broken detroit locker

[Black & Tan TJ]

Thats funny, Just ask Black and Tan TJ about going from a detroit to an ARB. I have personally seen a detroit explode which ended a long awaited Rubicon trip.

Might as well spend the money once, right Tom?

You trying to make me the bad guy?
Yes that was my Detriot that ended a long awaited Rubicon trip, at least I got to do the Gatekeeper before it's latest makeover.
I ended up with an ARB basically because that's what the guys I mostly run with have and I count on them for help when needed. Besides, what happens to an leaking ABR? Your stuck with an open diff. When my Detroit gave up I was just plain stuck 500+ miles from home.
As Dukes's said it's not that I don't like them I just prefer an ARB. One more thing, I had 2 of them break on me and I'm not a heavy footed driver nor have a money tree.

Cheers, B&T TJ

[Dukes69]

You trying to make me the bad guy?

Nope, just an example. Sorry.

[D4x4Fish]

The ARB in my CJ is the first one I have ever run.

I love it!

I have had clutch/cone pos.'s and Detriots. I really like the ability to unlock the rear and use the front to pull me to where I want to go. This works good in snow and mud. With the rear locked if you are in mud/snow the rear push you into the hole/ditch everytime. Plus your turning raduis will be smaller unlocked verses locked.
My :2:

[locked94yj]

local Junk yard qoutes me 300 for the axle assy. I looked up M.O.R.E. and found all the parts i will need. My math says i can do this under 1000 bucks with gears and locker so I think i am going to go for it.

[NAILER341]

the 8.8 is a great way to go for yj owners. you wont need much in order to get this thing bolted under your jeep. hell, all you really need is the adapter in most cases. you can cut the ford perches off and re-use them if you like. youdriveshaft should not have to be changed.
be sure you get one that is complete. all brake componants including e-brake cables.
the ARB locker is highly recommended. i have heard of 5 detroits breaking, and no arb's. just something to think about.

[Jason]

I spent $25 for the adapter from a local drive line shop. I gave the same part number Nailer341 gave and I had it in a day. M.O.R.E. has a nice 8.8 set up. It's a little spendy but you will have all the parts needed at once. Especially if the junk yard cuts all the hoses and lines when they pull the axle.

[locked94yj]

How About brakes? I heard that the brake resevoir is not large enough to run disc brakes in the back in this true? Will I be ok with the stock master cyclinder or will i need to change it?

[locked94yj]

I am going to start a new thread about 8.8 axle swap. I guess i got off the subject of broken locker.

[ChucknTammy]

I know this is an old thread but I am shocked by the number of complaints about detroits here. How does one BREAK a detroit??? I have turned my driveshaft to a pretzel, my cv to shrapnel, and more than once done stupid full throttle assaults on tough sections. Not a whimper!

Are the lockers failling in d35's? Would a d35 locker be that much weaker than say a 9"?

Really curious to see if there is a common denominator here....

[NAILER341]

the failures i have seen have all been in dana 44's.


here's an example.

[Black & Tan TJ]

the failures i have seen have all been in dana 44's.


here's an example.

Hey! Wait a minute. That's my busted Detriot and you just had to do that didn't you!

At least I got to run the gate keeper before KA-BOOM.

I saw another busted one (wish I had my camera) at the shop out of a huge Currie diff. driven with a GM 6.8L V8... Lot's of $$$ Anyway he got himself in a situation w/all weight on one wheel, hit the gas and thought he only busted an axle. The axle did break plus all the internal parts of the full locker. It looked like broken glass, just a bunch of little pieces.

Great picture though, it just brings back a bad experience all around.

B&T TJ

[NAILER341]

Hey! Wait a minute. That's my busted Detriot and you just had to do that didn't you!

At least I got to run the gate keeper before KA-BOOM.

I saw another busted one (wish I had my camera) at the shop out of a huge Currie diff. driven with a GM 6.8L V8... Lot's of $$$ Anyway he got himself in a situation w/all weight on one wheel, hit the gas and thought he only busted an axle. The axle did break plus all the internal parts of the full locker. It looked like broken glass, just a bunch of little pieces.

Great picture though, it just brings back a bad experience all around.

B&T TJ

well, you lived through it tom.
sorry to bring back bad memories for you, but at least you have an arb now. :yay:
maybe this year it will be a bit smoother.

[ChucknTammy]

I am not entirely convinced an ARB would be that much stronger. If the recoil of a breaking axle shaft can do that to a detroit, it would probably do it to an ARB.

Having said that, IF I ever break my detroits, I will go with the ARB next time.....

[Dukes69]

I am not entirely convinced an ARB would be that much stronger. If the recoil of a breaking axle shaft can do that to a detroit, it would probably do it to an ARB.

Having said that, IF I ever break my detroits, I will go with the ARB next time.....

They've been proven NOT to break. we had a guy break a front shaft out at JV a couple weeks ago, with no damage to the ARB. The difference is that Detroits, and that style of locker, are ratcheting lockers. ARB's are spools (no teeth to break).

[tjTerry]

I have a8.8 in my Tj with a detroit soft locker. I really do not have any concerns with it breaking. As for driving in the snow not really a big problem---yet.
But the torque that is transfered into body roll everytime you get on the throttle or let off, makes it unsafe for the street. I firmed up my adjustable shocks to help with this but I lose some comfort because of this.
Someday I will install an ARB in the rear to match my front ARB.