818 locker install

[jollyroger]

My understanding is Detroits unlock or free up when they are on the coast side like letting off the throttle and going around a corner. The tandem axles would put a whole new wrinkle in that operation. Would it be better to just lock one axle, front or rear tandem? Also if they really suck and ARB makes an air locker that might be a better way to go. Then you could lock all three axles. I usually install the mechanical lockers on all my stuff but I am starting to think the air locker may be the way to go.

 

[Rattlehead]

How much worse is the turning radius? My 932 has Detroit's in both rear axles. Turn radius suks, but none of these trucks are very good and I have only driven a deuce for any comparison.

I pulled the far rear driveshaft to help things a bit. I will put it back in if I have plans for going offroad.

 

[Rattlehead]

Jollyroger, you are correct, they unlock when you coast. So you try to coast when turning, not feasible in every circumstance.

 

[hklvette]

I don't think ARBs are available for 5T axles, but I could be wrong.

 

[jwaller]

there is no real difference in turning circle for me bc the inside tire just turns up the earth. it might be more if I were doing it on concrete or pavement.

I like it, but it's just different. have to get used to it and "try" to coast around turns if possible.

 

[jollyroger]

Jollyroger, you are correct, they unlock when you coast. So you try to coast when turning, not feasible in every circumstance.

I agree. Not always feasable in an all wheel drive tractor truck. It is feasable in a 5000# Jeep. You just chirp the tires around a corner. That's why I was thinking the ARB's but if they don't make them or they are double the cost I would go with the detroits.

As a side note and I asked before, what happens if you only lock one of the tandem axles and which one would you lock?

 

[jwaller]

I agree. Not always feasable in an all wheel drive tractor truck. It is feasable in a 5000# Jeep. You just chirp the tires around a corner. That's why I was thinking the ARB's but if they don't make them or they are double the cost I would go with the detroits.

As a side note and I asked before, what happens if you only lock one of the tandem axles and which one would you lock?

I guess If I were only to lock one, I'd do the back one. it gets better traction and has more leverage on the front axle.

 

[rat4spd]

They aren't the ratcheting kind?

 

[wehring]

Air lockers

AIR LOCKERS baby! The best of both worlds. I have an extra set of FACTORY Rockwell air locking 5 ton axles. They are direct replacements for the 800 series 5 ton trucks. Also, the axle shafts are 1/4" bigger than the shafts in your truck and they have a power divider that removes power to the rear tandem.

The other set is waiting to go into my M923.

Justin Wehring
979 997 3112

 

[jollyroger]

They aren't the ratcheting kind?

If I understand correctly they will ratchet but it takes a lot to get them to do it, especially when they are new. And when they do ratchet it is more of a loud TINK! when the ratchet skips over a tooth. Really not much give like a clutch type of traction device. But they lock on for off road which is what you want in the mud and such because a clutch type of locker can be defeated with too much load. They will free wheel when the throttle is not engaged and you are on the coast side but if you have any throttle imput in it they are on the LOCK side. It would not be horrible. You just have to get used to them. Also tire wear will proly get worse especially with the tandems.

I have been thinking about this for my Deuce but I may wait to do lockers when I bob a deuce........I've been thinking about a bobbed 5 toner lately too though.

 

[jollyroger]

AIR LOCKERS baby! The best of both worlds. I have an extra set of FACTORY Rockwell air locking 5 ton axles. They are direct replacements for the 800 series 5 ton trucks. Also, the axle shafts are 1/4" bigger than the shafts in your truck and they have a power divider that removes power to the rear tandem.

The other set is waiting to go into my M923.

Justin Wehring
979 997 3112

OH! SWEET!!!!!!! That would be the ticket. Then you can put the air locker in all three axles and have the power divider. Then all you would have to do is put in an air shift selector for the t-case and you are totally ready to go.

What did they come out of originally?

 

[Unforgiven]

No, those type of air lockers are not for full 100 traction to both wheels via the differential. It's an air locker that selects or deselects whether the rear-rear axle receives power. You flip the switch and the short driveline between the two rear pumpkins engages. Otherwise, the rear-rear does not receive power.

But transferring the power to the axles from the pumpkin is still either an ordinary differential or a Detroit type locker. The differential itself is not air locking. At least that's how I understand it. I don't think ARB makes a locker for the larger Rockwell axles.

 

[Unforgiven]

Maybe I'm wrong. If I am then that guy has one sweet setup that's for sure.

 

[wehring]

Locks all

Yup, you read it right. Dif lockers AND tandem lock out. You can have all 6 tires pull or just 2 (the middle tandem) with the flip of a few switches.

Can't wait to get a set in a truck. We will have to call out the D-9 if it gets stuck...

Justin Wehring
979 997 3112

 

[tvoss]

I just recovered a USMC M818 with lockers and I love it!

I didn't know it had lockers at the time, but I did notice a few things during the trip that seemed odd.

1. I couldn't seem to judge the turns right to save my life. Lots of understeer, and lots of backing up and turning again. First time I ever drove a 5 ton, so I thought it was just me.

2. Occasionally in turns it would seem to slip a little for no reason, or grab hard and push a little to the side.

3. The tires seemed to have a lot more wear than other trucks I've seen.

This is the first time I ever drove any truck with lockers, so I wasn't really thinking about it. To me, I hardly noticed they were there. Can't wait to get it in some mud (but I need new tires first).

 

[Coldfusion21]

Yup, you read it right. Dif lockers AND tandem lock out. You can have all 6 tires pull or just 2 (the middle tandem) with the flip of a few switches.

Can't wait to get a set in a truck. We will have to call out the D-9 if it gets stuck...

Justin Wehring
979 997 3112

That sounds like an amazing setup for any offroad situation.

What was the original application for this setup?