2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Locking up the open diffs..

[Hohn]

Guys, I'm looking into locking differentials for my truck with the D60/D80 axle combo. I'm looking for a SELECTABLE locker(s).

ARB has air-lockers for both my front and rear, but it's $$.

The Detroit locker is available for my rear axle, but only with 4. 10 and up gears (I have 3. 54 and want to keep them).

What else is out there for a Dana 80 with 3. 54s and 35 spline axles?

I have a Dana 60 without the CAD, so what are my other options to selectably lock up the front? Detroit locker, ARB, OX locker are the only ones I know of right now.

Should I just bit the bullet and ARB the front and rear? I mean, if I have to plumb the compressor for one, I might as well do both, right? How reliable and strong are the ARB units? Is the compressor reliable? What about air leaks?

Finally, is there any shop even remotely near Cheyenne known to do a good install? I'd be willing to drive to Ft Collins, Greeley, Denver, etc.

I've decided that it's much better to have locking diffs and milder tread tires than to have crazy boggers and open diffs...

Thanks in advance.

Justin

 

[SS]

Justin,



I understood that Eaton was coming out with their E-Locker for the Dana 60 application. 12 volts and a switch - seems easy enough. Turns out my truck already has 12 volts, but not an air compressor, so it has that advantage over the ARB (if you are putting an ARB in the rear then it doesn't matter). Don't know about the availability yet or the durability over the long term, but might be worth checking into. I haven't heard of anyone installing one so far. No plans for a Dana 80 application though.

 

[Glen Pratt]

Justin, I have an ARB air locker in my front axle. For the rear I went witha Dana Powr-lok. Both work excellent. The ARB is instantaneous once you the hit the switch. I went with the Dana Powr-Lok due to cost and it is quiet. Go to Reider Racing's web-site www.reiderracing.com . When you click on each differential it rates every differential as far as intended use. -Glen

 

[Jaysyl]

We just locked up ours two weeks ago. Now the truck works like it should have from Dodge. You would think 35000 for a 4x4, the lsd would work. It took 3800 to get the truck to work right. At first we wanted the Detroit locker for the rear and the Ox locker for the front. Well the back went ok, but the fromt of our truck is a Dana 60 with a 32 spline axle, Ox dose not make a 32 spline. So we ended up with the Arb( works great). If we went with the Arb in the first place we could have kept the 3. 55,but we had the rear done first 4. 10. When they took apart the front it was 32 spline not 30 or 35,but the rear was changed out already. The 4. 10s work great off road but on the highway you keep looking for 7th gear. Also with the Arb you can air up the tires. My dad just came back from Ut. 8500 feet 2 feet of snow truck worked great. By the way Justin( thank you for your service to our country) I grew up in Longmont Colo. not far from WINDY wyo.

 

["Mad Max"]

The e-lockers just came out - I'm getting one-each for both of my D60's, one for the dually, one for the Ramcharger - should be in by the end of the month. I believe they are the Eaton versions - my diff guy just ordered them, and they're the only e-lockers available, and very simple operation. I'll be driving the Ramcharger soon and I'll be able to post back on their operation. I'll beam back with more info. Price was about $550 each.

- S

 

[av8r]

Lock-Rite

I've got a Lock-Rite in my 35sp Dana 80. Very well built unit. I had a Detroit Locker in my last GM (10. 5-14 bolt), this Lock-Rite is every bit as stout. This unit replaces the spider gears in the OEM carrier. I've been running it for 50k miles now and have never had any metal shavings or unwarrented wear on the axle (just the tires). :-laf

 

[griggsd]

Justin,



I had High Country Performance 4x4 install an air locker in my 00' D-60 front 25k miles ago along with a T-Rex suspension. No problems whatsoever. The electric lockers are worth looking into.

High Country is at Sante Fe and Hampden in Denver; about 80 min to you. (303) 761-7379. I used an Extreme Aire compressor & 2. 5 gal tank in order to refill tires quick & have air-tool capability; not necessary, just fun.



griggsdr

 

[Cummins Pilot]

I'm interested in those E lockers but I'm worried that in cold temps (-30 and colder) that they won't work. Anyone know?

 

[Hohn]

I've got a Lock-Rite in my 35sp Dana 80. Very well built unit. I had a Detroit Locker in my last GM (10. 5-14 bolt), this Lock-Rite is every bit as stout. This unit replaces the spider gears in the OEM carrier. I've been running it for 50k miles now and have never had any metal shavings or unwarrented wear on the axle (just the tires). :-laf

From what I've read at Dave Fritz's site (dodgeram.org), the Lock-rite looks like an easy install if you have a factory open diff.



BUT I have the LSD option!! They say that this means it's not a DIY project anymore



My D80 with the 3. 54 has 35 spline axles, right? Would this LSD be a Powr-Lok or trash-lok?



Justin

 

[MKoth]

I have been thinking about doing the same thing, and have decided the ARB's are the way to go, IMHO. They have been around for a long time, are very strong, plus it is an excuse for me to install on board air.



There are 3 Decent off road shops in Ft. Collins that I know of one on the hi-way that runs from Laramie into down town Ft. Collins, and two on the eastern end.



Plus there is a 4 wheel drive & truck accesorie place in down town Cheyenne, cant rember the name, but you can see it from the bridge that goes over the railroad tracks. (sorry if this is a little vauge, its been over a year since I have lived in Laramie, so I dont rember a lot of the details). If you make it to the place in Cheyenne, look for a big dark spot in the front parking lot, thats where Tom's (98rammer) truck decided it was gunna puke most of the engine oil up at.

 

["Mad Max"]

I'm having the new Eaton e-locker installed in my D60 for my Ramcharger this week - probably be a month until it's rolling, but we definitely have the cold temps, so I'll hopefully have some good news after a couple months.

- Sam

 

[98rammer]

there's a reasonable explanation for that... i left my mark though :-laf

 

[Hohn]

Tom, I found your spot at D's 4wd



Anyhow, what about LSD improvements for the rear? Is that D80 unit a Trak-lok or Power-lok? Mine is SUPER loose. I changed the lube in hopes of tightening it up, and it's still super-loose, even with NO modifier at all!!



I've even contemplated putting some ATF mixed into the rear end (GL-4 rated) in hopes of tightening up the rear a little bit!



I thought the D80 factory unit was a power-lok, but not I'm reading that it's a track-lok??



So, should I consider a re-stack of the factory LSD? Can I do this without having to redo the gear setup (backlash, etc)?



Justin