Would you add the Locker?

[Shiftonthefly1]

I have a Detroit Locker set up in a complete 3rd. I plan on installing but I'm taking a trip to Northern California for Christmas and I'm a little worried about the snow conditions I hit last year. In my previous 2004 D2 I had the benefit of the ABS system. My 97 D1 I currently have won't have that advantage.

I've heard mixed views on Detroits in the snow/slick conditions. Locking or unlocking at the wrong time. Should I wait to install it until after the trip?

This is what happened last year.

 

[Nomar]

LOL

Back around 2003, we did a snow run with several Rovers.
My RR was stock diffs at that time.
A D90 with us had a Detroit in the rear and he could hardly drive it....

I got ARBs about 3 months later.



.

 

[ezzzzzzz]

A true locker has it benefits..and limitations. I'll probably still stuff one in my D2. That said, the air locker is far more useful being 'instant on' as needed but otherwise open. A trutrac or helical style is a great compromise. I run a quaife in my 240Z and love it.

 

[Shiftonthefly1]

The locker for sure is going in. No doubt. I love the Detroit. My only concern is the once a year snow. Aside from that I don't see snow too often.

 

[MM3846]

My first XJ had a rear autoloxker and it was great in snow. You could steer with the throttle. My second XJ had a rear autolocker and selectable front and was unstoppable in snow w the front locked.

The only time a rear autolocker sucks in snow is when you are in 2wd... unless you want to do donuts. It would probably be a lot less manageable with less wheelbase as well.

I always read in the internet about people being afraid of it, but I found that it is mostly heresy. YMMV

 

[Shiftonthefly1]

Well...there were go...two totally different perspectives. Hard to get a clear picture of how this will act in the snow.

 

[cdansan]

I live in Vermont and drive in the snow with a Detroit all the time.
The 2 biggest issues I have are:
1. Getting started from a complete stop, the locker engages and wants to spin both tires and will slide whichever way is downhill until one wheel gets traction and you start moving forward.
2. When turning while coasting the locker is ratcheting and no issue, get on the gas mid corner the locker locks and strange things might happen.

I have heard that the newer Detroit Soft-Locker is less harsh and easier to live with on a daily driver.
Dan

 

[jhmover]

I had a Detroit in my 77 Scout never really had any problems with it. I've driven all over the place in the snow in Nevada with my old D1 with the ARB locked and never had any problems. I'd do it.

 

[AndrewClarke]

what cdansan said. I've had a Discovery with a Detroit and I have a 110 with a Detroit. In snow (or mud), in off-camber situations, the vehicle with a Detroit will tend to crab sideways downhill. I've done a lot of snow driving in my 110 and it's very capable. But, this is a downside.

If you're planning on off-roading on this trip, and you have time, I'd say put it in. If you're planning on driving on-road in snow and ice, I'd call it a toss-up. Put it in if you have time before the trip and you want it in, but if you don't get around to it, you haven't really given up any capability on balance. It's better in some ways but worse in others.

I had an interesting experience a few years ago. Some guy had picked up a D1 and wanted to go off-roading in early spring. We were driving along a road that still had a foot or so of snow on it. My 110 with large off-road tires, Detroit, lift, etc., was sliding all over the place. I struggled to keep it moving and on the road, and I'm an experienced driver. Then I let the kid with the stock Discovery go first. The guy was in university, new to his Discovery, and had never been off-road before. The Disco sailed along and made it look easy. I had to attribute a lot of that to the Detroit in mine vs. the open diff in his. But maybe it's just because I'm a rubbish driver.

 

[jastutte]

i can't comment on the locker, but that is a pretty D2.

it look even better with the ARB bumper on the front and the lift. you did a hell of a job building that truck.

i'm really hoping we get some snow in STL this year.

