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Message |
    
Peter J Blatt (Peteb)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 10:23 pm: | 
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I have done much reading about the locker and have read all that i found on the disco web and this leads me to a question, I've spoken to a couple of people that said that you do feel the locker at all times on the road, chirping during sharp turns( i didn't know a D1 could do them),also that on the highway, i'de have some wander due to the detroit, are these statements true? and will a tru track do the same thing? thank you for the advice! looking to make a purchase shortly and want to be happy!!!!
Peter |
James Gall (Jimmyg)
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2002 - 11:48 pm: |
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Get an ARB air locker!!! You have the best of both worlds, locked diff when you want it with no sounds or an open diff like stock but stronger! If you live on the east coast, order from Nathen Crabtree...if you live on the west coast, order from Joel at Stagewest 4X4. |
Bill Bettridge (Billb)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 08:53 am: |
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To dispel a few myths here:
1) You do not feel a Detroit at "all" times - if you are on the road and not turning sharply - you feel nothing different from a stock open diff
2) You will hear it ratchet as it unlocks when you make slow, sharp turns (ie: in parking lots, tight turns on pavement, etc). If the Detroit is functioning properly, that is all you hear - a light clicking
3) A detroit cannot cause wander on the highway - if the trucks wanders, it's got other issues in steering/castor
4) A TT is more transparent, but at the loss of full locking capability. A TT in the front axle takes some getting used to (at least for me) - it gets a little strange if you get off the gas when going through a turn. Seems to work best to either accelerate or not accerlate through a turn, but not to switch in the middle.
5) Plan on new axles if you get the Detroit
6) Get the ARB if you likes lots of complication - get the Detroit if you want simple install and forget traction - though it does take some getting used to on slippery stuff (slick mud, snow, ice) - not bad, but just takes a little caution because the Detroit is locked by default - only unlocks in a turn when it senses the need for "differential" action
I'm sure others can elaborate more, but these are my observations after driving about 15K with a rear Detroit and 5K with a front TT.
Bill |
Axel Haakonsen (Axel)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 09:10 am: |
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I have had the same experiences as Bill. My rear Detroit has been for the most part transparent for the two years it has been installed, except for some ratcheting on tight turns.
The front TT has been in for a couple of months and one cross country trip now, and I actually like the way the truck handles with the TT better. The steering used to be light due to the castor change from my lift. After installing the front TT, the truck now tracks better. |
Eric N (Grnrvr)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 09:36 am: |
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You know that Detroit makes a lockable locker now. It acts like a True Trac while non-locked and then full locks when locked. Not sure if they are making it for Land Rovers yet though.. I believe that it just came out or is going to be released soon. I don't remember how it locks (electric, air).. Would be a nice set up though. Dual limited slips while open and then full lockers while locked. |
Eric N (Grnrvr)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 09:46 am: |
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Here's the link... It's electric locking
http://www.tractech.com/WhatsNew.htm |
Greg Davis (Gregdavis)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 10:02 am: |
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Peter, other than the "click-click" when making slow,tight turns, my Detroit has been invisible on the street. On tight, slippery trails, however, it does tend to want to push the vehicle straight. But, I have a TT in the front as well, so it's more of a combination of both.
I tend to favor the simplicity of the Detroit over an ARB. No compressor, no lines, less areas of possible failure. Plus, it's cheaper!  |
E Snyder
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 04:05 pm: |
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My detroit sometimes gets bound up turning into parking spaces, etc. and sounds like a damn shotgun going off. More like the older Detroits I've heard in J**ps, Cruisers, etc. Never sure why, but it seems to work fine. As Bill says, you don't notice it driving on the highway. Snow and ice you have to be aware of it and drive accordingly. Slippery side slopes and it will tend to kick the ass of the truck around some. You can actually learn to use this to your advantage sometimes. If you want one thing that will make an amazing difference off road, and that you really don't ever have to worry about again (other than to perhaps modify some driving habits) go for the Detroit.
My 2 cents.
PS- I think upgraded axles are a must with a full locker, particularly if you have a very aggressive tire. The cost is worth the peace of mind. (Even though I was happy to sell you one of my old half-shafts, James!) |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 04:46 pm: |
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with the ARB you don't have to settle for icy traction issues or occasional noise. The noise is not big deal, but the fact that you can't turn it off on the ice could be a big deal. Of course, with the added ability of ARB selectability (turn it on & off at will), you have to deal with the "complexity" of the electrical line, air line, and compressor. Pros & cons to each... |
Moe (Moe)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 06:45 pm: |
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The DL will not cause the rig to wander on the highways, unless it is in the front end
My DL is also mostly transparent on the road. I have had a few situations where it binds and then occaisionally releases with enough force to cause me to look in the rear view mirror for any parts I am leaving behind. Apparently, frequent binding is a sign that some preload is incorrect? But I think driving style and the condition of suspesion and steering components play a role too.
While I appreciate the reliability of the DL, if I could do it again with more $ in pocket, I would put up with the ARB. |
Peter J Blatt (Peteb)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 06:46 pm: |
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All of your advice is great, Before buying the D1 i had a vw syncro which with a tug of a switch the center diff locked, and with another tug, the rear also locked, this wagon was great in the snow and ice, i'm used to the, dont punch the gas on a turn, or else, it goes round and round like my old 66 mustang. The big question now is HOW much for HD axels??? and like axel's truck I'de like to keep the alloy wheels,
AND WHY DO PEOPLE SAY JEEP at times when they refer to my disco THEY'VE GOT TO STOP!!!!!!!!!!!!
Peter |
Blue (Bluegill)
| | Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2002 - 07:30 pm: |
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1996 Disco (second owner)
86k miles
ARB rear diff for about 65k miles
stock axles
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Joshua Weinstein (Untrakd)
| | Posted on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 01:43 am: |
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uh oh! Did I just hear Matt wants an ARB? Heheheh LOL well, my rig must be that much better I guess! |
Joshua Weinstein (Untrakd)
| | Posted on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 01:52 am: |
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oh yeah, mighte as well include a pic!
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nadim
| | Posted on Friday, October 25, 2002 - 06:36 am: |
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Both Lockers have their attributes.
But, the supposedly 'complexity' of the ARB is wrong I think, the thing is, that 'complexity' is nothign compared to the inate complexity that the LR has, so it is nothing new to us LR owners. THe only thing I thing that set apart one ARB locker experience to another is (1) the installation, and (2) the somewhat maintenance. I 'over-maintain' mine in order to make sure that it is all fine and dandy...and now, I am going to intall the heavy duty air line kit that ARB has in order to minimize any puncture oppibilities.
I have seen a DL in action in many a truck, and I do not like them offroad at all! One truck almost got into a rollover due to the side slippering of the locker. Granted, the driver did not have the necessary experience, but neither did I, and I crossed it, with my "slow, heavy, big Disco"...
Anyways, its up to each and everyone of us to decide which locker to choose. I'd go with KAM if $ grew on trees, but ARB is the realistic one for me. |
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