poll on D44 lockers / posi's

[BeyondReason]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

I run a 79' Jimmy with a 14 bolt Corporate in the Rear and a Dana44HD in the front. All 3/4 ton stuff. I'm actually running a Detroit in the rear and a ARB air locker in the front with stock axles. Have been running this way for two years. No problems at all. I also use WARN Lockouts. I turn 38.5/15.50/15 Super Swampers. I'm not really aggresive but I do make my system work hard. The Dana 44HD has been pretty tough so far. THe reason for the air locker was to take the bind out of extremely sharp turns. The ability to engage and disengage is amazingly helpful. If you ever decide to convert to a Dana 60 up front, remember in stock form, the 44 turns sharper than any of the others. Good Luck

BeyondReason

 

[Burt4x4]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

Well I haven't used it yet but my D44 has a Power-Lock up front. I also have one in the rear and the DanaPower-lock it the closest thing to a locker you can get without being locked.
If I was to go with locker I would save the $$ and do an ARB for the front only.
My reaserch came up with two choices for the front.
1. ARB
2. Power-Lock

No others will do!!
My .02c

72K5

Led Zeppelin

Rock ON!

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/baja/5099>http://www.geocities.com/baja/5099</A>

 

[kpanza]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

I second Burt on the Power Lock, it is pretty decent. We have one in our 68 CJ5 up front, with a Detroit in the rear. Of course, it's hard to compare because the Jeep doesn't have power steering! But let me tell you, it is a freakin workout! And you can pretty much forget about switching lines in the rock gardens - you get real good real fast at picking a line through and following it - because you really can't turn the thing with the combo of a locker and no power steering. But I will tell you that the ARB was some of the best money I have ever spent on the truck, that thing is the perfect tool in my opinion. And like the guy above, I am running the stock axles in the 10 bolt - no problems so far.

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

I agree with you guys totally. I don't do rocks though, I do mud and trails. I HAVE to be able to turn tightly on trails or I'll hit trees. I'm not a body man so I've got to avoid damage so my truck won't end up looking like @#$@.

I would have nothing but an ARB in a front axle, and I can't see myself spending the money on that right now.

I've got a factory posi out back and that's good enough for right now.

I want to restore my truck entirely so if I build an all-out off road truck, maybe then I'll want lockers in both ends if I don't care about bouncing off trees.

In the mud a front locker really wouldn't help all that much anyway, I don't think. Usually if you get stuck it's a matter of ground clearance, not a lack of traction. When you start dragging pumpkins, it doesn't matter how much horsepower, tires, or lockers you've got, you're stuck and that's that.

I haven't wheeled this truck that many times in its current, modified state, but when I have, I've been VERY satisfied with the results. I've only been stuck once, when I couldn't put my truck in 4wd due to mis-matched gears (I really didn't mean to get where I was, I took the wrong trail). It only required a 10-15 foot pull of the chain and then I drove out of it. The mud was so deep that I backed out of, my left front 35" tire was nearly swallowed (2" of it was sticking out of the mud). That area, I've come to find out, has no bottom. A creek runs right through where I was driving.

Tim
'84 Chevy K10, lifted, loud, fast, and 3/4 ton axles

 

[solowookie]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

I gotta ask you guys what the power lock is that you are talking about???

actually I think I am considering locking just the front with and ARB and leaving the back open (until they have a 14B FF), or putting a detriot in the back until they get an ARB...

or I was also thinking about a detroit in the back, and an eaton up front???

<font color=blue> Jeff </font color=blue>

 

[FWP]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

Yes, please let us know. Power-Lock?

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://fwp4x4.rockcrawler.com>http://fwp4x4.rockcrawler.com</A>

 

[ken]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

Powr-Loks have been around for over 50 years. They are the best clutch type limited slip differnetial ever made. When a tire begins to slip, the PL actually mechanically clamps the clutch packs tighter together, thus making it lock like a Detroit. I have one in the rear Dana 60 in my CJ5 and it chirps around corners, much like a spool. I also use one in the front 60 in my '77 Suburban and love it. Also, PLs are fully rebuildable for about $60 (new clutch/friction plates). I can usually buy used PLs for 44s or 60s for between $125 and $150 depending on spline count and fast or slow case, from a guy that "junkyards" for a living. He is in Hesperia, CA if anyone is interested.

ken

 

[CaptCrunch]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

The power-loks are the same thing as the Eatons I was reffering too... they ain't that stock crap like a gov lock. Like ken said they are rebuildable and you can change the spring for a more or less locker like performance.

