Is there a Detroit locker that fits the LC200?

[Markuson]

I’m told with a locked ARB in the rear, a 200’s MTS will “sense” that both rear wheels are turning and “focus” on the traction control of the front tires. I’m very tempted to try this.

Right. I was referring to (and wondering about) the Detroit automatically-engaging locker specifically. @Taco2Cruiser 3explained the concern specifically with a full-time 4WD vs selectable. ARB definitely not an issue.

As soon as $ allows, gears & ARB lockers are going in.... Just curious about the auto-lock thing. Can’t Imagine wanting that control handed off...

 

[mcgaskins]

@Taco2Cruiser explained it perfectly as usual but I’ll add my experience for humor. Back in the day there were very few non-OEM selectable lockers like the ARB and info didn’t travel as easily back then (specifically talking about the mid to late 90s), and if you heard from a single person who had heard of ARB they usually said it was overly complicated and had leaky air lines (referring to a Jeep crowd btw). So back then it was mostly a bunch of variations on auto locking lockers which would disengage around a turn, very loud ratcheting sound and still not smooth around turns, and then once you were pointed straight again and gave it gas it was essentially fully locked in that diff. It was manageable with a part time 4x4 especially with locking hubs, but it would be a nightmare in a full time 4x4 even with the CDL open.

I had a 79 CJ5 on 35s (huge back then in 2002) with a Detroit locker in the back a spool up front (no unlocking ever unless you disenaged the front hubs), and it was undrivable on the pavement unless you were in 2 high. Granted it also had way too tall gears, no power steering, no power brakes, and a 5 point harnes that made driving difficult anyways!

In fact to help with this illustration, this is how you wheel when you really don’t have a sophisticated and well controlled system to help you off road. You gun it and hope for the best

 

[bloc]

IIRC lunchbox or drop-in lockers like the Lokka product aren’t anywhere near as tough as a real Detroit that replaces the whole carrier. But even then, and beyond the complications outlined by others already, the ratcheting and other attributes are very hard on the drivetrain. I had a lokka in my SAS toyota pickup (pre-taco) on 33s and as a result it would chew up rear axle bearings about once per year... lots of daily driving on that truck.

I also seem to remember stories of destroyed birfields on the front of toyotas when a Detroit or other auto locker in the front disengaged and sent shock loading out to the drive flanges... even if our rear axle is a lot more robust, these are just hard on even the axle they are installed on.

 

[Tex68w]

I have had a Detroit's, Eaton's, a lunch box locker, a full spool, a Tru-Trac, one "Lincoln Locker" lol and of course multiple factory e-lockers. I have never actually owned a vehicle with an ARB air locker. Of all of the different types of lockers that I have owned, the easiest to live with was the Tru-Trac but I have never had any issues with any of the factory lockers I've used (Ford, Jeep, Toyota, Ram). I would like to try ARB air lockers eventually and I plan to install them in the LX in a few years and possibly one up front in the 4Runner. Everyone I know who has owned ARB air lockers has raved about them and I have heard very little to no complaints. The only style of locker than I have no experience with are the cable actuated manual lockers like the OX locker. I've seen a few guys with them in the past in Jeeps, but I have no clue how finicky they might be.

 

[mcgaskins]

I have had a Detroit's, Eaton's, a lunch box locker, a full spool, a Tru-Trac, one "Lincoln Locker" lol and of course multiple factory e-lockers. I have never actually owned a vehicle with an ARB air locker. Of all of the different types of lockers that I have owned, the easiest to live with was the Tru-Trac but I have never had any issues with any of the factory lockers I've used (Ford, Jeep, Toyota, Ram). I would like to try ARB air lockers eventually and I plan to install them in the LX in a few years and possibly one up front in the 4Runner. Everyone I know who has owned ARB air lockers has raved about them and I have heard very little to no complaints. The only style of locker than I have no experience with are the cable actuated manual lockers like the OX locker. I've seen a few guys with them in the past in Jeeps, but I have no clue how finicky they might be.

Funny you say you’ve never had an ARB locker because now you mention it I haven’t either! I’ve had a few OEM lockers, a Detroit, a spool and a “Lincoln locker” as well (didn’t mention it earlier since I figured most wouldn’t know what it is! lol), and I too would like to try an ARB at some point. My buddy building his LX just a pair so hopefully I’ll get a chance to try them out.

 

[Mendocino]

Right. I was referring to (and wondering about) the Detroit automatically-engaging locker specifically. @Taco2Cruiser 3explained the concern specifically with a full-time 4WD vs selectable. ARB definitely not an issue.

As soon as $ allows, gears & ARB lockers are going in.... Just curious about the auto-lock thing. Can’t Imagine wanting that control handed off...

My plan is to get a rear ARB Locker only.