What locking diff
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Medina Ohio
I looked into this after I got stuck in my 4x4 "Off Road", open differential truck, on wet grass, on a 10 degree incline.
I would not suggest the Eaton Detroit Locker. It's locked all the time and unlocks right before something is supposed to break.
I would suggest the Eaton Truetrac Differential. It's unlocked all the time and locks when it's supposed to.
Manual locking (Air or Electric) differentials are the best, but the most expensive and likely over your $800 budget.
If I ever find a used Truetrac or an extra $600, The front Dana 50 will get it. 90% of my driving is 2wd, so by keeping it in the front will save it some wear.
I would not suggest the Eaton Detroit Locker. It's locked all the time and unlocks right before something is supposed to break.
I would suggest the Eaton Truetrac Differential. It's unlocked all the time and locks when it's supposed to.
Manual locking (Air or Electric) differentials are the best, but the most expensive and likely over your $800 budget.
If I ever find a used Truetrac or an extra $600, The front Dana 50 will get it. 90% of my driving is 2wd, so by keeping it in the front will save it some wear.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 979
Likes: 0
From: SoCali!!
I looked into this after I got stuck in my 4x4 "Off Road", open differential truck, on wet grass, on a 10 degree incline.
I would not suggest the Eaton Detroit Locker. It's locked all the time and unlocks right before something is supposed to break.
I would suggest the Eaton Truetrac Differential. It's unlocked all the time and locks when it's supposed to.
Manual locking (Air or Electric) differentials are the best, but the most expensive and likely over your $800 budget.
If I ever find a used Truetrac or an extra $600, The front Dana 50 will get it. 90% of my driving is 2wd, so by keeping it in the front will save it some wear.
I would not suggest the Eaton Detroit Locker. It's locked all the time and unlocks right before something is supposed to break.
I would suggest the Eaton Truetrac Differential. It's unlocked all the time and locks when it's supposed to.
Manual locking (Air or Electric) differentials are the best, but the most expensive and likely over your $800 budget.
If I ever find a used Truetrac or an extra $600, The front Dana 50 will get it. 90% of my driving is 2wd, so by keeping it in the front will save it some wear.
unless, since the last time I installed one, Eaton has installed sensors in them that sense impending doom. Contact any drivetrain supplier, gear installer, Military HD truck user (foreign or domestic) and inquire about the Detroits and how they operate.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
I would only suggest something I had and I wouldn't put down something I never had.
The new Detroit soft locker is wonderful. I have had all kinds this thing beats them all. If they made one for the D50 I'd have one in the front instead of the lock right whick works great by the way..The detroit only locks up with torque applied..Not harsh at all.
Dick
The new Detroit soft locker is wonderful. I have had all kinds this thing beats them all. If they made one for the D50 I'd have one in the front instead of the lock right whick works great by the way..The detroit only locks up with torque applied..Not harsh at all.
Dick
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: Medina Ohio
Yes in fact they do unlock before damage occurs.
Eaton Detroit Locker
PDF page 4
Eaton Detroit Locker
. It is engineered to keep both wheels in a constant drive mode, and has the ability to automatically allow wheel speed differentiation when required.
When turning a corner, the sound of component disengagement and re-engagement may be audible, and the transfer of
driving torque from both wheels to one wheel may be noticeable.
driving torque from both wheels to one wheel may be noticeable.
FWIW, Detroits do not "unlock right before something is supposed to break",
unless, since the last time I installed one, Eaton has installed sensors in them that sense impending doom. Contact any drivetrain supplier, gear installer, Military HD truck user (foreign or domestic) and inquire about the Detroits and how they operate.
unless, since the last time I installed one, Eaton has installed sensors in them that sense impending doom. Contact any drivetrain supplier, gear installer, Military HD truck user (foreign or domestic) and inquire about the Detroits and how they operate.
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,594
Likes: 144
From: SE Georgia
edit: I'm agreeing with Raid...and with SoCal. My wording below wasn't clear
if you read further, you will see more
The "No-Spin" or Detroit Locker remains locked when torque is applied. The reason 1 tire doesn't stay locked during a turn is because the inner tire is seeing more torque because it's going slower than the outside tire.
That was an interesting read though. I didn't know the Detroit could allow any difference in wheel speed at all. I'm still going to install a Tru-Trac front/rear when I regear though. I don't need the heavy duty capability of a Detroit, and I like being able to steer on command
The "No-Spin" or Detroit Locker remains locked when torque is applied. The reason 1 tire doesn't stay locked during a turn is because the inner tire is seeing more torque because it's going slower than the outside tire.
That was an interesting read though. I didn't know the Detroit could allow any difference in wheel speed at all. I'm still going to install a Tru-Trac front/rear when I regear though. I don't need the heavy duty capability of a Detroit, and I like being able to steer on command
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Yeah the selectable lockers are expensive some more than they have to be IMO, especially the electric lockers. There are some cable operated lockers also. OX has a cable, electric or air locker for the D60 but your looking around a grand for it plus whatever shift method you want, at least it comes with a new thick steel diff cover.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 979
Likes: 0
From: SoCali!!
Since you are so knowledgeable regarding Detroits, what is the locker sensing just before breakage occurs? And how does it do this?
Tylus, I would never run on the street, on a truck with a lot of tire, a 'locker' that would not allow speed differentation (such as a spool). I use Detroits for this very reason.
I actually had a 9", spool equipped diff out of one of my fast street cars (relatively small, 28" tire) and put the diff in a nice truck I had with a 35" tire, and it was the most unfriendly thing to drive on the street you can imagine.
Spools, and other lockers that lock solid and do not allow for speed differentation, can be driven on the street, but definitely require care if you are used to driving something with an open diff.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 979
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From: SoCali!!
I have onboard air.... and I still couldn't bring myself to drop the coin on the ARB's. Not that I wouldn't love to have them. If I ever win the lotto, they are on the list!
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