I have a 88 4runner IFS lifted, 35's, going to be geared 5.29. I will be using this as a daily and make monthly tahoe runs in the summer and the winter with snow and rainy conditions. I don't wheel much yet, but plan to make the ocassional trip and would like the added piece of mind with a locker.

Which is best for my application? Detroit or Aussie?

And best places to buy from?

TIA!

 

Selectable is going to be the best option... either ARB or E-Locker.

If not, I think you'll find the Detroit and Aussie will have similar handling characteristics on road.

 

I agree with Elvota....step up and buy the ARB. You will hate yourself if you dont.

I installed a spool in my 87 4Runner...and will never drive it on the road again.

 

Well, auto lockers can be quite drivable as a DD. Heck my lockright (probibly the worst of the auto-locker bunch in terms of handling) is quite easy to tame in town and on the hwy.

But no doubt, a selectable would be best. Im still dreamin of an e-locker

 

I have the lockright locker, Love it! I dont notice it at all untill I turn and hear the ratchet mech. 200 dollars and free shipping from performance Parts online. It was my fist time to install a locker or mess around with the third member so it took me about 5 hours to complete to job.

 

He admits it!!!


My Aussie is fine for daily driving. Read my Aussie locker review [click here]. You will need to buy a two pinion third member (from a 4cyl truck) to install. I've said it before, but your giving up a lot more road manners with mud tires. I don't think I could easily get used to mud tires on a daily driver, but locker- no problems.

 

I still think the lockrights bad mannars are blown completley overproportion, in my case at least. Everyone who has driven my truck has admitted that the locker was little or no problem to deal with. A quick 5 second rundown of the best way to take a slow tight corner and they are off!

Alas, I don't want to turn this thread into a big lockright conversation.

I guess it also depends how you drive and how easy is it to get used to something....

 

The most critical point with lockers I have found, is to use a thick oil. My locker performs terribly in the heat with 75W90. i've got a jug of 80W140 waiting, so that should make it nice to drive again.

Situations where the locker is mildly annoying:
U turns from a stop, when going up a steep hill
Causes a poor ride when trying to accelerate fast up a rocky road
Teaching girls to drive standard (with thin gear oil, the locker can be noisy and jerky)

 

i have zero problems with mine. running 75-90w synthetic. takes a little time to break in, but after that it has pretty good manners

 

Love my Detroit! I ran it for many years as a dd and it was super

 

x3 I have NEVER seen one report where someone regretted going selectable.

If you drive on snowy roads and/or other people may drive your truck (especially on snowy roads), a selectable is the only way to go. People probably won't believe you about staying off the throttle in turns until they put the truck in the ditch ...

 

I love my e-locker...

When I eventually lock the front, ARBizzle fo shizzle.

(Actually, I think ARB is the only choice for late IFS, isn't it?)

 

If you got the bucks, go ARB. I went with the Detroit myself and have no complaints. The truck is a DD. The only issue is that sometimes applying power on sharp corners will cause a slight wheel chirp.

 

Yep, you can't e-lock an IFS diff.... welll im 99% sure you can't.

ARB is the way to go


I have driven in snow ranging from .5" to 12" with a truck equipped with:

31" radials and open diff (4.56 gears)

33" Mud terrains and open diff (4.56 gears)

And

33" Mud terrains with rear lockright (4.88 gears)

And I can say, that the mud tires make more of an impact on snow driving then the locker. With an open diff it was EASY to get out of shape in the corners.

The locker just amplified it a little.

In anycase, a selectable is the best way to do, but unfortunatly not all of us have over 800 bucks for locker parts

my 250 dollar lockright has served me well, and when the time comes it will be replaced with an e-locker!

 

i think im going with an aussie in the rear, with some cryo precision 5.29's and an elocker later on in the front, instead of 2 aussies.

 

That will only work if you're SAS'ed, as the E-locker comes as a 8".

 

Whats the difference between the Aussie and Detroit? Best places to buy from?

I am still hesitant that it will drive okay in snow conditions with the rear locker.

 

Detroit locker is a full case instead of just replacing the spider gears like aussie, lock right, etc., unless you are talking about a detroit ez locker than that is the same as the aussie, lockright.

Btw, i agree with jay, the lockright isn't horrible on-road.

 

I've only had my rear detroit for a short time but I believe it all boils down to the way you drive. If your heavy on the gas during stop and go driving, you are going to notice its there, no way around it. I however am very gentle on the gas 99% of the time (can't afford not to be) and I don't even notice its there. I haven't driven with it in snow yet, but I have to assume that if i'm easy on the gas especially around corners I should be fine. Its been said over and over again, selectables are the way to go its like the difference between being able to take your truck out of 4 wheel drive and not being able to. Night and day. If you can afford it, go selectable.

 

Read the Aussie Locker review I wrote. My purpose was to explain the characteristics to people like you who are hesitant to buy one due to the potential handling quirks.

Click on the link in my signature line.

My experience in snow was that in 2wd, the rear end wants to walk if you stomp on the gas. In 4wd rear locked, the truck feels more planted than 4wd open/ open. This is because, the tiny engines in our Toyotas don't really have the power to spin 3 tires, even on slick snow.