Choices for lockers..? (1 Viewer)

[alkaline747trio]

Ok, I'm ready for lockers..but, I haven't found any junckyards around that have and LC parts, so I don't think that the stock elec. lockers for the FZJ are an option anymore. I am pretty set on ARB, they seem to be rock solid and what everyone here talks high of. Problem is the price and the lack of knowledge on how to set them up. Are there any other options that aren't inferior in quality yet easier to instal, or am I overthinking the installation and it is way easier than thought?

Links or just general info is great, thanks in advance.

 

[cruiserdan]

You are not going to find any type of selectable locker to be "cheap" or easy to install.

 

[CreeperSleeper]

No kidding... that's why I bought the 80 that I did!

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Ok, I'm ready for lockers..but, I haven't found any junckyards around that have and LC parts, so I don't think that the stock elec. lockers for the FZJ are an option anymore. I am pretty set on ARB, they seem to be rock solid and what everyone here talks high of. Problem is the price and the lack of knowledge on how to set them up. Are there any other options that aren't inferior in quality yet easier to instal, or am I overthinking the installation and it is way easier than thought?

There is the new e-locker option...

Buy the e-locker new from toyota. Takes some fabrication and grinding. But you're going to need the appropriat axle innershaft from toyota.......

Not really worth the hassel. Save up and get a front ARB, and put an aussie locker or lock right in the rear...

 

[reffug]

ARB's front and rear. They kick ass. No rocking back and forth to engage and if set up correctly failures are rare. Just do it you won't be sorry.

 

[alkaline747trio]

Guess I'm gonna bite the bullet and just get the ARBs, any "guides" on how to set them up, or is it fairly straight forward. This is a whole lot of money goin into the truck, I surely don't wanna **** it up.

 

[landtank]

go find a truck with lockers and then sell yours. A hell of alot easier and possibly cheaper.

 

[concretejungle]

ARB's front and rear. They kick ass. No rocking back and forth to engage and if set up correctly failures are rare. Just do it you won't be sorry.

I totally agree with reffer in this one. ;p

 

[alkaline747trio]

If I haden't put so much time into this one, then I would. But I spent the first 2 years owning it replacing the upholstry, carpet, and everything else from flood damage. Spent the time to lift and put on the tires (all done by my own hands), and want to keep this one, it has sentemantal (I had to have spelled that wrong) value to it.

I think I will go the ARB route and just make sure it ends up done right, I do believe I can do it, as I am a perfectionist as is, but, thanks for the help. If anyone has any other plans/ideas other than ARB or the E-lockers, then tell me. That or some "guide" on how to properly set up the ARB lockers.

 

[Riad]

Well, here's my $0.02:

The ARB Locker Option:
The locker $750.00 X 2
The Ring and pinion Front 197.00
The Ring and pinion Rear 256.00
The setup kit front $129.00
The diff seal $158.00
labor charge for setup: hmm.. well, it's $70 bucks an hour for my guy, so for 8 hours it's $560 minimum.
The shipping, oh hell pick a number, let's say $200.00 for all that.
and your total number is: $3000.00 for both front and rear.
Your total time may be days or weeks or months based on the vendor and shop and all that. Given the fact you have the money

*BTW above are my guesstimate price list.

***VS***

A pair of complete 3rd members from ring and pinion:

Approximately $1250.00 for the rear and $1400.00 for the front. This price may have changed. They may give you free shipping if you order them both together. The front will take longer to build because they have to obtain the 3rd member case from toyota. Oh this was couple months ago though, this price may have changed

Your total price with this option isabout $2650.00 given the fact that they will give free shipping. Then you just jact up the truck and swap the 3rd members.

That's what I'm doing now that I have got ARB compressor and intrument panel lights with stock locker switch all hooked up.

 

[3pits]

dont you have to reset the ring and pinion with the ARBs?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

dont you have to reset the ring and pinion with the ARBs?

If you are not changing the gears, the pinion does not need to be re-set. Only the backlash on the ring gear. If you swap the ring and pinion, then everything has to be reset. If you want to replace the pinion bearings though (and I would) then it all has to come out and be redone.

I totally agree with the others about ARBs. I have them in two trucks and soon a third. They are excellent and not a downgrade from the factory lockers.

 

[cruiserdan]

ANY selectable locker is going to be north of 3 grand unless you can source used.

I prefer OEM but I have a bit of a tainted view as a 26+ year veteran parts geek.

