HEY......Down here!!!

[Made in America]

Motorcycles and Helicopters dont have 4WD........so this is all new to me! Im learning and seem to be picking it up pretty fast but after all the reasearch ive done, I dont understand why this ARB RD186 - ARB Air Locker Locking Differential for 78-86 AMC 20 Rear Axle - Quadratec
at more that twice the price once adding and air system...

Would be better that this Detroit Locker 912A579 Detroit Truetrac Differentials
with less parts and 1/2 the price.
for the rear of my 79, CJ5 .
Am I missing something in the purpose of a air locker
or not understanding the draw back of a true trac?

Please help a Noob get his education on!

Cheers

 

[Sasquach]

The differance is the control to go in and out of a locked diff. A detroit locker is always going to be a locker, an air locker will be an open diff untill you hit the switch. Depending on your use profile one will make better sense than the other, for me it's not my daily driver and wanted the simplicity of the Detroit locker(it is a CJ after all) but if you intend to drive on road plenty and need a locker too then the selectables are for you.

 

[Made in America]

The "True trac" has all the advantages of being an open when needed without the operator unlocking it Right?

Im Completely Clear on the aspects of a Manual, I Allmost Hit the "Buy" button on an OX last night... Then I did more digging and found this "true Trac"

Maybe Im not completely clearon the aspects of the "True Trac", It seem like it has the advantages of a spool most of the time and a open for cornering, so wheres the bad part of that??

 

[JR74CJ5]

Detroit Locker - Automatic Lockers - Locking Differentials

Happy Reading...

About half way down you will see the main drawbacks...

One being accelerating out of a turn too fast will lock it up and tail spin you, especially in the rain...

I like the idea of selectable both, but plenty of guys get used to driving the auto locker in the rear, with selectable up front.

It's all personal preference though... Some don't like the "clutches" in these units as they can wear out.

Do some more reading about them, and hopefully you'll come to a decision you'll be happy with.



~ JR

 

[Old Dog]

The Detroit truetrac is not a locker at all it is a Limited slip diff.
meaning that one wheel will spin without the other one turning if the traction for one wheel is low enough.
What are you using the jeep for? do you need a locker or will a LS work for you.

 

[JR74CJ5]

The Detroit truetrac is not a locker at all it is a Limited slip diff.
meaning that one wheel will spin without the other one turning if the traction for one wheel is low enough.
What are you using the jeep for? do you need a locker or will a LS work for you.

Ooops Should have read that closer...

 

[Made in America]

its not a daily driver, Im building it for the trail but I would like to be able to putt around town once in a while.. or drive it to some of my closer (30miles away) spots to 4 wheel

I have a trailer for the far trips, I was thinking of a Detriot Locker But Ive never driven with one on the street, everything ive read makes it sound like a nightmare to drive, the selectable would be ideal......But the price is not!!

 

[Old Dog]

its not a daily driver, Im building it for the trail but I would like to be able to putt around town once in a while.. or drive it to some of my closer (30miles away) spots to 4 wheel

I have a trailer for the far trips, I was thinking of a Detriot Locker But Ive never driven with one on the street, everything ive read makes it sound like a nightmare to drive, the selectable would be ideal......But the price is not!!

I have a detroit locker in the rear of my CJ7 and it can be a handfull on the road when its hilly and curvy. (locking and unlocking)
Before I had the locker I had a Auburn Limited slip and followed the other jeeps in my club 95% of the time, the only place the lockers had me was in the big rocks where I would lift a tire. It was great on the road.
If you have the money I'd buy the selectable (air, elect., or cable operated)

 

[Made in America]

That's what I'm leaning towards!!! But now the question ... Air, cable or E????? More research to be done!!!!!!!!

Thanks for the help!!

 

[darnkid]

What's nice about having an air locker is that you then have onboard air. With a good compressor, you can run air tools or fill up your tires. It's all preference, I'm saving for an ARB so I can have onboard air plus the reputation of an ARB.