any body running a detroit locker?

[Dimitri]

considering running one of these in a F code irs diff (mz11). just hopping to hear from people who might have driven a car with one fitted, driving characteristics ect.

also is it fair to assume fitting will be the same as a true track (i.e youll need a few differant bearings to make it work)?

cheers.

[hypo23]

i had one in my hilux diff, it was an older style one, it was pretty harsh, it would clunck in and out around roundabouts and stuff, i ended up swapping it for a standard lsd, much more pleasant too drive

[Dimitri]

cool. yeah the newer ones are said to be better for that. i just want to drift it.. but its kinda uncharted territory in that respect.

[airfireman1]

I definately agree with hpyo23- Likewise I had one fitted to a landcruiser not a user friendly diff at all, noisy and unpredictable.
Have you thought of an air operated lockright or similar?
Cheers

[Dimitri]

yeah i have thought about that. but its a bit of a pain to set up. unpredictable is DEFINATELY not what i want though.

air would be cool, locked or un locked i can deal with for sure, its just the compressor ect i dont like.

[airfireman1]

Well a thought and I dont know what pressure it takes to operate the locker would be to have a small air reciever that can store sufficient pressure for a few operations then recharge it later.
A small air tank from a truck wrecker?
Food for thought
Cheers

[Dimitri]

yeah, if there were some way i could do that thatd be good. or even if its possible to lock them using a service station pump, though i doubt the newer button type ones would work (maybe on the flat tyre setting?) and also the diff would be used locked mostly at night so thats an issue too with stations being closed. still am sorta keen on the air locker, i hear they make a cool noise when you engage them

[Norbie]

Air lockers leak air constantly, you need a constant source of air. A cylinder of compressed air might work for a while but I don't know how long.

[millsi]

cig locker time!

[hypo23]

id much rather a detroit locker too a welded up diff

[millsi]

so would i! but for the cost you cant beat it.

[Dimitri]

agreed. cig's better than nothing but only just.. i want to put a little bit more effort into making this car "right" too so definately wont be welded. i can still buy a trd centre for not much more than a grand so it might end up being that.

[1JZ-Rolla]

If your intention is to drift, wouldn't you then want something with some LSD/lock action on deceleration as well as acceleration? When I researched Detroit lockers, I remember them locking on acceleration only.... is that still true?

Cheers
Phil

[andrewvibert]

I have had a detriot locker in my Torana road car 30 years ago. It was a pig in day to day use. Clunking and banging as it locked and unlocked. I ran that car a couple of times at winton is sprints and it would unlock as you feathered the throttle around the sweeper then relock as you got back on the power ( sometimes with an almighty bang like you just broke an axle). This was simpily the dogs not quite lining up.
I have also used one in a rally car and it was great.
I would recomend for drift use a trd LSD with between 100 > 120 lbs of preload. This will allow the car to turn in nicely and then be almost like a locker.
After market LSD 's have ramps these days so preload is almost a non issue. The ramps control the degree of slip in the diff.