Post by Mike Kelly on Oct 31, 2003 15:47:18 GMT -5
**Original Post By Sean**
What a locker does.
Well in a open differential the both tires wil recieve equal torque. If one tire is lifted and spinning that is 0 torque so the other tire will just sit and so nothing. Most vechicles have an open differential to allow the tires to turn at a different pace while cornering.
There are three basic types of lockers:
Automatic: Detroit locker, lockrite, aussie ect.
The automatic locker works usually on a racheting system. Under heavy torque the locker will automatically engage so that both tires spin at the same rate, no matter the traction difference. The rachecting system allows the vehicle to turn corners without both tires turning at the same pace. There are two basic types of automatic lockers. The cheaper versions fit inside the existing differential carrier (aussie, lockrite) while the more expensive replace the entire carrier (detroit). These are very different from a posi traction unit which use clutches and are prone to slippage. Once engaged the auto locker spins both tires the same rate until the torque input(gas) is backed off.
Selectable: ARB, Toyota factory electric ect.
Seclectable lockers work quite differently than the automatic lockers. Under normal driving the differential will perform as an open differential. When the locker is engaged however it becomes fully locked like a spool, with both tires turning the same rate no matter the traction or torque input. The beauty is they engage at the flip of a switch, which means it's only on when you want it to be. These are obviously the locker of choice for a daily driven vechicle, but the price is quite prohibitive, usually several times the price of a aussie or lockrite, and about 40-60% more than a detroit.
Spool or welded diff: A spool replaces the differential with a soild spool. It forces the tires to spin at the same rate, all the time. Because of this they are usually reserved for trail only rigs. A welded diff although not a spool performs in funtionally the same way.
What a locker does.
Well in a open differential the both tires wil recieve equal torque. If one tire is lifted and spinning that is 0 torque so the other tire will just sit and so nothing. Most vechicles have an open differential to allow the tires to turn at a different pace while cornering.
There are three basic types of lockers:
Automatic: Detroit locker, lockrite, aussie ect.
The automatic locker works usually on a racheting system. Under heavy torque the locker will automatically engage so that both tires spin at the same rate, no matter the traction difference. The rachecting system allows the vehicle to turn corners without both tires turning at the same pace. There are two basic types of automatic lockers. The cheaper versions fit inside the existing differential carrier (aussie, lockrite) while the more expensive replace the entire carrier (detroit). These are very different from a posi traction unit which use clutches and are prone to slippage. Once engaged the auto locker spins both tires the same rate until the torque input(gas) is backed off.
Selectable: ARB, Toyota factory electric ect.
Seclectable lockers work quite differently than the automatic lockers. Under normal driving the differential will perform as an open differential. When the locker is engaged however it becomes fully locked like a spool, with both tires turning the same rate no matter the traction or torque input. The beauty is they engage at the flip of a switch, which means it's only on when you want it to be. These are obviously the locker of choice for a daily driven vechicle, but the price is quite prohibitive, usually several times the price of a aussie or lockrite, and about 40-60% more than a detroit.
Spool or welded diff: A spool replaces the differential with a soild spool. It forces the tires to spin at the same rate, all the time. Because of this they are usually reserved for trail only rigs. A welded diff although not a spool performs in funtionally the same way.
