Aussie Locker (front) Review.

[akarilo]

Been locked in the rear for a while and decided to lock the front as well. My old 4runner had TRD e-lock thirds front and rear. With the old setup, when the front was locked, steering was next to impossible. I was anxious to see how an auto-locker would perform. I must say I am pleasantly surprised. After install, (cake on the locker itself, aside from the total axle rebild in the process), I initially tried it out on the pavement around the neighborhood. The locker consistently breaks free and allows very easy steering. A little tighter than normal, but nothing to cry about.

Next I tried it at some local trails that had just received a couple of days worth of rain. I figured the front would be understeering because of the sloppy conditions but I was pleasantly surprised. There was no noticable difference in steering from an open front. I must admit that I like the characteristics of this auto-locker better than my old selectable setup.

If anybody out there has been considering locking the front, go ahead and get it over with. I'm definately not looking back. Now I'm wondering what to do next? Anybody running 36" with stock 4.11's?

 

[lowtideride]

Been running an aussie up front for some time (with 37s), the 2lo mod helps a lot for steering...

 

[chicago]

Are you guyz running longfield axels?
I heard that breakage is exponentially increased with stock axels and auto lockers...

Just curious!

Chicago

 

[lowtideride]

nope

 

[chicago]

Have you broken your axels or birfs?

Chicago

 

[lowtideride]

Yulp, along with a bunch of other stuff. Its really the least of my worries on the trail. I carry enough spares to break one or two of everything...and be fine. Im more worried about blowing somthing blowing up that normally doesnt go, like an output shaft on the t-case or somthing else retarded that will not allow me to drive my retarded ass home.

 

[lowtideride]

and to tell ya the truth, I kinda like it that way for now. I will drop the coil for longs somtime but its nice not taking the easy route right off the bat. Its kinda hard to explain but if ya read old TT articles about poppin axles and trail repairs out in the middle of nowhere it kinda makes it more adventurous so to speak....

Im really not explaining this right...but theres just somthing about it.

 

[akarilo]

Totally stock axles. I ran a stock axle with my e-lock setup on the 4runner

and did some crazy things (like Disney Oklahoma "Waterfall") without blowing anything up. I had 35"s on it and I'm only running 33" on the Cruiser. I think popping Birfs has alot to do with how you drive it.

 

[Roebon]

What, did you back over that ledge? It doesn't even seem possible to get a vehicle into that position going forward! I'm impressed

 

[akarilo]

No backing!

 

[chicago]

That's some cool s*it there bro!
Nice pics, thanks for sharing!

Ive never run lockers before. Im doing an Aussie in the rear shortly, but Im still debating for the front.
Unlike lowtide, I try to avoid breakage if I can!
I agree that it has a lot to do with how you drive, but...some situations dont allow the level of control you need to avoid it!
At least that is my LIMITED experience.

Chicago

 

[lowtideride]

That's some cool s*it there bro!
Nice pics, thanks for sharing!

Ive never run lockers before. Im doing an Aussie in the rear shortly, but Im still debating for the front.
Unlike lowtide, I try to avoid breakage if I can!
I agree that it has a lot to do with how you drive, but...some situations dont allow the level of control you need to avoid it!
At least that is my LIMITED experience.

Chicago

Haha, I dont try to break stuff. The only thing I dont mind hurting is sheet metal...besides that I try the line I want and if somthing breaks so be it.

 

[2badfjs]

great thread!

just what i wanted to know.

welding the rear and lock-rite in the front.....of the 40 of course.

 

[akarilo]

Update

We just got 10" of snow in Tulsa and I had to try it out on the road. I am happy to report that I noticed no adverse conditions on the slick surfaces. I even managed to free a UPS truck that was high centered on a median/ curb.

LOCK IT!!!!!!!

 

[chicago]

Haha, I dont try to break stuff. The only thing I dont mind hurting is sheet metal...besides that I try the line I want and if somthing breaks so be it.

I know bro, I was just poking a lil fun at ya...
However, your style of driving "APPEARS" to be a bit more aggresive than mine is, or to say...you wheel some BURLIER s***!

Im with ya though on the body panel stuff. Thats why I bought a chewed up rig to begin with, so I wouldnt be crying if I got a scratch on it .
Id like to do an auto locker in the front, im just a bit worried about the birfs. Myself, I dont wanna swap axels in the middle of nowhere if I dont have to...Im a pussy I guess.

Chicago

 

[Front Range 4x4]

Id like to do an auto locker in the front, im just a bit worried about the birfs.

I'm with you on this Chicago.

Hey Alarilo, how about banging the trail real hard and letting us know how it does?

 

[akarilo]

I think the "broken birf fear" is somwhat overated; (debate/hate coming on for sure). Sure, if you've got REALLY big tires, do alot of "bouncing" on obstacles, like to hammer it when it's fully torqued left or right, then I'm sure anything can be broken.
I know of several guys at Marlin Crawler that use stock birfs, with 37"s, and don't have problems. I never broke one in the 4Runner and I don't think it's going to be an issue in this rig either. Especially with my whopping 33" tires.

 

[Tapage]

weight is a important factor here .. and engine ..

Not the same issue front locked with stock birf with 2F engine or 2H engine and 37" tires than the same config but 350 or more V8 engine and 37" TSL ..

 

[2badfjs]

I'm with you on this Chicago.

Hey Alarilo, how about banging the trail real hard and letting us know how it does?

just bring me your rear third chris, i'll weld it up for you

 

[Front Range 4x4]

just bring me your rear third chris, i'll weld it up for you

No thanks Jim, I'll wait and see how long it takes you to break yours first