I wheeled a Detroit for about four years before it became my back-up diff. It was reliable and predictable off-road. On-road, while I didn't mind the churping tires I hated the reengagment of the locker coming out of a turn. The Ka-Boom made me think I'd just dropped the rearend in the street.
ARB's I love them for both on and off road conditions. They rock. As for air hissing, its usually because someone torqued the O-ring to much and trashed it. While I've had a few problems with them, I still think they are the strongest and best selectable locker on the market. My own problem with them has been my dumb butt using the compressor to fill my 37"s. You cant do that. It was an expensive lesson learned.
For a budget build, I'd spool the rear or weld it shut. Then consider an ARB for the front.
Overall the ARB (my
) is the best because it's selectable. Turn it on for the hard stuff and leave it off for everything else.
