I have an appointment Thursday to regear my JK to 4.88 and add a Detroit Locker in the rear. I am a little concerned that I can't seem to find Detroit Lockers listed as an application for my Jeep anywhere else. I hope it fits!

Also I was told my only options are 4.88 and 5.13 gears, but I believe I have seen 4.56 gears in some of your signatures. What gives?

I am a total rookie to these kind of mods. I think I'm getting nervous, but my installer has a great rep in this area.

 

I would completely advise against getting a non-selectable locker in the rear of your Jeep. The Detroit will activate not only offroad, but on-road in every low-traction scenario you can imagine. If it's rainy, it'll activate, if it's snowy, it'll activate, if you go around a corner too fast, etc. etc.

Best case scenario, it'll be loud and annoying, worst case, it'll be dangerous as the JK wants to straighten out and regain traction while you're trying to turn.

I would highly advise an ARB or other completely selectable locker for the rear. It'll be invisible when you want it off and work as expected when you turn it on. If you must have a Detroit, put it in the front, where it'll only be on when you're in 4-wheel drive. It'll make turning a pita, though.

I'm sure others will post their opinions, but you should be fine with 4.88's and a six-speed as long as you don't want to run higher than 35's. Either way that's probably the lowest gear ratio you'd want to run in the front 30.

 

I went ahead and used the Detroit. I can see what you were talking about with the full time locker, but I don't actually mind it. It isn't quite as smooth in a parking lot or at low speed, but I can deal with it. It's a huge improvement over opens off road!

 

You can only lead a horse to water... can't make 'em drink.

Let us know how it affects your tire wear after you get a few miles with it.

 

X2 Big difference between a parking lot and on the pavement. Let us know if you survive your first ice storm.

 

I may take a few decades to get back to you. Last ice storm was 1985. Given that a Detroit seems better than trusting an air compressor.

 

You seem to know a lot about parking lots. Maybe you should trade for a minivan?

 

....

 

Sorry. I got carried away. Maybe I'll go take a Prozac or something.

 

Contrary to what all the naysayers preach, a Detroit Locker will work fine in the rear or the front. You just need to be careful and make all of your moves knowing that it's there. As long as you're careful, you'll be fine. Detroit Lockers have come in vehicles from the factory for years and they haven't hurt anybody yet. Stupidity is what always gets you. LOL