WOOO! LOCKER!!
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 711
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From: Outside of Memphis, TN
WOOO! LOCKER!!
My van was fixed from the little culvert incident this weekend. While they had the rear axle out to replace the springs, I slipped in and installed the Eaton E-Locker. We just had a bit of rain, and I figured maxing out the vans departure angle on wet grass would be a fun way to test it! Last time, wet grass kept me from going
I should have been mode 'side on' with the van to get the angle better, but you get the idea.
Other than some strange chattering when its first engaged (I am told this is normal) this thing is almost totally invisible when driving. Flip a switch, locked. Flip it back, limited slip!
I should have been mode 'side on' with the van to get the angle better, but you get the idea.
Other than some strange chattering when its first engaged (I am told this is normal) this thing is almost totally invisible when driving. Flip a switch, locked. Flip it back, limited slip!
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Detroit
I put an Eaton posi in my '02 E150 about 2 months after I bought it new in Feb 2003. It chatters but it always works. I have been through 10 Michigan winters and a lot of campground trails and have never stuck it... I put an Auburn limited slip in my '86 GMC van when that was almost new as well, and actually did some pretty wild fire roads with that van.
2WD with a good posi or locker and some decent tires can get you thru a LOT of stuff.
George
2WD with a good posi or locker and some decent tires can get you thru a LOT of stuff.
George
Senior User
Joined: May 2012
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Also note that one can weld up the spider gears and have a permanently locked diff. This sounds horrible, but you will really only notice a little tire chirping in parking lots and driveways and extreme sharp turns. Most all the time the welded rear differential is not noticeable.
Note: I have only had a welded diff on a Jeep, not a van. I am assuming the van would be less noticeable but do not really know this from experience. I have several vehicles with selectable lockers and with money being available, this is the way to go.
Note: I have only had a welded diff on a Jeep, not a van. I am assuming the van would be less noticeable but do not really know this from experience. I have several vehicles with selectable lockers and with money being available, this is the way to go.
Senior User
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Post a source other than an opinion by pundits. You obviously have never driven a rig with a welded diff. Is your Eaton undrivable when locked? Does it break your axles? Would you lock it in the snow?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Detroit
My Eaton is a posi, which is a limited slip diff and I don't have to do anything to lock it. Even a limited slip on glare ice and a crowned road can be a bit of a problem as was the case with my '68 Olds 442 that I owned in 1972. That had an Eaton posi as well. I have owned numerous vehicles with open and limited slip diffs over the years. They are a great compromise in Michigan winters and for drag racing.
There is no stock 4 wheeled vehicle other than go karts and Barbie battery cars with a totally locked rear axle. I am sure you know way better than everyone who has ever designed a vehicle for the street, though. You really seem to lack understanding of the difference in turn radius of the inner and outer tires. The kid down the street did weld the diff on his Nissan 240whatever for drifting. He also had a half inch of ground clearance. I think he totaled the car last winter, and has since lost his driver's license
George
There is no stock 4 wheeled vehicle other than go karts and Barbie battery cars with a totally locked rear axle. I am sure you know way better than everyone who has ever designed a vehicle for the street, though. You really seem to lack understanding of the difference in turn radius of the inner and outer tires. The kid down the street did weld the diff on his Nissan 240whatever for drifting. He also had a half inch of ground clearance. I think he totaled the car last winter, and has since lost his driver's license
George
Senior User
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Eaton Positraction and the selectable Eaton E locker work differently. The OP's E locker is a selectable locking diff. When selected, it is exactly the same as a welded diff. I have three vehicles right now with solid locked selectable lockers. A Rubi TJ, Cherokee with ARB and Mercedes Unimog. I think I know what they are like to drive on and off road locked. And, I know exactly how open diffs work.
Like I said. For an economical remedy to an otherwise undrivable 2WD van, a welded diff is a choice. It will be irritating to hear the chirping of tires in parking situations but on the highway will be essentially unremarkable.
Like I said. For an economical remedy to an otherwise undrivable 2WD van, a welded diff is a choice. It will be irritating to hear the chirping of tires in parking situations but on the highway will be essentially unremarkable.
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Senior User
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A welded diff on the street. It must be OK cause I read it on the Internet. LOL! I believe that Detroit Locker ( which is mire firgiving tjan a welded diff) had lawsuits filed against it by people loosing control with their product in the rain.
I really like that E Locket though. How many splines on your axles? Dana 60? Semi or Full Float? I tried to find one for my 2008 D60 FF but the 32 spline axles were not compatible.
I really like that E Locket though. How many splines on your axles? Dana 60? Semi or Full Float? I tried to find one for my 2008 D60 FF but the 32 spline axles were not compatible.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Detroit
Hey Quigley:
I know fully the diff between a locker (Detroit, Aussie, lunchbox, etc.), E-locker, various limited slips, etc. I have been driving for 42 years and have had over 40 vehicles ranging from Corvettes to an FJ40 Land Crusher to Chrysler 426 Hemi drag cars. Many of these have had limited slip diffs of different types. I chose an Eaton posi for my van because that is exactly what I wanted in it; it came out of dealer stock with an open diff.
I also know that welded diffs are not even remotely a good idea for the street. I have not tried one, nor have I tried jumping off a cliff wearing homemade plywood wings. There are solid engineering reasons why street cars are NEVER equipped with spools, and I don't think anyone here wants to discuss welded diffs. I'm certainly done.
