ARB Locker Installation Advice needed

[Riad]

Welp, long story short, I couldn't get my 3rd member built from R&P because they are out of 4.11s, lead time is about 2 months or less. Yeah I know...don't ask , I needed this before CM, so I ended up ordering the ARB locker, they gave me good price (whole sale price) because of the bad ordeal. Anyway, how hard is it to install it yourself? What are Dos and donts?

Thnx

 

[spressomon]

Welp, long story short, I couldn't get my 3rd member built from R&P because they are out of 4.11s, lead time is about 2 months or less. Yeah I know...don't ask , I needed this before CM, so I ended up ordering the ARB locker, they gave me good price (whole sale price) because of the bad ordeal. Anyway, how hard is it to install it yourself? What are Dos and donts?

Thnx

It's worth the $150-$200 most good shops charge to have it done assuming you don't have the tools and know how...which is why you asked the question right? The above $ amount is if you remove the 3rd member and take it in yourself to the shop. If you are going to drive it in then it'll cost you more.

Also if you do the R&P I would recommend, on the solid advice of others, to have them machine a solid pinion spacer rather than using the factory crush style sleave for added strength...particularly when using the locker.

And, showing my 80-stupidity, isn't stock ratio 4.10? Why are you replacing with stock gearing?

 

[Riad]

I think the stock ratio is 4.11. I just wanted a brand new 3rd member instead of just the locker, that's all. My truck is not a full time trail rig (yet ). I still do more road driving then trail riding. Anyway, Yeah, I don't have problem paying some one to do that, you are right, that's why I have been asking around. I will take out the 3rd this Friday myself. It is really hard to find a decent shop around here. Especially around this time. There are some jeep shops but I don't feel comfy. That's why I prefer doing my own work, failure is not an option for me. I am still looking, hopefully some one stands up. Otherwise I am just going to have to do it myself.

Thanks

 

[Aussie cruiser]

When I put mine in I removed the centre and had the locker fitted to it. Put it all back together. The shop only charged for 1 1/2 hours labour. Removing and replacing the centre is the easy part. They come with a good set of instructions but for a minimal cost it is worth gettig the locker fitted to the centre by an expert and do the rest yourself

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I think the stock ratio is 4.11. I just wanted a brand new 3rd member instead of just the locker, that's all. My truck is not a full time trail rig (yet ).
Thanks

Stock ratio in the 80 series front end is 4.10. The pinion has 10 teeth, the ring gear has 41. Traditional LC has a 9 tooth pinion, and 37 tooth ring gear--4.11. Are you looking for a new Ring and Pinion?

Also, one more vote to have a differential shop install your ARB and set up the 3rd member.

 

[alia176]

Riad,

It's easy to install since you seem to be pretty capable. ARB provides good directions with their kit so you shouldn't have any problem. You'll need some yellow gear marking compound and a dial gauge (for measuring lash) and a torque wrench. There're various writeups on the Net about this.

Here's the writeup I did: http://www.chicagolandroverclub.com/ARBLockerInstall.pdf

Good luck.
Ali

 

[Riad]

Awesome write up Ali. Thank you for sharing that. I have been looking at different types and kinds of ARB installation in the net for past few days. After the drilling it seems pretty straight forward. The instruction calls for backlash check and all that. I need to buy one of those tools. I decided to have some one else do the work, I contacted Lance at Ironpig, so he will do the work on Monday. Meanwhile I can finish up other little things I need to do before CM. I don't have any plans to go lower gears yet. I still would like to continue with the stock ratio. I was under the impression the ratio was 4.11, I guess I was wrong, oh well. I pulled the 3rd this evening, took me about 2 hours. I was surprised how smoothly the 3rd came out. I was thinking I would have to jack it up at the pinioin end pry/pull etc... none of that was needed. ARB showed up today . I already hooked up the solenoid with the factory switch (connected with instrument panel lights), so after Monday, I am officially LOCKED FR & RR : . Thanks a lot for all your advice .

On a side note, I like draining diff fluid by slightly prying the 3rd member, it's FAST.