NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! Do NOT run the additive in the Detroit locker! The additive is designed for clutch type limited slips, not a mechanical locker. And feel free to run synth all you want, it's not going to hurt the locker whatsoever. Many friends running Detroits w/ Amsoil and Mobile-1 w/o a problem. Again, some of those lockers are 10+ years old (as in - pre Detroit Softlocker).

 

I wonder how the Detroit Locker would handle my driving style (mid corner full throttle spinning sideways etc). I just looked at the drawing for this unit and see two concern points (the clutch assy & how it engages). It seems that if you get on the throttle when the clutch is disengaged it would "snap" all of those cogs off when it violently engages???

 

Considering TracTech sells Detroits for everything from Toy's to 2.5 ton Rockwells, I think you'll be just fine. And yes, you will hear some noise from it, but I highly doubt you'll ever damage it unless you run the diff dry. Like I said, I have owned and have friends who have owned and wheeled hard the same Detroit for 10+ years.

 

Holy smokes, coming into a turn and then stabbing the gas, kicking it out sideways, thats hard on any diff, especially if you dont break a tire loose, all that torque is getting transferred to the drivetrain. I also agree with what was said above. The LSD additive is for clutch pack LSD's that have a wearable surface just like your trans clutch, it is used to prevent chattering of the clutch packs when the meet and create friction. The trutrac is purely mechanical, like the description says "no parts to wear out" there is no clutch packs, rather the helical gears to create the bias. So in the case of a completely mechanical diff synthetic should be even better for it.

As for the Detroit locker, plenty beefy but it unlocks automatically in turns, so yes if you like to roll into turns then nail the gas it will be unlocked, once you mash it, it will try to lock up and either it will and try to shoot you straight ahead or it will grenade apart into lots of pieces, when all the torque is transferred through it. So I think if the trutrac gave you problems you might want to try a clutch pack LSD that can allow for some slip (between the clutch packs) and relieve some of the stress on the other components, something like a Auburn LSD or a retrofit out of a gen II(not sure) turbo celica, that has been done I know if you want to do a search, surely its cheap enough if you scrounge the junk yards. Not knocking ya but with the SC and your driving style, its just hard on parts, but Im sure you know that. Good luck hope you get it resolved.

Matt

 

Just as a follow up to this thread...

The true-track in the back of my 96 just blew up... Similar issues as the OP, only it took out my R&P as well.

Pics here: http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=112977

 

Wow.. I guess it was a good thing that I removed it before that kind of damage...