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Lockers Pro and Con

K

ks2krpt

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Location
Adirondack Mts, NY
I am considering installing a Lock Right Locker in the rear Differential. My driving is both on and off road. What is the experience here on how it will hold up and not fail with on/off road use? I have heard that on road use can tear them up.

Thanks
Paul
 
Well , I have heard bad and good . I have a Detroit EZ locker ( very close to lockright ) and although I have had onroad trouble , fixed it , only to come back and pop often , I still LOVE the performance off road . I think my trouble lies in the tolerances of a 30 year old carrier . You probably won't have any problems with a lockright . And I can say from 6 months of running locked on the street with stock axles , you will not break an axle driving NORMALLY . I get hard bangs and pops sometimes , sounds like breakage , and all is well . I am pulling mine anyway to waranty , then putting it in another axle later to swap in my truck . because like I said my carrier is old .

Get new thrust washers , good oil , and you'll be fine more than likely /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif /forums/images/graemlins/k5.gif
 
I've been abusing my LockRights for a year now. I probably average 3-4 hours/week wheeling time and have probably burned off 14,000 miles since putting them in.
 
pro: awesome traction

con: onroad driving quirks.

con: somewhat dangerous driving in icy conditions.(fishtailing)
 
What size tires are you running? Those lockers seem to be more noticable with the smaller ones.

I say do it and hang onto the spider gears. If you dont like it, you can switch it back out and sell it.

I think you'll like it though. /forums/images/graemlins/thumb.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
The tires are 900x16.

Paul

[/ QUOTE ]

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif /forums/images/graemlins/dunno.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
they occasionally make loud booming crash noises that have your new passengers ask
"WTF was that?"
to which, after a few years, you will respond
"what was what? oh that is normal locker sounds and I do not even hear them anymore"

if you drive a manual tranny you will notice a lot more backlash and the occasional 'locker induced lanechange' effect which will also fade from extended use.

dont be lending your ride in nasty weather
 
sounds like a 36" tall, narrow tire like a Michelin XL
speaking of which we have a set coming back from the retreader with a pattern called M70
can't wait to see it, the M80 looked to tame hoping m70 is nastier
 
I have been running a lockrite for 4 years now. On, off road, towing. It sees a lot of hard use. Still works good.
If you are putting one in an old rear end it is wise to get new thrust washers and a pinion pin. You need the new parts because clearances are critical with Lockrites. If they are too sloppy they will wear out fast. Using a good quality 85-140 wt gear lube helps keep them quieter.
 
I have detroit front and rear. I don't get any noise with street driving, but it is hard (impossible) to steer when in 4x4. I have been told that the front is probably not unlocking corectly.

Wheels like mad!

So far so good for me. I will change to an air locker front when it breaks or I get bored.
 
I have lockers f/r in my truck and a locker in the rear of my daily driver. The rear of my daily driver has a lockright which I ground the ring gear to install because the axle is so small. I have put 35,000 miles on it since then with no issues.

I agree on the loud clanging and banging, and backlash. I have never experienced the locker induced lane change but I have had a little rear sway from it locking and unlocking. I rarely notice it anymore unless I force it to lock around a corner. I do drive in snow and I prefer a locked rear to anything else.

Pros - awesome traction, on any surface, to the point that it's like an entirely different truck

Cons - may cause sliding on wet surfaces if you're not used to driving with it Cost is also one. Tire wear will increase.

Like m j says, don't lend your rig out in foul weather. My dad almost lost control on an exit ramp.
 
sorry about the Hijack, but I was wondering about the same thing. But I tow a 21ft travel trailer, would a locker cause any dangers in this type of use?
 
agree
If you suck at driving it doesn't matter what the differential is
I started driving like any country boy as soon as I was tall enough to be put to use
always loved Team Sideways style driving, they call it drifting these days as if it was a new concept
 
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