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Crunch time...need to make a decision on a D60 locker NOW

Im a fan of detroits. got em front and rear. The arb is a good locker... but its out of my price range and it has extra parts. I have a thing for simplicity... i dont want extra compressors and air lines and switches and all that crap... I just want it to lock up and work. The arb is prolly the most dependably selectable locker there is, but it can have problems... and they arent always related to user-neglect or lack of maintenence. I mean, SWs died during TTC... and its safe to say that doc watson maintains his rig as well as any1.

just my opinions. steering when in 4wd and hubs locked is different with a detroit up front... even with hydro assist (which helps!). On narrow trails, when turning around, sometimes I have to make a 4 point turn while a guy in a lil toy or something will make it in 3. <shrug> not that big a deal IMO... but thats just me.

j
 
Detroit. You know it is going to work. Less things to worry about (air line, air compressor, orings) that could cause problems. Last winter there in CO I didn't use 4WD except during the blizzard. Locked rear was plenty. I don't think that for the most part Colorado weather is either mild enough for 2wd locked. If it does get nasty enough for 4wd then weather you are ARB or detroit won't matter, it will be locked.

Just my opinion. It is cheaper and more reliable. But it is your choice.
 
ARB will only be locked if you lock it /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif And in the snow I leave it open unless needed. Peace of mind is nice you never know when its ice.....
 
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sometimes I have to make a 4 point turn while a guy in a lil toy or something will make it in 3. <shrug> not that big a deal IMO... but thats just me.

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That's why you twin stick the 205. You can go 2 Lo front or rear only and turn much sharper. With cutting brakes and front wheel drive you can turn sharper than you could with open diff's.

Rene
 
no twin stick for me yet. Its on the list of TTD... just havent got around to it. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif

j
 
OX Locker is another option......it's cable actuated, which cuts down on the complexity (like ARB) and from what I've heard from machinists who've seen the product...it's a beautifully made piece.

It's a more unique solution, which can either make it MORE interesting to you.....or a lot LESS interesting.


Also, Tibus Offroad is developing a selectable locker for the 60 that looks promising. You can actuate it any way you want (cable, air, vaccuum, electric...whatever)

Unfortunately....it's still another month or two away, so if you really need something NOW, it's nothing that will help you.
 
Aussie locker is coming out next spring. I emailed them and they're going to let me know when it's available.
 
Yep.... a little late.

Mepco4x4.com is the company that he sells them through in the U.S. I just spoke with them about a week ago.

Dana 60 = November '03
14BFF = Spring 2004


Those were the only two I was interested in asking for... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
Ouch, IIRC, the 14FF was supposed to be out this summer, then fall... He has been promising to address the lack of selectable 14FF lockers for a long time. Sure seems like a missed market to me, especially with Detroit auto locker the only real competition. Oh well...
 
I seem to be in the minority here when I say to go with the ARB. Nobody has mentioned that you can fry a Detroit when you break a shaft or joint on one side. Not sure exactly what happens, but I've heard that the Detroit will eat it. ARB you can steer much easier on the trail, plus unlock it until you actualy need it to help avoid breakage on the other axle parts. So long as you set it up correctly and protect the air lines then it shouldn't have any problems. Yes it's more expensive, but IMHO it's worth it.
 
Well one encouraging thing.....unlike ARB (who has been promising a selectable 14BFF for, what 6 years?) is that the Tibus ones are ACTUALLY in testing right now (boy, I'd like to be one of the guys that gets to try one /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif)

Anyway....I've heard that ARB is now trying to get their 14BFF version done, but hopefully by the time they do....there will be better options available.

ARB had their chance to OWN this market and ignored it (and us) for a long time. Maybe it's time for some fresh thinking and products regardless....
 
I am running Detroits front and rear with 42's. On the trail the front detroit does effect the steering. I simply twin sticked my 205 though. Now I can just put the rear into Neutral and let the front end do the steering work. I dont have hydraulic steering yet, so I cannot atest to how it will effect the steering.
 
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Nobody has mentioned that you can fry a Detroit when you break a shaft or joint on one side.

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dunno about a detroit blowing up cause of a ujoint failure... but it seems like any diff, including an arb, could grenade with the right shaft breakage...

j
 
Well, a Detroit can break under certain circumstances when a shaft or u-joint let's go........but that definitely doesn't mean it always breaks. I've seen quite a few guys in our club break front and rear axleshafts in other axles (Dana 30, 35, 44, etc...) with Detroits but have never seen a Detroit fail also at the same time.

For steering with a front locker, I went from a limited slip front to a Lock-right (works basically the same as a Detroit) and really didn't notice much difference in tight turns on the trail. I'm sure the Lock-right isn't completely as strong as a Detroit, but they seem to hold up pretty good for most people.......just remember that Baddog broke his running 42" tires and running some presumably pretty tough rock trails.
 
ARB. For the same reasons I have one.
-K5's handle snow and ice well with a detroit rear and open front
-O-rings hold up well in a front axle that sees relatively little run time
-Air lines and compressors do add some complexity but it's really not that bad. (matter of opinion of course) I have yet to have an air delivery problem. Elec. problems, sometimes, air delivery, no.
-ARB's are a proven setup, any problems are known, they are super strong and they work well
-You do get a bit better turn radius on the trail with the option of unlocking the diff

For what I do now, I could probably get by with a detroit but my K5 still handles better on the dirt with the front engaged but unlocked so I run in 4wd everywhere except asphalt.
 
Lock Right. I've got one in my 60 running 42s. I recently popped a 30 spline stub shaft too. Its still going. Even if it does die... the LR has a 12mo warranty. I bought mine for $300. Even if I had to buy 2, its still way less than the ARB with a compressor.

Dunno... just my .02. I'm going to drop my new 35 spline stubs in, and see if I can pop the LR now! /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

-Dan
 
I went from an Auburn in my 44 to an ARB and the difference in steering was night and day.When I build my 60 an ARB will be goin in it too.I was looking at the Ox but it doesnt seem like a very stable company and that worries me replacement part wise.

I did explode a drivers side Warn shaft and break my ARB (the same thing can happen to a Detroit /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif) but I got parts in 2 days and they were great on the phone.The parts were $200 but break your Detroit and call Tractech (and I have talked to them) for parts,it will be cheaper to buy a new Detroit and their customer service people are diks.

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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