I just came into a rear Detroit locker for  an 86 Samurai. Will this work in the front diff or not?

While it will work in the front diff you will need to switch to heavy duty front axles.  The rear axles have a larger spline then the stock fronts.

OK, thanks. I thought it was just wishful thinking.

I just came into a rear Detroit locker for  an 86 Samurai. Will this work in the front diff or not?

Is it the style that is like a Lock Right locker?  If it is, and if it is the type that resuses stock sidegears, you can use it in the front of your samurai and you won't have to change the axles, since you will be reusing the stock front sidegears.

I'm not sure 'cause I don't have it out of the used diff yet. We shall see in the next couple of days when I get time to get it out.

I don't think that there is a standard detroit locker for the sammy, just the EZ locker. I could be wrong. it wouldn't be the first time.  If it is a EZ then you just need to get the right sidegears if running stock fronts...

OK, finally got it out and cleaned up. It looks like the EZ  and Lock-Right style. It needs new spacers as the old ones have ridges and look worn. Is there a way to determine which company made the locker? I researched them online and they both look alike, but I doubt if I can use the same parts ie; spacers, can I? There is no name stamped on the parts.

EZlocker parts on the left, Lock Right parts on the right.  Probably the springs will be the easiest way to tell.  EZ's use 1 spring per pin, Lock Rights use 2.

Yep, it was the springs. Looks like Lock-right (2 springs). Otherwise they're pretty similar to my eye.

Thanks.
Jim

The detroits also have  little metal plugs that are on the end of the springs and the pins are a little smaller in diameter.

Correct, on the metal plugs/caps, whatever they are.  You can see them in my pic that shows the springs and pins.
If the pins are a different diameter, it isn't noticeable by putting the pins in the locker pieces.  I put both pins in the other locker and there was no noticeable difference in tightness or looseness in the holes.

OK, finally got it out and cleaned up. It looks like the EZ  and Lock-Right style.

It is my understanding (from Trail Tough) that with the exception of the Spartans, all of the lunch box lockers are the same.

It needs new spacers as the old ones have ridges and look worn.

I am a little uneasy with this. I vaguely recall something to do with some side gears having ridges. My memory is very vague on this, but you might post photos of exactly what you are referring to.

Is there a way to determine which company made the locker? I researched them online and they both look alike, but I doubt if I can use the same parts ie; spacers, can I? There is no name stamped on the parts.

I have two sets of Detroit Lockers, new and still in the box. They are the same lockers Skyhiranger identified as EZlocker (one spring). On the box they are identified as Quick Lock. Brent , at Trail Tough, told me they were in fact Detroit Lockers that were repackaged. He specifically stated  the springs and pins were interchangeable, and he sold one spring kit for all of the lunch box lockers (excluding the Spartans).


Wayne

As you have all probably figured out I am very new to all this. Used to do some wrenching back in my teens and twenties (30-40 years ago). I bought the Samurai for some fun four wheeling but also so I can work on it myself. I thank you for all your helpful input.

I bought new springs and pins for the locker and am now waiting to remove the rear axles. They won't just slide out so I guess I'll be renting an axle puller. I know I'm slow, just trying to do it right and have enough money to afford to do it.

Per request of Reddog1 I will post photo of the spacer I am referring to in an earlier post after I get my differential out. My present thought is that they are supposed to look like they do, not sure though.

Having a blast. Jim

I picked up a slide hammer at Napa on sale, but your local auto parts store may have one for rent.  Let us know how it goes. 

I was thinking about doing something similar (Lunch box locker in the front) and i was curious how easy it would be to break an axle with the locker there? Can i just buy a birfield reinforcement ring or something? I'm not too savvy about this stuff...