Need Advice! Detroit or Aussie locker in rear Dana 44?

My 1973 CJ5 has a D30 in front and a D44 rear. I am trying to decide on the best option for a rear locker for trails like the Rubicon. The Aussie seems to be a good value, but I would like to have some of your thoughts before I run out and buy something. Thanks, Doc

 

If you can afford a Detroit, thats the way to go. They are tremendously strong and reliable.

 

They are both good lockers. Like 80cj said, the detroit is the ultimate, but is the added strength worth a 20-30% premium over the aussie to you? I've heard nothing but good things about the aussie.

The general rules I've heard for lunchbox lockers are: IF you are planning to run 33"s or smaller, the aussie should be fine. 35"s might be ok with the aussie as long as you are careful, but over that the detroit is the way to go.


I've got a powertrax in mine, I haven't had it out on the trails yet, but so far i'veworked very well. They are expensive for a lunchbox locker, but I got a great price on mine.

 

I run a mini spool in the rear I have had zero issues with street driving. They are cheaper than a lunch box locker. Also since I have broke a Detroit I like a little less moving parts. True the detroit did blow up when I sheared a dana 60 shaft on 39.5 Iroks but none the less it still happened. I have seen a couple jeeps with lunch boxes in the front on 35s do very well mostly running mtrs though. I mean two minute tire burns on lower 2 in Tellico, not just a normal trail ride!

 

I have a Detroit in the rear and an Aussie in the front. Like them both. If it's a daily driver the Detroit can be a little hard on tires and unloads every now and then but you'll get used to it. The Aussie works well in the front but I don't know if I would want one in the rear of a hard core rig.

 

oops

 

Ahoya!

I was on a tight budget when I rebuilt and regeared my '73. Scored 4.27 gears, front junkyard, rear, Yukon. Went with cromoly shafts w/big ujoints up front, wanted to go with Ox, couldn't afford to. The price point on the aussie lockers allowed me to go locked front and rear. They give you a two year warranty, I figure if the rear ever fails, I'll have enough coin saved to drop in the Ox rear locker.

Thrilled with the results, last weekend went to the U4wda winter convention in Hurricane, Utah. I was amazed at the difference. (4.27vs3.73, locked vs open) Ran with a guy in a '78 CJ7 who had a T18, that conversion is next on the punch list.

Any opinions of T18vsSM420 conversion?

 

I've run both, a lot, and the only significant difference I saw for a trail rig is that the Aussie is a lot noiser than the Detroit. It clicks a lot going around corners, the Detroit soft locker is pretty quiet. The both unload with a bang from time to time, it's just part of the experience. If you can't afford a Detroit, go for the Aussie, it'll work fine.

 

my 2 cents...
i had a lock-rite (front and rear), worked great till rear one broke. replaced it with a detroit, so far so good.
i've had detroits in other rigs, never once had a problem. abused the hell out of the things, i just make sure they are well lubed.

i like my detroit, BUT, since when i regear i will need a different carrier/locker, i will be switching to spool in the rear

 

you gan get a thick ring gear set and keep the detroit. (if you are running a 44)

 

any drawbacks to this?

 

Not from what I have read/been told. I was looking at that option for my jeep eventually since I already have a good locker.