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14BFF Locker Options?

campfire said:
Keeping the tires together (eliminating the one-tire-spinning syndrome) is my goal in adding some form of traction control. But kicking the rear end out under throttle sounds a lot like like what my open diff (1-wheel drive) does currently. So how much difference is there? :confused:


I've not had the opportunity to drive a Detroit-equipped vehicle yet...sounds like something to try out before buying. Preferably in snow. :)
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Honestly I never really had a situation where a locked rear axle put me in trouble on icey and snowy roads. I had vastly more with open diffs when I lost traction and went spinning off with the tire with the least traction whirring away accomplishing nothing.
big dan said:
Personally I wouldn't waste the money on a selectable locker for 14 bolt. I think Detroit is the best option.
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This.

I'll have to see if I can find my video of Big Ugly pulling my exinlaws SUV out of about a foot of slush. They were STUCK thanks to their open diffs. Big Ugly just motored through it in 2wd.
 
big dan said:
Ive driven on the street with a 14 bolt with open, welded, lock right, and Detroit.

After the lock right I was really nervous about going with a Detroit on a street driven rig. Really considered long and hard on a selectable or just getting a factory posi (eaton style, not a gov loc) and finally settled on a Detroit.

Had it for 4 years now on a 90% street driven vehicle. I use my truck to drive to work, pulling, hauling, hunting/fishing, light offroad, and hvac service work and have had absolutely no issues with it. It has a few quirks, occasional (3 times I recall) popping and a bit of locker steer but after years of driving on it I actually prefer it to open spiders on the street. Does great in snow and ice, does good in slick conditions, never once heard it drag a tire on pavement unless I was hard on the gas around a tight turn, no abnormal tire wear and does things most 4x4s wont. Just this last weekend I had to go pull a loaded trailer out of a muddy field for my boss because his truck wouldn't do it.

At one point I considered removing it to use in an offroad only rig and replacing it with open spiders but in the end I would rather spend the money to buy another than remove the one from my dd. I just like it too much.

Personally I wouldn't waste the money on a selectable locker for 14 bolt. I think Detroit is the best option.
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^^^^THIS^^^^

I have a Detroit in my 14bff (and it's from a 1986 axle).....and never a problem with tire wear or bad handling on certain road conditions.

I do hear the tire chirp when taking off and turning/rounding a corner but that's from heavy foot.
 
I run a spool in mine. Most of the time you never notice it but when you do , you do.
 
I broke a powertrax no spin. Sheeted off the inner gears on it. I can't say anything bad about the older detroits though. Only after years of abuse have I heard anyone having trouble with one. Always predictable and for under 500 bucks you can't beat it. The yukons have a good rep so far also for a newer locker. That and you don't have to setup the gears again. Just have to get the backlash back into spec after putting the locker back in.
 
Thanks for the input, folks! I will consider using a Detroit when I get around to my axle swap (hopefully later this year). I definitely feel more comfortable with the lower price... :)

AJMBLAZER said:
Honestly I never really had a situation where a locked rear axle put me in trouble on icey and snowy roads. I had vastly more with open diffs when I lost traction and went spinning off with the tire with the least traction whirring away accomplishing nothing.

I'll have to see if I can find my video of Big Ugly pulling my exinlaws SUV out of about a foot of slush. They were STUCK thanks to their open diffs. Big Ugly just motored through it in 2wd.
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That sort of traction is what I'm aiming for. I've done plenty of slipping around in 1WD, and I've always wanted to have a second (or 3rd or 4th) wheel assisting.

Any more input on the factory 14bff gov-lock? I have one gov-lock axle and one open carrier axle waiting to be installed. Not sure which I wanna install first...
 
campfire, if you make it over my way (between Milwaukee and Madison) you can take my truck with a Detroit for a ride.
 
Look at the internals of a g 80. Not something I want to depend on. I have driven a detroit locked blazer or pickup for years on the street no big deal. A selectable is the cats meow though
 
I love my Detroit in my Suburban. The only thing I can think of that I don't like it the tire chirping. It's not a big deal though. I like it sometimes. But, when making a left turn and a light right when I hit the apex of the turn which is right in front of the cars stopped at the light also turning left, it makes a big chirp. It's scared many people. Scares me when a cop is at the intersection too.

It might have something to do with my shift kit though. Shifts hard. But I love it.
 
Idk if they work any different between a ff and sf, being that mine os a full case locker and not a drop in unit... But I have been driving my blazer a few days now and have not noticed any difference on the street. Tight turns it doesn't even squeak....

It does however tear the crap out of the yard so don't drive in the yard :whistle:
 
Deuling said:
It does however tear the crap out of the yard so don't drive in the yard :whistle:
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This.

My k20 with the flat deck doesn't make a mark, low gearing of the ol 4 speed must help big time.

My k1500 with the factory truck box likes to eat grass. I have to take a run and coast the turns :haha:
 
streetrodchev said:
campfire, if you make it over my way (between Milwaukee and Madison) you can take my truck with a Detroit for a ride.
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Thanks! Not sure when I'll get that direction, but I'll certainly keep that in mind. :)

blazinzuk said:
Look at the internals of a g 80. Not something I want to depend on. I have driven a detroit locked blazer or pickup for years on the street no big deal. A selectable is the cats meow though
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Hmm...I've not been impressed with the 10-bolt G80 (seen 2 fail recently), but I've not heard bad things about the 14bff G80. I have an extra 14bff with open carrier, so it's easy enough for me to avoid using the G80. Detroit fits in the standard open carrier, right?

Bowtie85 said:
I blew up my gov lock, never pulled it apart to see what happened to it.
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Was this a 14FF gov lock?


Deuling said:
It does however tear the crap out of the yard so don't drive in the yard :whistle:
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:doah: Not great. But probably liveable.
 
campfire said:
Thanks! Not sure when I'll get that direction, but I'll certainly keep that in mind. :)



Hmm...I've not been impressed with the 10-bolt G80 (seen 2 fail recently), but I've not heard bad things about the 14bff G80. I have an extra 14bff with open carrier, so it's easy enough for me to avoid using the G80. Detroit fits in the standard open carrier, right?


Was this a 14FF gov lock?




:doah: Not great. But probably liveable.
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Sure was a ff gov lock :thumb::haha:
 
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