Well I think I'm almost ready to give in and buy a locker. I'm looking at the Detroit lockers, they seem to be in the middle class as far as expense goes. I did a quick search and found them for sale online for $414.89.
Now for the questions....
1.) Is this a reasonable price? I havent done alot of searching yet.
2.) When ordering this part online, where do I go to have it installed? Any mechanic or specific ones? (might be a dumb question but I'm new at this)
3.) How have your Detroit Locker's treated you, for those of you that have them?
Thanks for any input!

 

Good choice, I love my Detroit. The price you got is very good--I paid $405. about 2 years ago. Also make sure you get the install kit or master install kit depending on your mileage (master install kit comes with all new bearings)

I had a mechanic buddy of mine do the install, and I got to watch and help a little.

 

Which detroit are you looking at? EZ Lockers run around $250

 

Right now I'm looking at the regular Detroit Locker, not the EZ . I've read that the regular Detroit disengages around corners while the EZ doesn't and I guess pops and ratchets around turns....plus I think it makes for a dangerous situation in snow or ice.
I dunno though, the EZ may be a more sensible choice for me considering I'm only 2wd, but I'd like to get the best traction possible (without spending an arm and a leg).
Decisions decisions....

 

I had a detroit in my old truck, it was pretty good. With light trucks like ours, they tend to stay locked, but not all the time.

 

The EZ disengages on turns...it does make a clanking noise when that happens though. Do a search on it here...you'll find that those of us that run it are very happy and the whole snow/ice thing is a cake walk after spending 20 mins in a parking lot. Just learn how it reacts and your fine. As mentioned, since you dont have much weight...it will tend to stay locked - i doubt it would any more or less than the Soft locker though. Soft locker is quieter and stronger...but its also significantly more $$...another $200 and you can get a selectable ARB. And the whole stronger thing is up in the air. Unless you are doing some serious wheeling...an EZ locker will be PLENTY strong...it has the Detroit name infront afterall.

 

I love my Detroit. Hasn't caused any problems at all. The one thing you have to get used to is the bangs. On occasion it will give a loud bang and you can feel your rear end kinda... hmm... it might feel like it's twisting or something. It's all perfectly normal though. It's just a little scary the first few times and then you have to explain it to someone if they are riding with you. But it definately is well built. From what I understand your axle will break before the locker will.

 

As I understand it a full Detroit is about the least smooth of any locker out there. What are you building your truck to do? From the looks of your trucks specs so far I don't think that you will have any strength issues with an easy locker.

 

the detroit is a full locker which necessitates replacing the whole carrier and having hte gears reset up.... best left to a professional gear guy....

the otehr lockers are mostly lunchbox type and can be done in your driveway with moderate mechanical ability

 

My E-Z locker has been working ok for me, the install is MUCH easier because you don't have to mess with relocating your ring gear or anything like that, it just replaces the spider gears in the stock carrier, but be sure to check backlash when you put your member back together.

If an EZ locker isn't disengaging in turns, it was installed incorrectly... mine disengages fine in turns and everything, even under slight throttle in a U-Turn, but give some gas and it's engaged and your inside tire is spinning. This is the same result you'll see with the the full Detroit as well,the Detroit may be a slight bit smoother in engaging, but its durability is unmatched.

 

Another option is to keep your eyes peeled for a OEM e-locked rear that matches your ratio. The entire rear swap is much easier than pulling the diff itself.

Ever considered that?

 

As far as the EZ locker goes, I think if I do go with purchasing a locker I'll probably go that route. Sounds like a much cheaper/easier install and more sensible for the kind of off-roading I do.

Your'e doing/done that right? I think I remember reading about it in one of your threads, and yes it did put the idea in my head. I kick myself for not getting a Prerunner with the factory locker so that may be my best bet....where's the best place to look for an e-locked rear? I think I'll be looking into that....

 

Junk yards...or here on the boards.

I just remembered you are a pre-runner so the ratio doesn't even matter! Cool!

(Yes, I swapped the rears already) No problem. It's the fronts that really bite.

 

Pretacopower,

I had a full Detroit in the rear of my '87- hated it. To much locker wiggle, banging, clunking, etc.

Selectable Lockers are the way to go for a daily driver, no doubt. Gotta luv my spool for pure off highway wheelin', but it sucks on pavement.......

If you don't mind my asking, what is the cost of your factory locker refit vs. the total cost of an ARB?