Take care,
George
I know fully the diff between a locker (Detroit, Aussie, lunchbox, etc.), E-locker, various limited slips, etc. I have been driving for 42 years and have had over 40 vehicles ranging from Corvettes to an FJ40 Land Crusher to Chrysler 426 Hemi drag cars. Many of these have had limited slip diffs of different types. I chose an Eaton posi for my van because that is exactly what I wanted in it; it came out of dealer stock with an open diff.
I also know that welded diffs are not even remotely a good idea for the street. I have not tried one, nor have I tried jumping off a cliff wearing homemade plywood wings.
There are solid engineering reasons why street cars are NEVER equipped with spools, and I don't think anyone here wants to discuss welded diffs. I'm certainly done.Take care,
George
Senior User
Joined: May 2012
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Hey Quigley:
I know fully the diff between a locker (Detroit, Aussie, lunchbox, etc.), E-locker, various limited slips, etc. I have been driving for 42 years and have had over 40 vehicles ranging from Corvettes to an FJ40 Land Crusher to Chrysler 426 Hemi drag cars. Many of these have had limited slip diffs of different types. I chose an Eaton posi for my van because that is exactly what I wanted in it; it came out of dealer stock with an open diff.
I also know that welded diffs are not even remotely a good idea for the street. I have not tried one, nor have I tried jumping off a cliff wearing homemade plywood wings. There are solid engineering reasons why street cars are NEVER equipped with spools, and I don't think anyone here wants to discuss welded diffs. I'm certainly done.
Take care,
George
I know fully the diff between a locker (Detroit, Aussie, lunchbox, etc.), E-locker, various limited slips, etc. I have been driving for 42 years and have had over 40 vehicles ranging from Corvettes to an FJ40 Land Crusher to Chrysler 426 Hemi drag cars. Many of these have had limited slip diffs of different types. I chose an Eaton posi for my van because that is exactly what I wanted in it; it came out of dealer stock with an open diff.
I also know that welded diffs are not even remotely a good idea for the street. I have not tried one, nor have I tried jumping off a cliff wearing homemade plywood wings.
There are solid engineering reasons why street cars are NEVER equipped with spools, and I don't think anyone here wants to discuss welded diffs. I'm certainly done.Take care,
George
And, although I am new here, I did not see your credentials as deciding what is and is not to be discussed here. You read somewhere on the Internet that a welded diff was dangerous. That's all. Thanks for sharing.
Logistics Pro
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From: Detroit
That's what I thought...by the way, I think 95E150's van is an E150 (and the wheel design bears that out), which, if it is like my 2002, would have the 8.8" rear end with 31 spline axles.
George
George
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,254
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I read this the same way---maybe we're missing something Silver and George? 
So which is it? Not being aware how an uncommon racing oriented modification would work on a van street driven by the average driver IS a concern for both safety and longevity of the differential. IF a full time locked rear wheel drive was a huge benefit differentials of any type wouldn't be needed would they?
Credentials aside being new doesn't make it acceptable to get all pissy when someone disagrees, especially when its presented as politely as has been so far. Credentials aside its fully within anyone's "right" to point out the topic of discussion was something different from where the conversation seemed to be heading. Being new isn't a reason to question why someone gently tries steering the conversation back to its origins.
As for the welded diff it IS dangerous---I've known this since the 1960's, long long LONG before the internet!
So 95e150 how's this driving after a few days now---anything you'd do differently?
I'm glad you're done because you really have not added anything to the discussion. A welded diff is a very satisfactory solution for the many folks who have a van worth about as much as your Eaton Positraction and the cost to put it in and who are not effectively driving an empty 2wd van in adverse conditions. Every time an E Locker is switched on, it is the same as a welded diff.
As for the welded diff it IS dangerous---I've known this since the 1960's, long long LONG before the internet!
So 95e150 how's this driving after a few days now---anything you'd do differently?
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Hi guys,
Let's please steer this one back to the original topic; we seem to have tromped all over 95e150CW's thread.
Pretty cool to see a 2WD van parked on a hill like that; I've never had a locker but I have to admit that I'm jealous. I'd be judicious with your use of that thing when there is limited traction available. If one wheel spins you'll still likely stay in a straight line, but if both spin it would start to come out from under you in short order. The factory e-locker that is an option on the 2011+ Super Duty trucks will not stay engaged past 25 MPH; once it disengages it will not re-engage until you go below 19 MPH. This is for safety because of the reasons discussed above.
Let's please steer this one back to the original topic; we seem to have tromped all over 95e150CW's thread.
Pretty cool to see a 2WD van parked on a hill like that; I've never had a locker but I have to admit that I'm jealous. I'd be judicious with your use of that thing when there is limited traction available. If one wheel spins you'll still likely stay in a straight line, but if both spin it would start to come out from under you in short order. The factory e-locker that is an option on the 2011+ Super Duty trucks will not stay engaged past 25 MPH; once it disengages it will not re-engage until you go below 19 MPH. This is for safety because of the reasons discussed above.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,254
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From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Good points as always Sir Crazy----glad you can moderate with the best of 'em!
That lock out feature above a certain speed seems very wise on Ford's part. Without either such a feature or the ability to disengage the locker trouble would ensue post haste!
But now I'm wondering if I need such a thing on my new-to-me 2003 E250? So far, knock on wood I don't think I've had a need but as we all know need doesn't always trump want----right?
That lock out feature above a certain speed seems very wise on Ford's part. Without either such a feature or the ability to disengage the locker trouble would ensue post haste!
But now I'm wondering if I need such a thing on my new-to-me 2003 E250? So far, knock on wood I don't think I've had a need but as we all know need doesn't always trump want----right?