Detroit locker & LockRight, which one in which axle?

[74fj40]

Hi- I have a detroit locker and a lockright locker, one is going to go in each axle, but not sure which to put into what axle. Obviously the detroit is much beefier(bigger case for the locker) and the lock right uses stock case and just replaces spider gears.

I have heard that the detroit has noticeably better road manners than a LR. Which makes me want to put it in the rear as this truck is most of the time my DD. Obviously the best choice would be to ARB front and rear, but I also don't own a money tree..

Maybe it sounds like I have answered my own question, but, what if I had the LR up front, and while wheeling wouldnt it take more of a beating due to steering and ratcheting more often than the Detroit? as the rear axle only has one postion...straight.

What are your thoughts?


Thanks, Max

 

[WES1977]

i'd go with your gut. You use the rear so much more than the front, why not put the better choice there?

 

[Downey]

I don't know that there is a better choice between those two. Neither choice is highway managable, generally alot of wheel hop/ratcheting on the highway---mama will hate it!!
DISCLAIMER: yes there are individuals on the planet who will claim their locker never makes noise on the highway. Let's all be happy for them!!!

 

[Pighead]

I've got the Detroit in the rear right now. Had the Lok-Right before that...
The Detroit is MUCH smoother and gentler on the road. I don't get any ratcheting, will rarely hear a "BANG" (if one tire is getting low). There is the usual rear end twitch on acceleration or deceleration, but I'm so used to that, I don't notice it anymore.
A lok-right in the rear can be annoying, the Detroit much less so. Put the lok-right in the front while you save for a selectable.

 

[lobo loco]

I've got the Detroit in the rear right now. Had the Lok-Right before that...
The Detroit is MUCH smoother and gentler on the road. I don't get any ratcheting, will rarely hear a "BANG" (if one tire is getting low). There is the usual rear end twitch on acceleration or deceleration, but I'm so used to that, I don't notice it anymore.
A lok-right in the rear can be annoying, the Detroit much less so. Put the lok-right in the front while you save for a selectable.

X2 ....getting ready to pull the Lock-rite out of mine...just too annoying for pavement, which is where the truck spends most of it's time. If I feel I can't live without a locker, I'll either go ARB or a limited slip.

 

[camcruiser13]

how much road does this vehicle see?

i got a lockrite in the rear, sure it makes noises but i cant hear them over the other loud noises, then again it only sees about 20 miles of road a year

 

[74fj40]

its my dd.... to school, then work, then home... about 20 miles a day while i'm in school. looks like detroit will go it the rear. thanks all.

 

[lobo loco]

how much road does this vehicle see?

i got a lockrite in the rear, sure it makes noises but i cant hear them over the other loud noises, then again it only sees about 20 miles of road a year

Not sure if the question is for me or the OP, but in my case about 80-90% on pavement. It doesn't snow where I live, so no value there. Also, I've got the FJC with a e-locker, so if I'm going where I think I need a locker, I'll take it. Don't get me wrong...the Lock-Rite works as it's supposed to...just not the best for roads for the reasons posted.

 

[Pin_Head]

Since the Detroit and Lockright look the same and function the same internally, it would be hard to believe that there would be a significant difference in their operation (assuming that both are in good operating condition and properly adjusted). Your choice.

 

[motoloco]

Look the same? operate the same? no, he is comparing a lunchbox lockright to a full case detroit not a detroit EZ-locker. Do the full case in the rear, very street driveable with some getting used to.

 

[craptabulous]

Detroit is a better locker , all the Detroits i have seen were back cut were the lock rights aren't .

i would run the Detroit in the rear .

i never hear my lunch-box , i wish i did it makes me feel like im driving a skidder .

how ever i hate it when im going really slow on pavement making a tight turn and it makes the vehicle hop/chirp/kick/boom , it makes up for it every time i go offroad .

 

[Tigerstripe40]

**WHICH** detroit locker do you have?

Is it the Lunchbox style of Detroit or is it the Full Carrier Detroit?
If it's a lunchbox, honestly, I think it's a wash between the 2.
If it's a full carrier detroit, put the FC Detroit in the rear.

And FWIW, I run a lock rite in teh rear. I can tell it's there when I want to. But when I drive my truck 'normally' I don't even notice it...

 

[Pin_Head]

Look the same? operate the same? .

If you look inside, they do in fact look the same. They certainly operate the same way: One wheel can ratchet faster than the ring gear, but neither wheel can rotate slower than the ring gear. Outside they obviously look different, since one has a carrier and one doesn't.