If an ARB is roughly $727.99 + ARB compressor @ $235.99 + Air line kit @ $40.68 + 8 hour install @ $65.00 shop rate = $1524.66 + local tax

From the few axles I've been able to find online, a complete e-locker rear axle is about the same price- then you have to complete the wiring and switches to make it work. Cost wise, they seem to run from $1200 for a 2003 w/ 18,000 miles to a BENT one w/ 32K for $900. I don't know how much the electrical stuff is- but if it's less than $300.00, dropping in a complete rear axle should be the easiest method available, and at a similar cost to an ARB.....

later

 

I'd love to get a selectable locker but my budget really wont allow. I've done some more searching and I've pretty much decided on an auto locker, but I'm torn between which brand now. I've recently read some good reviews on the Aussie lockers....anybody have experience with them? How do they compare to the Detroit EZ?
Thanks for all the replies so far and please keep 'em coming!

 

Mark- I bought a pristine e-locked 4.30 4Runner for the sole purpose of swapping axles/diffs, front and rear. I plan on breaking even or making a bit of money on the deal. That is how I justified it (to myself, and my wife!). I found a couple used rear axles for around $500 shipped. The inchworm wiring would be another $75, and labor would be free because I would do it myself. Way cheaper than an ARB set up for me.

Ryan -

Aussie locker still does not have a unit that will fit our rigs. I dont know what is going on over there. They lost my business, that's all I know. Took too long.

 

I've been going back and forth and right now you'd be hard pressed to get me to look at anything but the aussie. I was looking on Pirate and one of the aussie guys answered every question that crossed my mind. They sound like they meet the price and they swear that they are the quietest and most well mannered auto. I have high expectations, but i think there could be good reason for it.

 

Ok guys....there's some bad info in this thread and I can clear some of it up. My locker experience goes back to 1986 when my Yota longbed had Detroit Hard Lockers front and rear. Powertrax (LA LOCKER back then) also supported me with sponsorship when I was building up the Sami for the cover.

Soft Lockers(full automatic type) are an improvement over Lunch Lockers...less clunkin and snappin noises.
If you have an automatic, Ryan, then a locker in the rear will seem "transparent".....auto trannies are very friendly with automatic type lockers....even EZ lunchbox style lockers. Lunch style lockers should not be used in the rear.....they are not very heavy duty and are best served in the front. They also clunk more than a Soft Locker IF you have a stick shift.

Sometimes the rear tires are off enough in size to result in more clunks, bangs, and snapping noises....more noticable with a stick shift. Sometimes the axle is offset such that the rig crabs down the road and that will cause the same bangs and kabooms during take-offs from the green lights.

Right now, I have a 92 Yota flatbed with 5 speed and 36" TSLs and a Detroit Softy in the back....it does make a clunk noise on occasion....mostly during take-offs.
The 87 Runner I also have is an automatic with a 22RE....has the same Detroit Soft Locker and it has never made a noise yet.

I would not hesitate to use the cheaper EZ lunch lockers in the front....they would last a long long time up there.

and your question about the Aussie? All marketing.....I would not be too surprised if most of the parts for it come off the same line as the Powertrax version. The EZ is made by TracTech(Detroit Locker folks) and is just as good as the other lunchbox versions.

 

Good Info Zuk,

I think a factor to consider in your experience, at least in your current lineup, may be the powertrain. Maybe I misunderstood, but you seemed to imply that you had a 22re in the runner and something differentin your pickup. I'm taking it that you have the 3.0 in your pickup. Then again maybe your point was that you have an auto on the 22re on the runner and a 5spd on a 22re in your truck. Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm curious about my theory.

The pickup is lighter than the runner. Right? Now a lighter truck with a stronger motor will tend to spin more than a heavier truck with a weaker motor. Is that correct? And wouldn't most say that it is easier to get more power out of a 5spd? I'm just thinking that the way lockers respond may not be linked to the type of transmission that you have, more to the amount of power and how the driver chooses to use it.

I could be entirely wrong here, I'm new to all of this locker talk. Just curious about my theory.

Also a side not, wouldn't a soft locker require a ring and pinion setup? Is that what makes them stronger. Detroits website has no info on the softlocker, let alone diagrams of it's construction.

-Seth

 

Thanks for the info ZUK, that definitley cleared things up a bit. I do have an auto, and I'm looking to put (probably) the EZ in the rear, seeing as I am only 2wd. It's a little relieving to hear that automatic trannies are more friendly to auto lockers....at least thats one benefit I can get from the thing (I regret not getting a 5sp. most of the time). So this is what I'm taking from everything I've learned....
-Auto lockers increase tread-wear on your tires, more or less depending on how you drive.
-Automatic Transmissions are auto-locker friendly.
-I'll have to deal with the occasional "noises" my locker will tend to make.
-It'll improve the traction on my poor, helpless 2wd Prerunner
All in all it sounds like a good investment to me, like I said before, an ARB or e-locker swap is way outta my price range....so it looks like an EZ is the best way to go. Well, I think I've made up my mind....just gotta wait for my next paycheck to come in. If there's anything else I should know, please post, and thanks to all that did!