Detroit Locker

[Rick]

Is there an additive you must add to these when changing the Diff fluid???

[Brody]

No, BUT....adding a locking differential additive sure wouldn't hurt. That said, I have never used an additive in any Detroit locker I have owned in any rig in 40+ years with no issues. I probably won't if I ever get another Detroit. The last Detroit I had (in my current heap) was in it when I bought it 8 years ago and I have gone through 5 sets of gears with no damage at all to the Detroit...all with no additives and mostly standard gear lube. Other Detroits I have had in other rigs have shown the same ability to take serious abuse with no damage and that has been on rigs running 150hp to 450hp....

I have any more trouble with the ARB in the Tundra axle I currently have in the back of my heap, you can bet that it is going to get replaced with a Detroit. I wouldn't even be running an ARB set up in the back if I hadn't gotten such a good deal on the whole axle/ARB/gears/compressor.

[Java]

I never ran anything but oil with my Detroit Locker, and now I have Truetracs front and rear and they say not to use additives with them. Given the way they work I'm not sure additives would have any impact on the locker, but I can see them causing improper friction in the worm gears of the truetrac. I think that stuff is strictly for clutch style limited slips.

[Rick]

just read that Detroit Lockers shouldn't use additives and they don't like synthetic oils either. One guy recommended running 140 wt for extreme use too.

[Coonburger]

alot of guys run the thicker stuff to shut up the "ratcheting sound" of the locker. I personally run just GL5 8090 no issues dont notice that crazy sound either. Still ive heard people having locking issues with Detroits. Mostly truck pullers are having issues with em. So iam gonna switch "hopefully" this winter when i do my gear change to yukon grizzlys. Alot better warranty , lifetime and suppose to be alot stronger.

[RidgeRunner]

I use regular valvoline 80-90 weight with my Detroit with no problems and I really don't notice any ratcheting noise either.

[Robert B]

i havent wheeled my mine yet but i just run regular old dinosaur 80-90 (cheap) since i need over a gallon for my rear end and if i do river crossings will change it out WAAAAY before the mileage would dictate a change.......... at certain times i can hear it "clunk" together but i also have a stick truck and its mostly when i push the clutch in when its under a bind that i hear/feel it ............but i have to be listening for it otherwise i will not hear it :) ....as far as i know they dont care what oil though .. dino , synth, LS..........and i dont think the worm gear ones care either since its just gears again :)

[mattzj98]

No additives for my detroit, works amazing!