[zainyD]

I just installed a Detroit locker in my rear axle which is a Ford 9". When I go around a corner and I'm not on the gas the locker clicks, but then stops when I get going straight again. I've hit the gas while in a turn and it seems to lock up properly. I thought I remembered reading the way the Detroit works is that it locks up when torque is applied. Is this correct? Is this typical behavior for a Detroit? Thanks for your help.

It's already a HUGE improvement over the mini-spool that I had in there before.

 

[jermil01]

Sounds typical to me, they will definitely lock if you're on the gas turning a corner.

 

[godless]

Yes, it is functioning correctly. EOT

 

[badass1tonf100]

its working right it will not lock up on turns due to the different wheel speeds of the inner and outer tire

 

[zainyD]

Thanks guys, that's what I wanted to know.

 

[Redwagon]

what did you not like about the mini-spool?

 

[Shadofax]

what did you not like about the mini-spool?

maybe something to the tune of a tire dragging around every corner one takes? Not a fun thing I'd think for a DD. Actually would be rediculous.

 

[zainyD]

what did you not like about the mini-spool?

Hum, let me see, EVERYTHING! It was fine off road, but in a light, short wheel-base Ranger on 35's it was aweful on the street. Chirping tires around every corner was annoying and it killed my tires, plus it hurt my turning radius. The reason I bought the mini-spool to begin with was it was the only locker I could afford when I was putting my 9" together a year and a half ago. I found a great deal on the Detroit a few months ago and just hadn't had time to get it installed until now. If my Ranger wasn't still driven on the street I would have left the spool alone.

 

[HillbillyRod]

I just installed a Detroit EZ locker in my 8.8, it is a piece of crap. I took it out, reinstalled it and it still wont stay locked up. It is weak. It sounds like the rear end is going to pieces. I had more traction with my open carrier. It can't handle the size tire I have I guess. I would gas on it so it would lock up and it would slip. I wasted my money on it. Is anyone running a mini spool successfully?

 

[Shadofax]

I just installed a Detroit EZ locker in my 8.8, it is a piece of crap. I took it out, reinstalled it and it still wont stay locked up. It is weak. It sounds like the rear end is going to pieces. I had more traction with my open carrier. It can't handle the size tire I have I guess. I would gas on it so it would lock up and it would slip. I wasted my money on it. Is anyone running a mini spool successfully?

38x 15.5's with an 8.8? you'll have other worries real soon.

can't comment on the detroit ez as my current one is from '02 and I don't really know if it's an ez or not. The way it acts I'd say not. and I know the one in my former 8.8 was not.

 

[william_ace]

i loved my detroit, but that was on a long wheel base but unless i was gassing it pretty hard around a turn i couldn't really feel like it was there

 

[Bob G]

sounds like you installed it wrong. Did you check the clearances and use shims if needed? there is a fine line bettween engaged and disengaged that needs to be set up correct or it wont lock. besides you can bench test it while you have the carrier out to be sure its working before installing it the the diff.

 

[Bronco4Life]

:stupid

From what I've been told, the EZ lockers are much more difficult to get set up correctly.

And yeah, 38x15.50's on a half ton semi floater... with a locker. You didn't think this one through real well, did you?

 

[Rick3373]

My detroit acts exactly the same way.

 

[Lucafu1]

sounds like mine. remember to check your rear tire height cause that can cause some problems.

 

[peteyg]

I used to think a spooled rear end would be a drag on the street, but just recently I spooled the 9" I put in the back of my Jeep 'cause I'm too cheap to buy a locker. I actually think it's a HUGE improvement over my old Detroit. Yes, the tires will wear faster on the street, but it's not really a street rig, anyway, and I think the predictability of the spooled rear end is WAY nicer. You have to learn how to drive it, but I don't hear the tires chirp at all except on the slowest, sharpest turns. It takes a while to get used to having to stay on the gas around corners, but it's not really that bad. I like it a LOT. Off road it is awesome. I will never go back to a locker in the rear.

 

[Shadofax]

I used to think a spooled rear end would be a drag on the street, but just recently I spooled the 9" I put in the back of my Jeep 'cause I'm too cheap to buy a locker. I actually think it's a HUGE improvement over my old Detroit. Yes, the tires will wear faster on the street, but it's not really a street rig, anyway, and I think the predictability of the spooled rear end is WAY nicer. You have to learn how to drive it, but I don't hear the tires chirp at all except on the slowest, sharpest turns. It takes a while to get used to having to stay on the gas around corners, but it's not really that bad. I like it a LOT. Off road it is awesome. I will never go back to a locker in the rear.

Kinda some interesting stuff here....

If you're cheap, listen to this advice and deal with no differentiation. If you have some $$, consider investing in something that allows differentiation, CERTAINLY on the street (but really on trails this is important as well). Learn to drive a detroit on the street and it's no biggy. There are other lockers as well, such as the ARB, that are basically a spool once locked. I love mine in the front. anything else would totally suck.

 

[Bronco4Life]

Kinda some interesting stuff here....

If you're cheap, listen to this advice and deal with no differentiation. If you have some $$, consider investing in something that allows differentiation, CERTAINLY on the street (but really on trails this is important as well). Learn to drive a detroit on the street and it's no biggy. There are other lockers as well, such as the ARB, that are basically a spool once locked. I love mine in the front. anything else would totally suck.

I think a spooled rear would show a little less effect in the rear of a relatively light chassis, such as on a Jeep, but I can't imagine the response being the same in the back of a fullsize 3 ton truck.

I dunno, I love the detroit in my 8.8. I think it was the best money I'd ever spent on the truck. After maybe a few days of driving maximum, I'd learned it well enough that I could foretell exactly when it was going to lock up, disengage, and do something wild on me. Never gave me an issue in years of driving in all sorts of weather and terrain, and doing plenty of stupid shit in all of them.

 

[Shadofax]

I think a spooled rear would show a little less effect in the rear of a relatively light chassis, such as on a Jeep, but I can't imagine the response being the same in the back of a fullsize 3 ton truck.

I dunno, I love the detroit in my 8.8. I think it was the best money I'd ever spent on the truck. After maybe a few days of driving maximum, I'd learned it well enough that I could foretell exactly when it was going to lock up, disengage, and do something wild on me. Never gave me an issue in years of driving in all sorts of weather and terrain, and doing plenty of stupid shit in all of them.

Actually there is no "foretelling" necessary, so you can put your gypsy away.:histerica:beer

It's just a matter of pedal and knowing when to apply, mainly related to entering/exiting corners. The only other issue is the surprise bang from lock/unlock. that seems to happen to me at a stop sometimes.

trust me though, I'm not advocating a spool. If you are on a tight budget and don't want to spend the dough, well, offroad a spool will give you a lot of added traction. But a lot of headache overall in terms of driveability.