Automatic Locking Differential Or Selectable locking Differential?

[JackRyan]

I am trying to budget myself yet I want to build my K5 into a working off road vehicle, able to handle the terrain. Should I go with Automatic locking differentials like Detroit or Lockrite? Or should I go with Selectable locking differentials such as the Eaton E locker, Auburn Ected Locker, Or ARB air locker? The second class is more expensive but is it worth it?

 

[sweetk30]

been cover tons of times here. fast way to search is detroit for your search word.

lots of people have there feelings.

i my self have drivin in the snow with open/self locking/detroit in the rear of my many vehicles.

if me again for everyday driver and in snow a lot i would go selectable . now for that you have the options like listed.

everytime i had more than 1-2" of snow out and a detroit in the rear i had to use 4wd or it just went sideways on me. when i went to open or self locking like a good working gov-loc i loved it better than locked all the time.

my current project that will be a mud/trail/snow play toy i have gone arb air lockers. havent finished it yet. but i know it will be great.

hope you find th info you want and other will postup and help you . welcom to the site

 

[496truck]

I like the simplicity of the auto lockers, specifically like the cost effectiveness of the lockrite.

Are you going to be running the stock 10 bolt axles? Actually, what are your build plans, ie. tire size, lift, axles, engine, trans, t-case... And what are your usage plans for the truck, ie. daily driver, trail truck, hunting/camping, all out rock crawling, etc...

This info will help us help you.

 

[clandr1]

Yeah more info would be good. I ended up putting a gov locker in my front 10b to match the rear since I'm not a hard core off roader, just need to get to the campsite or hunting cabin every now and again. If you're looking for some hard core wheeling you'll probably want to go with a selectable locker so you don't need any wheel spin or slippage on the trail to actuate the auto locker. Just my .02 and it's worth every penny!

 

[blazinzuk]

If you can afford them selectable every time for me although I have run a detroit or lockrite in the rear for going on 15 years, couple different rigs but have always had the rear locked

 

[gotblazers]

If you can afford them selectable every time for me although I have run a detroit or lockrite in the rear for going on 15 years, couple different rigs but have always had the rear locked

Do selectable have any real advantage besides being more streetable, engage with less wheel spin or anything like that?. I plan on my offroad only rig to run a triple stick set up so i could disengage either axle and in theory it would drive like it only had a single locked axle if i had to drive on pavement at all.

 

[JackRyan]

My truck is pretty much stock right now.

1985 K5 Blazer

350 CID engine
700R4 Transmission/208 transfer case
GM Corporate 10 bolt axles w/limited slip in the rear
tires 33-12.5-R15
It is not yet lifted.

My build plans right now are to:
swap in Dana 60's with lockers in both front and rear,
put 4.10s or 4.11s in for gears
lift the rear end by shackle flip and the front by springs,
eventually replace 700r4 with a TH350/TH400 and NP205/NP208
I want to keep the same tire size

I also want to use the vehicle in light mud, and snow, maybe some crawling too whatever you might encounter on the trail.

 

[72blazerguy]

My truck is pretty much stock right now.

eventually replace 700r4 with a TH350/TH400 and NP205/NP208
I want to keep the same tire size

I also want to use the vehicle in light mud, and snow, maybe some crawling too whatever you might encounter on the trail.

for that kind of use, I can NOT imagine why you would replace the 700R4 with a 3 speed replacement. The first gear is lower in the 700R4 and the overdrive is super nice for highway.

If you are only going to run 33's, the 60 front swap seems a bit overkill to me, but some people seem to have problems with the 10 bolts. I have run my 91 with open 10 bolts and 33's for years with no problems.

A detroit in the rear or selectable will get you alot of places. Either will work great. Detroit will not be as friendly in slick conditions. If money is not an issue, get the selectable.

 

[Greg72]

For light/moderate wheeling, the 700R4 and the 208 is like having the "poor man's Doubler"... 1st gear is lower than any other auto transmission, combined with the deep transfercase gears of the 208 you're doing well without any out-of-pocket cash.

I'd avoid a D60 front in your situation (total waste of money) and put that money toward a selectable locker out back, maybe some beefier axleshafts too if you are nervous about reliability. For a street driven truck, especially in the snow... it's hard to argue against a selectable locker. It's EASY to drive and won't bite back on ice or slippery roads.

 

[blazinzuk]

Do selectable have any real advantage besides being more streetable, engage with less wheel spin or anything like that?. I plan on my offroad only rig to run a triple stick set up so i could disengage either axle and in theory it would drive like it only had a single locked axle if i had to drive on pavement at all.

Open will make the truck more maneuverable, I have seen identical rigs (like I mean everything the same) except for one with ARBs and the other had detroits, the guy with the ARBs made a couple turns the guy with the detroits could not make at all. This is cause he could turn his lockers off.

This is the reason I don't like spools in diffs, an automatic locker will give you just a bit more maneuverability.

Plus on a snow trail on a sidehill I would much prefer to have opens or ARBs with auto lockers you just slide down hill

 

[BoondocK5]

That leads into the discussion Eric and I had about my truck being spooled on both ends. What it comes down to is what your willing to live with.
I understand the pitfalls of being locked on both ends,as far as street manners and slick road issues also. I and am willing to accept the consequences.
All in the name of all out traction and brute strength on the trail.

 

[blazinzuk]

That leads into the discussion Eric and I had about my truck being spooled on both ends. What it comes down to is what your willing to live with.
I understand the pitfalls of being locked on both ends,as far as street manners and slick road issues also. I and am willing to accept the consequences.
All in the name of all out traction and brute strength on the trail.

Yep it all boils down to what you are willing to live with.

A spool is by far the strongest diff option. That cannot be argued at all.

Another interesting aside to this is, the fact if you use your rig in alot of different situations it can make wheeling more fun with selectable, by leaving them off while trying an obstacle. It can make mild wheeling more fun. Knowing you can just engage the lockers and be off if you don't make it.

 

[JackRyan]

Thanks for all the suggestions it really helps for someone whos just getting into off roading and building trucks. Just a couple more questions.

I pretty much decided to go selectable. Ive heard that ARB air lockers are good but I really dont want to go that way. Personally I would rather go with electric lockers like the Eaton E-locker does anyone know about the quality level of that particular product? I also thought about the Auburn Ected locker but I havnt heard much about them. Any suggestions?

 

[Greg72]

The eaton eLocker had some design flaws initially. You can find photos online of the broken collars, etc. The 2nd design was reported to be better, but I'd still seek out feedback from the people who run one.

Eaton looked like a cool product, but the price was really getting up there ($900 iirc). That's a lot to charge for an unproven product. Like you, I'd resisted the ARB for a long time as too complex but all things considered, it really is the best overall choice for a selectable locker.

Ected I believe is a limited slp that converts to a full locker via electric switch.... Doesn't seem to be a very popular choice in the real world for some reason.

 

[blazinzuk]

I have installed on Ected on a front 60 in a Jeep, seems to work well, he is running 40" Yokohamas hasnt had a problem yet.

In the smaller axles Dana 30 and such the ected has had a problem with not working very well, but it has also been redesigned.

Although I have seen both work and work well with big tires. I think I would probably go with the ected because of the install. Everything is internal in it.

 

[Fred_M1010]

As I understand it the Ected is much like a manually selectable Gov-loc.
It only increases the pressure on the discs when you engage it.

 

[blazinzuk]

As I understand it the Ected is much like a manually selectable Gov-loc.
It only increases the pressure on the discs when you engage it.

I am not sure on its operation but I have seen this rig with a tire in the air for several feet and the other front pulling.