Rear Detroit locker
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 995
Likes: 317
Maybe look at the TruTrac or similar quality limited slip.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 828
Likes: 66
From: Hartford, WI
I’ve got a Detroit locker in the back of my 77 Shortbox 4x4. 3:50 gears.
I haven’t pulled a car hauler type trailer but do pull a 3 place ATV trailer with no issues.
I haven’t had abnormal or issues in how it drives etc....that bothers me. I also think how the 3rd member is installed and set up has a lot to do with it as well in terms of how good they work. I didn’t put mine in. I had my mechanic do it. Besides being a general repair shop they do a lot of muscle car work and restorations and builds. Tranny work, differential work etc...
My old auto mechanics teacher from high school (yes it was almost 40 years ago and yes I do know technology and times have changed) was also the head mechanic for a nascar team back in the day. He was in charge of the driveline of the car. If you asked him about the lockers it’s what he preferred and said the same thing. It’s how they are installed/set up.
I’m looking at a rebuild of another truck and axle assy. Thinking about trying the Torsen differential set up.
He also rebuilt my front axle with a limited slip unit. I couldn’t be happier with how it all works.
I haven’t pulled a car hauler type trailer but do pull a 3 place ATV trailer with no issues.
I haven’t had abnormal or issues in how it drives etc....that bothers me. I also think how the 3rd member is installed and set up has a lot to do with it as well in terms of how good they work. I didn’t put mine in. I had my mechanic do it. Besides being a general repair shop they do a lot of muscle car work and restorations and builds. Tranny work, differential work etc...
My old auto mechanics teacher from high school (yes it was almost 40 years ago and yes I do know technology and times have changed) was also the head mechanic for a nascar team back in the day. He was in charge of the driveline of the car. If you asked him about the lockers it’s what he preferred and said the same thing. It’s how they are installed/set up.
I’m looking at a rebuild of another truck and axle assy. Thinking about trying the Torsen differential set up.
He also rebuilt my front axle with a limited slip unit. I couldn’t be happier with how it all works.
Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 3,172
Likes: 101
From: darlington
I know when I saw it I was really liking it,and I asked if its ok to post and ol Rich gave me thumbs up
Trending Topics
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
A Detroit locker is fine to tow with I have one in the rear of my F250 and I tow with it all the time. I love having the Detroit locker for daily driving as well, it's the soft locker version so it doesn't make any noise other than the occasional clunk, but the traction it provides far outweighs that. Whoever says you can't tow with one is misinformed, they used Detroit lockers in dumptrucks, military trucks and semis.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic 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
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: West Jordan Utah
I’ve got a Detroit locker in the back of my 77 Shortbox 4x4. 3:50 gears.
I haven’t pulled a car hauler type trailer but do pull a 3 place ATV trailer with no issues.
I haven’t had abnormal or issues in how it drives etc....that bothers me. I also think how the 3rd member is installed and set up has a lot to do with it as well in terms of how good they work. I didn’t put mine in. I had my mechanic do it. Besides being a general repair shop they do a lot of muscle car work and restorations and builds. Tranny work, differential work etc...
My old auto mechanics teacher from high school (yes it was almost 40 years ago and yes I do know technology and times have changed) was also the head mechanic for a nascar team back in the day. He was in charge of the driveline of the car. If you asked him about the lockers it’s what he preferred and said the same thing. It’s how they are installed/set up.
I’m looking at a rebuild of another truck and axle assy. Thinking about trying the Torsen differential set up.
He also rebuilt my front axle with a limited slip unit. I couldn’t be happier with how it all works.
I haven’t pulled a car hauler type trailer but do pull a 3 place ATV trailer with no issues.
I haven’t had abnormal or issues in how it drives etc....that bothers me. I also think how the 3rd member is installed and set up has a lot to do with it as well in terms of how good they work. I didn’t put mine in. I had my mechanic do it. Besides being a general repair shop they do a lot of muscle car work and restorations and builds. Tranny work, differential work etc...
My old auto mechanics teacher from high school (yes it was almost 40 years ago and yes I do know technology and times have changed) was also the head mechanic for a nascar team back in the day. He was in charge of the driveline of the car. If you asked him about the lockers it’s what he preferred and said the same thing. It’s how they are installed/set up.
I’m looking at a rebuild of another truck and axle assy. Thinking about trying the Torsen differential set up.
He also rebuilt my front axle with a limited slip unit. I couldn’t be happier with how it all works.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 114
Likes: 0
From: Sunshine Coast
I've had one in the rear of mine for over ten years. It's my daily driver, and I tow with it any time I need to. I've been driving it so long I don't even really know it's there anymore. A Detroit has a few minor little quirks but they are pretty easy to get used to. I don't think I would have an old truck without one. I don't wheel my truck any more but the added traction sure is nice, I still use my truck to do truck things. Understanding how it works and how to drive it, there are lots of situations where if I only had an open diff in the back I would have to get out and lock the hubs and use 4 wheel drive and the Detroit makes it so I don't have to do that.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: West Jordan Utah
Awesome thanks for all the info. I got a killer deal on a lunch box style spartan locker. I am going to give that a try since I am not changing gears and don’t really need to change the carrier. I will let you all know how it treats me.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,213
Likes: 321
From: SW PA
That is absolutely nothing like a full on detroit locker which you inquired about.
I have run both and can tell you the spartan lunchbox has terrible street manners compared to the detroit.
I removed my spartan after 1000 miles.
Thread Starter
|
5th Wheeling
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
From: West Jordan Utah
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
I have a Spartan locker in the rear of two vehicles, they work just as good as my Detroit locker does, street manners are fine.
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 63
Likes: 9
I've had a Detroit Locker in the rear of a '79 F-250 for about 19 years and I pull loads of 17K-20k gross with the otherwise stock rear end in it (but with brake upgrades).....Only issues I've had are maybe a little extra wear on the rear tires and I really wouldn't say it was unreasonable for the loads. Just my 2 cents worth.