Im planning on locking the rear on my runner and i just wanted to see what people think about lockers. ive heard that the detroit locker can engage after the truck has already lost traction and is rolling back, causing the driveshaft to break. seems unlikely, just wondering if anyone has had any similar experiences. thanks!

With a Detroit you will never lose traction, it is a fulltime automatic differential that will never allow an axle shaft to turn slower than the ring gear (but it will allow a freewheeling axleshaft to spin faster than the ring gear when you are going around a corner).

The ARB is manually operated so it is an open diff when it is off and a spool (no differentiating) when it is on. It is better on the road (and some places off road- like off camber) but is also more expensive and because it is more complicated there is more potential for something to go wrong.

Another option is a factory electric locker from a TRD Tacoma or 4Runner. These operate like an ARB (manually controlled) but cost slightly less and do not require any air lines.

I run front and rear Detroits in my dedicated trail rig for simplicity, ARBs in my daily driven 4Runner for no quirky handling, and factory electric lockers in my FZJ80 (came with them from the factory).

I would look into the aussie locker. Many have had very good things to say about them. I baught a lockrite.

My ARBs have been good to me.

I think if you decide to go auto locker, the Detroit will at least give you piece of mind since it's a full carrier replacement locker and should be very strong.

Harry covered all the basics. Just keep in mind that highway handling will be quirky and take some getting used too. Not usually a big deal. They are also noisey.

However, if you spend a lot of time in ice and snow driving, you might considering spending the extra dough for the ARB, since it will be safer to have the alternative of open diffs on the highway during those weather conditions.

Another thing to consider is if you plan on going with front/rear lockers, I would save the ARB for the front where it will do the most good and go with the cheaper locker for the rear.

It would be a shame same to have an expensive ARB in the rear then have to go with an cheap lunchbox up front, because you ran out of money. An on/off locker really should be up front, IMO. If you got money to burn, ARB or Toyota electrics front and rear are the ideal set up, IMO. Toyota electrics do require some axle mods, though and aren't available for the front if you have IFS.

good luck.

i've been running front ad rear detroits for close to three years now with absolutley no problems(with the lockers that is...birfs were a different story before the longfields went in). i wheel with guys who run ARB's and swear by them. i'd definately jump on a set if I had the money to burn but being that my truck doesn't spend any time on the street, having a selectable locker hasn't been much of an issue. i know that the detroit rear/ARB front set-up is very popular because of steering issues with the front fully locked(even on the trail) can be a PITA!!! it's nice to be able to unlock the front diff in a split second if things get tight. i guess each one has it's ups and downs but you can't really go wrong with either one.

Aussie in the rear and ARB up front.
Aussie's are queit, cheap, strong, and easy to install.
ARB's are expensive, strong, and gives you the option to spool or open the front diff. the latter is a real advantage when turning real tight off road. just my opinion

ARB in the rear......... you know you can aford it <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

least expensive and getting more than you paid for--aussie

more expensive and doing a similar job--detroit

ARB is more complicated but has the cool feature that you could have it locked or free

i'm running aussies up front and in the rear. Still heard nothing bad about them, and got nothing bad to say about them. They still impress me everytime i get offroad <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

if your on a budget i'd say look into aussies or go with detroits. If budget isn't a problem i hear ARB's can be really fun <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

oh, and welcome to the board!
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