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

[pdw]

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!

I absolutely agree with you! Almost 5 years ago I paid the $ for the "Super 35 kit" that has a Detroit and Superior axle shafts. The Detroit and the axle shafts worked great! It is the Dana 35 housing is what is the problem. I doesn't really matter what locker or limited slip you put in that axle. It's the housing and tubes that simply do not have the ability to handle the additional stress of larger tires and locker.

I bought a Currie High-Pinion 9" with a Detroit and I have been happy ever since!

Like another comment posted in this thread, I have never heard anybody asking if anybody has spare parts for their Detroit out on the trail. I have seen ARB air lines being torn, not so much anymore, maybe they changed the type of hose being used....

Do your research and buy what best fits your needs and budget.

[curtis]

I agree with blackZZR, I have run detroits for many years with no problems. But the newer ARB is a good locker also if installed correctly.

[peteyg]

...someone tell you they borken a detroit, ask them how...

Here you go:

Detroit #1:

Rear Dana 44 in a CJ with a Warn full float kit and hubs. Broke a rear hub climbing a waterfall on Pucker Canyon in Stoddard. Torque transfer through the locker stripped all the teeth off the driver-side engagement clutch.

Detroit #2:

Front TJ Dana 30. Both clutches and the synchronizing ring broke trying to climb the waterfall on Pumpkin Eater. Nothing else broke. The locker just failed. Replaced with a Lock-right and never had another locker problem.

Detroit #3:

Front High Pinion Dana 44. Driver side clutch broke when the driver side stub shaft snapped. Torque transfer through the locker did it. I was able to buy the replacement clutch from 4 Wheel Parts (they had it in stock on the shelf) and had it fixed and back together in a couple hours (on the bench at home).

Again, Detroits are NOTORIOUS for breaking when you break an axle (or hub, which creates the same conditions).

Yes, they are strong. I still run one. But they are not the end-all be-all of lockers.

[Jeeperator]

I agree that a detroit locker or spool is probably the most reliable with no additional parts like air compressors, lines,tubes,seals, wireing and cables that for one reason or another always seem to fail. We should all agree more parts = more likely to fail where one small issue will prevent lock up. But the option to unlock is also a benefit in some cases of tight turning radiuses when the jeep will still want to go straight with a spool or detriot and the front wheels are full locked to the left or right. I would think to be able to unlock in really tight turn has to have a benifit on axle longevity also.

[peteyg]

It does make a difference for sure. I've driven my buddy's ARB'd TJ, and it's nice to be able to hit that switch and steer. With a Detroit up front, you have to think about it a little more. There are tricks to getting to be able to turn tight, though, and in the long run, I don't really feel like my front Detroit is a disadvantage. I would NEVER run a spool in front.

[Dukes69]

While I've never had a Detroit in a Jeep I do have one in a "street" car. If you Daily drive your Jeep, I would advise against it. They have HORRIBLE road manners. They clunk, BANG!, snap and make all kinds of awful noises. The worst part is the sudden and unintentional lane changes.

After a run down the drag strip I was pulling into the pits (after making several turns), and while making the turn into my spot the detroit unlocked and made the loudest, scariest noise my car has ever made. I swore something was broken and stuck it on the trailer. Found out later that's just what they do. F that!

[curtis]

I run Detroits F&R with a 2 low kit in the transfer case and it works great for me!

[peteyg]

While I've never had a Detroit in a Jeep I do have one in a "street" car. If you Daily drive your Jeep, I would advise against it. They have HORRIBLE road manners. They clunk, BANG!, snap and make all kinds of awful noises. The worst part is the sudden and unintentional lane changes.

After a run down the drag strip I was pulling into the pits (after making several turns), and while making the turn into my spot the detroit unlocked and made the loudest, scariest noise my car has ever made. I swore something was broken and stuck it on the trailer. Found out later that's just what they do. F that!

Heh, yeah. The first time a Detroit unloaded on me, I swore I broke an axle. I pulled over, jacked it up, and checked everything. I later found out that's just normal behavior.

