Lockers?

[BLACKJACK]

What lockers are avaliable for my truck? I see alot of adds in the 4x4 mags that for every axle but the new Dodge AAM's. I know I read you could modify the chevy ones for the front somewhere for the E-locker but I was looking for front and back. I dont ever see people have Detroit or anything else in their sigs. Are they not avaliable or are most people just not interested? I want to set the truck up as multipurpose as possible so I was looking for e-lockers for both and hoping to keep the factory limited slip when the rear is not on. I would like to sled, drag, four wheel, baja and daily drive this thing and I dont know if towing with the detroit would be a problem or not. Also these bricks dont four wheel like I would like. In snow and ice up a slight grade your stuck or atleast I am. Thanks in advance.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Mine does fine in snow but I would shure like to lock up the front axle at times.

Come on guys, someone has to have an idea!

 

[p-Bar]

ARB is working on a air locker for our axles, I keep in contact with them from time to time , will keep you posted

 

[JNehl]

Is there a release date for the ARB's yet?

 

[p-Bar]

In Nov. they said 6 months.

 

[steved]

In Nov. they said 6 months.

Both ARB and Detroit Locker had prototypes out this past fall, both stated at least another year. I think they said the Detroit was probably going to be mid 07.



But both have been pulling this "in 6 months" stuff for over two years now...



steved

 

[dan shss]

I have the E Locker in my front axle its the same one that goes in the chevy ifs,,you dont have to modify the locker you have to grind the Dodge aam axle housing so the locker will fit in.

 

[RCash]

Gosh, this was my biggest surprise yet

I have been on the hunt for a decent locker for the AAR rear and there just does not seem to be anything out there yet, that surprised me. I have a fair amount of experience with various types of TADs and would have expected something available, but nope.



Just a little friendly advice, please be careful of locking the front, it really changes the character of how the vehicle behaves to turns, throttle input etc. A true locker in front will greatly amplify understeer when you are on the pedal.



Also, lockers in back give some feedback through the drivetrain, some love it, some don't. Neutral throttle in corners has some people wondering if their rear axle can take it (with all that ratcheting), no worries... it can, but you might notice a slight increase in tire wear (with that extra traction). Also, if your temps permit, running a thicker oil in the diff will help quiet the dog clutches in a true locking unit.



Off road, you simply wont believe where your truck can go with the back locked up. I have seen two wheel drives with a locker installed out-wheel 4 wheel drive pavement-princess-style trucks much to the dismay of their owners.



One word about the capabilities to handle torque, the Lock-Right that one can install themselves is just about dang near bullet proof. Some people just can't believe that such a small thing can be so tough. I had my own doubts when I decided to graduate to Class III modified mud drag. I consider that environment to just about be the most brutal and atagonistic environment for drivetrain, high rev clutch dump and bounce off the rev limiter to the end, grabbing traction variously from each tire with high wheel RPM, yep, bad news for weak components. I ran well over 600 nitrous fed big cube horses through that thing all day long, and then drove it home and then to work the next day. Inspecting often, I never ever found any signs of it giving out. For fun (yes I was younger then), I would do second-gear clutch dumps at 3000 on pavement and wheely my Jeep two feet off the ground, never not one issue.

 

[steved]

One word about the capabilities to handle torque, the Lock-Right that one can install themselves is just about dang near bullet proof. Some people just can't believe that such a small thing can be so tough. I had my own doubts when I decided to graduate to Class III modified mud drag.

While they might be strong, lockrights do not "wear" well. And further, when they "wear", they shed small, hardened metal flakes that WILL tear the pinion bearings out of your differential...



While the lockright might be OK for a dedicated trail rig or a front axle with lockouts, they are not suitable for a daily/high mileage driver. I went through three of these (and three corresponding rear diff rebuilds) before I learned my lesson. None lasted more than 15 to 20k... and yes, they were set up correctly.



steved

 

[Hercules130]

I thought the arb website said they were going to be available in january?

 

[steved]

I thought the arb website said they were going to be available in january?

Last I read, they had some sort of set back...





steved

 

[Bodie]

I wish Detroit would come out with a locker for the AAM, limited slip is useless it might as well be a open diff. I have detroits in my 2000 model and spools in my 86 chevy, so this "limited slip" has got to go.



I love my detroits

 

[BLACKJACK]

So what your all saying is the only thing available for a widley used axle that has been available for 4 years is the ability to modify our axle to accept a GM part. Nobody see's the opportunity to make a buck. ? First time thats happened in a while. What about the locker that is in the Power Wagon? I thought they used the same size rears as the 3/4 std and 1 tons? Even better ? would be I wonder what the cost and strength of this unit are. I do remember seeing in Diesel Power a guy that had put a CTD in his PW. I wonder how its holdin up?

 

[RodMorris]

Detroits

I'm leaning toward's Detroits in mine whenever they are available. The only kind of posi/locker I've ever had is the limited slip in my '97 Chevy K2500. I don't know that it ever worked. So, I'm not sure how I would like the locker, but I still think that's what I would like to have.

 

[KParsons]

lockright

in my 94 ford f250,i put a lockright on in95. put 75k on the truck plowing towing etc never had any problems. if they had one i would buy it. kp

 

[steved]

So what your all saying is the only thing available for a widley used axle that has been available for 4 years is the ability to modify our axle to accept a GM part. Nobody see's the opportunity to make a buck. ? First time thats happened in a while. What about the locker that is in the Power Wagon? I thought they used the same size rears as the 3/4 std and 1 tons? Even better ? would be I wonder what the cost and strength of this unit are. I do remember seeing in Diesel Power a guy that had put a CTD in his PW. I wonder how its holdin up?

The PWs use the 10. 5 rear, the 11. 5AAM has nothing out other than the trac-rite.



And there are several non-GM units available for the front...



I wouldn't run a lockright in my worst enemies truck... junk, junk, junk.



steved

 

[Bodie]

I'm leaning toward's Detroits in mine whenever they are available. The only kind of posi/locker I've ever had is the limited slip in my '97 Chevy K2500. I don't know that it ever worked. So, I'm not sure how I would like the locker, but I still think that's what I would like to have.

You have to really love a detroit to keep it in your daily driver. My 2000 has a 8" lift and 35" boggers and around EVERY corner it locks up. Detroits are noisy, they clank and growl when you back up, they are dangerous in the rain, and squeel your tires everywhere..... but they dont slip, they dont break, they dont wear out, and they get TRACTION.



If you idel around corners you will be fine, but the moment you touch the gas it locks, and if you are in the rain, you slide. My truck has a built transmission that shifts every gear at the least 3000 rpm, so as you go around a corner it shifts into second and barks the tires. The 2500 stall converter didnt help either.



Just try to drive a truck with detroits before you buy one, youll see what I mean

 

[KParsons]

lockright

hey steve and bodie, i was wondering why my ford gaser, i had none of the problems you guys had . i do drive easy. very rare did i ever here the locker? is it just the way i drive or the truck is very stock? kp

 

[Bodie]

hey steve and bodie, i was wondering why my ford gaser, i had none of the problems you guys had . i do drive easy. very rare did i ever here the locker? is it just the way i drive or the truck is very stock? kp

You will only hear it when you are backing up and turning, and most of the reason mine is so violent, has alot to do with the motor and trans. The motor is about 350hp (gasser) and they transmission shifted really high, and really hard.

 

[RCash]

Sorry to hear that, I had a completely different experience.