What Lockers for front and rear?

[crawlin91]

I was going to go with a selectable locker in my explorer 8.8 thats going in the ranger. But Ive been doing some thinking. I think I could get both front and rear auto lockers for about the same price. It may be a dd but I think its something that I could get used to.
How bad would it "behave" on the road locked front and rear? I do have a manual tranny which I think would make a difference. I need a rear differential as the 8.8 came empty.
Any other thoughts or suggestions on this?
I was thinking a powertrax up front and a detroit maybe for the rear. Like I said I need something that would replace the diff as I dont have one. Which ones would you recommend?

 

[Evan]

A lunchbox (auto) locker will behave OK at best in the rear. I recommend putting an ARB back there if the truck is going to see some street time.

 

[engdept]

ARB air locker in the rear

Aussie Locker in the front.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

My vote goes to the detroit for the rear, and an Aussi locker up front.

I've got a detroit out back and mine is daily driven and I love it, I find it a big improvment over my previous lockright.

I run an auto tranny tho, the 5 speed will make it act a little different.

 

[crawlin91]

Ok what I really want to know is who here does run a detroit rear with a manual tranny, or any other rear auto locker and how does it handle?
Is there any slop with the the front diff locker when not engaged in 4wd? Or does it behave like normal untill you give the axle power.

 

[Hahnsb2]

My vote goes to the detroit for the rear, and an Aussi locker up front.

My problem with a selectable on the street is you have to deal with one tire fire if it's raining and you step on it and instead of moving you're spinning one tire and not going anywhere.
The front is completly irrelevent on the street in 2wd with the hubs unlocked.
The only time my auto locker gets annoying is tight parking lots but lets be serious, who spends more than 2% of their time in a parking lot when driving?

 

[Will]

I've had a Lock-Right on my truck since 2001 and two of them since 2002. It doesn't handle poorly. It will take you a day to get used to it and in a week you'll forget you don't have a differential back there. I could go on and tell you how to make it a smooth drive, but you'll figure it out.

 

[crawlin91]

I've had a Lock-Right on my truck since 2001 and two of them since 2002. It doesn't handle poorly. It will take you a day to get used to it and in a week you'll forget you don't have a differential back there. I could go on and tell you how to make it a smooth drive, but you'll figure it out.

Kick assI am going with the detroit and lock right up front.

 

[Dishtowel]

I've had a Lock-Right on my truck since 2001 and two of them since 2002. It doesn't handle poorly. It will take you a day to get used to it and in a week you'll forget you don't have a differential back there. I could go on and tell you how to make it a smooth drive, but you'll figure it out.

Finally, a voice of reason instead of all those people who think this will radically affect your winter driving, etc, etc.

Kick assI am going with the detroit and lock right up front.

Coolcool, why not save your $$ and go put a lockright in the back to? I bet it will outlive your time with this truck.

 

[crawlin91]

Finally, a voice of reason instead of all those people who think this will radically affect your winter driving, etc, etc.



Coolcool, why not save your $$ and go put a lockright in the back to? I bet it will outlive your time with this truck.

it is my impression that a lockright is an add on, my 8.8 came with no gears or differential. I think the only way I could do that is if I go and rip one out of an explorer(8.8 diff) myself and have it installed with the lockright...correct?

 

[Slingblade]

+1 for the detroit rear and lock right front

Chris

 

[4x4junkie]

Ok what I really want to know is who here does run a detroit rear with a manual tranny, or any other rear auto locker and how does it handle?
Is there any slop with the the front diff locker when not engaged in 4wd? Or does it behave like normal untill you give the axle power.

I have a Detroit and manual trans.

This combo definitely will never let you forget about it's presence, each shift makes a good hard "clunk" if you don't feather the clutch just a little bit on each shift. I've had thoughts about going back to an ARB.

 

[Hahnsb2]

Consider an Aussie for the front, cheaper than the lock-right and just as strong or stronger, but don't get me wrong I love both of mine.

 

[Dishtowel]

it is my impression that a lockright is an add on, my 8.8 came with no gears or differential. I think the only way I could do that is if I go and rip one out of an explorer(8.8 diff) myself and have it installed with the lockright...correct?

A detroit is a good choice if you need a carrier!! silly me.

 

[Bent Bolt]

A detroit is a good choice if you need a carrier!! silly me.

Agreed!!