GU III - Do I fit a Detroit locker to the front diff.....

I have an Aussielocker in the front of my GU coilcab. It is faultless. Detroit centres are rather overpriced. I am at a loss as to why Robin Miller had issues with his Lokka. The functioning premise with auto lockers is that the more you load them, the harder they lock. Thus, if trying to make a turn with one fitted in the front end, get off the throttle momentarily, make the turn, then hit the accelerator again. This is more convenient than turning off, then on, a selectable locker, I feel. There is virtually no situation in normal fourwheeling, where a selectable locker (front) outperforms an auto. locker. Not talking about comps. etc! Not only that, they are maintenance free, require no special oils, and will last as long as your diff. However, I have an Air Locker in the rear, as rear fitment has different considerations. Hope this helps.

Well bugger me I didn't realise the humble old Detroit Locker was available for fourby's. My only experience with them is from certain locally made Ford sedans with V8's in them...

Hi Pat

Its just the nature of the beast that they understeer in proportion
to the load - or in your words - "Lock Harder" , when this occurs and you are turning then wheels essentially have to skid at least until the next unlock action.

With skill , or backing off as you describ a driver can partly compensate.

This is where the Detroit is better than Lokka types because of the mechanisms finer resolution, its about twice the resolution.

All diffs require friction (traction) to work , even an open diff.
The level of friction required determines how much the wheels skids before the action takes place.
The Lokka type simply requires the most by design and hence will slip on more surfaces turning.

Now when you have to drive hard up a hill and turn - for example , going up big red with that kink near the top , then the above translates into a wider turning circle and a direct loss of power as the front ends plows in the sand.

In one interesting case the extra power required by the lokka equipped car was to much for the car to get up big red, and on the thirteen run the car made it , but only because it was put back into 2wd


Fun stuff !

I wasn't going to reply to this thread as you asked for people with Patrols to reply if they had a detroit fitted.

Having said that and having detroit lockers on my old bus I have to agree with everything Robin has said about them.

Great lockers but you do pay a price for auto locking or auto unlocking. If I could bring myself to pay the dollars I would put a air locker in the front.

I wish I had a patrol lsd in the back as well, then I wouldn't need a rear locker.

Just as a matter of interest- which Eaton product is the Soft Locker? I had a peek at their site and can find no listing for that product.
All lockers need to be used judiciously on ice, particularly where offcamber is an issue. Try to keep one side of truck on road edge where there may be a little more traction. If wheels are locked there is no anchoring effect as when only one wheel spins on an open diff. Mate, all roads are better with extra traction in the front. An auto. locker will give you a stronger self-centring action in the steering and occasionally you will feel a little extra drag when steering. Nothing when compared to the extra distance you get because of your locker. And the less time you spend winching !

PP,
In some of the model numbers there is SL, this is the soft locker. Look through this info and you will find it. Page 11 number 4.
Eaton Detroit

Have a good one