Arierep · Dec 13, 2016

Hi guys,

Next year I really want to add some traction upgrade to my 90 300Tdi.
It is a daily driver, commuter, travel/expedition vehicle and also sometimes weekend warrior. I know, that's a lot to cover.

I don't really have interest in selectable lockers, don't want to drill the diff housing nor add buttons, etc.
Essentially, my budget allows for two options:
A) front and rear Ashcroft ATBs, stock shafts

B) rear Detroit Locker, stock shafts.

Which one would you prefer?

- would the left foot brake trick really work when the Ashcroft has a wheel on the air? I have standard length shocks and hard springs, so I lift wheels often offroad.
- Would the Detroit Locker work with the 90's wheelbase?
- Is the Detroit Locker harsh on halfshafts, and does it really dies if a shaft breaks?

Thanks in advance for all the help

Brown · Dec 13, 2016

Here's a thread I did a couple of years ago about changing the diff centres and bearings in my axles https://www.landyzone.co.uk/land-rover/axle-refurbishments.272149/ There's some discussion toward the end about what they feel like and what they can do with the Ashcroft limited slips in them. In addition to that, just to note that a couple of weeks ago I was visiting my friend in Wales where the house is up a steep hill which happened to be covered in frost. I was the only thing that got up it apart from a farm tractor with 4 wheel drive. The sun got out and created a film of water over the ice, and was almost impossible to drive up.

jai_landrover · Dec 14, 2016

To be honest after having a Detroit for many years in my 90 I would probably invest that bit extra in a lockable switchable locker. My bro has had Atbs and yea they're great but I dont think I would have them. A Detroit is a great bit of kit and I would have in a heart beat again (non rover type rover tend to be weak) however now the vehicle is a tow vehicle it would make for increased bush wear and no rea need for the traction. Having one switchable I think is the best solution.

Turboman · Dec 14, 2016

Arierep said:
Hi guys,

Next year I really want to add some traction upgrade to my 90 300Tdi.
It is a daily driver, commuter, travel/expedition vehicle and also sometimes weekend warrior. I know, that's a lot to cover.

I don't really have interest in selectable lockers, don't want to drill the diff housing nor add buttons, etc.
Essentially, my budget allows for two options:
A) front and rear Ashcroft ATBs, stock shafts

B) rear Detroit Locker, stock shafts.

Which one would you prefer?

- would the left foot brake trick really work when the Ashcroft has a wheel on the air? I have standard length shocks and hard springs, so I lift wheels often offroad.
- Would the Detroit Locker work with the 90's wheelbase?
- Is the Detroit Locker harsh on halfshafts, and does it really dies if a shaft breaks?

Thanks in advance for all the help

Love my Detroit, and it doesnt cause any problems if you dont abuse it, and change the oil regular. I would only have Detroit for mainly off road use, though.
And with a Detroit you really want LSD in the front as well.

For what you want, like he says^^^^^^^^^. Air or electric operated is better for all round. Would have thought front and rear LSD would be quite suitable for that sort of use, and no need for airlines etc.

Arierep · Dec 14, 2016

Thanks for all the answers

May I add that although my Def is a daily driver and not driving offroad everyday or even every week, when it does it goes into some demanding trails

My biggest fears with each option are:
Detroit Locker - ending up crappy or dangerous road manners. Since my budget wouldn't allow for the Detroit + HD shafts, I'm a little nervous about a broke shaft killing the diff

Dual Ashcroft ATBs - spending €900 only to find out I get stuck on the same axle crossings and other obstacles. I'm still getting contradictory reports on the real effectiveness of left foot braking to progress with a wheel on the air, or even how harsh it is to the drivetrain

bankz5152 · Dec 14, 2016

As for the half shafts they arnt exactly super pricey, £80 for a pair plus flages so not bad really.

