So I've been pricing the parts needed to re-gear my truck from 3.55 to 4.56, I'm pretty set on the package deal from completeoffroad.com, and a new carrier for the Dana 44 since the package comes with standard instead of thick gears.

I have the majority of the funds to take care of this in the next month or two, but I've also been looking at getting lockers for both the front and rear. My '04 Colorado had stock Eaton lockers in the front and the back and they were insanely useful, but I don't think the Ram has stock lockers (I may be wrong, please correct me, I didn't see it on my build sheet). I've been looking at different lockers and was wondering, what's the big difference between an air locker and a mechanical locker (the Eaton Locker's on the chevy were mechanical I think), and does buying the locker for the Dana 44 mean that I don't have to buy a new carrier, or do I need to buy both locker and carrier?

Thanks!

 

I just got my package from them as well, call them and tell them you want a thick gear instead it's like 20 bucks more. With an air locker you can disengage it when it's not needed as with a mechanical one it's just there. The rams had an optional LSD for the back. Nobody makes a selectable locker for the 9.25. It's Detroit or nothing. Depending on what you're wanting to do and what size tires you're running a locker up front is a bad idea. If you do get one spend the extra money and get a selectable unit. Turning with both front tires locked will be pita. Also a locked Dana 44 under a 5k plus truck with more than a 33" tire will equal disaster if you're not careful. If you get a full carrier locker like the selectable you don't need a new carrier since it is the carrier. If you have a open rear end I'd look into a powertrax locker. It just takes the place of the open components in the back.

 

I'm pretty sure it's open in the rear, this is what's on the build sheet:

DGTS 4-Spd. Automatic 46RE Transmission
DHAP Lock-Up Torque Converter
DHKS Shift-on-the-Fly,231HD Transfer Case
DJCS 195MM Front Axle
DMDP 3.55 Rear Axle Ratio
DRBP Corporate 9.25 LD Rear Axle

I loved the Eaton G80 locker that my Chevy had, only locked up when one wheel was spinning significantly faster than the other. This truck is my daily driver, but I've started trail riding in the National Forest and my buddies are all over me about taking it in the mud. I was looking instead at an air locker up front, or maybe no locker at all...

Also, what is the difference between a posi limited slip locker (Yukon Dura-Grip Posi Locker) and a true locker?

I really miss that Eaton setup that came stock on the Chevy, only locked up when needed, otherwise it was an open setup.

 

A LSD won't truly lock up both tires on even surfaces at slow speeds but most of the tome I can get mine to "lock" with more wheel spin. A locker is just that. Both wheels pulling all the time. If the truck sees more street than trail I say go with the LSD. If it's more trail locker all the way. What size tires you running.

 

The G80 might work ok but you wouldn't be singing its praises after it blew up and destroyed your axle. There is a reason they are also known as the GOV BOMB. The G80 also only works when your wheels are spinning under 20mph.

A true locker such as a detroit is very strong and does not wear out. It will also not fail you when you really need it.

Limited slips have better street manners but sacrifice strength and wheel bias for it. The drawbacks of a limited start to diminish as you get higher quality limited slips.

 

It definitely see's more road than trail, by a long long shot, the more I'm reading, that more I'm not liking the sound of full lockers, at least for me anyways, so a LSD may be the way to go.

So does an air-locker require me to have an air compressor somewhere on the truck to provide the air? (I would think that it does, but I'm all new to this differential stuff)

I currently have 305/70/R16 BFG All Terrain TA's on the truck, which boggles me cause the truck looks like it's been leveled and is handling the 33" tires with no problems aside from very minor rubbing on the mud flap in reverse, but I for the life of me can't find and type of coil spring spacer or anything that would lift the front end. The only think that I can think of is that maybe the previous owner swapped the coil springs with a set from a 2500, but I have no idea and no clue how to check for that.

 

So getting a brand name like Yukon or the Detroit True Trac Posi is a must correct?

Edit:

I had no idea about this...I just did a little research on it, seems to be a common problem, now I feel kinda lucky

 

Most of the air lockers will have the option to come with the onboard compressor to run them, of course, they are a bit on the pricey side too..... there are a selection of options for LSD rears though. Really wouldn't be a bad idea.

For a truck driven mostly on the street, I would just get the thick gears for the front, and stick with the open differential.

 

Wouldn't an air locker be ideal for him? That way when driving to work you leave it unlocked so it acts like an open diff then he can lock it when going offload.

 

This is a good locker for street use and off-road use:

http://www.richmondgear.com/powertrax/noslip.html