Offroad-Express

after some intel on lockers. i see there are different set ups like ARB air-lockers and LOCKKA. pro's and con's?what have you got?keen for some feed back.

cheers guppy.

Hi Guppy,

Can't offer you any personal experience with any as havnt owned one yet myself but have a read here of the different types. Might be useful

http://www.greatbasinrovers.com/diffsinfo.html#types

Mike

The ARB air locker is the most common, mainly as it is able to be put in and out at will. Runs off an air compressor at about 60psi and are generally good reliable units with quite strong centres. Downfall is $$$$$

There are other lockers that are driver operated such as what comes factory on some Land cruisers, Patrols, Pajero's etc. These are usually electrically operated units.

Land Cruiser ones can often take a while to engage, however the experience i've had with arb is they go in pretty quickly and you don't need to be stopped, just providing one wheel isn't skidding madly - common sense really.

Automatic lockers are such as lockright and detroit, lokka etc The Lockright is basically always locked but will enable the outside wheel on a corner to freewheel so you don't end up going straight on every corner. Work very well and are well priced but there are times when you don't want them in, particually on the front axle. In slippery conditions or sidlings the vehicle doesn't want to go where you want it to at the best of times!

The detroit works the opposite and lets the inside wheel slip, having experienced these in Moab USA, they are bulletproof but can sure leave some rubber on the road when turning and power applied, they lock solid.

There are heaps more available but these ones are the most common. Anyone feel free to correct me or add

Dude, you can't go wrong with one of these in the back:
http://www.genie4x4.com/diff_lockers.htm
Simple to install on your driveway at home, and provided you are running it in the back you won't have a problem. One of the most essential purchases in a 4x4. Means you can be gentler on the tracks as you don't have to charge at things with wheels spinning, gentler on the 4x4 for the same reason. You can idle over obsticles instead. You gotta whatch putting an auto locker in the front end though, mainly on sidelings etc as they try to pull the vehicle down the slope and can also cause the vehicle to go straight ahead.
I imagine one these Lokka Lock Rights would go ok from whatthe write up says, in that it allows for a fair amount of idependance between the wheels in certain circumstances. Also got to remember that CV's make the front end weaker than the rear. Saying that a mate of mine in has a detroit in the rear and a easy locker in the front of his 2.8 hilux. Now it has the traction, but unfortunatly not the power to use it

I've run auto lockers front and rear for 4 years now and haven't looked back. Most people who comment on the auto lockers performance have never even owned one.

I sold my ARB because you often forget to engage when its most needed, Just watch the winch challenge videos and see how many times the guys are only spinning one wheel.

Oh and by the way I can actually supply you with genuine Detroit Ez-Lockers for a Hilux, $649 each in stock in CHCH now

Hey Supra surf,
know where I can lay my hands on a set for the front of my V6 Terrano.
Albundy

No no no!!!!!
The CV's are way to weak, epecially with the v6, and a suspension lift, you will have seriouse troubles down the line!!!!
Look for an open diff carrier for the rear, and put a locker in that end!!!

albundy wrote:Hey Supra surf,
know where I can lay my hands on a set for the front of my V6 Terrano.
Albundy

I would agree with Diesel that the Terrano front end is not strong enough for a Locker, Get one for the rear first.

I'm only doing parts for the Hilux sorry but have a look at: http://www.4wdsystems.com.au/html/lokka.htm
They maybe able to help at a reasonable price.

Mike

cheers everyone,figure i'll work towards a lokka in the rear diff.arb cost too much!

What would people recomend for a series 3 LWB landy? I have the sulsbury rear and (rover front with 24 spline half shafts I think) Im thinking something like a lokka fitted to the frount with freewheeling hubs that way there is no neg effect when on the road. This site looks very interesting http://www.aussielocker.com/ but the dont make anything for me. and despite being made in aussie and called aussie locker they will only sell them in the USA and not OZ or NZ I wish I could find out who in aussie makes them.

Hi there, am thinking of putting a locker in the front of my mu. Have heard about them causeing havoc when sidling, etc, can anyone help me out, how bad are they and is it really worth it, I keep blowing front c.vs as well, will a locker help stop this??? Thanks.

No, a front locker will make your CV problems worse.
A rear locker is the way to go.

no a for sale sign is the way 2 go

HaHa, thanks very much, would buy a nissan, but don't want to have to get my heavy traffic license!!!, I have limited slip in the back so i will just stick with that unless i can find a air locker for it ??????. Thanks for your input.

You could pull the LSD out and have a play with that. An extra clutch plate, and extra spring there and your away............

Sounds interesting, What would that achive, or would i be better to just get a locker for the back? What would it be like on the road? So many options, so many questions, I don't know all that much about diffs so i would be a bit worried about pulling one to bits just to have a look, let alone start playiing with plates!!!

A tight LSD in the rear is a bit of a waste of time if you use the truck for more than just off road. The diff will loosen up in a few months and then you'll probably need new clutch plates

SupraSurf wrote:A tight LSD in the rear is a bit of a waste of time if you use the truck for more than just off road. The diff will loosen up in a few months and then you'll probably need new clutch plates

Hmm, yeah, that makes sense.
I had been wondering wether to do that my self if it turns out i can't get a Detroit full locker for mine.
Cheers.
I suppose it would also do the same quickly off road, with any wheel spin etc.
The old LSD's not a brilliant piece of engineering is it................

Thanks very much for all the advice, think i'll just raise my front diff again and leave everything else as it is, Unless i get a spare $700 or so lying round to get a locker for the back. Thanks again, Mumad.