2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Detroit locker in front with CAD

[Coalsmoke]

I'm planning on locking the front with a detroit and I was informed by someone that I could wreck the detroit due to the CAD. This is exactly what they said:





"You may kill a detroit in a CAD axle because it will continually ratchet the locker as a Detroit is designed to for cornering because one axle is being driven by the tire while the other is static. Dynatrac makes a hub kit for the Dodge Dana 60 which will cure that. "



Now I have no idea how reliable this source is, just a friendly person from an offroading forum, so I'm wondering if anyone cam validate or discredit this for me.



Thank you, I really need to know whether I'll be looking at a whole hub system for the truck, as I'm about to start modifying the CAD vacuum system.



Thanks again,

Stephan

 

[CumminsPower98]

You will need to do a hub kit if you want to use the Detroit. The other choice you have is to install a selectable locker such as an ARB air locker or other electronic locker that can be switched on or off at will.



Running the Detroit without any other mods will cause it to slip or just cause the entire front end to turn at all times, which will cause drag and reduce mileage. It will also put added wear on the transfer case. Hope this helps.



Mark

 

[TBeckman]

Search Feature

I came across your answer while doing a search



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=84756&highlight=locker+front+axle



If you read the post by CSloat, it is explianed very well why a detroit will work in the front end with CAD.



Tom

 

[Coalsmoke]

Thanks Tom, from that post it sounds like he has already proven before that a locker in the front won't wear out due to the possible excessive ratchetting.

 

[AWM]

unless you use your rig primarly off road you're gonna end up taking it out anyway, on icey roads any type of L/S will cause the front end to plow forward instead of turning, I'd go w/ a selectable locker like an ARB. JMHO Bob

 

[Coalsmoke]

I don't plan on running in 4x4 on icy roads. Plus, with CAD disengaged, I'd think that there should be no problem of the fronts locking on ice, at least not that I can see. If I'm worng, please correct me. I'd rather find out now than after I've installed everything.

Thanks

 

[SMorneau]

Not running with the CAD engaged in my truck will ensure that I will not get moving on ice. A locker in the front, when engaged, will prevent anything that resembles steering.



Why not have the best of both with the ARB? The only complaint I have ever heard is that damage to the actuation line will render it inoperable. Not a big concern in my book.

 

[Coalsmoke]

It is a bit of one for me. Here in wilderness BC, I can find myself 100miles from a towtruck on an excursion. Then, chances are that if I need one, they won't be able to get to where I am. Lot's of old logging debris and new brush can reak havoc on anything not protected. With this in mind, I like the idea of the simplicity that a detroit offers and the $400 cheaper price tag. With a locker in the rear I'm hoping to be able to stay unstuck in most ice situations, and if i do find myself stuck, I think I would engage the CAd, get myself unstuck, and then do my seering and whatnot. Anyone see any problems with this? Like I said before, I'm really new to all this, so I'm trying to learn as I go. I'd rather have a bunch of people explain to me why something won't work, making me change my plan, than for me to find out the hard way. If I have to buy an ARB for up front, then I will, but I'm really, really hoping not to have to.



Thanks again guys, I really appreciate all the comments.

 

[Extreme1]

The post on the other thread by CSloat was close but J24Gordon corrected the only inaccuracy: the driveshaft and carrier assemblies do not spin. If you add the locker, there might be a slight decrease in fuel economy and increace in wear but it sounds like walking 100 miles would probably be more of a hardship.



A locker would work and if you added a seperate switch for the CAD, you could have 3 wheel drive on snow covered roads and probably get useable steering. I recommend Bob V's CAD disconnect, no extra junk.

 

[Coalsmoke]

I was wondering whether the 3wd idea would work in snow, or whether the disconnectd axle shaft would just spin away. I guess the incoming torque would lock it and I would have 3wd. Great thinking Extreme.



Bob V's design is pretty cool, but I was thinking of keeping it simple with a cable activated system. Yes / no?I figured if something happened I could jimmy-rig a cable system easier than a vacuum system.

 

[wcjp]

The Jeep guys have had no problem running a full locker upfront. It will cause a slight decrease in mileage. The CAD will help with a full locker. In my Jeep I'm running an ARB to avoid any such issues.

 

[Coalsmoke]

When you say to avoid such issues, are you referring to fuel economy? Are there other issues at stake?

 

[Josparkz]

I put the ARB in the front of mine. Works when I need it.

 

[shorty2500]

i wrestled with the same question and ended up welding my front differential. it now functions like a spool.



i have problems turning in 4x4, but i will soon install a switch to control the cad. it will give me the option of 4x3 or 4x4, and that will work just fine.



the detroit will work similar to a spool. i say weld it to save some more $$$ and get the control for the cad.

 

[shorty2500]

tractech, who makes the detroit locker, insists that their products do not belong in an axle with a cad. there is some issue with the middle axle assembly shifting sideways and damaging the locker.



they told me that some people have a 'fix' for this problem, but i couldn't find anything on it. i decided that the existing carrier works with the cad, so i kept it and just welded the gears!



there is no issue with the racheting unless you plan on driving in 4x4 on the street. if that's the case, you'll have problems with many other things first.

 

[Coalsmoke]

That's interesting about the middle shaft being able to slide into the locker. I would have thought that the middle shaft would be pretty well secured from sliding around. How would this potential movement damage the locker?

 

[shorty2500]

i don't know. i am merely relaying the info i got from tractech. maybe you should call them yourself and talk to their tech assistance people.



my conversation with them was many months ago. i've forgotten the details already. plus, i don't think i spoke with their tech anyway. i think it was a sales person, so i may not have been given a very detailed explanation.



or...



you could buy one anyway, put it in your truck, and if it never breaks, then great. if it does break, then you could look at it and try to figure out why it broke.