 

[MM3846]

what cdansan said. I've had a Discovery with a Detroit and I have a 110 with a Detroit. In snow (or mud), in off-camber situations, the vehicle with a Detroit will tend to crab sideways downhill. I've done a lot of snow driving in my 110 and it's very capable. But, this is a downside.

If you're planning on off-roading on this trip, and you have time, I'd say put it in. If you're planning on driving on-road in snow and ice, I'd call it a toss-up. Put it in if you have time before the trip and you want it in, but if you don't get around to it, you haven't really given up any capability on balance. It's better in some ways but worse in others.

I had an interesting experience a few years ago. Some guy had picked up a D1 and wanted to go off-roading in early spring. We were driving along a road that still had a foot or so of snow on it. My 110 with large off-road tires, Detroit, lift, etc., was sliding all over the place. I struggled to keep it moving and on the road, and I'm an experienced driver. Then I let the kid with the stock Discovery go first. The guy was in university, new to his Discovery, and had never been off-road before. The Disco sailed along and made it look easy. I had to attribute a lot of that to the Detroit in mine vs. the open diff in his. But maybe it's just because I'm a rubbish driver.

Nah, thats pretty standard issue for the rear locker in snow. Happens on the beach, too. Not a deal breaker, but something to be aware of.

 

[bri]

Pluses and minus. If you are not going to use a selectable and the Detroit is it for you just put it in and deal with it. The worst case it seems is that you get used to it now vs once a year snow in the future. Also to consider is if you have or will upgrade axles. If you have HD axles already, go for it now. If not wait until you do.


These drawbacks are the reason to have a selectable locker.

 

[Longtallsally]

I'd wait. My first Jeep had an automatic locker in the rear, and it was downright dangerous in the snow. Rallying every corner is fun- until you hit a parked car.

 

[MM3846]

I'd wait. My first Jeep had an automatic locker in the rear, and it was downright dangerous in the snow. Rallying every corner is fun- until you hit a parked car.

Wrangler or something else? Wheelbase makes a big difference. Both my XJs had auto lockers and were very predictable.

 

[Longtallsally]

Yeah it as a YJ, and you are absolutely correct. The WB, though, of the disco is pretty short, so it seems that some of the same principles would apply.

And you definitely CAN drive like that- it actually is quite fun- but you sure do need to pay attention.

Hell, what am I saying, I don't even have my Disco yet! I seriously am going nuts and trolling this forum in excitement for Saturday.

 

[Shiftonthefly1]

Jastutte thank you. I appreciate that. Was a lot of work. Much of it unseen.

I do have HD axles in already. I think I'll wait to install the locker. As much fun as it would be to drive that way I'd rather not risk damaging the truck. Plus mine being a 5spd is enough to think about already.

 

[AndrewClarke]

For the driving I do, if I was going to replace diffs in a vehicle I'd put a Truetrac in the front and rear. Blasphemy, I know.

 

[bri]

BTW, when driving a well rigged disco, I have never had the guys at the chain laws for me to put them on. Usually conversation goes... have never had any problem, even now. Have chains you can check if you wish, but if I experience even the slightest problem I will put them on... guys says, OK, but please do if you have a problem.. See ya.

I have had to them on though, just cause ice and stop and go traffic. Only once or twice.

 

[Shiftonthefly1]

BTW, when driving a well rigged disco, I have never had the guys at the chain laws for me to put them on. Usually conversation goes... have never had any problem, even now. Have chains you can check if you wish, but if I experience even the slightest problem I will put them on... guys says, OK, but please do if you have a problem.. See ya.

I have had to them on though, just cause ice and stop and go traffic. Only once or twice.

That was my situation. The guy in that booth just waved me past. The KO2 was outstanding in the snow. 40-50mph no problem. I was rolling right along. No slippage or worrisome sliding.

 

[Longtallsally]

On our way to Tahoe, same thing in her RRS. An SUV was in front of us and behind us and CHP made both pull over. He simply shined the flashlight on the hood and saw the name and just waved us on. I felt like a total snob.