Good locker for on road use?

[koda6966]

I am going to be investing in a rear locker this fall to prepare for my wintery commutes.

What would be a good locker for on road use? I mostly do hilly highway driving but a fair bit of city driving as well.

I will also be buying another pair of studded tires for the front, hopefully Hercules Polar Trax if I can find them, if not I'll go with something else. And tire chains for when it gets REAL bad.

It's not that big of an investment, and would still serve a purpose after college.

Note: This is for a 7.5 axle with 3.73 gears. I run 235-75R15's in the Summer and 225-75R16's in the winter. If any of that makes a difference.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Automatic or manual trans?

If automatic then go with a detroit locker. 10X smoother than my previous lockright, and no annoying thunk thunk thunk noise around corners.

I don't even know its back there on the street (other than the traction gains). This winter I ran it with 265/75R15 Wintercat SST's studded and I never once had to put it into 4x4 to get around town and we got about 5 or 6 2-3 foot dumps overnight here.

 

[koda6966]

Yep, automatic. Those detroits cost about 400-500 (usd) right?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Around the $500 mark usually. Best investment I've made into my truck yet.

 

[koda6966]

That's what I thought. Do you know about how many miles you have on it now? I need something that will last me about 20k a year .

I might take it out during spring/summer/fall if it wont last well. It would probably be a good idea to help with wear and tear anyway.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Should last the lifetime of the vehicle. I've got probably 15K on mine now.

 

[Hahnsb2]

My 7.5 lock-right never made any clicking noise, just the occaisoinal pop and bang like any auto locker. I agree the Detroit is better if you can afford it.

 

[kunar]

detroit also means gear setup though, right? certainly something to think about koda...

 

[scotts90ranger]

do they make aussie lockers for the 7.5? I hear those are better than the locrite and are still a lunchbox locker...

 

[Hahnsb2]

Not for the 7.5. But yeah I do like my Aussie locker much better than my old Lock-right.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

detroit also means gear setup though, right? certainly something to think about koda...

You would at least need to check the contact pattern after installing. You might have to re set the backlash at the most. I've never really had any problems swapping carriers and needing to redo the gear pattern.

 

[koda6966]

Would it be possible for me to mark the gears somehow so that I can get them in the exact same way or no?

 

[Hahnsb2]

You need new carrier bearings (and races) unless you have the ability to remove the old ones without damaging them, which is pretty difficult. Just make a note of which shim and carrier cap goes on which side and install the Detroit. I'd recommend getting a dial indicator first and checking the backlash in the stock setup and measure it after you install the Detroit, if it's within a couple thou it should be good to go, if not, you need a shim pack and some time to set the backlash.

 

[Frank The Tank]

What's the difference in an auto-and manual when choosing lockers?

Frank

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

The detroit can be a bit harsher with a manual trans, as it loads and unloads when shifting.