Im personally leaning toward the Ashcroft ATBs, though going for just a rear to start with. Only read good things about them

jai_landrover · Dec 14, 2016

HD if you entertaining lockers HD is the only way £300a pair

Atbs not convinced my bro has them. A true locker and HD shafts is the only way to go. If price is an issue just a Detroit rear and HD shafts. Deal with the not so nice handling and rear bush replacement. If you want to be better than stock but keep cheap shafts Atb's but they won't blow you away. They do work but I'm not convinced for anything too mad. Cost no option Ashcroft locker HD shafts CV's

I'd happily have one rear locker and shafts over a pair of ATB's

Turboman · Dec 15, 2016

Arierep said:
Detroit Locker - ending up crappy or dangerous road manners. Since my budget wouldn't allow for the Detroit + HD shafts, I'm a little nervous about a broke shaft killing the diff

Been using them for 8 years, almost every day. You would barely notice the difference on road. Steering maybe a fraction heavier, and if you pull away sharply with the steering hard over yu might get a clunk. It certainly isnt dangerous!

jai_landrover said:
HD if you entertaining lockers HD is the only way £300a pair

Atbs not convinced my bro has them. A true locker and HD shafts is the only way to go. If price is an issue just a Detroit rear and HD shafts. Deal with the not so nice handling and rear bush replacement. If you want to be better than stock but keep cheap shafts Atb's but they won't blow you away. They do work but I'm not convinced for anything too mad. Cost no option Ashcroft locker HD shafts CV's

I'd happily have one rear locker and shafts over a pair of ATB's

Sure that is true about the shafts for your kind of usage.
But with standard size tyres, and not too much welly, I very much doubt if you will get a problem.
Known lots of people have em for work. We almost all had them on our landies on forestry work. Lot of Jap and Jeep have em as standard. Have to say, not seen many broken shafts. I think it is more of a function of driving style than anything else!

jai_landrover · Dec 15, 2016

I've had the Detroit Salisbury version in several axles for 8 years and whilst I don't agree it's dangerous it is very noticeable to drive back on open diffs. I was changing rear radius arm bushes every 6months to a year. Tyre diameter being equal is critical and the feeling of understeer or more steering input for less turn when gently on the power around a corner or lift off and the vehicle tightens up into the corner was very very noticeable even with new bushes.

None of the above would ever put me off another but selectable is much nicer. I wouldn't touch a Rover unit tho. Too many issues. A true locker is by far the best. I eventually had a Detroit rear and lock right front. When the front hubs were locked (on a 90) it was almost undrivable as the front snatched the steering as the front crude locker pulled the front indside wheel straight. Funny for a bit it not even worth attempting on the road.

The Detroit is a very nice piece of kit kaiser locker being similar does a good job but does twang a wee bit more than a Detroit ever did.

Use was laying out competitions and trials style driving and recovery work.

Turboman · Dec 15, 2016

jai_landrover said:
I've had the Detroit Salisbury version in several axles for 8 years and whilst I don't agree it's dangerous it is very noticeable to drive back innate diffs. I was changing bushes every 6months to a year. Tyre diameter being equal is critical and the feeling of understeer when gently on the power around a corner or lift off and the vehicle tightens up was very noticeable

None of the above would ever put me off another but selectable is much nicer. A true locker is by far the best. I eventually had a Detroit rear and lock right front. When the front hubs locked (on a 90) it was almost undrivable as the front snatched the steering as the front crude locker pulled the front indside wheel straight. Funny for an but it not even worth attempting on the road.

The Detroit is a very nice piece of kit kaiser locker being similar does a good job but twang said a wee bit more than a Detroit.

I like the Detroit within its limitations, but I dont think I would have it without the LSD in the front.

I have never had Detroit in the front, but imagine it would be pretty horrible to drive except in a total grease pit.

Arierep · Dec 16, 2016

Thank you so much for all the answers.

Well, I ended up deciding against the Detroit Locker.

On the other hand, I found out yesterday that I can get an absolutely killer price for an ARB locker through my mechanic. I said I didn't want to drill the diff housing, but the price and functionality is hard to turn back.
I already have a on board compressor, so that would be a matter of getting something like a 10L air tank with a pressure switch, feeding both tyres and the locker. I always hated when you have to first turn on the compressor and then switch the locker

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