Topic: lock rite locker in the front end

[toeyota]

I was wondering if anybody is running the lock rite locker in the front of thier SFA toys? If so how do you like it? Will both front tires pull always, or how exactly does it work?
 
I have a detroit in the rear and love it. Also, will i be ok running 2 different types of lockers front and back??
 
Is there any certain way i need to install the driveshaft back onto the front chunk so it will be in-sync with the rear locker? The reason i ask is my detroit always has a little bit of slack so it can engage and disengage, i dont know if the lock right will be the same way. Seems like when in 4wd, the 2 lockers would need to be engaging together at the same time to prevent damage to the transfer case. I hope im completly wrong, im hoping i can just install the locker in the chunk and put it in and bolt the driveshaft to it and go. What yall think?

[blackdiamond]

I prefer an Aussie Locker over a LockRight; however, the design is essentially identical.  I believe the Aussie is a better product because it is stronger (less people break them) and the springs are softer allowing it to unlock easier.

I run a Detroit rear and an Aussie front without problems.  It will create some crazy handling situations on snow & ice, but as long as you're careful and drive slow it can be managed.  Off road my Aussie seems to work as well as my Detroit in the rear.  It locks completely when torque is applied and makes minimal noise.

You don't have to worry about driveshaft orientation (as long as they're straight).  All mechanical lockers like the Detroit, LockRights, Aussie Locker, etc., lock when torque is applied and unlock when one tires rotates faster than it is being driven.  This is why the inside tire chirps going around corners on pavement.

[Mnmstoy]

I have a lock rite up front and welded in the rear. It works great. It does make a pop sound here and their but I knew that.
Mike
BTW I bought mine used with one slightly bent spring. I here great things about Aussie....but a man on a budget E-bay is where I got mine....180 shipped.

[Gittinit]

I have a lock rite up front and welded in the rear. It works great. It does make a pop sound here and their but I knew that.
 

X2 I have broke many a birfield with my front lockright, before going with longs. Due to my lead foot I have even taken out a r&p. I am willing to bet that the lockright will still be OK when I pull my front diff.

[ajordan1975]

i run a lockright up front w/ a Detroit in back. i have no complants at all.

[blackdiamond]

No lockers with with stock front axles.  Get a Truetrac Limited-Slip and you won't have to worry as much about broken parts.

 

[Gewehr43]

No lockers with with stock front axles.  Get a Truetrac Limited-Slip and you won't have to worry as much about broken parts.

Agreed!  I have a Spool out back and a True Trac in front until I get Longs.

[Fearofrunner]

A buddie of mine broke his stock birf this weekend with aired down 33 12.50 and a lock rite up front.  It was a bad situation that caused the break but still odd for only 33 inch tires.

He did have his tire turned driver pretty good when it broke.

[red]

yep he had that tire wedged pretty good between a couple rocks.

[toeyota [OP]]

im only in mud or dirt hills and things like that when im locked in 4wd so im not to worried about breaking anything. I was just making sure the lockrite would work about the same as the detroit. gotta have all 4's pullin. Thanks.

[Rubijon]

I have a lockrite in the front and spool in the rear. I run 39.5" tires and havent had a problem yet. I do wish I could unlock the front end though.

[Thomas P]

i have a lock right, and ran 39.5"s for 2 years and now i gotz 42"s and still smashin

[88_Pathy]

Is it a pain to turn with it locked up or will it ratchet? My elocker is a pita to maneuver with when locked so I unlock it most of the time.

[Doable]

Running a LockRight in the front with the rear welded.  Cheapest way to get all 4 tires pulling. With power steering I don't have trouble turning.If I do I just put the t-case in 2wd and make my turn.

This set up is a few years old and  was running them before I put them under my 86. I would not buy the LockRight again but the Aussi instead. Just my 

[Fearofrunner]

Running a LockRight in the front with the rear welded.  Cheapest way to get all 4 tires pulling. With power steering I don't have trouble turning.If I do I just put the t-case in 2wd and make my turn.

This set up is a few years old and  was running them before I put them under my 86. I would not buy the LockRight again but the Aussi instead. Just my 

Any reason why you would run an aussie instead of the lock right again?

[Doable]

This is my personal opinion  that the quality of the LockRight is not as good as it used to be. The one in my truck now has been rebuilt twice with new pins and springs(it came from my 1st Toyota).On my last vehicle (Samurai) I bought brand new LockRight with side couplers because of the good service I had gotten out of my 1st LockRight.... Well the quality just was not there like my 1st one . It would engage and disengage causing horrible lane changes and would unload so bad offroad that I thought the rear end had exploded.Brought it back to the shop and rebuilt it four times. Spent numerous hours pulling everything apart and spending money on rebuilt kits new axle housings,axles shaft, etc. because everyone around here said something must be bent. The problem never got better and all the parts I swapped out were fine the locker wore out fast under 31" tires.

I know that these are two different vehicle, but the same guy set up my 1st one(which was in my 1st Toyota) and my 2nd one. The only good thing about this story is I gained alot of experience with installing lockers and third members

[mayberry]

i run a lockright  and i have broke 4 birfs with it but my steering stops where bent so i was able to turn too sharp so the birf bound but sisce my axle build i have had no problem at all and i have done rocks,mud and snow witch i know mud and snow isnt tough on your drive train too bad