Explain “Detroit Lockers”.
“Detroits” are locking differentials in the axles. Most 4x4s actually arent 4 wheel drive. They are open differentials so all the power goes to the wheel with least traction.
You may often see a car with one wheel spinning like crazy on ice while the other sits on solid ground not moving at all. On most 4x4s, that means one wheel in the front with power, one in the back with power and two spinning...which is actually 2 wheel drive.
What a Detroit does is like an extreme version of ‘Posi-trac”, It physicallylocks both sides of an axle together so you have full power to both sides. On a 4x4 that means actual ‘4-wheel drive’ and the difference is staggering. But unlike Posi there is NO slippage at all. None. It’s like a steel bar connecting both tires.
On snow/rain/slippery surfaces this becomes a problem the moment you try to turn because when you turn, the outside of the turn is a greater distance than the inside. A normal open differential exists for this purpose. It puts power to the inside wheel and allows the outside wheel to ‘freewheel’ around the turn. when you turn in the opposite direction, the reverse happens and the power switches sides.
Detroits slid the outside tire because the axle is locked. On slippery surfaces that leads to unpredictable handling and lots of ‘sideways’. It can also mean you can turn the steering wheel and keep going straight under the right conditions.
You learn to drive with them eventually. They are fantastic for sand, rocks and mud. Snow too. But you gotta understand them. Once you do they will let you drive through situations that you won’t believe a vehicle can go because all 4 tires are transfering power and moving you ahead instead of uselessly spinning or just sitting doing nothing while the other spins uselessly. Until you do though, you can get yourself into very, very bad situations rather quick.
Oops....I gotta correct something
On most 4x4s, that means one wheel in the front with TRACTION, one in the back with TRACTION and two spinning...which is actually 2 wheel drive.