I would like to get a discussion going on any other TJ owners here who use front or rear Detroit lockers. I've read so many mixed reviews on this forum and elsewhere about these lockers and how much of a pain they are on the street. I got one of these installed and picked my Jeep up earlier today, and I must say, IT IS NOT NEARLY AS BAD AS SOME SAY! It seems like people just talk about how terrible they are on the street without ever using one.
The locker is definitely noticeable but it does not make me swerve into other lanes or anything along those lines. You know it's there, but I was taking turns as usual and it was fine. It slightly straightens out around corners but it hardly noticeable really. I love this thing so far and can't wait to get more hours behind the wheel on and off road.
So for those of you with Detroit lockers, let's hear your responses!
I installed a Detroit Locker into my previous '97 TJ and I loved it... I'd rather have that in the back of my present TJ than my Rubicon rear locker. It was very well behaved 99% of the time and that 1% it just gave a little minor lurch or noise when it unloaded.
I called it my 'point and shoot' locker, it just worked and it worked very well. Not to mention I didn't have to remember to lock it lol.
Haha exactly Jerry! Also got a front e locker installed but I doubt I'll have to use it much with the Detroit in the rear! It has behaved flawlessly so far.
A Detroit Locker's normal state is locked. It automatically unlocks for turns and automatically relocks after the turn is complete and you're driving straight again. This is how any automatic locker works including lunchbox lockers like the Aussie and Lockrite.
So what happens when wheeling and on some rocks and turning? I would think when wheeling you always want to be locked. Does it unlock when turning and climbing a rock?
This thing has still been very tame on the street. It is very easy to get used to. I am liking it a lot. Going to Cleghorn in a few days to do a little test of it, can't wait!
I have a question for the forum. I've got a TJ and two sons...the older is just learning to drive on it but not on the roads yet. Soon enough, this will be a young man's machine. we live in Denver and my older boy is on ski team so he'll be driving this machine up and down snowy roads if he's lucky...icy roads when he's not. My plan is to put a locker only on the rear axle (dana 44). I don't know the handling difference between an elocker and a Detroit locker. Given that this machine will be in the hands of a young driver who will be putting it on ice and snow...would you stick with an elocker or does it not matter so much on the rear axle?
Selectable lockers are fine in the worst conditions since you can leave them disabled. It's only automatic lockers that would be a bad choice in icy/snowy conditions.
All...thank you very much. I've seen elockers for around $1k. That's totally OK...this is a family camping machine and, as such, we'll want the traction. At the same time, I didn't want to go for something half the price if it made the machine a higher risk for my boys. So, some kind of selectable locker maybe elocker (or air locker) it is. Thank you for the feedback.
On the subject of "driving in snow and ice", I have another TJ question. The drive from Denver to Frisco (up into the mountains) along i70 is 75mph. That means traffic twists and turns at 80 and above unless you are in the right-hand lane with the trucks that are going 20-35. In a storm, it can be a white-knuckle drive.
I have, in general, avoided putting the machine in 4H above 70. If it's nasty outside, then I have been pulling over at the "chain up stop" to stop and shift into 4H. After that, I take a slower lane and look forward to arriving eventually. I could, of course, put the machine in 4H at my home down in Denver and drive on dry pavement at 80mph all the way up. That might be safer than stopping at a "chain up stop" to engage 4H. My question to the group is what would you do? Do you go ahead and put it in 4H at home and stick it there through the drive? The Dana30 and 44 can handle it...my concern has been the transfer case. I've seen warnings not to exceed 55 in 4H and I don't know if that's an artifact of the old speed limits in the US or if there is a mechanical limitation.
I'll add that there is a "traction law" on i70. You should have 4wd or chains. I carry chains but they are messy...much easier and better on the Jeep (and my sanity) to use 4H until it gets really bad and by then there are other choices to make.
Also...if anyone responds...I suspect they will ask about tires. I generally have Blizzaks on all four corners. One year, I had a fresh pair of KO2s and an older pair of Blizzaks so I just stuck with the KO2s. KO2s were OK with brand new tread but I still swear by the traction of the Blizzaks even over studded especially in very cold and very icy conditions. Also, for those who've been there, I do carry a couple of candles in the glovebox.
I'm quite familiar with the drive up to Frisco both in fair weather and white out blizzard conditions. If 4wd is required, one likely should not be driving at full highway speeds, even if the Audis, BMWs and giant pickups think it is safe.
That being said, I think the fastest I have ever shifted in and out of 4wd is in the high 80's, just to say that I did.
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