Topic: opinions on lockers please

[jfrabat]

Ox lockers are fine, some of my buddies use them works well. Just need to find a place for the shifter, takes a bit more work to engage and disengage. ARB, Rubicon or E lockers are instant on and of with the flip of a switch

The lever location is what drew me away from the Ox: a couple of friends in Panama run them as well, and one had issues with the cable not being set up correctly, so the locker would not engage, but this is due to poor instalation, and not the locker.

[Jeffy]

Here's the Booster you'll want.  I'm not sure who else sells them but you can cross reference it.

http://shop.oreillyauto.com/ProductDetail.aspx?MfrCode=A1C&MfrPartNumber=5473153

[stan98tj]

Ox lockers are fine, some of my buddies use them works well. Just need to find a place for the shifter, takes a bit more work to engage and disengage. ARB, Rubicon or E lockers are instant on and of with the flip of a switch

you have to unscrew the shifter and then shift and screw back in correct? i wonder if it's like that on all of them. would be much better if you could push or pull up on the shifter and then move it up or down to engage/disengage. i wouldnt mind a locker that locks/unlocks at the flip of a switch..so long as the chances of electrical failure are minimal.

[sharpxmen]

you have to unscrew the shifter and then shift and screw back in correct? i wonder if it's like that on all of them. would be much better if you could push or pull up on the shifter and then move it up or down to engage/disengage. i wouldnt mind a locker that locks/unlocks at the flip of a switch..so long as the chances of electrical failure are minimal.

i think someone mentioned that OX came up with an electric version of theirs - not sure who said that but if he reads this maybe post a confirmation here. yeah, cables would be annoying to operate especially if you have to screw/unscrew the locking nut - they could've come up with some button that you press rather, something like the auto tranny shifter

[chrisfranklin]

I was under the impression that you could crawl under your vehicle and activate an Ox locker even if the cable (and air and electronic now) was disabled in some fashion.    That feature was an appealing fail-safe to me, at least on paper. 

In reality, I don't have any experience with the OXs and the ARBs and Detroits have been around forever which is a good sign.  And of course the No-Slips and Aussies get reviewed mostly OK for how they are typically used.     

[C.Redbeardd]

whats the true track? ya the Detroit is worse then the lockright i think to when it kicks in it's violent and bangs and clangs.
my buddy has one in his ford supper duty.

and it is true about the 4x4 in snow and ice it's much safer with it when my g/f takes It in bad weather I tell just stick it in 4x4 unless it's dry pavement and take it easy.

when the detroit kicks in? Its always locked! Just thought this was funny. 

[dwtaylorpdx]

I don't think many folks realise the detroit does the bang/jump noise when it Dis-engages
to allow your wheel to freewheel around the turn. Most think it engaging when it makes noise...

If Mine was a trail only rig I'd probably have done the Detroit but for daily driver the arb fits me better.

I also prefer to use 4x4 with open diffs in the ice and snow. I don't lock the arb's in the snow, except when I
want to slide around under power.... :)

YMMV

Dave

[C.Redbeardd]

it doesnt disengage around turns.

[jfrabat]

when the detroit kicks in? Its always locked! Just thought this was funny. 

No, it is not; it engages and disengages, hence the name automatic locker (as oppossed to spool).

it doesnt disengage around turns.

It engages under power; if you coast, it should disengage.  This is the reason for the clicking sounds...

[C.Redbeardd]

Never heard it called an automatic locker. I'll break out my manual on my detroit locker.

[neale_rs]

The only things locked all the time are a spool or a lincoln locker (welded diff).

[sharpxmen]

i never had a detroit, so i'm no expert. Looking at the pics would lead me to believe that is always engaged and it will skip or click or step over when there is a difference in travel between left and right wheel. So i went and typed in "detroit locker operation" in google

came across an explanation on a site:
"The Detroit Locker is an automatic locking differential designed to lock both wheels of the axle together automatically with power input, when forward or reverse torque is applied, so that both wheels are providing 100% power to the ground.  This action creates essentially a "spool" that solidly connects the axle shafts together.  When torque is not being applied, the Detroit Locker is allowed to unlock, permitting a differentiation variance in wheel speed while negotiating turns.  The later Soft-Locker design has a stronger case as well as a dampening mechanism to reduce banging and clunking characteristic to the earlier Detroit Locker."

so that is pretty much the opposite of what i gathered looking at the pics

now if someone can explain how it actually operates in plain english would be of great benefit as since i don't see clutch disks or spider gears i can't get my head around it - is one wheel disengaged at all times or once you hit the gas will engage and make it a spool until you lift a bit and it will skip - if that's the case then all of you are correct and actually explaining the different stages of the detroit operation. Again, if someone can explain how it works that would be greatly appreciated.

[C.Redbeardd]

well mine really never clicks unless im taking a turn under power or coasting. never clicks or bangs going straight. WHen it does click or bang, it nearly sends me in a fish tail.

[C.Redbeardd]

they are a little different than most automatic lockers I believe. since those lockers "lock" automatically, rather than unlock.

[FourbangerYJ]

now if someone can explain how it actually operates in plain english would be of great benefit as since i don't see clutch disks or spider gears i can't get my head around it - is one wheel disengaged at all times or once you hit the gas will engage and make it a spool until you lift a bit and it will skip - if that's the case then all of you are correct and actually explaining the different stages of the detroit operation. Again, if someone can explain how it works that would be greatly appreciated.

There is a fairly large spring that engages and disengages when torque is applied. With both tires off the ground (jackstands) you can turn one tire, and the other side will also spin. So I would say they are locked all the time, then unlock when there is no torque applied.