70 series detroit style lockers

[cornfarmer]

Gidday, Is anyone running detroit lockers (Lokka, tuff lock) in their cruiser? I'm looking at putting one in but am unsure how it will effect the handling as I use my cruiser as the family weekend wagon too. Would go for an ARB setup but is too expensive and I hear they have solenoid problems?
Do the detroits increase tyre wear at all ?
What are they like for highway driving?
Are you running them front or rear?
Cheers

[Jerry]

Running an ARB in mine just installed (8" prado diff) no problems so far, I have heard that the seals and things wear out but you can get parts off the shelf for them, Brian Howat does ball bearing lockers which may be an alternative. I personnally don't like the autolockers but others love em....

[mike]

I run a detroit ezy locker in the rear of my surf. wouldnt have anything else. its always in, never forget to engage it. nothing has gone wrong with yet. You just learn to drive with it on the open road and know what it does and when.

Probably a lot less stress on the truck than an arb as well (can just see everyone going wtf yeah right) but you think about it, most people with air lockers attempt holes without them and then engage them to get through. but with rear auto locker you just meander through the first time without pretending to be standard and nailing it the first time

Mike

[Jerry]

Rubbish....if you've got one you normally use it .....hard to forget to put in with stickers everywhere

[cornfarmer]

In my work wagon I've got 6x6 and 3 diff locks going to a set of 17" BFG's at the flick of a switch. Trying to turn with the front lock in can be interesting , What are the auto lockers like to turn with? Does it effect your turning circle with a rear auto locker?

[IcedJohnno]

I've got a Lock-Right in the front end of my Prado, it is actually a rear one as they are stronger and work more subtly. Totally recommend it and I have never had problems with heavy steering, wearing or breaking components - where is some wood - nor with the diff-lock affecting my steering lock.

I would put one in the front rather than in the rear first off. They are way more effective in the front end and the other advantage is that you only have it connected when in 4wd. Thus my handling on-road is not affected at all.

I also have an electric factory locker in the rear but find I don't need to engage that very often.

Rick at 4wd Accessories is the agent for Lokka. These are mostly aussie built but are owned by the same company as Lock-right. They are the same design and quality.

Front End First!

Cheers John

[SupraLux]

The auto-lockers will give you fantastic bang for buck, and as long as you are not feeding it the juice, the locker will just ratchet over and allow normal diff operation - when you step on the gas they lock hard if one of the wheels tries to spin faster than the other one.

Rick at 4wd Accessories is the agent for Lokka. These are mostly aussie built but are owned by the same company as Lock-right. They are the same design and quality.

Rick is not "The Agent" - there are no "Agents" as such. I have been supplying and fitting Lokka diff locks for about 5 years now, as do several other outlets. And I believe the design is now licenced from LockRight due to a copyright breach back in the early Lokka days I believe. Some people will tell you they are identical, others will tell you Lokkas aren't as good - personally I have never had one break but I do know the earlier designs used to break the side of the housings where the pins were inserted - they have been redesigned to avoid this. Pins can also shear (not very common), but they are easily obtainable and replaceable.

So, for your 70 I'd recommend them - front and rear as you can unlock your hubs to avoid any front locker interference in day-to-day driving. The cost of two, fitted will probably work out far less than one ARB (not fitted) - its simply a question of budgets and needs...

Steve

[Henry]

Hi

I have a fitted 2 lock rights to my BJ73.

I will have to say they are great. Off road work great.

On road will ocassionally give a bang in the back end. I also tow a caravan about once a year and that works well. with both in on the tar seal I cannot get transmission wind up as the locka's let go.....
The only thing is I don't like them in the supermarkert car park.
Ocassionally going down hill I have to take 2 swipes at corners others will get aroud in 1 move..

I don't do artulation I do 4X4

[krawlr]

yes a lockrite type..went back to a open diff within a week!

i heard all the horrors of putting them in swb road/offroad trucks & thought id find out....absolute dog! i would rather get towed up shit than go down that road again.

people say they work better when in an automatic & not a stick shift,which ive found is true but not in any swb so ive found out...

jerry is a very wise man i say!

[IcedJohnno]

Krawlr
what has been your problem when fitted to a SWB?
Am intrigued to know as I have a KZJ-71, manual box and in the front end I like it!

[krawlr]

hiya im not talking about the front end....i had mine in the rear,im sure one in the front probably works well in a low speed 4wd situation
i dont know how much driving youve done on rds such as the kaikoura coast,rai/whanga saddle & thats where they come into a world of their own!it crabs really bad being so short,& bind up was terible!
had one in a surf like mikes with an auto & it was great no complaints prob did 40000k with it...

[SupraLux]

Interesting - my manual MU had no problems with the lokka in the back of it...