Which locker in a Dana 44 rear?

[allterrain]

I run a Detroit in the rear.
44 in a CJ7.
It works great and the chirps are only there on slow tight turns or off the line hard.
35's are wearing fine too.

 

[notajeep]

As much as I like the simplicity of spools, they sure suck for technical turns and tire wear.

I'll vote detriots on both ends.

** For me ** (Your experience may be different) I have found that the spool has little effect on my tire wear. With the bias Iroks they just wear fast anyway, but seem to wear a little faster on the front. My rig sees minaminimable street time, mostly just about town here in moab when it is warm. However, when I lived in logan and had some mt radials, again not much different tire wear from front to rear. And then it saw alot more road time.
As for technical turns.... I drive a toyota..... there is nothing technical about it. But seriously, toyota solid axle turning radius sucks. So for me, not an issue. For dana axles, it might me more of an issue, I dont know.
Now we can talk about the spool in my front axle. Wait, that is a whole different topic.

 

[1993yj]

Still don't know if it is for a DD, but if it is then I vote for ARB. If they are setup right you will have no problems. I ran one in the rear of my YJ for years without any issues. The road manners were perfect (as perfect as a Jeep can get). I run a spool now, but that is only because it doesn't see pavement anymore. If the money is going to be an issue, then the only other option I like is Detroit. Strong and reliable, but you still have to take the corners more careful in wet or snowy conditions.

 

[1993yj]

Have you ever heard of anyone with an ARB that hasnt had problems with it engaging??

You have now. Front and rear.

 

[waynehartwig]

Have you ever heard of anyone with an ARB that hasnt had problems with it engaging??

I've yet to hear of anyone with problems, or at least reoccuring issues. When the o ring goes bad, replace it and problem is solved.

Keep in mind, installation is everything on these. If they are not installed correctly, they will be problematic. Granted, it's not rocket science, but still...

 

[Jay5.9L]

I have a Detriot in the back of my 86 CJ-7 D44. On the road its fine but does chirp like eveyone says. My rear tires do wear faster so you got to keep them rotated.

 

[Jinx]

Detroit lockers are just fine in daily drivers. They are not just like a spool. I can drive mine with out ever chirping a tire. It might take a day or two to learn the characteristics of one but once you do it is no problem.

ditto on what bobdog has to say,

If you want to set it up and forget about it then do the real detroit and enjoy it.

If you like the sound of a compressor kicking on and the pssst when you release it then pay the extra money and do the arb and carry spare line, compressor silinoids, fittings etc.

just my .02,

everyone I know who have had a arb go bad in a "wheelin" situation, wished they had saved the cash and done a detroit.

 

[Jay5.9L]

Just watch out for ice on the roads. The locker can make the back end a little touchy.

 

[Nutz]

I'm working on the same decision...what locker in a D44 that's a DD (TJ in this case). Last week I stopped by Six States in Orem and spoke to Kevin...I was shocked that his comments regarding ARB's were not more positive and he really pointed me towards the Eaton E-Locker. Anyone considered this option or have any experience with them?

 

[Jay5.9L]

have not seen one in action but all the new lockers seem to have had some problems. Not sure if they are worked out yet. Ive heard that if the ARB is instaled right it will work just fine. A crappy install usually leads to all sorts of failures.

 

[1993yj]

My brother was looking at electric options in a D44 front and rear for a DD, but wanted something strong and reliable. None of the electric options looked that great after really looking into them. He ended up going the route of Detroit rear for $$$ reasons, but stayed with ARB front so that he could turn.

Just a side note, Jay makes a good note of snowy or icy roads. A locker in the rear (and especially the front) can make winter driving a bit more tricky. Summer is fine with no problems, but winter driving has to be learned again with lockers. This is the reason why I originally had an ARB in the rear. If you have someone else who drives the Jeep besides you in the winter (ie. a spouse, etc.) they may not like the locker.

 

[86 CJ-7]

I haven't seen anything about the Eaton E Locker yet. Anyone out there have one of those? It seems a little less complex (no compressor) and cheaper than an ARB.

 

[86 CJ-7]

Oops! I didn't realize that there were three pages of replies. What a deep topic. It isn't a daily driver, and it's got the factory limited slip, but I already know about those. I do have a trailer, but it's nice to go for Sunday drives once in a while on the pavement. I have experience with Detroits. My brother has one. Just wanted to see various opinions from the crowd.

 

[mbryson]

I haven't seen anything about the Eaton E Locker yet. Anyone out there have one of those? It seems a little less complex (no compressor) and cheaper than an ARB.

I think they're in 'redesign' mode at the moment. I know they're at least hard to get right now.

I'll probably be buying an ARB to replace mine in the near future.

 

[Nutz]

Kevin at Six States did tell me that the E-Locker was nearly impossible to get for a long time and currently he only had one on the shelf for a D44...no I didn't buy it. He told me that he's installed about 30 and hasn't had any come back with problems...as great as it seems I think I'll probably go with the tried and true ARB...still deciding.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...Have you ever heard of anyone with an ARB that hasnt had problems with it engaging?? If they do engage they are great but I just dont trust them. Too many variables. Busted airline, leaking airline, compressor not working, etc. etc. So now youve spent twice as much as a detroit and it wont even lock up for you. Again its just all personal preference....

Actually yes, hundereds of them, literally. I'de guess I have a 99% reliability rate with them... If you care to hear more ask. Oh yeah, the only compressor I have seen fail, died underwater

 

[jcanderson33jp]

I have a detroit in the rear of my tj that is my daily driver. You really have to becareful when you are accelerating around corners in town. I have lifted just one my front tire off the ground a couple times when doing this and it really scares the crap out of you. Never had this problem in my cj, i think that it is the way the suspentions are set up in tj's. Don't get me wrong I love my detroit locker, I have never had any problems with it ever but some times it would be really nice to able to turn it off some times. I love to drive my brothers jeep that has air lockers because they really do handle just like stock jeeps on the road.

 

[ChestonScout]

Even Rick Pewe on the 05 Ultimate Adventure video is having problems with his ARBs. The video never says what the problem was just that he was having problems with them engaging. Im sure with his experience it was installed corectly. If he would have just had a Detroit.......wouldnt have even had to fix one problem.

I hear that OX lockers are the way to go if you want a selectable. I cant justify spending that much though.

If your not running larger than 35" tires and not a lot of serious wheeling and dont want to spend a ton of cash.......why not just throw in a lock right or a quick lock???? People say they are loud when they engage. I ran one in the front of my Scout and I never heard it once and it always worked. Even running 38.5 Boggers. Im sure there are a lot of people that have had bad luck with them as well though.

 

[lewis]

Im sure there are a lot of people that have had bad luck with them as well though.

i would be interested in hearing some bad luck stories about the lockright cause I have never had or heard of one.

 

[mbryson]

Even Rick Pewe on the 05 Ultimate Adventure video is having problems with his ARBs. The video never says what the problem was just that he was having problems with them engaging. Im sure with his experience it was installed corectly. If he would have just had a Detroit.......wouldnt have even had to fix one problem.

I hear that OX lockers are the way to go if you want a selectable. I cant justify spending that much though.

If your not running larger than 35" tires and not a lot of serious wheeling and dont want to spend a ton of cash.......why not just throw in a lock right or a quick lock???? People say they are loud when they engage. I ran one in the front of my Scout and I never heard it once and it always worked. Even running 38.5 Boggers. Im sure there are a lot of people that have had bad luck with them as well though.

I've spent WAY more time fixing an OX than any ARB on the trail. The OX wasn't mine either. I'll never own one of those.