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blazerbrad · 01-29-2009, 09:13 AM

A properly welded differential will never fail because of the welds. If you break a weld, or the "spiders get loose" it was NOT welded properly, period. I have also seen several welded diffs fail because the welds broke, but after inspection there was not nearly enough welded area and/or it was simply a poor weld job. I have also seen welded diffs break not directly because of the welds but I really don't think the welded part was directly the cause (a 10-bolt rear axle under a fullsize truck with 36's is likely to break whether it's welded or not).

Anyway, back to the original question.

Most people running "lunch box lockers" (i.e. Lock-right, Ausssie, etc...) have had pretty good luck including myself (D60 front, 39.5" tires, fullsize truck). 78Buford did break his front Lock-right running 42's, big block, all under a 7,000 lb. truck but it wasn't a catastropic failure or anything, just wouldn't consistently stay locked going forward.

For a mainly off-road vehicle I will never have anything but a welded rear axle (or maybe a spool...acts the same). And personally I think a welded/spooled rear diff is more predictable on the road than a Lock-right, Detroit, etc... However the welded/spool does have some other drawbacks on a daily driver but they are mainly tire wear and tire chirping.

Selectable lockers are really nice for a multi-use rig, but are usually much more expensive and not as reliable on the trail. I can't count the number of times I have seen people having issues getting them to lock in for one reason or the other. This includes ARB's (multiple different rigs...personally seen lines break (1-2 times), compressors fail (1-2 times), o-ring leaks inside the diff (2 times) all on different rigs). Two guys have Ox lockers (3 lockers total) and both have constant trouble getting them to lock in because othe cable adjustment. I know one guy with the E-locker and never consistently stays locked either. Now I will say that being careful with installation and maintenance is very important to reliable operation...but with that said two of the guys are very meticulate when it comes to installation and maintenance, one guys is probably so-so, and two are the "beat the rig up, pull it off the trailer and park it until the next ride" type that are probably lucky to even wash their rigs.

01-29-2009, 09:13 AM	#8
blazerbrad - CORE Member - Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 831	A properly welded differential will never fail because of the welds. If you break a weld, or the "spiders get loose" it was NOT welded properly, period. I have also seen several welded diffs fail because the welds broke, but after inspection there was not nearly enough welded area and/or it was simply a poor weld job. I have also seen welded diffs break not directly because of the welds but I really don't think the welded part was directly the cause (a 10-bolt rear axle under a fullsize truck with 36's is likely to break whether it's welded or not). Anyway, back to the original question. Most people running "lunch box lockers" (i.e. Lock-right, Ausssie, etc...) have had pretty good luck including myself (D60 front, 39.5" tires, fullsize truck). 78Buford did break his front Lock-right running 42's, big block, all under a 7,000 lb. truck but it wasn't a catastropic failure or anything, just wouldn't consistently stay locked going forward. For a mainly off-road vehicle I will never have anything but a welded rear axle (or maybe a spool...acts the same). And personally I think a welded/spooled rear diff is more predictable on the road than a Lock-right, Detroit, etc... However the welded/spool does have some other drawbacks on a daily driver but they are mainly tire wear and tire chirping. Selectable lockers are really nice for a multi-use rig, but are usually much more expensive and not as reliable on the trail. I can't count the number of times I have seen people having issues getting them to lock in for one reason or the other. This includes ARB's (multiple different rigs...personally seen lines break (1-2 times), compressors fail (1-2 times), o-ring leaks inside the diff (2 times) all on different rigs). Two guys have Ox lockers (3 lockers total) and both have constant trouble getting them to lock in because othe cable adjustment. I know one guy with the E-locker and never consistently stays locked either. Now I will say that being careful with installation and maintenance is very important to reliable operation...but with that said two of the guys are very meticulate when it comes to installation and maintenance, one guys is probably so-so, and two are the "beat the rig up, pull it off the trailer and park it until the next ride" type that are probably lucky to even wash their rigs.