Detroit or Lincoln

To weld, spool or detroit locker? I just picked up the 30 spline axles for my full float conversion. Money is certainly a factor here. Some have complain about detroits being a little unpredictable. THey are expensive.

 

I know... the same old question, depends on how your going to use it...

I would say do the spool for off road only. Combo off road and street with mostly off road I still think I would do the spool. More street and I would do the detroit or a selectable locker. But you said money was an issue.

With that, the spool is certianly cheaper than a detroit. Welding cheaper than that. With the welding I think you get what you pay for. Would sure suck to have someting give way and take out your spiffy new axles.

I also wouldn't rule out a lunch box locker. Cheaper than a detroit and they seem to work quite well. I run detroits front and rear in green jeep. Powerlock rear and lunchbox front in the black one.

 

Buy a 30 spline spool from Yukon gear for $140 and call it good if you are running over 33" tall tires. Bad thing about any locker in the rear on a short wheelbase is driving 35 mph and up in a curve it will "ratchet" to compensate and makes the rear get squirrelly. This real fun when the street is wet Don't ask how I know. A spool is more predictable in street driving and eventually a weld on the spider gears will break. IMHO

 

My spool pushed my 3a thought a turn, big time. If both wheels have traction you will increase your turning radius a bunch. I pulled it and went with a Detroit Locker. Hi-way curves are just a matter of gas pedal use. It's not a sports car and you don't want to apply power until out of the curve. Only issue I have with my Detroit is free play. I have a Warn 30 spline full floater kit and the two have lot's of wind up before the free play is taken up. It's not in the clutch, it's in the rear. I don't like it or know what to do about it either.
I think the choice depends on what type of driving you do. I like the tight turning and need the flat towing feature. I don't do dump the clutch launches so the free play shock isn't a factor, just annoying. If money is the only factor, I'd look for a used Detroit.

 

i run a mini spool on the street in my samurai, i dont even know its there, tire wear isn't as bad as expected, no unexpected lane changes clicks or booms from it locking and unlocking, overall i dont think i would run a locker over the spool. but to each his own.

 

What do you think about full spool and running with one side unlocked on the street?

I'm either going that way or Lock-Right and flanges. I'm running 15 x 7 wheels and I'm afraid the hubs will stick out too far.

 

lock-rights hold their own in the locker world, they are rebuildable which is always a plus(unless the gears strip). they're cheap which is why i love them but in the rear they do act kinda funny. it'll take some getting used to but you will get used to it and all the funny looks you'l lget from the ratchet and big bang sounds.

 

I wouldn't recommend it. All the torque will be going to one axle not divided between the two. Good way to break parts IMHO. Nickmil

 

I just installed a Detroit Softlocker and I'd say it has better manners on the street than the Lockright I just blew apart. I had the Lockright in for 5 years. You just learn to drive a little different with the locker. Power through the corners. It seems to dodge around the most when getting on or off the gas.