Hey Keith... just wondering, but what did the compressor and ARB run ya about? Man those things are sweet... I saw a jeep w/ them a while back and you would hear the hiss of the air and like keith said... dang near idle up anything

... only bad thing is I would miss my AC on days like today

-Mikey
1987 Chevy K5 Blazer- 350 TBI
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/milnerlives_2000/blazer.htm>http://www.geocities.com/milnerlives_2000/blazer.htm</A>

 

[jms]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

For what it's worth to you 14-bolt guys: I've an ARB in the rear 10-bolt for three years now - hands down the single best upgrade to my vehicle. It'll move to the front once I find that 14-bolt sf (for which ARB's are available). ARB allows you to take it easy on trail and gas pedal, and you turn it on only when you need it. What works best for me is to hit the switch before tackling an obstacle rather than waiting until I'm in trouble. I can't imagine driving without a selectable locker anymore.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://desertrider.net>http://desertrider.net</A>

 

[BlazerGuy]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr>

....only bad thing is I would miss my AC on days like today

<hr></blockquote>

You don't have to give up your A/C compressor to power the ARB. They have their own little compressors
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.arb.com.au/>http://www.arb.com.au/</A>

Murphy's Laws on Life:
"A bird in the hand is worth three Kleenex."
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.K5.rockcrawler.com>http://www.K5.rockcrawler.com</A> *under construction*

 

[FWP]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

Ken, Good info, thank you

. Do they drop in the existing carrier, or is the carrier replaced? TIA

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://fwp4x4.rockcrawler.com>http://fwp4x4.rockcrawler.com</A>

 

[84_Chevy_K10]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

No, you have to replace the carrier.

I would LOVE to have ARBs in both ends.

Tim
'84 Chevy K10, lifted, loud, fast, and 3/4 ton axles

 

[CaptCrunch]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

I just want to thank everyone for their comments here... it has given me lots of things to think about... aprrox what kinda price we looking at for the compressor and each ARB air locker?

-Mikey
1987 Chevy K5 Blazer- 350 TBI
<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/milnerlives_2000/blazer.htm>http://www.geocities.com/milnerlives_2000/blazer.htm</A>

 

[RedDwarf]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

Powr Lok is way better than the Eaton. Stronger case, and the center pin loads the clutches. It's almost like a locker.
Thank for spelling it right though guys Most people say Power Lock

Auto lockers aren't all that bad for oversteer. Most folks who rage on about how much they plow probably would not even notice if they actually rode in a rig that had one.
Mine even turns tighter in the mud w/the front locked.
My Lock Right is staying, unless somebody gives me a Detroit

Lift It, Lock It, LIVE IT!!!

 

[solowookie]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

man this has been a good post guys. there has been a wealth of info! I think I've pretty much found everything I have been looking for between this and the post on ice.

I think I'm definately going arb in the front and waiting for the 14b ff arb. man as much as I don't want the open axles I have to have the best characteristics as possible on the ice. (yea I know lifted vehicles going to be bad enough)

this thing will be driven a LOT more in the ice then it will be in situations where I will need locked axles.

<font color=blue> Jeff </font color=blue>

 

[kpanza]

Re: poll on D44 lockers / posi\'s

The ARB compressors run about $190 or so at most competitive stores. The lockers themselves usually run between about $600-650 or so...sometimes you can get a "package deal" if you get gears, lockers, etc all together...

Also, you can run other compressors besides the ARB if you wanted to...although running the ARB makes for a much easier install, since it comes as a complete unit and just plugs in.

In my opinion, you are well served to save up the extra couple hundred bucks for the front ARB, it is worth every penny! As for the rear, I would probably just save the money and do a trusty Detroit in the rear 14bff, mine works great and it is not that bad at all on the street. The only complaint I have with the Detroit is when I am in snow and am on a sidehill - it gets real touchy real quick! The rear end will ALWAYS try to slip down hill, which can be very unnerving when you are on a tight trail wth a large drop off! Last winter I had to winch myself back on the trail after my rear end would not stop sidestepping...it was hairy having the rear end hanging off the side!

Other than that, I love both lockers! I am hoping to get the ARB line added to our site, if I do, I will definitely keep you guys posted, as I would be able to get the lockers and compressors cheaper if that goes through. Nothing's been set yet, but as soon as I find out I will let you guys know!