Detroit Locker for Towing/hauling slide in camper?

[MJPliska]

I have a 1995 F350 CC DRW 2WD, and I frequently have trouble pulling out of my steep backyard (compacted gravel). My first thought was to sell the truck and buy an equivalent 4x4, but I don't really need the extra traction very often. Does anyone have experience with adding a Detroit Locker to a 2WD? How does it handle while driving and towing in inclement weather? Most of my other vehicles have posi of some sort, so I am used to the potential for sliding out under power.

Also - thanks to everyone who answered my last post on trailer wiring (I can't answer on the original post since it has been archived). It turned out that I just had a blown Maxi fuse, and also a bad connection (insulation displacement splice) where previous owner connected bed-mount wiring connector to the factory hitch wiring.

Thanks and regards,
Michael Pliska

[firefighter9208]

Check www.powertrax.com. They may have a Powertrax No-Slip differential for your application. There are around $450.00 and replace your spider gears. Most can be installed with simple hand tools without disturbing your ring and pinion. If you are handy with handtools and have an open afternoon this may be for you. Don't buy the LockRite from powertrax. They are more for offroad only use.

Firefighter9208

[OB-1]

I have several vehicles with Detroit Lockers and I love them. A good locking differential and a bit of driving skill can get a two wheel drive places that normally require four wheel drive.

Since you have a dually, you will see different wear pattern on your rear tires. You will need to rotate the rear tires every 5k miles to get even wear and maximize tire life. In my experience, this is the only drawback to a Detroit Locker.

[cbmoore]

I have front and rear detroits in my Bronco. When on the street in 2wd you will have the learn how to drive in curves. If you are in the middle of a curve and go from coasting to accelaration the truck will want to pull to the outside of the curve(go straight) This canbe made worse with a trailer or a heavy load. Also in slippery conditions it will be easier to get the rearend to slide around. You said you have driven trucks with LS before so the learning curve would not be too steep. I would also look into the ARB locker or electric locker also for ability to engage/disengage the locker.

HTH,
Brian Moore

[MJPliska]

Thanks to everyone for the input. It turns out that Powertrax does not make a "No-Slip" model for my truck (10.25" rearend). They do make a "Lock-Rite" for it. Are there any differences in handling (locking/unlocking) between the Lock-Rite and a true Detroit Locker? I sure like the price of the Lock-Rite (~$260, and I don't need to re-set-up the gears).

Overall comments sound like a locker is a bit more touchy than a conventional clutch-type LS/Posi unit. I have some steep off-camber curvy roads on the way to my house. Do the lockers have problems under these conditions?

I guess that with a Lock-Rite, I can install it and still change it back if it turns out to be too touchy. Thoughts?

Thanks and regards,
Michael Pliska

[mike100]

If you have a dually, don't put a lockright in it. Why make that the weak link. best to get the full case double cross shaft detroit.

I have yet to drive mine on ice, but it is actually good in rain because the wheel slips a bit more and you don't feel it as much. The steerage and on/off power torquing probably won't affect a slide in camper negatively. You just drive a bit different once you get used to it.

It will be more noticable with a manual trans, btw. The auto is pretty smooth most of the time. Short wheelbase and big tires are usually the scary detroited type of vehicles.

[firefighter9208]

I agree with Mike100. As I stated in my first reply, don't put the LockRite in your truck! My jeep is a 5 speed and it is very jerky when changing gears. If you are not going perfectly straight when changing gears the vehicle will dart . If you let off the gas or get on the gas in a curve the vehicle will dart to the outside of the curve. The Lockrite is a very good offroad differential, that's why I suggest the No-Slip, if available, because it is supposed to have the traction of a Lockrite and the drivability of a limited slip.

Firefighter9208

[Blue Water Runner]

You really don't want a LockRite in a daily driver for the highway. They often do weird things when shifting and cornering. I have one in my Zuk. I rarely drive it a lot on the road though. Spend the big bucks and go with an ARB. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]