Anybody want a Detroit Locker?

[Replimod]

I just bought a new rig from CA, and had it shipped to SC.
Got a super good deal, and there's not a spot of rust anywhere.
Runs and drives great with the exception of the Detroit locker.
For some reason when releasing the cluth it makes the infamous pop and always locks upon my launch. This happens at all RPMs regardless of whether or not I'm turning. I know it's not operator error because I've been around these things for years, and I've had my share of expeirience with them on the track and on the street. It doesn't give me any trouble driving down the round or around curves. I'm thinking my NV4500 and the suspension geometry from my 4 link might be complicating things, but I'm not sure. I'm going to be yanking it out and replacing it with a factory style limited slip. I think that's best since I'm on the street 95% of the time. I should be able to recoup the expense from my new setup by selling the current 3rd member complete. It's a 5:14 soft locker with low low miles.

What do ya'll think?

 

[shamu]

Want like free? I am in!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I will pay the shipping. Gotta ask;D

 

[Bartonatl]

I'm actually looking for a 4.56 28 spline 3rd member to replace my 3.5 open. That sounds like a pretty big jump in gears though.

 

[NYLES]

I'm actually looking for a 4.56 28 spline 3rd member to replace my 3.5 open. That sounds like a pretty big jump in gears though.

depends on xmission and tires

 

[Bartonatl]

nyles: I have 35's with a C4 auto

 

[Replimod]

I'm actually looking to replace it with a 3.50 LS in hopes that it will give me a useable 1st gear in the NV4500. This would also keep my RPM's nice and low on the highway. I haven't seen anybody do this yet, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

 

[Bartonatl]

My 3.5 is an open diff. and works fine but with the 35's I have no pull on inclines. Plus I will burn up my tranny eventually. I'm still trying to figure out if that high a gear will work for me.

 

[blazinchuck]

I'm actually looking to replace it with a 3.50 LS in hopes that it will give me a useable 1st gear in the NV4500. This would also keep my RPM's nice and low on the highway. I haven't seen anybody do this yet, but I don't see why it wouldn't work.

when i had a c4,3.50, and 35's...it was good...however, when i went to a 435...it sucked. i had to use 1st(low) to get moving everytime.

 

[Replimod]

when i had a c4,3.50, and 35's...it was good...however, when i went to a 435...it sucked. i had to use 1st(low) to get moving everytime.

That's what I'm shooting for. Hopefully it would essentially do away with the granny gear and make it more like a standard ratio 1st gear. I understand this would suck on the trails, but I'm trying to make it a daily driver.
I could still use 4 low on my twin stick if I needed a little extra grunt...

 

[Apogee]

For what it's worth, trying to efffectively take the "granny" out of an NV4500 with rear end gears is a terrible idea. The spread is too big to not introduce other driveability issues. Plus, my NV4500 is a synchro first (Dodge) with the lower Chevy ratio, and it still isn't the easiest to shift in and out of...I would hate using it everytime I had to get moving. As it is, it gets used to start on steep hills, pull heavy loads, or off-road and that's it.

If you want to stick with the NV4500, I would gear it as a 4-speed with 2nd being your start gear, otherwise 5th could become unusable. You haven't specified tire size or engine, but that's my experience. The 5.14's would be a good choice for 39" or larger tires. I'm putting in 4.88's with 37's in my EB reinvention this go around since I like the shift points better and it will work with my 351W better...at least it does on paper. The GrimJeeper website has a good calculator for looking at the gear splits.

In the end, I think you would be much happier with an NV3550 5-speed. You could sell the NV4500 to someone looking for a more robust setup with granny gear and pay for the NV3550 swap and then some. You'll have a lighter, quicker shifting tranny with ratios designed for a full 5-speed box, not an OD 4-speed with a granny gear like the NV4500.

Tobin

 

[Replimod]

For what it's worth, trying to efffectively take the "granny" out of an NV4500 with rear end gears is a terrible idea. The spread is too big to not introduce other driveability issues. Plus, my NV4500 is a synchro first (Dodge) with the lower Chevy ratio, and it still isn't the easiest to shift in and out of...I would hate using it everytime I had to get moving. As it is, it gets used to start on steep hills, pull heavy loads, or off-road and that's it.

If you want to stick with the NV4500, I would gear it as a 4-speed with 2nd being your start gear, otherwise 5th could become unusable. You haven't specified tire size or engine, but that's my experience. The 5.14's would be a good choice for 39" or larger tires. I'm putting in 4.88's with 37's in my EB reinvention this go around since I like the shift points better and it will work with my 351W better...at least it does on paper. The GrimJeeper website has a good calculator for looking at the gear splits.

In the end, I think you would be much happier with an NV3550 5-speed. You could sell the NV4500 to someone looking for a more robust setup with granny gear and pay for the NV3550 swap and then some. You'll have a lighter, quicker shifting tranny with ratios designed for a full 5-speed box, not an OD 4-speed with a granny gear like the NV4500.

Tobin

You're probably right...
I checked out the calculator on GrimJeeper, and it's awesome.
I think I might play around with this for a while to figure out my best bet for a daily driver. I'm running 35's now with a 302, but I'm going to 37's and a 351 stroker with EFI in the coming months.