I'm SO much happier with the rear spool. TOTALLY predictable, always works, never does anything unexpected. Even on the street, where I was pretty sure I wouldn't like it, it's a non-issue. Once you learn how it behaves, you stop noticing it.

[Jeeperator]

Spools are so hard on axles especially on the street, do you change or check them often for twisting? I know with a detroit you basically have to practically relearn how to drive to avoid problems. Accelerating in turn is not a good idea unless you like facing the opposite direction in your lane. I wonder if detroit still makes the 2 different types soft and hard lockers.

[peteyg]

Air pressure plays a big role with the spool. I have to be careful to keep the pressure up on pavement, and then the scrubbing really isn't an issue.

My axles are out often enough that I'd notice a problem. I have pretty strong axles, anyway. They survived stripping all of the splines out of my other, cheap spool. I certainly never expected THAT to happen. When it stripped, I was sure I had broken an axle and expected to see the familiar broken end twisted off. but the axle came out fine with no damage to the splines at all. It's a shame that Alloy USA had all that trouble and got bought by Omix-Ada. Omix will NOT have the same level of quality that the original guys did.

[USMC 0369]

[COLOR="Sienna"]I've got a Detroit in the rear of my YJ. Everyone that has ever been under the YJ swears my pinon nut is loose or a bearing is toast...until I tell them there's a Detroit in there...that's just the way the Detroit is.

Worst part is the sudden lane changes. When I do it over again... ARB.[/COLOR]

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!

[COLOR="Sienna"]I got a killer deal on a super 35 kit from Superior. That's why I upgraded my 35 instead of swapping it out.[/COLOR]

[pdw]

Spools are so hard on axles especially on the street, do you change or check them often for twisting? I know with a detroit you basically have to practically relearn how to drive to avoid problems. Accelerating in turn is not a good idea unless you like facing the opposite direction in your lane. I wonder if detroit still makes the 2 different types soft and hard lockers.

Really? I have done nothing to change my driving style. It's amazing how you can have a totally different experience than me and we both have - or have had Detroit's in the rear axles of our Jeeps!

Could it be the difference between the YJ and TJ suspension types?

[pdw]

[COLOR="Sienna"]I've got a Detroit in the rear of my YJ. Everyone that has ever been under the YJ swears my pinon nut is loose or a bearing is toast...until I tell them there's a Detroit in there...that's just the way the Detroit is.

Worst part is the sudden lane changes. When I do it over again... ARB.[/COLOR]



[COLOR="Sienna"]I got a killer deal on a super 35 kit from Superior. That's why I upgraded my 35 instead of swapping it out.[/COLOR]

Yes, you did get a GOOD deal on that Superior kit, didn't you!?!?!?!

[Jeeperator]

Really? I have done nothing to change my driving style. It's amazing how you can have a totally different experience than me and we both have - or have had Detroit's in the rear axles of our Jeeps!

Could it be the difference between the YJ and TJ suspension types?

No, dont have one on the jeep but driven with one in a car. Maybe I am a little heavier on the skinny pedal than you (different driving style to begin with). I know for a fact if you hit the throttle in a turn with a detroit good things will not happen, we can all agree on this? I was always told to let off the gas in the corners with a detriot or it will lock up while in the turn. Its probably ok if you like drifting LOL. What is the tire size limit with a super 35 kit? My buddys got one in his 4cyl and he want 35's with 4.88 gears, should I tell him he need somthing different.

[peteyg]

No, dont have one on the jeep but driven with one in a car. Maybe I am a little heavier on the skinny pedal than you (different driving style to begin with). I know for a fact if you hit the throttle in a turn with a detroit good things will not happen, we can all agree on this? I was always told to let off the gas in the corners with a detriot or it will lock up while in the turn. Its probably ok if you like drifting LOL. What is the tire size limit with a super 35 kit? My buddys got one in his 4cyl and he want 35's with 4.88 gears, should I tell him he need somthing different.

Actually, you can either be on the gas all the way through the curve, or off it. The badness with a Detroit comes when you mix it up and get off and then back on the gas. That disengages and then re-engages the locker, and you have to be ready for it.

The only time really bad things happen is if you're on a really slick surface (like ice).