Detroit locker - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jotto82 · 03-25-2018, 12:49 AM

I want to switch to posi. Anyone have advice for installing a Detroit locker in a 14 bolt corporate rear end?? I’ll

Matt Man · 03-25-2018, 01:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jotto82

I want to switch to posi. Anyone have advice for installing a Detroit locker in a 14 bolt corporate rear end?? I’ll

A detroit locker is not the same as a posi like a trutrac. Are you going to be running the same ring and pinion?

Jotto82 · 03-25-2018, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Man

A detroit locker is not the same as a posi like a trutrac. Are you going to be running the same ring and pinion?

I want it as simple as possible!

Myers horsepower · 03-25-2018, 01:25 AM

Detroit Locker is defently different than a "posi" Detroit lockers are probably the easiest to install into a full floater 14 bolt corporate. It takes about a hour and half to install. Mine came with complete instructions.

Jotto82 · 03-25-2018, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myers horsepower

Detroit Locker is defently different than a "posi" Detroit lockers are probably the easiest to install into a full floater 14 bolt corporate. It takes about a hour and half to install. Mine came with complete instructions.

I just want both tires to turn when doing a burnout lol

Jeepwm69 · 03-26-2018, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Myers horsepower

Detroit Locker is defently different than a "posi" Detroit lockers are probably the easiest to install into a full floater 14 bolt corporate. It takes about a hour and half to install. Mine came with complete instructions.

Installation should be the same. Both the Detroit and the trutrac replace the carrier.

The Detroit is not going to be friendly on the street.

Truetracs are great diffs, but not cheap. They don't wear out like Auburn or Eaton units with clutches.

If you want cheap and easy locker, you'd want a lunchbox like a Spartan, Aussie, or Lock-Right. They replace the spider gears and thus do not require setting up the gears like you have to do with a carrier replacing diff like a Detroit or a Truetrac.

The lunchbox lockers behave just like a Detroit on the pavement thought. Ratcheting noises and banging going around corners and your tires will wear faster.

sweetk30 · 03-26-2018, 06:58 PM

best of both worlds here and try choking on this price .

**kwmech** · 03-27-2018, 12:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

Installation should be the same. Both the Detroit and the trutrac replace the carrier.

Not true, the detroit locker is not a complete unit in the 14 bolt where-as the tru-trac is. You use the existing carrier and take apart the halves, remove the spider gear assy and put in the locking assy. Bolt it back together with the ring gear and remove the holding bolt.

Jeepwm69 · 03-27-2018, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwmech

Not true, the detroit locker is not a complete unit in the 14 bolt where-as the tru-trac is. You use the existing carrier and take apart the halves, remove the spider gear assy and put in the locking assy. Bolt it back together with the ring gear and remove the holding bolt.

Well I'll be.....

Had to look into that a bit as I've only done Dana/Spicer Jeep axles.

Looks like the 14 bolt carrier is heavy enough to reuse so the Detroit is just a heavy lunchbox style for that axle.

Learned something new.

As for on the street use, I'd still go with the Truetrac.

I have a Truetrac in the rear of my green Jeep. Invisible on the street, and unless you have a wheel in the air it performs just like a locker.

I have lockrights front and rear on my tan Jeep. They rachet and bang occasionally going around corners, but if you stay off the gas in a turn they usually don't make much noise. They do NOT like it if you have even a couple of PSI difference between the two tires on the axle.

I have a Powertrax no-slip in the rear of my other tan Jeep. It's about the same as the lock-right, just doesn't make the noises.

I would 100% go with the truetrac for a street driven truck. Buy once, cry once.

Jotto82 · 03-27-2018, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeepwm69

Well I'll be.....

Had to look into that a bit as I've only done Dana/Spicer Jeep axles.

Looks like the 14 bolt carrier is heavy enough to reuse so the Detroit is just a heavy lunchbox style for that axle.

Learned something new.

As for on the street use, I'd still go with the Truetrac.

I have a Truetrac in the rear of my green Jeep. Invisible on the street, and unless you have a wheel in the air it performs just like a locker.

I have lockrights front and rear on my tan Jeep. They rachet and bang occasionally going around corners, but if you stay off the gas in a turn they usually don't make much noise. They do NOT like it if you have even a couple of PSI difference between the two tires on the axle.

I have a Powertrax no-slip in the rear of my other tan Jeep. It's about the same as the lock-right, just doesn't make the noises.

I would 100% go with the truetrac for a street driven truck. Buy once, cry once.

Amen to the buy once cry once.

cadillac_al · 03-25-2018, 05:42 AM

The Detroit is the best and cheapest for a 14 bolt. I personally don't like lockers or posi in my snow buggies.

