Need a front locker....
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,003
Likes: 0
I too have heard bad things about the OX locker though nothing solid or first hand. I had such high hopes too...
"bah.. the welded diffs don't turn that bad offroad.. "
I disagree and think it would be dangerous to drive welded on the street. It won't hurt your drivetrain going straight, but turning will put a lot of strain on things when you turn on pavement. You will not have much control for turns and curves.
"bah.. the welded diffs don't turn that bad offroad.. "
I disagree and think it would be dangerous to drive welded on the street. It won't hurt your drivetrain going straight, but turning will put a lot of strain on things when you turn on pavement. You will not have much control for turns and curves.
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 997
Likes: 0
From: Weston, Nebraska
That's what I was afriad of, I think I could handle it in town, but would probably snap either the pass. or driver side U-joint. Down the highway on a curve or passing someone I'd imagine I'd get some terriable viberation.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 0
From: Florida Hill Country
Originally posted by proeliator
I'm too old and thick headed to trust the electric stuff, which is why the cable actuated ox always appealed to me. But, like Ryan heard, ox sucks.......I'd never buy anything of theirs.
I'm too old and thick headed to trust the electric stuff, which is why the cable actuated ox always appealed to me. But, like Ryan heard, ox sucks.......I'd never buy anything of theirs.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 465
Likes: 1
From: Tower MN, Houghton MI
yeah, in the front they are bad news, but I'm a firm believer in never running in 4wd in the winter anyways, it just doesn't handle right, and you have no control should you enter a slide.
Rear on the other hand, I've spent many winters in MI and MN with a spool, and would take it over anything else, hands down, it's just more predictible than a locker or open diff.
as for that dana 44 for sale, I would be on that thing in a heart beat, but I'm sure it's in the wrong half of michigan(troll land, not yooperland)
BTW, I think it's funny how everyone Tells ME how bad a spool will handle, as if I have never driven one before..lol
Rear on the other hand, I've spent many winters in MI and MN with a spool, and would take it over anything else, hands down, it's just more predictible than a locker or open diff.
as for that dana 44 for sale, I would be on that thing in a heart beat, but I'm sure it's in the wrong half of michigan(troll land, not yooperland)
BTW, I think it's funny how everyone Tells ME how bad a spool will handle, as if I have never driven one before..lol
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 2
From: Auburn,Al
ive had to limp home from fishy's house in front wheel drive before....and im welded up front....it aint scary(non winter weather) but your turning radius sucks.
if you ride down the road in 4x4or with the hubs locked alot, i wouldnt weld the front
off road....i love it....dont get me wrong...i would take a selectable or maybe even a detroit over it any day, but right now my money is better spent elsewhere and for my application, the advangtages far outweigh the disadvantages
if you ride down the road in 4x4or with the hubs locked alot, i wouldnt weld the front
off road....i love it....dont get me wrong...i would take a selectable or maybe even a detroit over it any day, but right now my money is better spent elsewhere and for my application, the advangtages far outweigh the disadvantages
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
ok guys......let me clear some stuff up here.
first a welded diff can never be beat in terms of price and reliability! But once you do it you cannot go back!
electric/vaccum operated lockers sticks, rocks, and other such enemies can always grab an electric line or air hose and rip it off, but the convenience of a push buttton is very appealing
cable actuated locker never had one or had any experience with one but it sounds like they aren't worth it and they are a lil pricey! Plus the cable could possibly break
and finally, load sensitive types of lockers (Detroit NoSpin) which is the strongest b/c it is a hunk of metal, nothing to snag or break (w/o a helluva lot of force!) and extremely reliable. They are a lil pricey but when taxes come in I will have one with a new gear set!
That's my crappy .02 worth, hope it helps
-jason-
first a welded diff can never be beat in terms of price and reliability! But once you do it you cannot go back!
electric/vaccum operated lockers sticks, rocks, and other such enemies can always grab an electric line or air hose and rip it off, but the convenience of a push buttton is very appealing
cable actuated locker never had one or had any experience with one but it sounds like they aren't worth it and they are a lil pricey! Plus the cable could possibly break
and finally, load sensitive types of lockers (Detroit NoSpin) which is the strongest b/c it is a hunk of metal, nothing to snag or break (w/o a helluva lot of force!) and extremely reliable. They are a lil pricey but when taxes come in I will have one with a new gear set!
That's my crappy .02 worth, hope it helps
-jason-
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,259
Likes: 0
From: Florida Hill Country
I have an Eaton ELocker in my rear diff. The harness runs along with the ABS harness from the top of the housing. I rip it out and I have bigger problems. Drive shaft, brake lines, fuel lines . . .
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
i would suggest fabbing up a guard to run the length of the harness such as a metal pipe or mesh gaurd!
or get a Detroit
BTW....how do you like the E-locker? honestly....does it perform well and are you scared to break it or is it pretty stout?
-jason-
or get a Detroit
BTW....how do you like the E-locker? honestly....does it perform well and are you scared to break it or is it pretty stout?
-jason-
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,493
Likes: 16
From: Kuna ID
What if you have a welded front diff and you only lock one hub, would that work ok on the street for snow/ice conditions, turning radius etc., and then when you go off road you can lock in the other hub when or before you get stuck. It sounds feasable, not trying to contradict anyone, just wondering if it could work?
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
that's what Ho and i do.....it helps the turning radius by literal feet but i would never ever drive it on the road with the front locked in and welded. if you only have one locked in and you go to hit the gas (not even hard) it jerks you to the side, and when you let off it jerks you the other way. i had to drive with my front hub (1) locked in when I exploded 2 rear u-joints and i was skeered to hit anyting above 35!
I lock one hub in until it starts to get a hairy, then it's ***** to the walls when i lock the other. Usually I lock the pass side first since it's further away so all i have to do is jump out and lock the drivers side. Makes it a lot easier with no doors too
I lock one hub in until it starts to get a hairy, then it's ***** to the walls when i lock the other. Usually I lock the pass side first since it's further away so all i have to do is jump out and lock the drivers side. Makes it a lot easier with no doors too
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 8,238
Likes: 3
From: Oregon
The bottem line is guys, if you have to ask if a welded front or spool up front is for you, its not.
The fact that most of you guys asking are talking about driving on ice is all spooled up is even more concerning.
The fact that most of you guys asking are talking about driving on ice is all spooled up is even more concerning.