12:02 pm
Club Member
June 4, 2012
Offline
OK, don't yell at me, or slap the back of my head. Just thinking/typing out loud here. Wanted to get your thoughts as to in the rear diff, putting in a spool rather than a spring pin Spartan locker in my Suzuki Samurai. This would make it a full locked rear end. Yes I know about the turning issues and the tire scuffing. My question is related to strength and less break downs due to not having spring pins wearing out. I will also lock/locker the front down the road. The spool is less likely to break, and no click, click, click in corners. Or would it be better to do the reverse? Locker rear, spool front. Yes lockers in both would most likely be better as far as turning. AND I know ARB air lockers all the way around would be a wonderful thing. (that isn't going to happen due to $$$) I'm asking and thinking here as far as durability only.
If I can't build it, then it's something that should be bought.
1:38 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline For me, a selectable locker is the ONLY good option.
Full lockers are a pain on the street and an absolute nightmare in the snow.
Keep saving your money. . .
I used to wheel a lot. . .
1:45 pm
May 4, 2004
Offline If your Samurai is strictly a trail rig it probably won't matter which you put in. If you drive it on the street much my recommendation is to save up for a selectable locker. I originally had a Detroit locker in the rear of my TJ. I got tired of the handling issues and replaced it with an ARB.
2:22 pm
David,
Here is another thread we babbled about in for more info to look at. It may/not help you. Any idea on availability of used lockers for them Zuks?
2:57 pm
January 27, 2011
Offline David, I appreciate your dilemma.
While having my front diff re-geared in January the rear diff was serviced and, while inspecting, it was discovered that some teeth on the spider gears are chipped and cracked. For snow runs and light off road (think Prairie City hills) it's OK. When the season for more challenging runs gets closer I've got to do something.
I've considered everything from a lunchbox locker to the ARB. Cost runs from ~$525 (installing Power Trax myself) to ~$1250 for the ARB. Still debating. :hijack:
=====
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading -- Lao Tzu
3:08 pm
Club Member
June 4, 2012
Offline I have already purchased a Spartan spring pin locker I have it waiting in it's box to be installed. Was going to put it in the rear. But then I watched a video with one in and heard the clicking, that would drive me nuts. In the front I could handle it cause it would only be when I lock the hubs off road. ARB's for a Samurai are around $900 - $1000. I'd have to do some real fancy talking to convince the boss we needed that. Brad said locking the rear is the priority. So there's where I'm at. I haven't seen any used lockers and if I could they most likly would be junk.
If I can't build it, then it's something that should be bought.
5:03 pm
Club Member
September 3, 2008
Offline Spool won't click. Haha
Um...what?
5:28 pm
I never really noticed any clicking with my old Detroit locker. I'm not sure how it compares to the one you've bought. It would bind up every now and then on pavement and when it let go it would bang and rattle the whole truck.
I'm not sure a spool would be more reliable in the long run. Essentially you would be transferring all of the binding/forces that come along with a locker/spool to other components in the rear end that weren't designed for it. I could see that causing them to wear out. I don't know what is involved in maintaining the locker but it clicks for a reason. I would also think a locker that could release would provide slightly better driveability - especially in corner when you're not on the gas and it is 'clicking'. Also, don't kid yourself that a spool will be totally quiet - you'll get plenty of tire chirping. Of course, the spool would make you look super cool in parking lots when it hopped and chirped every time you went around a corner or pulled into a spot. 😀
6:14 pm
"Specialsoundman" wrote: I haven't seen any used lockers and if I could they most likly would be junk.
Well consider me as your lone data point. Picked up a ARB, never installed, sat for a couple years, and 30% less than full price. Worst is to just replace the seals for $40.
6:51 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline "Specialsoundman" wrote: I have already purchased a Spartan spring pin locker I have it waiting in it's box to be installed. Was going to put it in the rear. But then I watched a video with one in and heard the clicking, that would drive me nuts. In the front I could handle it cause it would only be when I lock the hubs off road. ARB's for a Samurai are around $900 - $1000. I'd have to do some real fancy talking to convince the boss we needed that. Brad said locking the rear is the priority. So there's where I'm at. I haven't seen any used lockers and if I could they most likly would be junk.
I think John also has a strory about a non-selectable locker up front on snow runs too!!
I have always been selectable lockers, even on my Samurai and previous jeeps. I didn't see a spool as safe for my family because of unpredictable handling. Just my opinion however and I bring my family quite often...
8:05 pm
Club Member
September 3, 2008
Offline I think it's all a personal choice. What do you want? Are you willing to spend money for it?
Personally I have ran selectable, Detroit, and a spool. A spool is cheap and reliable. You will need to rotate tires more often. I wouldn't run a spool in a coil rig. Leaf springs are fine. The binding of the locker can cause coils to respond weird.