 

[Josh83]

Well, here's my $0.02:

The ARB Locker Option:
The locker $750.00 X 2
The Ring and pinion Front 197.00
The Ring and pinion Rear 256.00
The setup kit front $129.00
The diff seal $158.00
labor charge for setup: hmm.. well, it's $70 bucks an hour for my guy, so for 8 hours it's $560 minimum.
The shipping, oh hell pick a number, let's say $200.00 for all that.
and your total number is: $3000.00 for both front and rear.
Your total time may be days or weeks or months based on the vendor and shop and all that. Given the fact you have the money

*BTW above are my guesstimate price list.

***VS***

A pair of complete 3rd members from ring and pinion:

Approximately $1250.00 for the rear and $1400.00 for the front. This price may have changed. They may give you free shipping if you order them both together. The front will take longer to build because they have to obtain the 3rd member case from toyota. Oh this was couple months ago though, this price may have changed

Your total price with this option isabout $2650.00 given the fact that they will give free shipping. Then you just jact up the truck and swap the 3rd members.

That's what I'm doing now that I have got ARB compressor and intrument panel lights with stock locker switch all hooked up.

Still gotta factor in return shipping on your old 3rds for the core charge. Thats $150-$200 right there. Not to mention fluids. Thats another $50 at least for good stuff. Not to mention your time. It should not take a qualified guy 8 hours to install ARB's unless you drop the truck off and say do it. If you are capable of pulling the 3rds yourself and dropping them off that saves a TON of money.

 

[Cattledog]

Anyone have thoughts about buying both front and rear used OEM full locker axle assemblies? About $1500 to $2500. Plus you would many spare parts for the trail. This would be a direct swap minus the electronics.

 

[cruiserdan]

Retro fitting OEM electric locks is quite straight forward. Minimum requirements are:

Rear diff
RH rear axle shaft
Rear diff protector plate
Wiring harness, rear diff to LH quarter
Wiring harness, LH quarter to LH kick-panel (or suitable custom made harness)
Difflock ECU
Difflock switch
Indicator lamps and sockets
Front diff
front diff wiring harness
Studs to mount diffs
Assorted consumable parts related to disassembling the axles
An easy modification to the existing rear axle housing
A fairly elaborate modification to the front axle housing, or a new difflock front axle housing.
And a few bits I have forgotten as I did this a long time ago.

I am not talking out of my arse here. Been there, done that and it has been performing flawlessly for several years.

D-

 

[landtank]

$3000.00, sentimental value or not, I'd buy another truck. Someone just posted a 96 that he picked up for $7000.00. Got to beleive you could get more than $4000.00 for yours.

 

[reffug]

I prefer OEM but I have a bit of a tainted view as a 26+ year veteran parts geek.

You think............

 

[alkaline747trio]

Very doubtful on the more than $4k for mine, the paint job is just a step above a hack one, there is 195k hard miles on it, and I would still rather install the lockers myself, I kinda want the learning experience.

I will read more about swaping the 3rd members, but ARBs sound nice.

Thanks again,
Logan

 

[Riad]

Still gotta factor in return shipping on your old 3rds for the core charge. Thats $150-$200 right there. Not to mention fluids. Thats another $50 at least for good stuff. Not to mention your time. It should not take a qualified guy 8 hours to install ARB's unless you drop the truck off and say do it. If you are capable of pulling the 3rds yourself and dropping them off that saves a TON of money.

Hmmm.... They didn't mention anything about core charges. I was under the impression that I get to keep my old 3rd members. I may be bold wrong. Oh well. You are right, it shouldn't take 8 hours for a qualified guy, but that was an assumption for worst case scenario. There are many views on spending money on your truck. I remeber a number of years ago ARB locker was a bit cheaper, and so was the labor cost. $3K or $4K may sound madness or sentimental or what not but then you could always ask why would you buy an 80. You could very well settle for a Geo Metro or some thing cheaper. Argument could continue forever on this. It all depends on what you do with your truck. I wouldn't spend that much money on just lockers and drive it only to work and let it sit on my driveway. Anyway, for the longest time I was against ARB lockers, the air lines compressor, the whole setup sounded like a serious PIA to me. Now as I am MORE familiar with the setup in a nutshell (difference between knowing it and walking it), my view point has changed. Nothing against E-Lockers, if you can get it? get it. But ARB, is the OTHER option that no one will ever regret.

Thanks