ARB Air/Eaton Elockers

[Ron Civita]

I talked with Eaton today. There is nothing in the works for the immediate future for our Dodge Ram's. However, the engineer I talked to mentioned three possible sources.

Detroit, Auburn and Drive Train Specialists 1800-521-0628.

When I find out more info I will post it.

Ron

 

[BHolm]

You do not want a detroit locker though, very rough engagement, not very pleasant to live with, though they are effective and tough.



Have you talked to AAM about the possibility fo the G80? I would think that would be the easiest upgrade. Heck, maybe even contact a junk yard looking for a complete assembly from a GM truck, take the whole diff out of the housing. It would be necessary to know if the axles are the same spline count and diameter, which they should be.

 

[wcjp]

I talked with a tech guy from Detroit Lockers this last summer about Detroit engagement. He recommended the two tires on the axle be of the exact air pressure. Also recommended was making a chalk mark on all four tires. Roll the vehicle in a straight line for 20-30ft. Not all tires from the same manufacturer are the exact diameter. The chalk test should identify the two closest. These two steps should help a Detroit engage smoother.



That being said I'm running a Detroit in the rearend of my Jeep. The rear seems to float on pure ice. I won't be doing the chalk test anytime soon. The Jeep is not a daily driver. It's towed to all events. SuperSwampers TSL's are not round.

 

[SleeStack]

To fit the ARBs you need to drill a hole in the diff case to run the air line in. If not very well sealed you "could" get water/mud in there. The winter issue is because of the air actuation, it doesn't take much moisture to freeze in a line to mess up the operation.

Gotta call bullsheit on that one. A properly installed and functioning ARB will be absolutely air tight at that diff junction you mention. Even buggered up, it would be very hard to get any water or particulate material through that junction. It is essentially a drilled and tapped hole with a brass fitting screwed into it. You are much more likely to get water ingress through the axle seals in the open knuckle front axles.



I have ARB's in 4 different vehicles and have used them for many trouble free years. Extremely reliable function. I never worry about mine.



Also there is alot of mis-information about Detroit lockers in this forum. They work great and are very strong. In a long wheelbase application (which all CTD Rams are) their locking characteristics are not very noticable on the street. If you floor it going around a corner it is doing to lock and send the rear end swinging around. But they aren't bad at all.



Now in icy conditions you must be very careful with a detroit. It will "float" the rear end around. And in an off-camber situation the rear end will tend to slip downhill. I would imagine the ABS would like it very much as well.



Stick with the ARB's. Power them with a small on board CO2 tank (cheap setup that will cost you less than $125), and some pneumatic switches. All mechanical with no electronics to worry about.

 

[mjlexus]

Bholm up here in NY the only studs allowed for use on pavement is plastic. I have been told don't waste your money.