Deteoits are good. But they do make lots of noise at weird times. Sounds like a gunshot almost and can feel like you break something but it's just the Detroit. Has a learning curve for driving on the street but not bad.
Selectable scare me. I never know if they will work or engage when I need them too. I find that I hit the trail and turn them on and leave them on.
Um...what?
11:49 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline "BKGM Jeepers" wrote:
I think John also has a strory about a non-selectable locker up front on snow runs too!!...
I've re-told the stories many times, but most people really just want confirmation on what they already bought.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
6:11 pm
"JohnDF" wrote:
I've re-told the stories many times, but most people really just want confirmation on what they already bought.
😀
6:48 pm
January 27, 2011
Offline I've not heard the story. Do tell.
=====
If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading -- Lao Tzu
7:05 pm
Why waste money on a spool when you can just weld it up..... haha
7:42 pm
Club Member
September 3, 2008
Offline Hi Bill
Um...what?
4:01 am
Club Member
June 4, 2012
Offline Look what I found, and they have them for the Suzuki.
http://www.precisiongear.com/p.....rbrute.htm
Limited slip diff, any thoughts?
If I can't build it, then it's something that should be bought.
3:52 pm
I'm going to say that's the Chi-com version of a Dana powerlock. You have a short wheel base which compounds the problem on the street. A spool is very predictable on the street and trail, but it is hard on components and tires. So that being said a selectable locker obviously is the best choice other than cost. If you daily drive a bunch go with the limited slip. If you occasionally drive the street and drive to the trail run the spool. Either way put the Spartan in the front. Fwiw I have Detroit both axles and snow wheel a lot and apparently am too dumb to notice any adverse effects from my combo. Hope this helps. Mark
4:47 pm
Club Member
September 3, 2008
Offline I agree with Skorch. I like lockers in the snow.
Um...what?
6:21 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline "skorch" wrote: a selectable locker obviously is the best choice other than cost.
A re-occurring theme, there's a reason for it ❗
If cost is really an issue, and you can do the work yourself, run a lunchbox locker (in the front) in the Summer and pull it out in the Winter. Next, start saving for selectable (ARB?) lockers, there is nothing that can compare to it for trail and street usage; everything else is just a quick-fix and a compromise.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
6:29 pm
Ok , l'll play. Why on a rig with a 100" or above is a Detroit locker a "quick fix". Or are you specifically talking short wheelbase? When I suggested spool or L's I was specifically talking short wheelbase. As a side note while I am not on this board often I have read your post and respect your opinion. Mark
8:02 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline "skorch" wrote: Ok , l'll play. Why on a rig with a 100" or above is a Detroit locker a "quick fix". Or are you specifically talking short wheelbase? When I suggested spool or L's I was specifically talking short wheelbase. As a side note while I am not on this board often I have read your post and respect your opinion. Mark
First, my rig is short wheel base TJ (95 inches). I've driven lunchbox lockers in the snow and the tendency is for the rig to follow the slope, right over the edge of a cliff or right into a tree. This is not fun! Being able to turn your lockers off lets the un-powered wheel act as a rudder and keep your rig driving straight, but by flipping a switch you have traction to get momentum moving again. A lunch box isn't too bad in the front while driving on the street, but it's made even better if you have selectable hubs. A lunchbox in the rear is unpredictable, causes jarring, tire lifting, and involuntary lane changes on the freeway. Lastly, it's annoying to hear those rigs bark their tires in the parking lot, scrubbing their tires, when a few more months of saving your pennies would have you into a selectable locker. The cost of a couple of lunchbox lockers will at least pay for one selectable. Everybody that runs lunchbox lockers says they are fine, but when they switch to selectable they usually see the light.
But, that's just my opinion, and you know what they say about those. . .
As the saying goes; "It's your baby, you have to rock it."
I used to wheel a lot. . .
8:40 pm
Well see we are not that far off. My rig has a 105" wheelbase so yes it is more lenient. For whatever reason other than the normal snapping from unlocking I have no I'll effects. A couple of things add to this wheelbase is one the other is a very low scrub radius. Short wheelbase I agree with an unsafe road manner, longer wheelbase, well that's my baby and I rock it just fine. 
Mark
8:46 pm
Club Member
July 10, 2003
Offline "skorch" wrote: that's my baby and I rock it just fine.
And your baby is good-to-go I'm sure. 8)
Lots and lots of guys run luchbox lockers and don't have a real problem with these issues, they just deal with them and move on. But when a new wheeler asks for advice [on this forum] I just feel I have to speak up and point out the disadvantages on a short wheelbase rig. After that, it's up to them to make up their own minds.
I used to wheel a lot. . .
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