Detroit locker has arrived!!!

[stumpuller454]

on dry pavment its almost un noticable, almost, but if the turn is on gravel or loose surface, certainly the tire on the inside of the turn will spit or spin a bit, I have no complaints once so ever, when it does go around corners its amaizingly smooth, even with the windows down i can`t hear the "ratcheting" of the locker, its a good unit! and certainly when you get "on-it" shes two wheels goin`, no question about it!

[k20_chevy]

Great I look forward to installing it. How did you make sure you had the right backlash and pinion preload and stuff like that. I would rather do it my self than pay someone.

[stumpuller454]

i did not do a complete overhaul on it, i just measured backlash before dissasembly, R&r`d the carrier, then returned the backlash, I actually ended up closing the backlash from .012 to .010, giveing a better pattern. I have rebuilt many many rear ends, i have some "setup" papers that I could send you if you want, it will tell you according to your pattern where the moves need to be made, From experience it takes alot of force to "crush" the new crush sleeve when seting up pinion pre-load on the 14 bolt, so when you are doing it and you can`t get it to crush you may have to get a shop to set that up for you, the pinion depth is set by shims that go behind the removable pinion support, so there is no worry to have to constantley remove the preload to change shims on the pinion shaft itself, actually the 14 bolt is really nice to work with.

[k20_chevy]

Anyone have experience with a lunchbox locker in the front axle like aussie, lockrite, powertraxx, etc.

[hotrodpc]

I have not had experience with it, but I had gotten some info on the Lockright by Richmond gear. Its very easy to install, must be installed into an open carrier only. Rated at 350hp and below, tire sizes up to 32inch. For the 14T as Stump refers to it as, 14 botl GM Corp 10.5 gear, at rocky-road.com you can get Lockrite part #1955 for $290. CHEAP for a locker. I am curious to try one too. Although as normal you get what you pay for. 1 of my vehicles falls under the limitations that I want to put a loccker in, so in time, I will be trying one but haven't yet.

[bradrhale]

might have to try rebuilding a 14 bolt one day. i personally like the large eaton rear ends and power dividers, along with ford 9in. i can do all these on a table and not under a truck without removing the whole rear end.

[hotrodpc]

Yep, drop out 3rd members are nice. I have a buddy that had a Ford 9in in his BBC Chevelle and ran Weld Wheels with both bolt patterns. He had a drop out for his highway gear, and another one set up with a 4.88 locker. Took him about 20 minutes to change it with air tools, floor jack and 2 jack stands.

[k20_chevy]

Originally Posted by hotrodpc

I have not had experience with it, but I had gotten some info on the Lockright by Richmond gear. Its very easy to install, must be installed into an open carrier only. Rated at 350hp and below, tire sizes up to 32inch. For the 14T as Stump refers to it as, 14 botl GM Corp 10.5 gear, at rocky-road.com you can get Lockrite part #1955 for $290. CHEAP for a locker. I am curious to try one too. Although as normal you get what you pay for. 1 of my vehicles falls under the limitations that I want to put a loccker in, so in time, I will be trying one but haven't yet.

I ment a lunchbox locker for my front d44. I'm running within the horsepower limit with 33" tires. I've read on many forums guys running up to 35's" with out a problem and don't break the locker. I will take my chances, its the only way to find out.

[hotrodpc]

I agree. You get the chance to try it, certianly let us know how it turns out. I have heard nothing but good about it, and I know Richmond is usually a good product. The guy who tried to tell me all the bad stuff, about the 350hp and 32in tires, I think was trying to step me to the Detroit and get MO Money. I already agree, Detroit is the best money can buy IMO, but some vehicles just do not need all the strength of a Detroit and if the Lockright, performs well for half the money, and anyone who can change oil can install it, then I am willing to try it. Just to find out, I may even run it in this truck I hope to get 400hp out of and see how long it lasts. I am for certain putting one in my 93 E350 w/ Dana 70 and dual wheels. Even though its a EFI 460, its well under the hp and small wheels. I wonder if having dual wheels will put a bigger strain on it. I'd think once it breaks loose in a turn, its broke loose and duals shouldn't matter, then once both sides are at the same speed again, it locks back up. I understand the Lock Right, and the Detroit to be unit that are LOCKED up all the time, they just break loose in a turn. Where a limited slip is NEVER locked until one wheel loses traction, as with GM's G80 Gov Lock. I know G80 has its weaknesses, but for pulling a boat up a slick ramp or climbing a slopped driveway with snow or ice, I have had great luck with G80 doing what its supposed to. The other thing I could say good about the G80, if the locking portion of the unit breaks you at least still have operation like an open diff and you will not be stranded to get home with a peg legger. Its just not for rough play and anything over 10-15mph. I would not reccomend it to anyone, but I guess for the $250 option and you have a boat, it may be OK. Otherwise I would prefer just to get the open diff WITHOUT the G80 so I could add a LockRight unit myself. If the truck is already equopped with G80 you can't install the LockRight without changing the carrier.

[k20_chevy]

I can say my cousin has a lockrite in his old ford ranger and he loves it. The detroit and lockrite are always locked, they release just enough so you can make a turn. Limited slip is ok for pavements trucks because the carbon friction plates in most of them will wear out at some point. That's why I'm going for a full locker that it all mechanical and not have to worry if the parts are wearing out.