is this a locker or a limited slip?

[shelby987]

is this a locker or a limited slip?? When it was being explained to me, it was called a limited slip locker.....so I am a little lost? I couldn't find any numbers on it, so I can't really do a search or anything.....looks like a locker to me from what I have seen....doesn't a limited slip have visible clutches and load springs? (Front axle if it matters)

Also, the sludge buildup, should I be concerned about this.....its packed pretty tightly to the bottom of the case (best way to scrape out the case?)......should I fill it with fresh fluid when I am done, run a couple hundred miles, and change the fluid?

Is there a gear oil that works better with this kind of diff. than others? 80W-90...regular or synthetic?

[Oldtruckfanatic]

Thats a locker The interlocking tangs on the right side of your picture tell the story it sort of ratchets when it unlocks. Limited slip setups have clutch discs and springs in packs you can see on the sides they don't have that ratcheting mechanism in them

[shelby987]

thats kinda what I thought, the description from the seller is what kinda threw me.......I needed the axle regardless, and didn't really care what was in the diff.....the locker was just an extra for me.......he made it sound as if there was a difference between a "true locker" and this type of locker.

[Oldtruckfanatic]

I'm not a differential expert or a 4x4 expert at all so the only other kind of locker I'm aware of is the type the rock crawler and serious off roaders use that uses air solenoids to lock the diff solid for extreme terrain. when the air lockers are locked they won't ratchet or anything they just basically make it a spool for climbing. If there's another type I'm sure one of these guys will see this and help out better.

[EFI70Blazer]

Looks like a Lock Right Locker. Basically it replaces the stock spider gears in your existing carrier so you don't have to set up the ring and pinion again. I had one in my 86 for a while, but i blew it up along with the ring and pinion. I went through 4 rear ends before upgrading to a 14 bolt full floater. Should be ok in a front application though as long as you don't have too much power.

[EFI70Blazer]

http://www.powertrax.com/locker.htm

http://www.rockcrawler.com/techrepor...x_tj/index.htm

Here are a couple of links explaining how to install and how it works.

As far as the buildup in the case is concerned get some carb clean and clean out all the grime and put in some new fluid. I would change it again in a couple of months to get the rest of the grime out. Looks like it did not hurt anything, mostly you should be worried if there is water in the differential. Regular 80-90 W gear oil is what is recomended for your locker, but using synthetic will only be better. Just use the regular gear oil until you get all the grime flushed out.

[special-K]

The locker is not so good for driving on the road in patchy snow or icey conditions.That is the only disadvantage.Nothing beats bias drive up front in those conditions.I`ve run these before,but only with a rear locker. and I just used 2wd on the road.That worked fine until the snow got deeper.Then,engage the front.Turning is a bear,though.A bit of a fight.

[1969 GMC]

Originally Posted by shelby987

.....he made it sound as if there was a difference between a "true locker" and this type of locker.

There is, but not much. A "full locker" (Detroit) usually comes with its own carrier and a locker insert. The lock-right that you have is just the insert, and fits into the stock carrier. The lock right has more small pieces, and pricing on them is a lot cheaper than full lockers. The detroit is basically stronger, but it is hard to explain why. If you google for pictures, its easy to see the difference.