Rear Locker. Getting by on Stock Axles for Mud and Snow

X

xtravrt

Banned
May 14, 2005
416
0
Manitoba, Canada
Well I have a spare set of rear axles and front CV's from my parts truck, but I understand that if the axle goes BANG! with a detroit, so does your detroit. So my questions are:

1) If I'm staying away from crawling rocks and mainly just spending time in mud and deep snow, can I get by on stock axles for a while if I'm careful? I have a break in period for my new motor anyway, so I'll take it easy. I need a few months to scrounge up the dough for axles.

2) Since I'll have a TT in the front in a few days, and CDL, and have heard so many stories on broken CVs with TT as well, how hard is this to fix in the field in winter and at the least, how hard is and what is involved in getting into cripple mode with CDL so you can limp home and fix it there?

3) What parts should a guy be bringing along and how do you guys store all this in the truck?

I've done too much reading about the stupid TTs now not working well with tires over 33", yet my new tires are 34". Great....
 
Last edited:
crown14

crown14

Well-known member
May 11, 2006
6,288
4
Clayton, NC
but I understand that if the axle goes BANG! with a detroit
Click to expand...

This is not a hard and fast rule, why do people keep posting it???

There are millions of happy customers out there who have snapped shafts in detroit lockers and not fubared the locker. Yes it IS A POSSIBILITY but I have to point out that if you are planning on breaking axles perhaps the problem is with you or perhaps your plan (maybe even the axles) and not the locker.
 
X

xtravrt

Banned
May 14, 2005
416
0
Manitoba, Canada
I have no intention of breaking axles. But reading through old posts leads a guy to believe that within moments of installing the detroit in my rear, the axle will totally shatter, taking my new detroit with it. Since I can't afford HD axles just yet, I was hoping to run with stock for a few months. What about the second question? Assuming the axle breaks but the detroit is okay, how difficult is it to change out the axle with a spare (since I have one) or prepare the truck to limp home in front wheel drive with CDL locked?
 
crown14

crown14

Well-known member
May 11, 2006
6,288
4
Clayton, NC
xtravrt said:
I have no intention of breaking axles. But reading through old posts leads a guy to believe that within moments of installing the detroit in my rear, the axle will totally shatter, taking my new detroit with it. Since I can't afford HD axles just yet, I was hoping to run with stock for a few months. What about the second question? Assuming the axle breaks but the detroit is okay, how difficult is it to change out the axle with a spare (since I have one) or prepare the truck to limp home in front wheel drive with CDL locked?
Click to expand...

Safarirover has a set of HD axles for $300

How hard the axle is to remove all depends on where exactly it breaks. Most times, one part comes out after you remove the 5 bolts (like normally removing the axle) then the other part comes out with a telescopic magnet. If the two parts match up, then no reason to look for stray chunks, slide new axle in and bolt it up. If some is missing, time to drain the gear oil and strain for the "missing peice". If you cant find it, pull the diff assembly and look for it then. But most stock axles I have seen break fairly clean, seen a few that took all of 10 minutes to change and get moving again.
 
Drillbit

Drillbit

Well-known member
Oct 12, 2005
5,943
1
Glasgow Ky
Just to add my 2 cents. I have sold lots of axles to guys with lockers who have snapped axles. Usually the locker is fine, just need another stock axle.
 
X

xtravrt

Banned
May 14, 2005
416
0
Manitoba, Canada
crown14 said:
Safarirover has a set of HD axles for $300

How hard the axle is to remove all depends on where exactly it breaks. Most times, one part comes out after you remove the 5 bolts (like normally removing the axle) then the other part comes out with a telescopic magnet. If the two parts match up, then no reason to look for stray chunks, slide new axle in and bolt it up. If some is missing, time to drain the gear oil and strain for the "missing peice". If you cant find it, pull the diff assembly and look for it then. But most stock axles I have seen break fairly clean, seen a few that took all of 10 minutes to change and get moving again.
Click to expand...

Cool. I'll look up safarirover. This is for a D2 though. FYI.
 
