beaglebones said:
First, and please don't get excited just clarifying here, I never said they were the only choice. I stand behind my Detroit. BUT as stated earlier a TT is not a real locker. Probably better than stock but that's where IUstop. I live in area where we DON"T get snow thankfully so I have no idea how a full locker, TT or selectable acts in those conditions. All you guys in the North can keep it. It's a good trade off for living with the hicks I think.
In a street/trail truck I would prefer a selectable f/r if money allowed. Full trail I'd go with a Detroit, Spool, or welded with hydro assist. As soon as I save up for a front set of Ashcrofts I'm probably going to move the Detroit to the front and weld the shit out of my rear.
You patently suggested that any traction aid that does not fully lock and/or unlock the differential is an inferior solution. Given the absolute nature of the suggestion, it must be assumed that you also contend the purchase of such a device is always illogical, simple-minded, cheap, or otherwise foolhardy.
That is not correct.
Limited slip or torque biasing differentials are not
meant to be "real" lockers. They weren't designed to "almost" be a locker, nor were they designed for those who are incapable of installing, using, or purchasing a locker.
Choosing a non-locking traction aid does not indicate a lack of capability or ambition.
These devices serve a different, and
incredibly valuable purpose.
A selectable locker is a wonderful traction aid... On occasion. That's the problem. Most of the time, it's $1,000 worth of absolutely
no additional capability, coupled with increased complexity.
That's an ineffective solution for some people. Indeed, sometimes it's an entirely wasted opportunity, and a way to
guarantee unacceptable performance.
Such devices have their place. They are most at home on the trail; playing in rocks or in mud. They are nice in farm equipment and other working vehicles. They can even be effective in a few types of racing, as well as certain types of overland use.
They are not, however, even remotely acceptable in situations that require the occasional carriage of heavy loads at high speeds in wildly variable terrain and weather, with
any significant slowing of the vehicle immediately and invariably equaling a total failure of whatever reckless task you've found yourself attempting to complete.
If you've buy a selectable locker for such use, you've bought absolutely nothing at all beyond a possible (but unlikely) "get out of winch free" card.
I assure you, my tail lamps have illuminated far more misfortune than most, and that's the point. I've got added performance in conditions that (unless I've made a catastrophic navigation mistake) do not include dancing about artfully arranged rock gardens.
Would a selectable locker provide me with superior performance in situations where I might find myself cross-axled or otherwise unfortunately positioned? Absolutely. There can be no argument.
I don't need that, though. I try my best to avoid those situations. What I need is predictable control that is, at the very least,
acceptable in most conditions, and at most speeds. My priority is to
avoid being entangled; not to embrace it. If I fuck up, I'm already screwed. Break out the winch.
Now, there are occasions in which I use open differentials. Indeed, I'm using open differentials at the moment. In those events, a selectable locker would be acceptable. I'm not losing any every-second performance in exchange for a rare opportunity to pretend I'm driving a tractor.
As I said. Lockers have their place. For most people, they are the obvious answer to nearly
any question. On the trail, they will leave any other traction aid in the dust. That's their purpose;
absolute control when required.
I'm not the only one, however, who is best served with a different arrangement. There are many people who prefer other solutions with good reason. I'm not saying selectable lockers are bad or otherwise inferior. I'm saying they aren't always the answer.
This is all, of course, ignoring Kam's combination units. Those things are different animals entirely. I'd like to own something like that, but I'll have to wait to pick up another axle assembly, as swapping the whole thing on occasion would be a hell of a lot easier than trying to get all that shit in and out when I need something different.
Again, I'm not suggesting that selectable lockers are bad; only that they aren't always the proper choice. Just as big, knobby mud tires can be a poor choice in certain circumstances, so can selectable lockers.
Cheers,
Kennith