D44 Locker Q's

[brut69]

I want something that will lock up 100%. Don't know that would be. I'm running an Ox in my 30 and just got a 44 and don't want spend that kind of
$$$. So, What do ya'll thank?

 

[honkey84]

Get a detroit locker. Or do a mini spool in the front. Detroit will run about $450, and a spool is about $150.

 

[SaddleUp]

Get a detroit locker. Or do a mini spool in the front. Detroit will run about $450, and a spool is about $150.

I just talked to Randy's Ring & Pinion today and they quoted me $74 for a Mini Spool. Full Spools are more money though.

Keep in mind that a spool will lock both front tires together and make it harder to turn. A Detroit is a little easier to turn because the outside tire can turn faster than the inside one. You will want power steering with either one.

 

[dustybronco]

I have run a detroit in mine for about 10years it held up great but i have snapped alot of axles, hubs etc. never the locker though. CTMs and hardened axle shafts cost more than a selectable locker I would go with Ox if it were up to me. because you can actually steer vs. a full locker that pulls you straight. A spool is going to be ten times worse on the components.

 

[rednck21]

the setup that ive had on the last EB and the current one is a detroit and a twin stick....if you need to make a tight turn with the hubs locked, just kick the front axle out and the detroit will unlock allowing you to turn as if the hubs werent even locked. it works very well ;D

if you go with the mini or full spool it will take forever to make a tight turn...unless you like jumping out and unlocking a hub. it will also put alot of strain and pressure on your steering components eventually wearing them out faster. HTH

 

[dustybronco]

steering

I agree about the steering components I have tried to make a turn and actually bent the tie rod in half so it was touching the ground. makes it very hard to get off a trail when your front tires point toward each other.

 

[mtb_medic]

I have had a lot of success with a genuine gear quick lock or a lock right by detroit locker.

 

[michael084]

I like my aussie locker in the front, I am running stock axles/ujoints until they break. It streers okay as long as the gas isn't to the floor. Everything would break a lot faster if there were rocks around here tho. All we got is mud and sand.

 

[saryan]

What I am going to run is a Detroit soft locker in the rear and a Detroit electrac in the front. When unlocked in the front then it acts like a limited slip differential that way I can run it in 4 wheel drive in the snow and not have any problems. The only thing thats sucks about it is the price tag.

 

[pimpkin]

I have the Detroit Electrac also. It's pricey but I like being able to turn it off during tight turns or reversing and still having limited slip.

 

[Broncobowsher]

My cheap locker in my 44 (until I find something selectable I like and can afford) is a good old lock-right. Always pulls and only fights the steering every once in a while when driving in 4WD with good solid ruck under the tires.

I am looking at the Tera-locker, but other projects are sucking at the wallet a little faster and harder right now.

 

[airman]

the setup that ive had on the last EB and the current one is a detroit and a twin stick....if you need to make a tight turn with the hubs locked, just kick the front axle out and the detroit will unlock allowing you to turn as if the hubs werent even locked. it works very well ;D

if you go with the mini or full spool it will take forever to make a tight turn...unless you like jumping out and unlocking a hub. it will also put alot of strain and pressure on your steering components eventually wearing them out faster. HTH

How often do you actually need front wheels engaged? I have found not very often with a rear locker. But I would have never known that without the twin sticks. I think with the twin stick a selectable locker is almost a waste. You could get a NoSPIN/Detroit Locker and a twin stick for less and have the same thing almost. I know we like to be Batman with our utility belt full to the max but how many bat-a-rangs do you need to carry?

In case you didn't get it I'm all for a soft locker and twin stick set-up.

Jeff in AZ

 

[Steve]

How often do you actually need front wheels engaged? I have found not very often with a rear locker.
In case you didn't get it I'm all for a soft locker and twin stick set-up.

Jeff in AZ

Jeff, I'm not picking on you, but like lots of other questions, this one doesn't have a simple answer. What kind of wheeling you do should go a long way in determining how to build your axles, and what lockers to use. If someone simply asked me "What locker should I put in my front D44?" without giving me any other info at all, I wouldn't give them an answer until I had more info.

