I found a detroit locker for Toyotas for $450, is that right? it seems kinda cheap, although its off internet, which i kinda want to avoid, but for that cheap, wow. Are detroit Lockers able to turn on and off? Cause i won't be going offroading with my 4runner a whole lot, and it'll still be my daily driver.

http://www.tellico4x4.com/axle/lockersdet.htm#toy

 

that's about the price they go for.

and i believe the way that a detroit works, is that it engages when you are giving it gas, and disengages it when you aren't in gear(coasting). so if what i hear is right, making a turn under power would be kind of a pain in the ass. if you're going to have more of a daily driver i'd probably recommend stepping up to an ARB air locker

 

Most Detroits are full time lockers meaning they are always engaged. On turns your tires will either chirp or it will slp causing a clicking noise. That price isnt bad, but keep shopping. I got mine for $375 (locally). I love it, but do be prepared for a some clicking noise on turns and a little getting used to in the snow.

Lockers are the ˟˟˟˟!

 

Make sure the part # ends with SL. That is a Detroit Soft Locker. I have been running mine for a few months now, and it is great. No clicking at all, and very predictable on the street.

Offroad it is the best mod I have done. I hardly ever get tire spin from my rear tires and have not even come close to getting stuck(like I did with my open diff).

I paid $425.00 for mine plus $125.00 for the master install kit(new bearings, shims, locktight, seals)

 

If you are a infrequent wheeler, I would NOT recommend a hard locker like the Detroit. A Detroit locker is LOCKED all the time (and that is also true with the "soft locker" as well) until enough force is applied in a turn to overcome the internal springs. Tire wear is accelerated, they can be quirky in rain, snow, or other slick conditions on asphalt. They work great off highway for rear diff applications- but for extreme wheeling, they are prone to breaking if used in the front axle.

Personaly, I'd recommend you either save your money for an ARB or Toyota E-Locker, or have a quality limited slip installed for your daily driver. If you don't intend to do hard core trails, the limited slip is cheaper, yet offers a lot more traction than a stock open diff.

In my case, I daily drive my trail rig- and realize that with a rear full spool, I have to get new tires every year. It's expensive, but it suits the type of usage I built my truck for. I had a Detroit in it when I finished building the Toy. I HATED IT! It was noisy, caused to much locker wiggle on acceleration/deceleration or when shifting, and it was unpredictable in rain or snow. After a few months of putting up with it, I had the spool installed.

Later

 

If you aren't going to be off-roading that much, go with a Detroit Truetrac, which is a limited slip. It'll be better on the road for you, and still help a lot when off-roading.

 

I had a LocRight and hated it.

 

The ultimate is a selectable locker like the ARB or E-locker, but they are a lot of bucks!