Need advice on F&R detroit lockers on a DD

[dubbleJs]

Im looking at purchasing a new XJ in the next couple days here. it has a d30 front with full case detriot locker and a 8.25 rear w/ full case detroit as well. Yukon 4.56 gears.
Ive never owned a rig w/ lockers in it and am not sure of how this will handle as a daily driver.
It will get driven everyday in the winter and in the summer driven mostly to go out wheeling and camping.

What do you guys think?

ps- sorry if there's already topics on this but I need a direct answer as Im looking at this rig within a day or so!

 

[S-FLY]

Gave up on the old one?  I need parts!

[SwampSinger]

Your front locker will not engage until you have power to it...  as soon as you give it power it (like puting it on 4WD) will lock. I'm not too sure if it the best option to have your front end fully locked without selectable hubs....  I'm sure you will hear the front carrier clicking like a bastard when you'll turn corners on pavement.


What I know...
I have  a Truetrac in the front and a Detroit in the rear of my XJ... I DD it for years... it was great. The Truetrac has warm gears but a clutch system.  You'll hear sometimes your 8.25 making loud bangs that will make people turn around on the street... that's ok, it's your rear locker unloading...

I never drove a vehicle with the hubs turned on (or with no hubs), not on 4WD, with a Detroit locker in the front on the pavement to see what it does... I think it would not be the greatest to have for a DD....

That's what I think ....Hope that helps

[dubbleJs]

Thanks for the reply, ya I was thinking it will be fine when I'm not in 4wd I guess it'll just be a bit rougher to drive on those days I need to be in 4 in the city...

[rws]

My setup is similar to Dom's with a lunch box locker  in the front and a Detroit in the back.

On icy streets, in two wheel drive it is scary, on an icy highway it is absolutely dangerous and that's is two wheel drive.

I tried driving on an icy street in 4x4 and found I had almost no control whatsoever.

This is not the type of vehicle you want as a DD in the winter.

[Bnine]

The larger/heavier tire you run, the less pronounced a detroit is on the street.

Contrary to everyone else, you cant even notice the detroits in my rig on icy streets. 2 wheel, or 4 wheel.

But my 38 toyo's are 99 lbs a peice, which Im sure contributes a lot to softening the unloading of the detroits.

[dubbleJs]

That's good to know,this xj is on 35's right now.
What will make it dangerous on icy highways? Just the lack of steering control?
Also will the front end/steering act normal when in 2wd?

Thx for the input!

[rws]

My Detroit runs in a locked position thus on a an icy highway, when going around a curve, it becomes very easy to go into a fishtail as both rear tires want to push your vehicle straight forward.

Brines point about heavier tires makes good sense.  My vehicle is an MJ (truck) with 33 inch tires which would be considerable lighter.

This "fishtail" effect can be so pronounced that I will not drive on ice with this vehicle.

[cLAY]

That's good to know,this xj is on 35's right now.
What will make it dangerous on icy highways? Just the lack of steering control?
Also will the front end/steering act normal when in 2wd?

Thx for the input!

Simple ansewer, yes. When trying to corner on ice or slippery streets in 4wd the locker will want to lock up when power is applied. Once its locked it will tend to want to continue going in whatever direction you are currently going in, mostly likely straight. "Coasting" around corners will help with this somewhat.

[dubbleJs]

Great, thanks for the quick replies. Sounds like selectable lockers are the way to go!...but more $$.

Gave up on the old one?  I need parts!

aha, didnt give up yet man! I'll let you know when I do.

[Gearhead]

My 88 YJ  has a detroit in the rear , I like it , I know it's there and drive accordingly. It has never done anything scary as described so far in this thread , no wierdness on ice  ,  white knuckle  or pants pooping behavior.  Has been reliable , has never crunched any parts or let me down. Yes you know it's locked and the vehicle should be driven with that in mind , the only time it's squirrely is on dry pavement , even that is only occasionally , it might clank or want to change lanes when locking or unlocking .  What's best is , it's always there for me when needed . I've heard about and seen way too  many selectable locker problems and failures to even consider buying one.

Detroits rule , better yet ....... a  spool  , for down and dirty traction and forgetaboutit reliability.   Selectable lockers PPfffFfff

Ok   , I admit , a spool would be bad in a DD ,  my point is , lots of participants here don't seem to like Detroit lockers , how many of those persons have even owned one ?  , instead ,  jumping on the selectable locker bandwagon cuz it's what all the cool  web wheelers have and say is best .

[cotaman]

actually a dd( zj on 33s ) with a spool was not too bad.... it was predictable...... it was always locked.......   or should i  say welded....  i still question the the previous owner welded a turdy-5...    one thing that will be changed if i ever get the beast back on the road

[cLAY]

I wouldn't spend the money on a selectable for the rear unless you plan to drive on the street a LOT and are worried about tire wear. I've run a locker in the rear only in slippery conditions and with it in 4wd the front wheels pulling keeps the back in line.

Now if you had the rear locked up AND the front then things would get squirrely. Hence why if you plan to drive on the street you should go with a selectable locker in the front. The rear isn't as big of a concern.