I have a Detroit Electrac in the front (full case Detroit in the rear) and I have twin stick. With the type of wheeling I do, taking it out of 4WD to make a tight turn is often out of the question and would probably result in my demise.

brut69, you really need to decide what you want to use your truck for, how you will build the axles (what shafts & u-joints), what type and size tires you're going to run, etc. and then make a decision on what locker is best for you.

BTW I would never run a spool in a front axle.

 

[brut69]

Right now all i'm doing w/ it is crawlin. 9" full spool, D30 w/Ox NP-435, 302, 4.56's, and 35" Xterrains. I'm also running p/s and a Redneck Ram(which i love.)

 

[Socal Tom]

A spool in the front is a very bad idea. You'll spend the money you saved by going cheap, replacing steering parts. I've got the ARB upfront, and with it engaged, if both tires have traction, it really works the steering.

I think it's worth spending the extra money on a selectable locker in the front.
Detroits and other "auto locking" type diffs work well, but they also add to the steering stress, and they are harder to disengage than and ARB or Ox.

You save a couple of hundred dollars by going with a detroit or lockrite, but you end up replacing your steering box, and patching your frame eventually cause you over worked it.

I say spend the extra $ now on the ARB or OX. Then you always have the option of running with the open front end.

Tom

 

[earlybronco]

I am going to be running a 9 inch with full spool and 35 spline shafts and a twin stick mini spool in my 44. BTW I also have the redneck ram. I understand the extra stress on the shafts and steering setup, but for 60 bucks from www.completeoffroad.com you can not beat the price. For the price of a selectable locker I can buy forged shafts and CMT's and a full spool with 3/4 ton steering components.

David

 

[Yellow75]

I wouldn't want to even imagine going around a fairly tight corner with any speed and giving it the berries with a detroit in the front.. Hello house on the corner!! I say stick to a selectable. The electrac is pretty reasonable.. If you've ever been on ice with just a locker in the rear, you realize a honda civic could out-wheel you. Mud drags, spools all the way, any type of situation where a Bronco or a Heep, just because they're small, shines would be negated by a spool..

 

[Socal Tom]

I am going to be running a 9 inch with full spool and 35 spline shafts and a twin stick mini spool in my 44. BTW I also have the redneck ram. I understand the extra stress on the shafts and steering setup, but for 60 bucks from www.completeoffroad.com you can not beat the price. For the price of a selectable locker I can buy forged shafts and CMT's and a full spool with 3/4 ton steering components.

David

To each his own, but with a spool in front, just deselecting the front end won't make it steer much easier. That helps with a detroit, since it "unlocks" when it's not under power. If you have both hubs locked you won't be able to make any kind of decent turn, in 4wd or not.

You've built up everything else, so carry spare knuckles.
Tom

 

[airman]

Jeff, I'm not picking on you, but like lots of other questions, this one doesn't have a simple answer. What kind of wheeling you do should go a long way in determining how to build your axles, and what lockers to use. If someone simply asked me "What locker should I put in my front D44?" without giving me any other info at all, I wouldn't give them an answer until I had more info.

I have a Detroit Electrac in the front (full case Detroit in the rear) and I have twin stick. With the type of wheeling I do, taking it out of 4WD to make a tight turn is often out of the question and would probably result in my demise.

brut69, you really need to decide what you want to use your truck for, how you will build the axles (what shafts & u-joints), what type and size tires you're going to run, etc. and then make a decision on what locker is best for you.

BTW I would never run a spool in a front axle.

I'm with you on the no spool in the front unless you are sand drag racing.

Just to clearify I would not take my front out of engagement unless I didn't need it either.

Jeff in AZ

 

[SaddleUp]

I run a Detroit Locker in the front of mine which I am happy with. I do use 2WD between trails but once I get into it (Rock Crawling, etc.) it stays in 4WD and I have never noticed it preventing me from taking a turn. I do not suggest trying to use it on ice though. If it is icy out mine stays at home and I take the Explorer.