General 4X4 and Off-RoadAsk questions or share info that applies across makes or models, things of general off-road interest. *Make-specific, please look below for appropriate forum..
I have a 06 Silverado regular cab with 37 inch tires and 4 : 56 gears. I'm trying to decide between putting a Detroit locker or limited slip diff in the rear end. It's my daily driver and I do a lot of city driving. I go mudding every weekend so a locker would be ideal but my main concern is I don't want to break axels or put unnecessary strain on the truck on my daily commute. The only locker is a Detroit locker so if anyone has had any experience with one I'd appreciate your input.
LSD's have clutch discs in each side of the carrier that allow some slippage between each side. Lockers do not allow slippage at all when engaged. Slippage in a LSD will be smooth and not noticeable (unless its really tight and you're making a tight turn). A locker unlocking with be felt and usually heard. They sometimes won't unlock when turning in a lighter vehicle and drag tires around corners like a spool or welded diff will also do.
The advantage is power being equally distributed to both wheels on the axle. That same trait is also a disadvantage on slippery surfaces like ice, as you'll just fishtail when in 2wd (sometimes even just drift sideways in 4wd). Its for that reason that selectable lockers have become popular. They function as either open diffs or LSDs when not engaged
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12-04-2012, 04:08 PM
Need help understanding lockers 
Linear Mode
