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Cost VS functionality (front lockers... again)

Budget four wheel drive...

  • Spool $175-$200

    Votes: 14 21.2%

  • Detroit $475-$500

    Votes: 38 57.6%

  • Selectable $800-$1,000

    Votes: 14 21.2%
  • Total voters
    66
TruckNutzDude

TruckNutzDude

1/2 ton status
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If you were on a very strict budget and you had to replace your carrier soon in order to install gears in your front axle, what would you get? I was considering a spool ($175-$200) which is in my price range or a detroit ($475-$500) which I would have to wait 4-6 months for. Winter is here and I COULD wait for the gears if I had to but I'd rather not have my rig on jack stands much longer. I have to replace the entire carrier, no selectables... Thanks.

p.s. I have a Dana 60 front, 44's, hydraulic assist and cross over steering. :wink1:
 
stallion85 said:
With a 60 and hydro assist I would go with the spool.
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I was thinking I could just modify my shift rails on the 205 and pull with the front wheels if I couldn't make it around something. Spool is my first choice but from what I read in my search it isn't the best choice. From my view point, it's cheap, predictable (like the welded rear I have) and if I break a shaft I don't have to worry about the shock destroying my locker like a detroit. Keep voting... if spools are all that bad, I want the numbers to show it!!! :thumb:
 
joez said:
Detroit. Ive been very happy with mine.
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Is it worth waiting another half year of your rig on jack stands w/ no axles under it and no wheeling??? That's my dillema. I've had a detroit in the rear and it was great, no doubt, one up front would be equally as good. Spool gets me back on the trail faster. I'm not in a hurry, but the sooner I'm back in the drivers seat, the better. :crazy:
 
Get the spool now, wheel it, save some cash just in case you don't like it. If it turns out to be a pain in the ass, buy a Detroit.

The whole point of building a rig is to wheel it ;)
 
44's and a D60? That's what I have, and I know its only a matter of time until something gives way.... I put in a Detroit the day before the nasty roll, and that one day of 'wheeling I fell in love with it. Once I get back on the trail, I am preparing to break it sooner then later. 'Course, that's only better reason to upgrade with CTM's, chromos, etc :D ....
 
I am about to put a lockrite in my front d60. For the rear I run a detroit. My truck is not fulltime 4wd though. Lockrite is cheap and will hold up to some abuse also.
 
Leper said:
I am about to put a lockrite in my front d60. For the rear I run a detroit. My truck is not fulltime 4wd though. Lockrite is cheap and will hold up to some abuse also.
Click to expand...

IIRC that does not replace the entire carrier... I'm swapping from 3.73 to 5.13 and need a new carrier to install them. Thanks for the input though.
 
Chaddy said:
Then you have to buy the compressor.
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If you aren't competent enough to find another compressed air solution you're probably not competent enough to install a full case locker anyway.
 
That's a pretty harsh response.......

I say go for the Detroit. It's dirt simple and reliable. If the budget is what is keeping you from getting it now, I'd find an open carrier and just run that for the time being, then when money permits, upgrade to the Detroit. As it sounds now, if you were to break something (i.e. shafts), you wouldn't be able to afford to replace it unless you have some stored away.
 
I'd say get the ARB as well. You could rig up some compressed air solution on the cheap until you could do it up right.
 
guido666 said:
I'd say get the ARB as well. You could rig up some compressed air solution on the cheap until you could do it up right.
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For just using air locker's... would just a resevoir do? Rather, my question should be.. do air lockers use continuous air pressure to engage, or do they use air for the time it takes to engage/disengage?

In either event, if you only need compressed air for lockers (and don't plan on using it to run tools and airing up tires), you could get away with a 5-10 gallon tank, and just charge the tank before you go wheeling.
 
A 5 gallon tank will run an ARB all weekend if you don't have any leaks. The pneumatic cylinders are incredibly small. A bicycle pump and a shrader valve will engage an ARB in about 3 pumps.

If all you're doing is running ARBs... you don't need a $300 compressor.
 
CyberSniper said:
A 5 gallon tank will run an ARB all weekend
Click to expand...

That's the kind of information I like to see!

::scratches detroits off of 'list'::
::adds ARBs to 'list'::


Resevoirs are cheap, and you can fill them at gas stations.
 
87k10 said:
what kind of wheeling are you doing?
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Right now, it's all e-wheeling as my rig is down. The most common type of terrain around here is mud and wooded trails. I'm building the rig for rocks though, since there are a few places around here that actually have some of those rocks everyone is always talking about.

As far as spare axles go, I have a spare set of stub shafts and u-joints but no inners yet. If I bust an inner shaft I'll be down for a while but I'll just have to save for something more durable unless someone has inners listed on here for cheap (seen them from time to time).
 
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