9" Locker options

[FabioP]

I am now thinking about what locker to install on my rear 9". It's a daily driver but want to go fast on the dirt:D. Spool is not an option. What would be best? Detroit, LSD or ARB?

I am leaning towards the LSD. I've heard you can upgrade the clutch pads. Is that true? If so, where should I go?

[partybarge_pilot]

True trac is the only thing I would run besides a spool.

[Sato Bros. Racing]

True Trac is the only way to go if you have 31 spline axles and you don't like the handling characteristics of the Detroit Locker. What spline axles do you have? The one down side is the True Trac doesn't come in 35 spline,only 31. The ARB is another option, but then you have the EXTRA cost of the compressor plus the $900 just for the carrier. Then you have to worry about lines,switches and solenoids out in the middle of nowhere! Yes you can carry spares of everything, but do you really want to deal with that?....not me.If you are runnig 31 spline then def. go with the True Trac. If you are running 35 then well you don't have very many options when you factor in traction and strength.

[FabioP]

I was planning on going 35 splines (full floating). Is there a big difference in strength between 31 and 35?

[partybarge_pilot]

I ran 31 spline axles and a true track on My bronco with 35's for years. No problems. Ask yourself this, do you really want to be beating on your DD hard enough to need 35 spline axles?

[Sato Bros. Racing]

Full flaoter on your DD? There is a diff. in the axles strength due to the shaft diameter. A well built 31 spline axle will prob. be fine for a DD that doesn't have alot of HP and up to a 35" tire,but I think it would be borderline depending on what you got. The semi-floating axles are the same diminsion wise from the bearing out. The only strength that you would gain would be in the shaft diameter from the bearing to the splines.What kind of truck are you putting this in? How wide is it? Tire size? HP? Weight? I ran the stock 28 spline axles in my 68 Bronco with 35's and 400 Hp and never had a problem, but I would say that I was VERY lucky and it was only a matter of time before I was stuck in the middle of nowhere:D

[FabioP]

It's a custom built 9" with F450 unit bearings (Spidertrax). It will be installed on a Ranger with a 302(300hp)/C4/D300 drivetrain. Tires are 35". DD is actually an understatement. I should say it's goint to be a street legal racing truck;)

[Sato Bros. Racing]

Huh.....same set up that we got on our truck front and back right now(Currie). We Have had the SD floater set in the back for 3 yrs now with zero problems. I would say you would prob. be fine with a 31 spline wasted body out of good material, but you could step up and run 35 spline for the peace of mind. That is up to you.We are runnin 35 spline 300m wasted body shafts in our truck.

[FabioP]

Huh.....same set up that we got on our truck front and back right now(Currie). We Have had the SD floater set in the back for 3 yrs now with zero problems. I would say you would prob. be fine with a 31 spline wasted body out of good material, but you could step up and run 35 spline for the peace of mind. That is up to you.We are runnin 35 spline 300m wasted body shafts in our truck.

Nice truck, where can I get more pics of her?

Is your rear end spooled?

[partybarge_pilot]

300HP in a ranger? Good 31 spline axles will be fine.

[Sato Bros. Racing]

Thanks for the compliment. As far as the pics, pic up a copy of last months Off Road Magazine....they did a feature shoot on it. I don't want to flood your thread with pics of our truck......that is unless you want me too;). Currie C-MAC hsg, Currie 9+ Race case, Currie 9+ Race pinion support, spool, 1350 billet yoke.

[FabioP]

Thanks for the compliment. As far as the pics, pic up a copy of last months Off Road Magazine....they did a feature shoot on it. I don't want to flood your thread with pics of our truck......that is unless you want me too;). Currie C-MAC hsg, Currie 9+ Race case, Currie 9+ Race pinion support, spool, 1350 billet yoke.

Cool. I'll do that. You could create a post on show and tell:D

Or post here... I don't mind:rolleyes:

[Sato Bros. Racing]

I'll post the pics in show and tell tonight

[matt_helton]

do it! the truck is siiick!

[murphco]

fyi if you order the summit brand truetrac it comes in the truetrac box and is the same part sold by detroit,its just $130 cheaper.

[FabioP]

How about the regular Detroit? any comments on them?

[Sato Bros. Racing]

How about the regular Detroit? any comments on them?

Is your truck an auto or stick. Some people don't like or should I say get tired of the handling characteristics of the Detroit Locker with a manual trans. I had one in my old Bronco with a 3 speed and it didn't bother me at all, but everybody is diff. Outside of the handling on the street, they are an awesome unit and proven!

[FabioP]

I'll be doing a 302/C4 swap, so it's auto.

[philofab]

fyi if you order the summit brand truetrac it comes in the truetrac box and is the same part sold by detroit,its just $130 cheaper.

Have a link or part number? I couldn't find it on their website.

