Locker install in a 2wd open rear unit

raydav

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The term "locker" has gotten seriously abused.

I put a Ford clutch pack ("limited slip") in a nine inch in a pickup decades ago. The clutches lasted about six months.

I then put a Detroit locker in a that nine inch. The first time I dug two equal holes in gravel I knew I had something that worked.

Detroit Locker is a ratchet. When you make a left turn the right wheel must turn faster than the left, so the right ratchets forward. But if one wheel loses traction the other locks and provides whatever traction it has. If you accelerate hard in a turn, both wheels will lock and the lighter loaded inside wheel will chirp.

True Track is a limited slip using several spiral cut gears.

I am building a 55 Ford wagon as a tow vehicle. I am using a Yukon Grizzly Locker which is the same design as the Detroit.

I have two early Mustangs that have Torque Worm which is the same design as True Track.

One caution with any locking differential, whether a hard or soft locker, is to keep the two tires the same diameter to avoid excessive differential wear.

Most or all above I believe are available for DANA differentials.

Beware of used NASCAR Detroit lockers. The have one that only turns left. Ask me how I know.
 

compressionignitionrules

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ratcheting lockers are awesome but not for pulling unless you are always on loose surfaces or always going straight. even 1 tire a bit low will give you a side pull.

I had detroit lockers front and back in my 78 F250 it was hard to turn offroading . the rear liked to stay locked under any load when pulling trailer, was not nice to drive unless empty. I didn't even have big power just a mild 351M 4spd.

a limited slip diff works great for pulling, but many don't last for serious offroad.
 

u2slow

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IMO, you can break anything if you try - or are ignorant of how your equipment likes/wants to be operated. Been driving a locked DD for the past 10+ years. No breakage. No chores avoided. So far I've had 35 spline shafts in anything I've worked hard.

The term "locker" has gotten seriously abused.

Agreed. It starts on the dealer lot. GM claims their gov-bomb is a locking differential. cookoo Aside from the factory Detroits from the 60's, and a scant few electric lockers since, anything factory has sadly been a "limited grip". Its when I haul 1-2 tons of payload in the truck that a LSD stops gripping - and that's when I need it most.

was the ramcharger fulltime 4wd? those 203 cases were different.

No, a '90 with a518/np241. D60FF w/lockright. At first I thought I had botched something, since it wouldn't unlock. Really irritating as I use the RC as a yard mule , being short and manueverable. Swapped the axle into my CTD/5spd D250 and it works like its supposed to.
 
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Dragrace504

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When you are talking about Detroit locker are you talking about the whole differential unit or the spider gear replacement?
 

u2slow

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When you are talking about Detroit locker are you talking about the whole differential unit or the spider gear replacement?

Detroit Locker is a full carrier replacement on the 10.25", and most other diffs... with a handful of exceptions (14-boltFF and certain D70HDs come to mind)

Lockright, No-Slip, Spartan, Aussie, etc are 'lunchbox' style where you only replace the spider and side gears.
 

Dragrace504

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Yeah ok we're on the same page,I didn't think Detroit made a lunch box style.I wanna do the lunch box style cause it's less work to install lol.I just hoping it will be good for towing and daily driving,I not to worried about a little noise.
 

compressionignitionrules

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as long as your 55 has a 31spline or larger 9" you will be fine. (tire size)
Dana 60 full float rears were all the rage back in my day and a detroit locker in the rear would snap axle shafts easily on mild 38s and even high traction 35s. stock 30 spline axle shafts would twist and strip the splines , or just snap them off with anything more than just minor power upgrades . I always used Dana 70 rears and never stripped or broke an axle shaft but they were stock 35spline and 1.5" I even had a 6.9 diesel and 4spd manual in one of my trucks , just kept reusing the rear axle and detroit locker in the next truck. shock loads can make some cool carnage:cheers:
 

Dragrace504

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Ok before I waste money and time in everyone's opinion that has experience with lunchbox style lockers will a lunchbox locker hold up to every day driving,long distance driving and towing??
 

compressionignitionrules

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if you are running a 31 spline or larger 9" in your 55 wagon you will be fine. lunchbox locker ahoy

but if it is actually a 604 twin turbo, you might need a bombproof 9":cheers:
 

IDIoit

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im just here hoping someone drops a link for a spool for the 10.25/10.5
... yes. a real spool.
 

u2slow

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Ok before I waste money and time in everyone's opinion that has experience with lunchbox style lockers will a lunchbox locker hold up to every day driving,long distance driving and towing??

Fine by me... in Dana 60 and larger diffs.
 

jpw

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My locker experience for what it's worth...

Early bronco 302, np435, 4.56, 33s with Detroit in rear with 28 spline axles, daily driven for over 20 years ( plenty 60 mph highway but no freeway ) worked hard including regular towing Willys trailer loaded with rock. A little noisey at times ( banging when coasting in a turn, single loud bang when unlocking in turn with light load) but you get used to it or learn to drive to avoid, best upgrade for a hard working truck ever.

1986 f350 351w, ranger spliter, np435, 4.88, 35s, Detroit bed loaded with 2000 pounds of tools used hard as a service truck everyday for 10+ years ( from off-grid remote generator service to rough wet construction sites and gated resort communities and everything in between between). Similar to bronco but less noisy, still the best upgrade.

1990 f350 7.3 idi, zf6 still open but going to try a selectable this time for more challenge when leaving diff open, no longer need serious work truck every day.

Wife's 1996 landcruiser Factory selectable lockers front and rear but still need to shovel in the slippery stuff at times :)

Hope that helps

aloha Friday!
 

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