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weld up or auto locker?????
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:25 pm
by bucketofbolts
just wanting to know people's thoughts, most auto lockers i've seen, stay locked in, and unlock when out of 4wd, to me it's a waste of $500 plus,
why not just weld it up,
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:35 pm
by -Scott-
Because auto-lockers will unlock when you need differential action. A welded diff won't unlock - ever.
Auto-lockers are street legal. A welded diff isn't.
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:39 pm
by bucketofbolts
but who's to know if its a front, all auto lockers i've come accros, the springs flog out with in 3-6months and they stay locked in, not sure if this had been sorted or not
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:47 pm
by bad_religion_au
bucketofbolts wrote:but who's to know if its a front, all auto lockers i've come accros, the springs flog out with in 3-6months and they stay locked in, not sure if this had been sorted or not
i'd say something isn't set right... i've never had an issue in 2 years on my detroit.
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:51 pm
by bucketofbolts
all the ones i know of where fitted by shops, and had have drama's, but hearing about yours is good to hear,
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 4:59 pm
by bad_religion_au
mines actually more pleasant to drive on than an open diff. it's never chirped a tire cornering on the blacktop.
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:07 pm
by lay80n
I fitted my own detroit ez-locker (i am a mechanic by trade) and have no issues after a few years. Still unlocks and locks like new. Had a heap of use in a daily driver and almost daily wheeler.
Layto....
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:07 pm
by bucketofbolts
good stuff, could be an option
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:09 pm
by bucketofbolts
lay80n, do you know how to do lsd's in the front, i'm thinking of that as well,
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 5:44 pm
by stool
Weld It and save that 500 smacks ...I did and love It `By far the cheepest
and its the 2nd best mod on my patrol with Rock`hoppers being the best mod.
Steve
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 8:23 pm
by ZOOK60
stool wrote:Weld It and save that 500 smacks ...I did and love It `By far the cheepest
and its the 2nd best mod on my patrol with Rock`hoppers being the best mod.
Steve
X2 except i havn't put my gears in yet

The only reason i wouldnt have it welded is for comps
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:03 pm
by dirtyGQ
offroad steering pfffft it is over rated any way !!!
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:11 pm
by 360 scout
got a detriot in the rear, never had a problem does clunk& bang very rarely& will step out sideways if you mash the skinny pedal.
lockrite in the front had some dramas with it smashing pins & locking the steering

when new ,sorted that out & haven't had a problem for 3 1/2 years.
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:25 pm
by RockyF75
Don't auto lockers cause more strain on the drive train? As they allow a bit of slip and then LOCK in?? If i had the option, I'd go air locker or weld.
Posted: Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:32 pm
by bucketofbolts
weld it is, its only side gears any way, i will have spares
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 5:02 pm
by rvh96
airlockers are the only way for a front diff anything else will drive you crazy unless you like to drive without steering
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 5:10 pm
by bucketofbolts
if i had the money, i would have front and rear air lockers for sure, but the funds won't allow it, i know 'tight arse',
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:07 pm
by blkmav
rvh96 wrote:airlockers are the only way for a front diff anything else will drive you crazy unless you like to drive without steering

Spoken by someone who has probably never owned or driven a truck with an auto locker
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:12 pm
by Mick.
bucketofbolts wrote:if i had the money, i would have front and rear air lockers for sure, but the funds won't allow it, i know 'tight arse',
I would recomend you spend the $500 and get an auto locker. They will work properly if fitted correctly. I've been using a detroit soflocker for about 2 years and haven't had any problems with the locker not working.
If you weld the diff you don't have the option of using your 4wd in 4wd in some areas where you may need it. If runing air lockers you can still use 4wd same with auto lockers. If you try this with a welded diff you increase the risk of blowing CVs hubs etc or runnig up trees or off cliffs.
Just something to think about befor attacking the diff with a welder.
Cheers Mick.
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:15 pm
by bucketofbolts
yeah, see what happens, i would like to put a lsd in the front, but having troubles finding what i need,
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:20 pm
by Mick.
bucketofbolts wrote:yeah, see what happens, i would like to put a lsd in the front, but having troubles finding what i need,
I've seen a thread on that recently somewhere.

I don't no where it was here or 4wdmonthly forum.
From memory the pathfinder LSDs fit in the front of the patrols but I only ever heard it i've never seen one fitted.
Cheers Mick.
Posted: Sat Feb 03, 2007 6:23 pm
by bucketofbolts
yeah, pathinder or narava, just can't find them,