wheel from locking/unlocking that you get with an auto locker, and KISS simple.

 

[bigstags]

93 yj with the 2.5 I'm I the process of an axle swap to a ford 8.8 and an hp d30 up front along with new leaf springs and shocks and a teralow kit

 

[jps4jeep]

I run front and rear spools for simplicity's sake. Much more road friendly than you would think, and very predictable. No banging or pulling of the steering wheel from locking/unlocking that you get with an auto locker, and KISS simple.

Not very tire friendly though.

Granted my jeep had leafs at the time, with fill case detriots and years of DD the jeep, stock and slightly stretched wheel base with all sorts of tires from 33-38's, I never experience any of those characteristics. I never felt the locker lock or unlock, even when entering tight parking spaces.

The lunch box locker in my Pickup you can hear the locker ratcheting but you can not feel anything.

But I will echo spools, if you limit your street driving, they are the way to go. I have never thought about my spools breaking (yukon front and welded rear.)

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

I haven't had any tire problems, runnings BFG KM2's on the road and TSL's off.

 

[bigstags]

I went with the Detroit I figure it won't be bad the "quirks" are just another thing to get used to it's a jeep they shake and rattle what's another lol

 

[jps4jeep]

I was refering to premature tire wear

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Right. Haven't had any uneven wear like coning, if they have worn prematurely I haven't noticed as I rotate them pretty regularly.

I love the rear spool on the road, just wouldn't have it in a light rear axle under a heavy Jeep. I keep the rear of my YJ pretty light over the d44.

 

[thbugman]

Bigstags, what's the final results?

 

[bigstags]

I Decided on the Detroit Its actually getting installed in my new rear axle hopefully it'll be done shortly after the new year

 

[1995jeepyj]

I'm running Detroit lockers in my daily driver and it hasn't gave me no problems

 

[bigstags]

Hopefully I'll find out for myself soon I'm I'm the process of having my rear axle built I'm going to a ford 8.8 but the locker,shafts,and ring and pinion are on back order it's driving me crazy I got all the other parts for this project but can't do anything yet

 

[69jeepcj]

you will love it. You will feel it there once in a while, and the rear will fish tail easier on slick roads in 2wd, but you will never go back to a LS or open diff again.

 

[bigstags]

That's what I've heard from most people I can't wait to see for myself

 

[Turbogus]

'Black Betty's been running a limited slip (one of the better ones) for a couple of years now in my D44 rear. This was a replacement for a Corporate 20 that had a bent axle tube when I first got 'er. The D44 was set up with new bearings gears and seals and I've not had a bit of trouble with it and tire wear is dead even on my BFG KM2' s. Your milage may vary though.