Detroit Locker

[MagnuM4WD]

Hi! What is your opinion about this locker - text below? What type of locker use you, for a normal use, not extreme, for a GM 14bff axle? What do you recommend for this axle?

DETROIT LOCKER GM 10.5 - 30 SPL ALL RATIOS 14 BOLT FULL FLOAT NON C-CLIP
$489.47
225S10
DETROIT LOCKER GM 10.5 - 30 SPL ALL RATIOS 14 BOLT FULL FLOAT NON C-CLIP NOTE: MUST USE OPEN CARRIER W/THIS UNIT

Text is from this site:
http://nationaldrivetrain.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/dlock_gm.html

 

[CDA 455]

Hi! What is your opinion about this locker - text below? What type of locker use you, for a normal use, not extreme, for a GM 14bff axle? What do you recommend for this axle?

DETROIT LOCKER GM 10.5 - 30 SPL ALL RATIOS 14 BOLT FULL FLOAT NON C-CLIP
$489.47
225S10
DETROIT LOCKER GM 10.5 - 30 SPL ALL RATIOS 14 BOLT FULL FLOAT NON C-CLIP NOTE: MUST USE OPEN CARRIER W/THIS UNIT

Text is from this site:
http://nationaldrivetrain.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/dlock_gm.html

Excellent locker.

 

[Chaddy]

I run Detroit's front and rear. I wouldnt have it any other way.

 

[tRustyK5]

I run that locker in my 14 bolt. With a manual tranny I get a bit of "locker steer" between shifts and the occasional 'bang' when it gets a bit bound up and releases...but other than that it's quite civilized.

Rene

 

[readymix]

I run that locker in my 14 bolt. With a manual tranny I get a bit of "locker steer" between shifts and the occasional 'bang' when it gets a bit bound up and releases...but other than that it's quite civilized.

Rene

Mine does the exact same thing. No big deal though.

 

[gmc4cw]

Excellent locker.

X2. I have that in my 14 bolt.

 

[mike reeh]

the detroit is to lockers what the np205 is to transfer cases (is that worded right? you get the picture.)

been a while since i priced one but IIRC, thats price is a little high. I think you could do much better

mike

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

That price is at least $100 too high.

But yeah, detroits rule

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Love my Detroit.

21 years old and it works great.

Driving quirks are there but totally manageable if you drive like you have some sort of a brain. Frankly I wish my non-locked vehicles were.

 

[BKinzey]

Doesn't the Detroit have some potential problems on ice? Since this guy is from Romania that could be a concern.

Other than that it is a strong, reliable locker.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Seeing as how I live in the land of eternal (or it seems that way - 7 months out of the year or more) snow and ice I'll tackle that one.

I've been driving with a locked rear axle for about 3 winters now, the first two in my Ranger and the last partially with Big Ugly.

It's fine. If you drive like an idiot then you will get in trouble. If you pay attention, don't power through corners, and generally be careful you will be fine. I didn't say drive like an overly careful granny either.

It's not necessarily lockers either, limited slips can give the same potential issues with spinning out and/or loosing what traction you have. Both tires would spin the same with a locker or limited slip because a limited slip with both tires on ice wouldn't detect enough differentiation to unlock and let one tire stop.
Conversely - driving my open diff'd Tracker last winter has given me appreciation for lockers. I drive up and down several hills and there were times where I was in 2wd going up a hill with snow, slush, or ice on the road and despite one tire being in a rut or on dry pavement the tire with no traction would start to spin and my forward progress would slow to a crawl. It's almost degrading to have to stop in these instances and put it in 4x4. Kinda dangerous too sometimes with how poor the plowing is. With a locker I would have continued on with no troubles.
There were also many times the backend slipped around on me despite the open diff.

If you "drive around" the locker and be conscientious of it there's not much of an issue. It's one of those locker myths/urban legends.

 

[RootBreaker]

well if my truck dissappeared.. then I had to get a new truck...

my first upgrade would be
detroits front and rear....

you can go through more stuff with just them!!!!