DETROIT LOCKER, TRUETRAC & AUSSIE LOCKER

[skydso]

Hi all,

I posted this in its proper forum but got no response!

I was thinking of fitting a Detroit Locker rear and Truetrac front (solid axles). Now, I've been reading on here and found that Aussie lockers are very well praised ...

What's the difference between an Aussie Locker and a Detroit locker apart from the price tag? Ok, so the Detroit comes complete with the carrier, but does that really mean it's stronger?

And I've also read that Truetracs are a waste of money since one cannot really "feel them" working. is that true? As I already said above, I have solid axles front and rear and my main offroading is rockrawling, not mud and SURELY not snow as I live on a tiny island in the Mediterranean so running around in our country is like driving around in a big city. Should I just lock the rear with either a Detroit or an Aussie and Truetrac the front, or should I leave the front open? I can't afford an ARB coz I'd go for ARB front and rear! So that's out of the story!

Open to all suggestions guys ...

Thanks

Dave

[myexonenine]

I've bought two Powertrax Lock-Rite lockers for mine(84 4runner), they are pretty much the same as the Aussie. I have installed the front and am very pleased so far, no clicking noises or clonks and just a little harder steering (to be expected from a locked front).

So for the price I would go two Aussie or any Lock-rite/lock-right, thats is you have manual locking hubs.

I'm not sure how the truetrac works but just had a look at some pictures and descriptions and it looks way overcomplicated for offroading...

my 2cents

[skydso]

Yes, I have manual locking hubs. So isn't it dangerous to have the front locked all the time while offroading? As I said I have an auto box so you are probably right since there isn't too much stress on the front knuckles.
And what happens when I don't want the front locked while offroad? Do I just unlock the hubs and stay in 2WD? But would I be able to climb like that?

Dave

[Sean]

You either put up with the loss of steering input a front locker provides or you pony up the bucks for an ARB.
The detroit or the aussie both disengage for cornering so it shouldnt be unliveable. It wont be like a welded diff or spool.
A limited slip will have little use in rockcrawling as your tire needs to slip excessively before the clutch packs grab.

[skydso]

So you're saying that it DOES actually give in a little bit although it's an automatic locker? Like you said, I was thinking it would act like a spool or a welded diff! Like this, I guess it should be ok to fit one in the front, no?

Thanks a lot guys ...

Anyone else want to give in their input too?

[rockcrawlintoy]

skydso said:

So you're saying that it DOES actually give in a little bit although it's an automatic locker?

its not an auto locker its a limited slip.

Drew

[skydso]

A limited slip? I thought the Aussie Locker was an automatic locker like the Detroit!

[rockcrawlintoy]

i thought u were talkin about a trutrac. an aussie locker is an auto locker.

[Sean]

Yes the auto lockers allow some differential action for cornering. As long as you arent under great load. You can see in the picture the meshing side gears, when turning one side gear will move out and rachet into the next slot allowing up to a 2:1 differentiation between the side gears. This allows the tires to turn at different speeds.

I still wouldnt reccommend one in the front of a vehicles that 4wd gets used on road.

[skydso]

No, I only engage 4wd offroad. I don't use 4wd on the road here, I don't need it! Do you still not recommend it?

[Sean]

?
I reccomend it if you only use 4wd off road which you say you do, so yeah.

[skydso]

And another thing if you don't mind, please:

Since these auto lockers disengage and ratchet when power is taken off and I have manual locking hubs, with the hubs locked and 4wd DISENGAGED, thus no power is going to the front diff, the front shouldn't give me any problems coz it's gonna ratchet open, right? I'm not saying I'm going to keep them locked, because even with my open diff I still keep them unlocked/free, but there would be instances where we have a 50 yard stretch of road to cross from one track to another. Would I still be ok?

Thanks again

Dave

[Shibby24]

I love my detroit, works well. No problems, daily drove it for 2+ years like that, just got to get used to it. As far as lockers in the front i welded my front, i live with it, not too bad just makes the birfs hate me, longs are in my future. Buddy has aussie in his front, drives almost exactly like my welded front just with a little more noise from the locker. Its a little nicer when coasting though.

That being said, in the front I would wait tell I can afford a selectable, or just weld or spool it, I didnt notice enough difference to make it worth the money to me... But thats just one guys opinion.

[myexonenine]

skydso said:

Since these auto lockers disengage and ratchet when power is taken off and I have manual locking hubs, with the hubs locked and 4wd DISENGAGED, thus no power is going to the front diff, the front shouldn't give me any problems coz it's gonna ratchet open, right? I'm not saying I'm going to keep them locked, because even with my open diff I still keep them unlocked/free, but there would be instances where we have a 50 yard stretch of road to cross from one track to another. Would I still be ok?

Thanks again

Dave

For what you say you want to use it for, you will love the auto locker (I call them auto unlockers) and unlike welding you can always change your mind and pull the thing out. You can use them on the road, disengaging the front drive will help reduce wind up making it easier to drive, but while your hubs are locked the steering will be affected, it will want to go straight and be a little harder to turn.

[4xfred]

;D My rig is welded rear, Aussie front. The only time I notice is when I'm on the throttle. It wants to go straight. Other than that, it's easy. Later...

[skydso]

and as for reliability? regarding knuckles and cv joints that is!