Detroit Locker, Detroit Soft Locker, two different lockers?

[garberz]

What's the difference in the two. Can you still get the Non soft locker? Right now I've got nothing. F&R.

 

[DirtDonk]

About 15 years ago or so, the company that made the Detroit at the time (Tractech I think?) changed the bevel angle on the dog teeth within the unit to sort of "soften" up the engagement and called it the Sof-Locker. Jury is still out as to whether it accomplished that with flying colors, or not, but they did it to combat long-standing customer complaints, and to counter the claims by other companies (LA Locker/? specifically) that their unit was had none of that harshness associated with a Detroit.
Then, after their lawsuit was finally over (or thereabouts), they came out with the EZ Locker anyway, which was a direct competitor/semi-clone instead.

I'm having a brain fart and can't remember the name of the unit that the LA Locker became, which is the one that started this whole "lunchbox locker" craze anyway.
Oh well. Someone will fill in the blanks, if anyone really wants to know. ;

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

Hmm, maybe it actually WAS the E-Z Locker, and now they're just the same company after a buy-out or three?
Someone will know. Stay tuned.

Paul

 

[mavereq]

i think all detroit lockers are now soft lockers, but not positive on that.

 

[DirtDonk]

Lock-Rite was the one I was trying to think of. Remembered it while I was out walking.

Paul

 

[DirtDonk]

Pretty sure you're correct mavereq. For a short time you could buy both, but now they're all just Detroits, with the beveled Soft-Locker teeth.

Paul

 

[broncnaz]

Dont know all the ins and outs of the differances between soft and standard detroits. but I do know that a stiffer engaugment spring was offered(72 lb vs 58 lb) as well at one point. Not sure if the older lockers also had the stiffer spring or maybe all the soft lockers do. You may want to contact tracteck. Last time I contacted them they were pretty helpful.

 

[Oatmeal]

Hah, I have an L.A. Locker in my D44 and has held up to a couple of blown front shafts The rear broke my stock two pinion carrier in half (replaced it with a Detroit) but, didn't hurt the actual locker parts.......bought new pins and springs and stuck it in my buddy's Bronco. Still good after 15 years....knock on wood---------Hans

 

[ken75ranger]

I'm pretty sure you can get regular or soft spring for the 9 inch. If I remember right there's an A and B suffix to cover the light and heavy springs. The soft spring is nicer on the street.

 

[Scrapper_MV]

The original was called the Detroit Locker and was a great design that offered ultimate traction. But some people complained that they engaged / disengaged harshly and made loud noises. So they came out with the Detroit Soft locker which still had the ultimate traction but less harshness. Then they came out with the EZ-locker which is not to be confused with the other two. It is a locker with ultimate traction, but it is installed in the original open carrier. These carriers are the weak link and do break when combined with any type of lunch box locker such as the EZ-locker.

Then to make matters even more confusing, the Detroit Locker was sold to Eaton. I have heard that Eaton made several changes to reduce the manufacturing costs, including going to an inferior metal. The Detroit Lockers Made by Eaton are rumored to break easily but I have not seen one break yet.

If you can find an old school Detroit Locker and can live with the occasional clunking or clanging, then buy it! They are the best locker out there in my opinion. I have two of them in my rig.

 

[JWMcCrary]

Then to make matters even more confusing, the Detroit Locker was sold to Eaton.

Any idea when that happened?

 

[Scrapper_MV]

Any idea when that happened?

2005 I think. But I'm old and my memory is getting bad. What were we talking about again?

 

[Quick & Dirty]

The old name was Detroit Automotive Products NoSpin Locking Differential. The different types have been around a while. There is a regular type and silent type in my Ford 1969 Truck shop manual. The regular has larger, deeper teeth. The silent has shallow, rounded teeth.

The no-case types in the picture are for big (5 ton etc.) truck axles. These are not lunch box lockers.

 

[Bronchole]

And then you have the NASCAR lockers that are available on EBAY for less than $200. They are as agressive and LOUD as the old "no-spin" Detroits, but still the ultimate in traction.

If you decide to go this way, make sure you are sure which bearings you are going to use with them and that the bearings are compatable with your housing. The NASCAR Detroit lockers come in both sizes of bearings and I even think a third size of bearing.

Mine works great, but it is allot louder and a bit more agressive that the soft locker I ran for over a decade.

 

[DirtDonk]

I think the caseless NoSpin version is still what you get when you order one for a GM 14 bolt 10.5" diff.
Since that axle was available even in some super heavy duty trucks, that might make sense as their stock case is probably pretty stout.

I've seen three old-school Detroits (bought before the '80's at least) for the Ford 9" that literally cracked around the entire circumference of the surface where the ring-gear bolts go. Pretty spectacular failures, but still a stout setup capable of living a long and happy life for most users.

Paul

 

[Quick & Dirty]

I've seen three old-school Detroits (bought before the '80's at least) for the Ford 9" that literally cracked around the entire circumference of the surface where the ring-gear bolts go.

Are you sure they were detroits? The factory limited slip is notorious for that failure.

 

[DirtDonk]

Yeah, definitely seen those too! But no, the first one I saw was indeed a Detroit, and the guy was in the middle of a long-running dispute with the manufacturer at the time.
the other two were as well, but don't remember the details.
I do remember one other thing though. At least two of those guys said "So there I was, just driving along sedately and minding my own business, when BAMMO!..."

Nice pic! Did you do that?

Paul

 

[Quick & Dirty]

Nice pic! Did you do that?

Paul

No, I bought it that way. Didn't notice it till I got home and took a closer look. It was in a nodular case, so the price wasn't too bad. I may try to swap the 31 spline guts into a good 28 spline diff I have. Not sure if the bores for the axles are big enough though.

I've heard the 28 spline Detroits are harsher than the 31. The smaller axles twist up before the teeth ratchet and the energy is released with a bang. The stiffer axles allow the gears to ratchet smoother.

 

[matt w]

I will be watching this one!..I need something in the front...And although I want an ARB the cash just ain't there these days to justify it!;D

 

[broncnaz]

And then you have the NASCAR lockers that are available on EBAY for less than $200. They are as agressive and LOUD as the old "no-spin" Detroits, but still the ultimate in traction.

If you decide to go this way, make sure you are sure which bearings you are going to use with them and that the bearings are compatable with your housing. The NASCAR Detroit lockers come in both sizes of bearings and I even think a third size of bearing.

Mine works great, but it is allot louder and a bit more agressive that the soft locker I ran for over a decade.

When I talked to trac tech a few years back about the nascar ones they said they are setup so one side unlocks easier. And might not be a good choice for a 4x4 app. Have you ever noticed this happening?