[43mod]

i think i have a new det in the box.as well as several complete det 3rd members.make an offer if that is what you go with.all 31 sp

[Tech Tim]

The ARB is a great option if you want the niceties of an open diff and the sure traction of a spool. The cost isn't as high as stated, however they're not cheap and yes you do need to have an air source, but that isn't a bad thing off road.

There are also comments about solenoids, switches and airlines to worry about. They have proven to be very reliable and will give you years of service. Your truck already has all kinds of brake lines, fuel lines etc and electrical switches and solenoids, they shouldn't be giving you issues and neither should the ARB pieces.

[FabioP]

I am tending on using 31 splines, but I have one issue with that. I am using f450 unit bearings and I've only found 35 spline drive slugs. Does anyone know where I can find 31 spline ones? Per Sato's pics, it looks like Currie makes some, but I can't find them.

[Sato Bros. Racing]

I am tending on using 31 splines, but I have one issue with that. I am using f450 unit bearings and I've only found 35 spline drive slugs. Does anyone know where I can find 31 spline ones? Per Sato's pics, it looks like Currie makes some, but I can't find them.

Currie makes their own drive flanges. I believe Strange or Moser also makes them, but I think they are also 35 spline. I'll look into it this morning and let you know.......haven't forgot about posting the pics for you in show-n-tell, just been busy as hell. I'll try and do it tonight when I get home.

[Sato Bros. Racing]

Don't think anyone sells or should I say stocks a 31 spline drive flange, doesn't mean that somebody can't make you one. One option you have is to take a Currie 20/20t 31 spline performance axle and have the flange cut off,machined and then splined. FYI.....Currie can do that for you.

[Tech Tim]

Why not just run the 35 spline shafts?

Easier to find the drive slugs for, more strength (whether you need it or not) and the shafts will pretty much cost the same. Any difference in shaft pricing will be more than eaten up by custom machining other parts.

[FabioP]

Why not just run the 35 spline shafts?

Easier to find the drive slugs for, more strength (whether you need it or not) and the shafts will pretty much cost the same. Any difference in shaft pricing will be more than eaten up by custom machining other parts.


I am pretty sure I'll to that route. It will be easier and cheaper. Only issue with that it that the stock unit bearings are bored out for 31 spline axles. I can buy machined units that accepts 35 spline axles. I wonder if that's just a lathe work:rolleyes:

I just bought a pair of D60 unit bearings for the front (solid axle 609) and I'll see how big of a deal is it to machine that part.

[Sato Bros. Racing]

I am pretty sure I'll to that route. It will be easier and cheaper. Only issue with that it that the stock unit bearings are bored out for 31 spline axles. I can buy machined units that accepts 35 spline axles. I wonder if that's just a lathe work:rolleyes:

I just bought a pair of D60 unit bearings for the front (solid axle 609) and I'll see how big of a deal is it to machine that part.

It is just lathe work. You are going to have to knock the studs out, bore the OD of the hub(to fit the bore of your wheel....should be roughly 4.250"), machine the OD of the flange on the hub, bore the ID to 1.520" min. and redrill for your bolt pattern.

[FabioP]

It is just lathe work. You are going to have to knock the studs out, bore the OD of the hub(to fit the bore of your wheel....should be roughly 4.250"), machine the OD of the flange on the hub, bore the ID to 1.520" min. and redrill for your bolt pattern.

Thanks,

What's wrong about keeping 8x170mm bolt pattern? I still need to buy the wheels.

[Tech Tim]

For ease of off-the-shelf parts, there isn't anything wrong with the metric pattern except maybe finding the wheel you want.

[Sato Bros. Racing]

Thanks,

What's wrong about keeping 8x170mm bolt pattern? I still need to buy the wheels.

Oops, I just assumed that you were going to run a 5 x 5 1/2 bolt pattern. There is nothing wrong with the metric pattern, just most people that we have built custom unti bearing set ups for don't run the SD bolt pattern. What are you doing in the front as far as spindle and hub assy. so that you can run the big metric pattern?

[FabioP]

I'll be using the same unit bearing. The plan for now is solid axle in the front. I know this is not the best option, specially hear at RCD, but I don't think I want to mess with suspension geometry on IFS. Perhalps, when I overhaul the rig, I could go for IFS???

[Sato Bros. Racing]

Its really not that hard. We put them on the front of our truck and I love it!

[Sato Bros. Racing]

FabioP....started a trhead in show-n-tell for you. Got a bunch of pics, so I'll post more later

[FabioP]

Its really not that hard. We put them on the front of our truck and I love it!

Can you tell me more about this brake bracket you have there?

[Sato Bros. Racing]

Can you tell me more about this brake bracket you have there?

It is a one off that I made at work.....well I can't take full credit, the CNC Haas did the maching:D

[FabioP]

It is a one off that I made at work.....well I can't take full credit, the CNC Haas did the maching:D

I hate you:D