Lockee
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
Lockee
Hey guys I am thinkin about a locker for to replace the open rearend of my 97 4x4. My friends dad is a mechanic and has installed LS and gears in rearends before mainly on drag cars. So he and I will install it. I saw the detroit/eaton locker on Summit Racing is 600 bucks. What do ya'll think? This is a 200 mile a week highway daily driver. But when I go offroad I want the locked rearend. I cannot afford an electric locker so a standard locker is the only option. The most I towe is around 2k pounds.
Is there a more affordable option or somewhere to buy it for more around 200 or 300? Or do the just cost that much?
Driving the truck on the insterstate in the rain is it going to try to turn me around if I mash the gas and change langes? What are the onroad charectoristics of these lockers?
Thanks
Is there a more affordable option or somewhere to buy it for more around 200 or 300? Or do the just cost that much?
Driving the truck on the insterstate in the rain is it going to try to turn me around if I mash the gas and change langes? What are the onroad charectoristics of these lockers?
Thanks
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
Guys basically I need to know if driving a truck with a locker on the interstate is challenging or dangerous? Or does it drive fine until you really get into the gas in a low traction situation?
Thanks
Thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 5,903
Likes: 1
From: MICHIGAN
I can't recommend one or the other but here's some interesting reading.
http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/axl...j30/index3.htm
http://www.4x4wire.com/jeep/tech/axl...j30/index3.htm
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 627
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by zman764
Guys basically I need to know if driving a truck with a locker on the interstate is challenging or dangerous? Or does it drive fine until you really get into the gas in a low traction situation?
Thanks
Thanks
I've probably driven hundreds of thousands of miles in vehicles with limited slip type differentials in all different types of conditions. You learn to feel the wheels spinning and let off the gas. If it's just rain and you're mashing the throttle, I don't think you will have a problem. If there is oil on the road and a fresh rain it can be very slick. I think you will be happy with a locker but the only way to get one for $200-300 is to get it used.
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
Has any one ever snapped an axle shaft with a locker or even in their F-150 period? That is my main worry. I have never had the cover off of the rearend and don't know how worn the gears are after 208k miles. But I am kind of worried that the locker may cause some breakage at the ujoints or axles shafts after all these miles. What do ya'll think?
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
There is a reason vehicles have open differentials in them. They drive nice. While there are those that don't mind a locker in a daily driver, a locker's road manners leave a lot to be desired for most. Lot's of slop in the drive line, bucking, torque steer. Not fun. A locker is a beautiful thing off-road, but daily driving with it may leave you absolutely hating it.
But, if you can put it in yourself and the cost of the locker wont be breaking the bank for ya, then what the heck, give it a try! You'll love what it does off-road. You can snap axles easier with a locker. You are always splitting the torque evenly between the two axles with an open differential. Always! Around corners, spinning in snow or mud, even one tire in the air. A locker, however, allows all the torque to be delivered to one axle. Combine a high traction surface, or sudden traction during wheel spin, with some go peddle and you can snap a shaft or joint.
But, if you can put it in yourself and the cost of the locker wont be breaking the bank for ya, then what the heck, give it a try! You'll love what it does off-road. You can snap axles easier with a locker. You are always splitting the torque evenly between the two axles with an open differential. Always! Around corners, spinning in snow or mud, even one tire in the air. A locker, however, allows all the torque to be delivered to one axle. Combine a high traction surface, or sudden traction during wheel spin, with some go peddle and you can snap a shaft or joint.
