I've just been wondering...

TURNEROFFROAD · Sep 17, 2011

I've always thought that an Automatic locker was a major factor in axle failures due to the shock loading

So here's my question, I want to know how many guys ran an " automatic " locker and how many ran a "spooled" style diff.

I'm going to run welded 2.5 tons but am quite interested in what the Hardline peeps have to say about their experiences concerning this on say Dana 60 and up axles

1. Welded, spooled or ARB'd

2. Automatic locker

John Galbreath Jr. · Sep 17, 2011

Arb's in all. Been through 3, but that is due to ring gear teeth sticking through them :dunno:

TURNEROFFROAD · Sep 17, 2011

Thanks, and by the way... I didn't mention it but I'm running rear steer

Please post either way... But let us know if ya running cheater steer!!! :driving:

FroggF350 · Sep 17, 2011

For rockwells I think welded works best whe you have pinion brakes.

Rockwells607 · Sep 17, 2011

i have front and rear steer rockwells in my jeep, front has detroit and rear is welded...to be honest i cant tell the difference...shoulda saved the money and welded the front...i dont think the detroit ever unlocks anyways....machanic from chucks trucks told me if you are gonna weld a steer axle, index the shafts so the caps on the ujoints aim the same directions for less binding...dont know if theres any truth to that or not

badreligion_13 · Sep 18, 2011

Rockwells607 said:
i have front and rear steer rockwells in my jeep, front has detroit and rear is welded...to be honest i cant tell the difference...shoulda saved the money and welded the front...i dont think the detroit ever unlocks anyways....machanic from chucks trucks told me if you are gonna weld a steer axle, index the shafts so the caps on the ujoints aim the same directions for less binding...dont know if theres any truth to that or not

You detroit should unlock and unlock easily as described in the install instructions. If it doesn't it is defective.

John Galbreath Jr. · Sep 18, 2011

TURNEROFFROAD said:
Please post either way... But let us know if ya running cheater steer!!!

Yes, on both, so 4 steering ARBs.

showtime33 · Sep 18, 2011

Had steer rockwells, one welded, one Detroit, stripped the splines outta the Detroit. Bought a ouverson spool, solved problem.

gomer pyle · Sep 18, 2011

2 steering rocks. pulled the detroits that came in them out and welded spiders. i have seen multiple shafts broke when one tire is in the air free spinning and the driver hits R

zukiscott · Sep 19, 2011

I saw that dude with the green scout that used to enter TTC years ago BLOW UP the entire frontend,transfer case and 4 speed trans one time

It was a V8 scout on rockwells and 44 boggers, with detroits front and rear.

He was hung on the rock pile at Crawfords doin a three tire burnout "left front was bout 2 feet in air", he was goin bout 80 MPH, three other tires gettin ROASTED....

When he CRAMMED the clutch in , then dumped it in reverse with the left front tire still goin 80 MPH forward

that sumbitch made a ****ed up CLANG BANG noise,and SHOOK like a dog shakin off water for bout 5 seconds....

then Crawford got it outta the rock pile with the tractor

TURNEROFFROAD · Sep 19, 2011

That's funny right there... :woot:

zukiscott said:
I saw that dude with the green scout that used to enter TTC years ago BLOW UP the entire frontend,transfer case and 4 speed trans one time

It was a V8 scout on rockwells and 44 boggers, with detroits front and rear.

He was hung on the rock pile at Crawfords doin a three tire burnout "left front was bout 2 feet in air", he was goin bout 80 MPH, three other tires gettin ROASTED....

When he CRAMMED the clutch in , then dumped it in reverse with the left front tire still goin 80 MPH forward

that sumbitch made a ****ed up CLANG BANG noise,and SHOOK like a dog shakin off water for bout 5 seconds....

then Crawford got it outta the rock pile with the tractor