<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message --><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width="100%">ok im sick of open diffs. off-road capabilities are so limited with them. i want to go detroit locker in the rear, maybe front also. the reason i choose detroit is because it is as simple as could be, no clutches, a lot less that can break. but i have never driven a truck with detroit lockers, and i hear mixed reviews. some people say its hard to stay in on lane with them, and they really are not street friendly. and some people say they don't have much of a problem with them- that is all with rear detroit lockers.
as far as front detroit lockers, people say its hard to turn in 4x4, and in mud the truck tends to push forward and no turn at all.
what are your experiences with them? keep in mind im in Maine and damn near six months out of the year there is snow, so traction is a must. My truck is a 99 sd super cab long bed 5.4
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You might try the offroad forum axle forum or maybe the 99-04 SD forum but Detroit lockers are the same no matter what. It helps to be in the right forum though.

I have a 79 F250 4x4 with detroits and love it. Up until about a week ago I had a D44hd front 60 rear both with detroits and had nothing negative to say. I recently purchased a D60 front after grenading my 44 and have already ordered a detroit full locker for the front. Anyone who says you cant run a detroit locker efficiently safely or effectively in the rear is full of crap. Granted you cant turn your tires full lock and punch the gas on pavement but with some common sense Ive had no trouble at all. In the front is where you have to be a little more cautious but you cant beat the traction. I like knowing that if all 4 tires arent spinning youve broken something. It takes some getting use to but nothing I couldnt live with. Why else do you think Ive bought another $550 locker when I couldve spent half that on a limited slip? Im waiting on people to say negative things about it but listen to their downsides. Most will say you cant turn in 4wd without unlocking 1 hub which isnt true. I will say they are one of the main culprits why I grenaded my D44 but the 400rwhp 530rwtq big block and 38" swampers had alot to do with it also.

1 vote for DO IT

 

I run a Detroit in the 70 rear of my pulling truck. They do work great and are durable. The only other thing i would consider for the front is a Lock-Rite. I have one in my 60 front. I bought it mainly because it's about half the cost, and was VERY easy to install. It provides excellent traction and I have had no issues with it. And that's putting about 500 hp to the ground pulling a sled.

 

The Detroit Locker is a great traction aiding device for off road (I have one in my swamp buggy's front Dana 60, with a welded 70 rear), but there are a few drawbacks. Being that you are from Maine, I'll assume you also drive on ice?. Any locking differential can be downright dangerous on ice. They're great off road, but you may want to think about a limited slip if you do a lot of driving in snow and ice?. As far as turning in 4wd, yes it's a little tougher and it does try and push, you almost have to turn the wheel and use the throttle to get the front tires to "pull" you through the turn. Just another point of view?

 

Flc,
very good point on ice and snow. In SC Ive seen it snow 4 times in 26 years probably less than that in Fla. We dont have to deal with that. I agree you have to use a throttle/steering wheel combo to get around turns. There is just no way to compare the difference in traction vs a limited slip. Its more of a confidence thing. There is nothing I hate more than seeing a well built truck spinning 2 tires in 4wd. Usually left front and right rear. THAT DRIVES ME CRAZY!