Detroit Locker question......

Knowing that Corp 14 bolt Detroit Lockers are quite inexpensive, what are the general thoughts on using one on a fairly regularly driven vehicle.........I generally drive kinda gently, im fully middle aged, and ive driven a lot of 60's-80's 4wd, manual trans vehicles in both winter and summer conditions, including a IH Scout II w/ Detroit, so im reasonably familiar with what these differentials can do.......So, knowing that i have a stock 350/Sm465/205 case 83 K20, with 4.10s, 33" tires that will be used for 5-6K miles a year, would you consider a detroit locker any sort of liability whatsoever, thanks Bob

Hi Bob, You have a good question here...
IMO it depends all on driver skill. A very good driver would have no problems and in fact, lots of fun in slippery conditions with a rear locker. Another point I consider is the power output of the vehicle. A truck for example that has the jam to break loose the rear wheels on snow or icy roads AT SPEED is a lot easier to control... drift is the word or some guys call it power sliding. A gutless rig that breaks loose the rear wheels from speed and momentum is balls harder to control than purposely gunning it and drifting.

By a 'skilled driver' I'm not talking about just someone with no accidents on their record, albeit that is one benefit of skilled driving and also luck. I mean someone who can slide and correct at will, excellent off road technique and just plain old race car driver mind set. So if you're one of these Bob, pin that truck with the rear locker and love life. But if your a driver who needs anti-lock brakes to survive, I would say you best stick with open diffs and by all means... SKINNY TIRES.

There is also the added liability of wearing down your tires (rear and front) a little sooner if driving aggressively on pavement.

Here in Southern Oregon, i really dont face BC, Canada conditions..........during an average winter, we see maybe 12" of total snowfall all winter, some years less or even none. For the most part, ive got little interest on breaking tires loose, quite the contrary, my preference is to retain traction,but i appreciate the input

I've had a detroit locker in the back of my truck for quite a while. It was my daily driver for a lot of years. They came stock in a lot of Ford trucks back in the day. I've just learned to take it a bit easy pulling out into traffic or when making tight turns. Then once I straighten out then give it more gas.
I even pull a trailer with mine. Yes, tires do wear a bit more on the rear, but I don't put a whole lot of miles on it anyway.

IMHO, unless you drive off road or it's a performance application I wouldn't do it. Tire wear, noise and sqirreliness in low traction situations make me never want to own another one.

The answer seems obvious to me. If you liked how your Scout II drove, then get a Detroit. If you didn't, then don't. The trucks are similar in design so it shouldn't be like comparing apples to oranges.

I have had a Detroit Locker in my '78 K-10 short wide since 1979. Changed out the axles to a 14 bolt, and a Dana 60 in 1979. I have towed 40' fifth wheel travel trailers all over, to and from off road events. Parked in the camping spot, unhooked the fifth wheel, set up camp. Then got ready to wheel all weekend long in the same K-10. Pulled stock trailers, both loaded and empty. Sometimes into, and out of pastures, which weren't dry by any stretch of the imagination. Helped pull other farmer's tractors out of creeks, or pastures when stuck tending to their livestock.

Bottom line is, I will never use anything other than a Detroit Locker in the rear axle of any of my trucks. The only thing that I have noticed was the strange looks of folks that are close enough to hear when the locker unlocks when turning corners. It does sometime make a loud popping sound upon the side gear being released. Like others have stated, one must learn to operate the vehicle differently. However, as long as one wheel is in contact with the ground. Your vehicle will keep moving. Semper Fi. OUT!!!!!

Fitz said:

I have had a Detroit Locker in my '78 K-10 short wide since 1979. Changed out the axles to a 14 bolt, and a Dana 60 in 1979. I have towed 40' fifth wheel travel trailers all over, to and from off road events. Parked in the camping spot, unhooked the fifth wheel, set up camp. Then got ready to wheel all weekend long in the same K-10. Pulled stock trailers, both loaded and empty. Sometimes into, and out of pastures, which weren't dry by any stretch of the imagination. Helped pull other farmer's tractors out of creeks, or pastures when stuck tending to their livestock.

Bottom line is, I will never use anything other than a Detroit Locker in the rear axle of any of my trucks. The only thing that I have noticed was the strange looks of folks that are close enough to hear when the locker unlocks when turning corners. It does sometime make a loud popping sound upon the side gear being released. Like others have stated, one must learn to operate the vehicle differently. However, as long as one wheel is in contact with the ground. Your vehicle will keep moving. Semper Fi. OUT!!!!!

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Yeah, the strange looks from folks is just part of functional truck ownership, imho. I get funny looks when driving a welded diff around town, and people are often confused if they happen to hear my tire balance BB's come jingling out of suspension as I come to a stop.

gear drivin locker are better for nomal road driving...... rock climbing way different story

bucket said:

Yeah, the strange looks from folks is just part of functional truck ownership, imho. I get funny looks when driving a welded diff around town, and people are often confused if they happen to hear my tire balance BB's come jingling out of suspension as I come to a stop.

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Balance BBs and welded diffs.Dammit @bucket I'm starting to think somehow we are related. We're you an adopted kid?

Fitz said:

I have had a Detroit Locker in my '78 K-10 short wide since 1979. Changed out the axles to a 14 bolt, and a Dana 60 in 1979. I have towed 40' fifth wheel travel trailers all over, to and from off road events. Parked in the camping spot, unhooked the fifth wheel, set up camp. Then got ready to wheel all weekend long in the same K-10. Pulled stock trailers, both loaded and empty. Sometimes into, and out of pastures, which weren't dry by any stretch of the imagination. Helped pull other farmer's tractors out of creeks, or pastures when stuck tending to their livestock.

Bottom line is, I will never use anything other than a Detroit Locker in the rear axle of any of my trucks. The only thing that I have noticed was the strange looks of folks that are close enough to hear when the locker unlocks when turning corners. It does sometime make a loud popping sound upon the side gear being released. Like others have stated, one must learn to operate the vehicle differently. However, as long as one wheel is in contact with the ground. Your vehicle will keep moving. Semper Fi. OUT!!!!!

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Mine was ok with the th400. Swapped in a 4500 and I instantly hated it on pavement at any speed.