Spartan Locker

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Sep 9, 2012 | 06:47 PM

1972RedNeck

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From: Townsend, MT

Spartan Locker

I am thinking about getting a lunchbox-type spartan locker to put in my 30 spline Dana 60. I drive on highway about 40% of the time with an occasional road trip. The rest is dirt road/off road. How strong are these? Can I install it with the carrier in the axle? Do they bind when turning tight?

Sep 10, 2012 | 04:20 PM

1972RedNeck

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From: Townsend, MT

I take it not many of you have 4X4's that see much use?

Sep 10, 2012 | 04:53 PM

63' f100

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I wanted to put an Ausie locker in the front diff of my 63 because my logic is it doesn't effect it while driving on road, then when I'm off road I'd use the locker when I locked the hubs and transfer case. The problem with locking the front it is makes the truck not turn nearly as well. The only experience I have with locked differentials is in driving tractors and I can tell you that as soon as I lock the front diff in a tractor it makes it much more difficult to turn. The way to do it is with an air locker or with an electric locker, but they cost like 8x more.

I didn't want to lock my read diff because my truck spends most of its time on road. In the end I left it untouched, but like I said, If I had the money and I were you, I'd go with an air locker.

To answer yours question, I think you will break the axle shaft before you break the locker. This is another reason I didn't lock it, it puts alot more strain on an axle. If you think about it, lockers purposely make differentials do exactly what they are not designed to do, differentiate.

Sep 10, 2012 | 05:23 PM

1972RedNeck

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From: Townsend, MT

It's not a spool, it is free when turning. It shouldn't affect turning, (at least in my mind). I would like to go with a Detroit Locker, But $$$ is an issue and I'm not confident that I could set the rear end up correctly (it wouldn't hurt me to learn, as long as it doesn't cost more $$$ in the long run).

Sep 11, 2012 | 06:03 PM

1972RedNeck

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From: Townsend, MT

Nobody has any experience with one?

Sep 11, 2012 | 10:03 PM

63' f100

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There aren't many 4x4's on this forum lol, and the ones that do have 4x4's from this era aren't really hard core off roaders, at least not with 60's trucks.

Sep 12, 2012 | 01:04 AM

Boss9F100

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From: PHX AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck

I installed one in my plow truck. I think it was lock-rite made by richmond but would have to check to make sure. Just pull cover, right axle, center pin and install unit. It took well under an hour to install and it worked wonderful. A bit noisier than I would have thought but never had an issue with it. The are used a lot in 4x4 land for offroaders. If I remember it was only a few hundred bucks.

After installing the locker unit, adding good tires it was more like a bulldozer and worked as good as or better than when I had the rig chained up.

Sep 12, 2012 | 09:16 AM

Boss9F100

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From: PHX AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck

I haven't read any bad reviews, I guess I will have to try it.

Best part is there is absolutely no set-up needed. If I recall only one axle needs to be removed. Think I even left the tires on.

Sep 12, 2012 | 04:35 PM

#10

63' f100

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How much does it affect your turning?

Sep 12, 2012 | 06:21 PM

#11

66crawler

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Turning should be left the same with a little ratcheting noise. Now if you turn and apply any power then it will lock the rear end up and you will hear some tire chirping. I use my 64 f250 4x4 off road quite a bit but my axles are factory 4.56 with limited slip diffs and it works pretty dang good. I would like to get a locker eventually for both front and rear.