Lockers! One Stop Shop.

[jrock]

I want to start a one stop shop for locker user's feedback.   Something to help first time buyers find a locker they can live with and handle.  

What do you like and dislike about your locker? Where are you using it? Street and off-road manners?  

What has changed in your driving habits to accommodate the locker?  

Aussie, TruTrac, Detroit, Detroit soft lock, E-locker, Arb, Cable conversion on E-locker, Welded/Lincoln....  






My Detroit is in the rear. I have noticed a lot more slop in the drive-line. I have had to soften my shifting to accommodate the locker's slop. It does lock-up if I give it some gas in turns and tight turns in parking lots.  

[88_Pathy]

E-Lockers F/R, always unlocked unless I am wheelin, Only thing that is a pain is that they do not lock instantly and do not un lock instantly.  But overall they are the best for my uses.

[bigarms23]

running dual detroits driving habit have not changed except i slow down on snowy/icy days i dont mind chirping around corners offroad there fantastic no complaints.

[jrock]

running dual detroits driving habit have not changed except i slow down on snowy/icy days i dont mind chirping around corners offroad there fantastic no complaints.

Did you notice your shifts hitting a bit hard?

[axled89]

spools or weld it and never look back.     cheaper to.

[peacesells]

spool rear arb front. Spool is awesome for a trailer rig, arb is the if you like to turn.

[axled89]

arb's  lot's of  $$$$$  tho.     

[86rustbucket]

and you mess up your airline and you got 1000 dollar open diff

[axled89]

seen that happen before they were pissed.

[bigarms23]

no i didn't notice shift hitting hard maybe 6years ago when i bought my 4runner but not now

[H8PVMNT]

I've ran ez lockers, lock rites, detroits aussies and welded diffs.  My favorites are aussies up front and welded rears.  Even in the ice and snow.  I also really like detroits.  Aussies give the least feedback though.  I like chirping corners... tires are made to burn!  Most of the time I weld a rear and use an aussie up front.  Most times I've been out with guys with ARBs, there is an air line related problem and they have open diffs on the way back out of the nasty.  I even have a buddy with an OX locker and it only works about half the time! Murphy's law is that if is can unlock, it probably will at the worst possible time.  I like to be sure I will have the same traction all the time.  Driving habits are a bit different with lockers and spools, but nothing a scairy as some people claim.  That being said, lockers etc are a personal preference thing. To each their own!

Wheel On!

[axled89]

x2

[Dingman.]

I ran a lockright rear and an ez locker front since ive had my truck lifted..

It is now welded rear, ez locker front and i like that combo better than auto lockers front and rear.

[Sparkplug]

Ive had an aussie in the rear, then blew the pinion bearing, and went to welded. I have to say I like welded rear better. Always does the same thing. Plus I LOVE chirping tires. I havent wheeled with a locker in the front, but the way my aussie acted was crazy, but It wouldnt be that bad in the front I would think. my 2 cents..

[Broyota]

Big fan of rear welded cheap and very predicable. A selectable in the front.

[germ]

I've been running ARB's front and rear for years, and have not had a single problem. I like having the selectibility, so I can choose when and where I run locked. Usually, I run open until I get stuck, then use the lockers to get unstuck. With rare exception, it works every time. There is also certain bragging rights to make it over an obstacle open when others could only do it locked. If you do routine maintenance (which I don't do as often as I should), and don't thrash on it, shouldn't have any problems.

Down side: It is expensive. To me though, it was worth the  $$


Erik

[Snowtoy]

X2 on the ARB's.  Wheel the same way, i.e, open until needed. 

Having airline issues is an installation problem, not a design issue, and are easily resolved providing you take care during the installation and you carry spare parts.

$1000-1500 for a selectable diff w/gears isn't all that expensive, it just takes a little longer to save up for one, if you have to.

[axled89]

preferece's are great.  mine is cheap and eszey

[TIMS89CRAWLER]

X2 on the ARB's.  Wheel the same way, i.e, open until needed. 

Having airline issues is an installation problem, not a design issue, and are easily resolved providing you take care during the installation and you carry spare parts.

$1000-1500 for a selectable diff w/gears isn't all that expensive, it just takes a little longer to save up for one, if you have to.

arb's are a joke in my book.... everyone I wheel with that has them ALWAYS has problems.... it is usually just the gay o-ring inside that wont stay sealed and lets the air piss into the housing.... it is sooooo annoying... after wheeling with multiple people running arb's I would NEVER purchase one myself... especially not for $650... welded or E-lockers all the way and I never had problems with my detroit either...

[46&2]

Welded in the rear, open front. Plan to go Elocker or ARB when I decide I want a front locker.

In order to prevent chirping and extra wear on the street, I go wider and slower through turns, avoid real sharp turning. Go slower in icy conditions. Otherwise I forget its even there.

[axled89]

i want a calvin sticker.  that's pissin on the arb.   

[pumkin toy]

i would have to agree with snowtoy on the ARBs.  the only issues i have ever seen is install error.  my dad has been running them for ten years and never had a problem.  personally i rock loc rites front and rear.  doesnt bother me on the road. you just have to get used to the popping noise they make every once and a while when they unload. Eventually i would like to have a selectable front locker.

[axled89]

i do agree tho install is a very big deal.  for relyability and performance 

[TacoRunner]

I wheeled a Detroit for about four years before it became my back-up diff. It was reliable and predictable off-road. On-road, while I didn't mind the churping tires I hated the reengagment of the locker coming out of a turn. The Ka-Boom made me think I'd just dropped the rearend in the street.

ARB's I love them for both on and off road conditions. They rock. As for air hissing, its usually because someone torqued the O-ring to much and trashed it. While I've had a few problems with them, I still think they are the strongest and best selectable locker on the market. My own problem with them has been my dumb butt using the compressor to fill my 37"s. You cant do that. It was an expensive lesson learned.

For a budget build, I'd spool the rear or weld it shut. Then consider an ARB for the front.

Overall the ARB (my ) is the best because it's selectable. Turn it on for the hard stuff and leave it off for everything else.

[crawlerdad]

Instillation makes the difference in any project. I just put in a Aussie (Truck is still in the air). I think it sounds cool to hear lockers or spools chirp and bang. I would like an ARB. I am selling my kids and my dog to afford it if anyone is interested.  I am still considering renting out the wife I just don't want anyone to ruin her.

[jrock]

 

[46&2]

Instillation makes the difference in any project. I just put in a Aussie (Truck is still in the air). I think it sounds cool to hear lockers or spools chirp and bang. I would like an ARB. I am selling my kids and my dog to afford it if anyone is interested.   I am still considering renting out the wife I just don't want anyone to ruin her.

price including shipping for child laborer to 95959

[pumkin toy]

Instillation makes the difference in any project. I just put in a Aussie (Truck is still in the air). I think it sounds cool to hear lockers or spools chirp and bang. I would like an ARB. I am selling my kids and my dog to afford it if anyone is interested.  I am still considering renting out the wife I just don't want anyone to ruin her.

what kind of skills does your wife have?

[axled89]

   lol.

[crawlerdad]

what kind of skills does your wife have?

In So Dakota she would have no skills its too dam cold. She is a So. Cal girl. Besides she would hurt you kid!