Gdub310 · 03-25-2018, 08:04 PM

A locker is great for off-road, and for dry pavement if you are willing to put up with some of the side-effects like the ratcheting noise and sometimes unpredictable behavior in turns. But for daily driving in a variety of conditions - rain, snow, ice - it definitely is not a good time. A limited slip unit would be a much better choice.

Jotto82 · 03-25-2018, 09:24 PM

Lol can I still do good burnouts? I know that sounds stupid but my kids likes burnouts. Will the limited slip be good for that?

Matt Man · 03-25-2018, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jotto82

Lol can I still do good burnouts? I know that sounds stupid but my kids likes burnouts. Will the limited slip be good for that?

Yes a detroit locker and trutrac will make both tires spin. However, for your application I would buy a trutrac as you wont notice its there until its needed. As stated the detroit locker can be noisy at times and do the detroit "bang" which makes you think you blew up the rear end or driveshaft etc. On my 81, I notice tire wear is much faster with the detroit locker in the back of my truck.

Buy the trutrac, you wont be disappointed.

GMC Guy · 03-25-2018, 10:16 PM

what about the Eaton Posi? I'm between that and the Truetrac

**kwmech** · 03-26-2018, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GMC Guy

what about the Eaton Posi? I'm between that and the Truetrac

If your choice is between the 2 get the tru-trac, it will perform the same...always, where-as the eaton will eventually have clutch issues down the road

**mongocanfly** · 03-26-2018, 10:00 AM

jotto ...I'm of the opinion that if I tear into something I'm gonna replace everything....but....if there's nothing wrong with the gears I'd re-use them.....unless your wanting to change ratios..

Jotto82 · 03-25-2018, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Man

Yes a detroit locker and trutrac will make both tires spin. However, for your application I would buy a trutrac as you wont notice its there until its needed. As stated the detroit locker can be noisy at times and do the detroit "bang" which makes you think you blew up the rear end or driveshaft etc. On my 81, I notice tire wear is much faster with the detroit locker in the back of my truck.

Buy the trutrac, you wont be disappointed.

Great. Exactly the information I was looking for!

**mongocanfly** · 03-25-2018, 09:30 PM

I'm looking at tru trac for my 14bolt....not cheap though..

**kwmech** · 03-26-2018, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongocanfly

I'm looking at tru trac for my 14bolt....not cheap though..

I just put a tru-trac in the 14 bolt I'm going to install in my suburban, yeah, I choked on the price for a couple of weeks until I ordered it

Myers horsepower · 03-25-2018, 11:02 PM

HTML Code:

what about the Eaton Posi? I'm between that and the Truetrac

I'm running the Eaton Posi in my crewcab and love it!

If you just want to do burn outs, save your $$ for tires and put a spool in it.

Jotto82 · 03-25-2018, 11:52 PM

If I’m going that far should I put new gears in too? Just do the whole deal at once?

Jotto82 · 03-27-2018, 06:54 AM

I do have 4WD so I guess I can just pick one. I gotta look at my gear ratios and I will probably just buy everything and then build it all at once. I appreciate all the explanations.

dieseldawg142 · 03-27-2018, 10:58 AM

the detroit "clunk" i find is more noticeable on lighter trucks than on heavier ones. i can't ever recall hearing it in my crew, but got it a couple times in my K5
there is a lot of backlash with the detroit, but in no time you will adjust your driving style to accommodate it and then you won't even notice

**kwmech** · 03-27-2018, 11:18 AM

I found out years ago how to reduce the severity of the detroit when I had the locker in my wrecker snap into itself on a stretched out turn on a mountain road with a full load on the back. Talk about squirrelly at 50 mph. Anyways I drained the diff and pulled the cover thinking I had broken something but didn't. When replacing the oil I put in 2 quarts of Reline Shock Proof and 2 quarts of regular 85/90. Never had that clunk again and it was much quieter.

03-25-2018, 12:49 AM	#1
Jotto82 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Depere Wi Posts: 126	Detroit locker I want to switch to posi. Anyone have advice for installing a Detroit locker in a 14 bolt corporate rear end?? I’ll

03-25-2018, 01:25 AM	#4
Myers horsepower Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Springfield, OR Posts: 30	Re: Detroit locker Detroit Locker is defently different than a "posi" Detroit lockers are probably the easiest to install into a full floater 14 bolt corporate. It takes about a hour and half to install. Mine came with complete instructions. __________________ 1990 chevy Crewcab K30 454tbi/th400/np205twin stick/14bltFF,eaton posi/D60. 1972 CST K5 350/th350/12blt,eaton posi/D44 1970 K10 SWB 1970 K20 350/th350

03-26-2018, 06:58 PM	#7
sweetk30 Registered User Join Date: May 2012 Location: horseheads,ny rust belt Posts: 2,794	Re: Detroit locker best of both worlds here and try choking on this price . Attached Images __________________ 77-k30lb BIG truck build . 87-k30lb budget beater build . 85-k30lb the plow machine build . 85-c10sb summer fun toy . ----------------------------- HOLLEY SNIPER efi = worst case of p.i.t.a i ever had . EDELBROCK pro flo 4 = best deal going so far . love my setup works great.

