I’m about to pull the trigger on some lockers. I’m hoping some can weigh in with their opinions. I’m tired of the horrible traction control system on my Discovery 2, electronically it functions but my driving turrain has surpassed this systems abilities. I’m ready to upgrade to hang with the big boys.

Question is, Detroit (not true track), Air, or electronic.

Approx pros/cons are as follows:

Detroit ~$600 ($1200 for the pair, with a true track up front)
pros- cost, simplicity
cons- increased tire wear, non selectable(which is a major con for me considering I wold like the ability to only use lockers in sticky situations), can only be used in the rear (coupled with a true track up front, which I’ve whitnessed is not so great, and can act like an open in certain cases)

ARB/Ashcroft ~$850 to $950 ($1700 for the pair)
pros- selectable, can be used front and rear
cons- must run a compressor (which I don’t necessarily want, it adds weight, and the small ARB unit CANNOT be used to fill tires. Small arb compressor ~$175, medium compressor ~$275 (which can be used for tires)

KAM e-locker~$1250 ($2500 for the pair)
Pros-same as ARB
Cons-cost

Any input is appreciated, also someone with possible real world experience with the ARB or other locker setups.

Detroit is a mechanical locker. It’s reliable but its always working so when you don’t need a locker or don’t want a locker (yes that can happen) its there doing its thing.

ARB/Ashcroft both are excellent units that are reliable, serviceable and parts are available through any ARB or Ashcroft vendor.

KAM I didn’t realize was still in business.

For me if money is a issue the Detroit and Tru-Trac combo is tried and true. Great value for the money

ARB or Ashcroft personal preference both are extremely good products.

With the Detroit/ true track combo, is it drivetrain-safe to run without CDL en engaged? This is a big factor for me, as it would still give some form of adjustment. For example I currently reserve the center diff lock for the more difficult sections, and keep it off as much as i can. This offers an extra fun factor and keeps things challenging when i go out with buddies with less off-road worthy/ newer trucks.

Interesting you say this, Lucky8 told me the same thing. So I emailed Eaton directly and they stated the Detroit was “backordered”. With an ETA of “a month or so”. But why something like this would be backorderd is beyond me, unless their production is very limited and some recent buyers deplete current stock. It’s not like Eaton is cranking these things out by the thousands (for landrovers atleast). Castings probably come from China and due to Chinese New Year a lot of these suppliers are trying to catch up with orders at the moment. Eaton’s automotive performance division’s phone number is (800)328-3850
I’ll give them a call on Monday and see if I can get a more specific ETA.

Everything you mentioned is good. I’ll probably play on the dangerous side and do 35”s, 4.11s + lockers front and rear. Even for an Ashcroft setup your sill looking at $2500 for just for parts alone. If I stayed with the 33”s I’d probably stick with stock gearing as it will be less likely to break stuff, and way easier to swap the diffs in (because the pinion wouldn’t need to be shimmed). We’ll see what Eaton says, I’m kinda hoping the Detroit is discontinued because it would push me to spend the money on ashcrofts. Otherwise I will be tempted to cheap out and go Detroit rear, rely on traction control front, and call it a day.

Entirely dependent on the type of riding you prefer & type of driver you are.
FWIW - Tech support and warrantee from Arb is worth the extra scratch. But you’ll see for yourself