Lockers - Selectable vs Non-selectable

Mbaker33

Jeep Newb
I'm likely investing in a G2 Core 44 for my TJ this winter and I'm curious what the opinion is these days for lockers. I can save a few hundred bucks by getting a Detroit but I need to invest in on-board air anyway so the ARB is appealing as well. I know the big differences on-road between selectable and non selectable but I'm trying to understand how valuable selectable is on the trail. Interested in your feedback.
 

mecmar44

Jeep Newb
There will be less strain on the driveline if you have selectable lockers and only lock when you need to. Turning radius could also benefit which will help out on tight trails.
 

Mbaker33

Jeep Newb
Funny, turning radius is something I know is better with selectable on the road, but I honestly hadn't considered it for the trail. Thanks for that. Selectable is looking like the better go because a lot of the trails we do can be tight at times.
 

Todd Ockert

Moderator
I run the Detroit in the rear and a lock-rite up front.
It gets some street use and only notice them once in a while.
The Detroit when it lets loose on the street will shake the Jeep.
I have no rear sway bar and the Currie Anti-Rock up front.
The Jeep heels over a lot in a turn.
On the trail, I do notice the decreased turning radius at times.
With the Atlas though, I can leave the rear engaged and it still turns pretty good.
If it is really tight, I have disengaged the rear and did a front dig to help pull the front end around.

I like not having to worry about if the air line is going to break or something with the selectable not work when I really need it.
That is why I went the way that I did.

Todd
 

TJDon

Wrench guy
So I just finished putting my 44’s front and rear. Both diffs have a limited slip carrier. Drove it for the first time on the street today, I do not like it all all with the front limited slip. Poor road manners, continuously wants to “resenter” itself. I’ll definitely be either going to a open carrier or save my pennies for a selectable locker
 

Mbaker33

Jeep Newb
I have an LSD in my broken down Dana 35 and haven't had any issues with it. This primarily a trail vehicle, but it does also see a good amount of pavement in the summer months. Todd, I know exactly what you mean when you talk about worrying about the air-lines. That is one of the primary reasons I am interested in the Detroit locker. It's there, it works and it's as strong as anything else out there. The on-road manners of the Detroit have me leaning towards the ARB, but I'm not 100% sold either way. In my D30 up front I have an Aussie locker, which is a very capable locker, but I will eventually do something selectable up there as well. I really like the OX locker, but that bulky cable is just so hard to work with.
 

Todd Ockert

Moderator
A couple of years ago I met the guys from the Detroit locker company on an outing.
They had put a Detroit in the front axle, and a selectable in the rear end of their JK.
They said they had no issues with turning or on the street with it configured that way.
The road manners of my Jeep are compounded by the fact I have no rear sway bar installed, and the Anti-Rock up front.

I am sure if I had the original sway bars installed, the road manners would be much better.
Though I do prefer the way it handles on the trail, as it use to see a lot of trail time in Cali. Not so much here in Texas now.

DSC07592.JPG
 

BUSHMASTER22

Jeep Newb
i completely agree I get a lot of crap for talking trash about limited slip but having had just about every type of locker from a welded rear all the way to arbs by far the trac lok that came factory in my tj is trash I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone for any use
 

BUSHMASTER22

Jeep Newb
I have an LSD in my broken down Dana 35 and haven't had any issues with it. This primarily a trail vehicle, but it does also see a good amount of pavement in the summer months. Todd, I know exactly what you mean when you talk about worrying about the air-lines. That is one of the primary reasons I am interested in the Detroit locker. It's there, it works and it's as strong as anything else out there. The on-road manners of the Detroit have me leaning towards the ARB, but I'm not 100% sold either way. In my D30 up front I have an Aussie locker, which is a very capable locker, but I will eventually do something selectable up there as well. I really like the OX locker, but that bulky cable is just so hard to work with.
The best part about the OX locker is that they come with a plug that allows you to remove the cable for trail use so potentially you can have it locked off-road then have a selectable while on the road
 

Mbaker33

Jeep Newb
The best part about the OX locker is that they come with a plug that allows you to remove the cable for trail use so potentially you can have it locked off-road then have a selectable while on the road
That is definitely a huge selling point. The other reason that is good is if the cable breaks for some reason (gets too close to the exhaust manifold and melts, been there with a friend of mine) you just screw that thing in and you're good for the day. If I go selectable, I'm incredibly torn between electrical actuated OX and an ARB. Both are hard to beat.
 

whataboutbob

Jeep Newb
So I am also struggling with what diffs to run in my two door JK. I had an Auburn LS in the rear D44 on my TJ and a Spartan lunch box locker in front. It worked well on the trails but the front locker sucked in the snow, i had to be coasting off throttle to turn. My JK has stock open diffs at this point which I plan to change along with gears in the near future. I am not real sure about a selectable locker as it seems that most act like a limited slip when disengaged. Any input would be appreciated.
 

BUSHMASTER22

Jeep Newb
I agree but I would just say this. I’m my experience the simplest design with the least amount of moving parts is definitely the most dependable I would trust a cable not to fail more than I would an air line or a compressor. Usually on the trail whatever can break will break. Good luck let me know what you go with. I’ve got a bit before I’ll be ready for lockers I’m still building my full width axels.
 

BUSHMASTER22

Jeep Newb
You put a 44 in the front of ur TJ? Where did u get the axel and what did u pay for it. I’ve been looking around but I haven’t found any that are reasonably priced
 

Mbaker33

Jeep Newb
In my research, the only selectable lockers that act like an LSD are the stock Rubi lockers. I could be wrong on that, but that's what I've been reading. I also think only the rear behaves that way. I have an LSD and I don't hate it, but I definitely don't love it either. I would prefer open unless locked I think.

As for my selection, I am leaning towards the OX locker with electric acuation. I had forgotten about the locking plug, and that just aboust seals it. As long as you don't have to run that bulky cable into the interior (hense electric actuation) it becomes more appealing to me. Eventually, I'll get an OX for the front, but for now, the Aussie does the trick.
 

lumpy5oh

Jeep Newb
I've been doing some research as well into lockers and I'm also sold on an OX upfront. I've also read a fair bit on Detroit style lockers are finicky in the rear of short wheelbase vehicles like our jeeps. Saying that tho I still plan on putting one in my jeep. I'm putting one tons under my jeep and the Detroits are cheaper.
 

roverhi

Jeep Newb
There are clutch limited slips and Torson geared limited slips. The TruTrac Torson diffs don't have clutch disks to wear out so seem to be a better way to go if you are going LSD. My question is what are the disadvantages of using a TruTrak in the front. The 80-20 split in wheel turning force would seem to help keep the steering under control but still give traction to the wheel that's hooked up. Is my thinking wrong?? Definitely an OX for the rear.
 
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