X

xtravrt

Banned
May 14, 2005
416
0
Manitoba, Canada
Guess I better brush up on the tools and and directions a la Rave CD to do this. In the meantime I'm looking for used or a good deal on some HD shafts. I'll sell the stock shafts once I get the HD ones installed provided I don't break both sets. Is it wise to keep one set of stock shafts as spares even if you have HD's?
 
M

marc olivares

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,535
0
crown14 said:
This is not a hard and fast rule, why do people keep posting it???
Click to expand...

in your part of the country this may not be the case, in mine it's a HARD and FAST rule.
count on me to continue to post it.
:p
 
crown14

crown14

Well-known member
May 11, 2006
6,288
4
Clayton, NC
Well where in the fuck is this guy. Oh. Well things might be different in canada.

Yeah anything called a detroit, installed in something built in england, being subjected to off roading in canada is gonna commit suicide. Possible even before breaking an axle.
 
X

xtravrt

Banned
May 14, 2005
416
0
Manitoba, Canada
I'm in the prairies. Lots of Mud, Snow, Ice, some sand and very little rock, and no mountains to climb. Mountains of sand at the pits, some ravines covered in mud maybe, lots of bog, peat moss, swamp, spruce, aspen or mixed forests. Lots of places where winching is not easy because there are no trees or big rocks to hook on to, which is why I carry a pull-pal. I also wheel alone probably 80% of the time.
 
MUSKYMAN

MUSKYMAN

Well-known member
Apr 19, 2004
8,277
0
OverBarrington IL
xtravrt said:
I'm in the prairies. Lots of Mud, Snow, Ice, some sand and very little rock, and no mountains to climb. Mountains of sand at the pits, some ravines covered in mud maybe, lots of bog, peat moss, swamp, spruce, aspen or mixed forests. Lots of places where winching is not easy because there are no trees or big rocks to hook on to, which is why I carry a pull-pal. I also wheel alone probably 80% of the time.
Click to expand...


dosent matter.

you by your own admission you plan to run chains and dive into terain at speed.

chains on 73lb tires with 30lb rims packed with snow and ice will create alot of rotational energy. when you stuff that spinning tire into a bog or buried tree or some other obstruction under the snow that increased amount of stored energy may snap a shaft and when it does then flip a coin on the life expectancy of the detroit.

you have allready expolded both factory diffs at the same time with your chosen driving style so just be ready to pay the piper.

IMHO you would have been better off with ARB's because they unlock for ice covered roads and dont fail as often as a detroit when a shaft fails...if I were you I would be selling the TT and DT and buy some ARB's...but thats just me.
 
X

xtravrt

Banned
May 14, 2005
416
0
Manitoba, Canada
MUSKYMAN said:
dosent matter.

you by your own admission you plan to run chains and dive into terain at speed.

chains on 73lb tires with 30lb rims packed with snow and ice will create alot of rotational energy. when you stuff that spinning tire into a bog or buried tree or some other obstruction under the snow that increased amount of stored energy may snap a shaft and when it does then flip a coin on the life expectancy of the detroit.

you have allready expolded both factory diffs at the same time with your chosen driving style so just be ready to pay the piper.

IMHO you would have been better off with ARB's because they unlock for ice covered roads and dont fail as often as a detroit when a shaft fails...if I were you I would be selling the TT and DT and buy some ARB's...but thats just me.
Click to expand...

I hear ya on the breaking shit, but I also heard ARBs are unreliable in cold due to condensation in the lines, etc. I'm screwed for decent chains though. Rud doesn't make one to fit 285's and ladder chains are crap and cannot be installed easily when you are already stuck like the ruds can be.

If anyone is interested, I have two lightly used sets (4 chains) to fit 265/75R16 that I'll be selling and a brand new set to fit 265/75R16 (2 chains) that I'll also be selling. I have a (2 chains) of the Genuine land Rover Rud Matic chains in Lad Rover carry bag which fit the stock tires and cost $600 new if anyone is interested in those at a reasonable price. These are much tougher, stronger one piece hoop and stronger and sharper chain links. They are also easier to fit and install.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom