By Peter Blatt (Peterb) on Saturday, December 08, 2001 - 10:35 am: Edit

I have seen much info about lockers, I'm interested in an ARB or a detroit locker, pros and cons and where can i find more info on the detroit and arb already in the third member to decrease my trucks down time.

By Ho Chung (Ho) on Saturday, December 08, 2001 - 11:21 am: Edit

the following applies for the rear diff.

ARB pros: selectable by driver. on and off at the push of a button.

detroit pros: no buttons, no air lines, no compressor, much cheaper, easier install, clicking..

ARB cons: button pushing (as you can tell, i dont' like pushing buttons), harder to install due to added components like air lines and compressors, more expensive.

detroit cons: hmmm.... non. LOL

for both setups, consider HD shafts because you'll be climbing things you weren't able before. this will add stress to the half shafts.

there's a lot of talk about detroits being lousy on ice/snow road. i cant' comment much on that issue beacuse i live in sunny southern california, but keep in mind that slippery road is slippery, so the best thing to do is drive safely.

good luck.

ahh, contact GBR if you wish for 3rd member swap.

By peterb on Saturday, December 08, 2001 - 12:03 pm: Edit

Dumb question, Who is GBR? and how do i get in touch.

By Diesel on Saturday, December 08, 2001 - 12:12 pm: Edit

Great Basin Rovers
http://www.greatbasinrovers.com/
801-486-5049

Bill is very knowledgable, and will help you with all questions.

Diesel

By Mike D1 on Saturday, December 08, 2001 - 06:46 pm: Edit

I got my ARBs for $550.00 each from 4 Wheel Parts. Just tell them you found it on the Web for that price and they will match without checking. I like the ARB. It's nice to not use a locker when you are with others that don't have them. There is no slipping waiting for traction to start when it's on, it's on.

By Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) on Saturday, December 08, 2001 - 06:47 pm: Edit

I agree that is alot of money...in the long run how long will they really last

By peterb on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 02:19 pm: Edit

OK, will a detriot work in reverse? and I'm assuming that the initial slip of the detroit is quite minimal, and why not have this at your disposal at all times without the push of a button and the extra expense of a air compressor???????

By Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 02:22 pm: Edit

cause you have to slip before it locks the ARB is locked at the push of a button..my buddy has a cruiser that sees alot of miles on and off road he drives his truck alot the only problems he has had with his ARB is the air line..I think ARB is the best..plus you get the coolness factor hearing the diff air up and down..so thats worth 100 to me

By Scott Tschantz (Scott) on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 03:32 pm: Edit

Phillip , Thats not true. The Detroit will not slip. But it will let the out side tire turn faster than the inside tire in a turn.

By Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 03:34 pm: Edit

hmmmmmmm.....

By RVR OVR (Tom) on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 03:58 pm: Edit

Scott is right, the detroit is locked until it is unlocked, not vice versa. a trutrac on the other hand works like you are talking about.

tom

By Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 04:00 pm: Edit

how do you unlock it

By Scott Tschantz (Scott) on Sunday, December 09, 2001 - 11:38 pm: Edit

Phillip, It will never let one wheel turn slower than the R&P but It will allow one wheel to over travel the speed of the R&P

By Phillip Perkinson (R0ver4x4) on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 12:02 am: Edit

I understand the wheel travel concept.my frined has a new detroit in his J**p and its loud when you turn....maybe cause its a jeep

By Discosaurus (Discosaurus) on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 01:00 pm: Edit

Consider the DL a "unlocker" rather then a locker. It's locked ALL the time and only releases to compensate for the different radius between inside and outside wheels in a turn.

keith
discosaurus

By John Lee on Monday, December 10, 2001 - 01:10 pm: Edit

Peter,

"OK, will a detriot work in reverse?"

Yes, a Detroit will work in reverse, and just as effectively as it works going forward. The unit is basically a spool until differentiation is required. Turning one wheel one way and the other wheel the other way will separate the dog clutches and permit the unit to differentiate.

"and I'm assuming that the initial slip of the detroit is quite minimal, and why not have this at your disposal at all times without the push of a button and the extra expense of a air compressor???????"

As others have pointed out, the Detroit is normally locked, so there is zero initial slip.

Some people prefer the flexibility of the ARB system. The ARB is completely transparent on the road. Some people dislike the changes in road handling caused by the Detroit, as minimal as such changes are. I prefer the Detroit for its greater simplicity and reliability. ARB is also a fine system. It basically comes down to personal preference.