So many lockers... So little time........

[Double AA]

Technically yes, but you cannot have torque unless you have something to apply leverage against. If you have a wheel in the air, ALL of the torque is being transmitted to the tire on the ground.

Pete, I would have bet money you were going to post that. That's why I didn't say equal torque.

[Double AA]

So, if a tire is in the air, a locker will still spin the tire in the air and the one on the ground? If it's in the air, it is getting nothing anyway correct? I am missing something?

Why do people go with the truetrac then?

No, you're not missing anything. The tire spinning in the air isn't doing anything. The detroit and ARB go about doing the same thing, differently.

Limited slips put less stress on the entire differential, so are less prone to braking parts. If you're planning on running oversize tires on a smaller/weaker differential, lockers are not a good idea.

[smashcoast]

So would everyone agree not to run any locker in a stock D30 or D35? Because they are so weak?

[peteyg]

Not at all. I ran Detroits and Lock-Rights in my TJ D30 for years. My level of wheeling finally went beyond the capability of the axle, but that wasn't the axle's fault.

I'm going to put a lock-right in the front of my Scrambler soon. BUT. If you're going to lock it, you need to upgrade other stuff, too. My Scrambler has Alloy USA front shafts with Spicer 760's. Stock D30 shafts aren't up to the task, for sure.

[Double AA]

So would everyone agree not to run any locker in a stock D30 or D35? Because they are so weak?

That depends on a lot of things; tire size, horsepower, overall gearing, gears in the diff's, aftermarkets parts in the diff's, where you wheel, how you wheel, etc...

I've seen Rat Patrol as well as some others, get away with it for years. He runs 35" tires, 48 gears and wheels the Hammers.

But then there was that one time...

[peteyg]

For anyone more interested in this topic, because, yes, it comes up a LOT, here is a lot more reading for you on the subject It was written about 5 years ago. I wouldn't know who it was....

http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22630

[ECV Jeep]

Running Dana 30s

Much of what has been said in this post about the Dana 30 is true (in my opinion)...it is not a super strong axle. As for the Dana 35, my mother always said "if you don't have something nice to say don't say anything at all."

Having said that, I ran a stock Dana 30 housing (low pinion) in an 86 CJ for 5 years with 4.88 gears, an ARB locker (30 spline) and a 10.3 to 1 4 speed Atlas (3 years with the Atlas) and 35 inch MTRs....I never broke a thing. I only run an I-6 motor in the 210 HP range, and I did run Warn chromoly shafts and CTMs. Many trips to the Hammers and the like without a problem. I also know some very accomplished competitors who believe this can be a great set-up.........but that is for someone who wheels with more finesse that brute. So yes, there is good reason to put a locker in a Dana 30.

Ultimately, I have upgraded to an over built 35 spline Dana 44 front and 37s, which I hope will suit me better (it is always a guess).

My point is simply this.......this thread has contained good information and experience regarding lockers. Ultimately you will need to decide what you want to do with you rig to make the best determination of what is right for you. Many here will suggest you overbuild up front to prevent from the multiple rebuilds we all experienced. That may indeed be the best thing to do.........but the multiple rebuilds and learning along the way does give you some valuable experience dollars (too bad we can't spend "experience dollars" or many on this board would be rich).

In the locker & axle department....there is much truth to the idea that you get what you pay for. If at all possible, try to skimp when it comes to building your drive train.

[Dog Man]

I have been running the ECTED lockers front and rear for the last 2 1/2 years work great 30 front 44 rear 4.56 gears 34in swampers.. Not sure if I would put a locker in a rear dana 35 not to strong for a locker have to go real easy on the gas to keep from breaking.

[peteyg]

That depends on a lot of things; tire size, horsepower, overall gearing, gears in the diff's, aftermarkets parts in the diff's, where you wheel, how you wheel, etc...

I've seen Rat Patrol as well as some others, get away with it for years. He runs 35" tires, 48 gears and wheels the Hammers.

But then there was that one time...

Oooh.....I've seen that before.

It has nothing to do with lockers in D30's though

Folks, that's what happens when you try to run TJ/YJ unit bearings without a stub shaft to hold it together. Doesn't work well.

[Jeeperator]

The limited slip in your Avalanche is actually a Gov-Loc, which is a true locker, but be warned, they're also called Gov-Bombs, because if you push it too hard, it will explode, literally.

As for lockers in D30's, you can make them survive with 35's, but you need Chromoly axles at least, and some sort of better U-Joint like the OX joints or CTMs.

I had a gov-lok (454ss rearend corporate 14 bolt) in my 1/2 ton chevy pickup. I was making well over 500hp & over 600ft pounds of torque with a built smallblock and a whipple supercharger.It was 4000# truck with 1.7 second 60ft launches on a mh cheater slick not to mention low 4 sec 0-60mph times. That eaton gov-loc gave me 3 good years of hard street and drag racing and is still going strong with the new owner. I do know the regular 1/2 ton govloc rearends did fail quite often though not to mention how many 700r4 trannys I blew up .

I am sure glad I bought some chromos now to find a dana30 hp to put them in. I was also thinking a aussie but not 100% sure on that.

I have been running the ECTED lockers front and rear for the last 2 1/2 years work great 30 front 44 rear 4.56 gears 34in swampers.. Not sure if I would put a locker in a rear dana 35 not to strong for a locker have to go real easy on the gas to keep from breaking.

You got a ected in the front hows it treating you I heard some rumors the d30 ected somtimes didnt want to unlock and get stuck in the locked position, any truth to this?

[OU812]

:hijack::oops:

[2blk2drs]

I have been running the ECTED lockers front and rear for the last 2 1/2 years work great 30 front 44 rear 4.56 gears 34in swampers.. Not sure if I would put a locker in a rear dana 35 not to strong for a locker have to go real easy on the gas to keep from breaking.

why even regear a d35? If your going through all that time and money, why not upgrade: 8.8, 9" D44 hell even an 8.25!

[Dog Man]

the ECTED in the front works great but it does stick in the locked pos. alot, you have to turn fully to the right and then fully to the left and it will unlock, only thing I dont like about it does it about 1/4 of the time. unlocked it is a full time limited slip that works much better than a trutrack in the front.

[Jeeperator]

the ECTED in the front works great but it does stick in the locked pos. alot, you have to turn fully to the right and then fully to the left and it will unlock, only thing I dont like about it does it about 1/4 of the time. unlocked it is a full time limited slip that works much better than a trutrack in the front.

So you have owned and have used a truetrac in the front also? My understanding is that truetracs work best on ice and in muddy situations where a locker or standard limited slip will get you into more trouble.

[blackZZR]

Ah lockers
and the debate over them
I love to see how people defend their choices, till the end
bottom line is what do you want.
I prefer detroits, simple, always there and strong as an ox, someone tell you they borken a detroit, ask them how. I have run them for years, close to 20 and never broken one, plus they are no nonsense always there, only problem, you have to like them. You see they have quirks, but then I have never heard anyone on trail asking some one over the radio for this part or that to repair the air system for their detroit.
Just my 2 cents.