03-25-2018, 05:42 AM	#11
cadillac_al Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Maine Posts: 2,354	Re: Detroit locker The Detroit is the best and cheapest for a 14 bolt. I personally don't like lockers or posi in my snow buggies. __________________ 76 Chevy K20 76 GMC K15 77 Chevy C10 77 Chevy K10

03-25-2018, 08:04 PM	#12
Gdub310 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 20	Re: Detroit locker A locker is great for off-road, and for dry pavement if you are willing to put up with some of the side-effects like the ratcheting noise and sometimes unpredictable behavior in turns. But for daily driving in a variety of conditions - rain, snow, ice - it definitely is not a good time. A limited slip unit would be a much better choice.

03-25-2018, 09:24 PM	#13
Jotto82 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Depere Wi Posts: 126	Re: Detroit locker Lol can I still do good burnouts? I know that sounds stupid but my kids likes burnouts. Will the limited slip be good for that?

03-25-2018, 10:16 PM	#15
GMC Guy Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Sparks, NV Posts: 913	Re: Detroit locker what about the Eaton Posi? I'm between that and the Truetrac __________________ Greg 1974 GMC 1/2 Ton SWB Fleetside L33 5.3/4l65e .................__ ............._____l __\__ ..............l_(O)_ l___(O)]

03-26-2018, 10:00 AM	#17
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,622	Re: Detroit locker jotto ...I'm of the opinion that if I tear into something I'm gonna replace everything....but....if there's nothing wrong with the gears I'd re-use them.....unless your wanting to change ratios.. __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

03-25-2018, 09:30 PM	#19
mongocanfly Post Whore Join Date: May 2015 Location: Alabama Posts: 14,622	Re: Detroit locker I'm looking at tru trac for my 14bolt....not cheap though.. __________________ Mongo...aka Greg RIP Dad RIP Jesse 1981 C30 LQ9 NV4500..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=753598 Mongos AD- LS3 TR6060...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...34#post8522334 Columbus..the 1957 IH 4x4...http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...63#post8082563 2023 Chevy Z71..daily driver

03-25-2018, 11:02 PM	#21
Myers horsepower Registered User Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Springfield, OR Posts: 30	Re: Detroit locker HTML Code: what about the Eaton Posi? I'm between that and the Truetrac I'm running the Eaton Posi in my crewcab and love it! If you just want to do burn outs, save your $$ for tires and put a spool in it. __________________ 1990 chevy Crewcab K30 454tbi/th400/np205twin stick/14bltFF,eaton posi/D60. 1972 CST K5 350/th350/12blt,eaton posi/D44 1970 K10 SWB 1970 K20 350/th350

03-25-2018, 11:52 PM	#22
Jotto82 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Depere Wi Posts: 126	Re: Detroit locker If I’m going that far should I put new gears in too? Just do the whole deal at once?

03-27-2018, 06:54 AM	#23
Jotto82 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Depere Wi Posts: 126	Re: Detroit locker I do have 4WD so I guess I can just pick one. I gotta look at my gear ratios and I will probably just buy everything and then build it all at once. I appreciate all the explanations.

03-27-2018, 10:58 AM	#24
dieseldawg142 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: back 40, bc Posts: 3,808	Re: Detroit locker the detroit "clunk" i find is more noticeable on lighter trucks than on heavier ones. i can't ever recall hearing it in my crew, but got it a couple times in my K5 there is a lot of backlash with the detroit, but in no time you will adjust your driving style to accommodate it and then you won't even notice

03-27-2018, 11:18 AM	#25
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,480	Re: Detroit locker I found out years ago how to reduce the severity of the detroit when I had the locker in my wrecker snap into itself on a stretched out turn on a mountain road with a full load on the back. Talk about squirrelly at 50 mph. Anyways I drained the diff and pulled the cover thinking I had broken something but didn't. When replacing the oil I put in 2 quarts of Reline Shock Proof and 2 quarts of regular 85/90. Never had that clunk again and it was much quieter.



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