Eaton(/Harrop) ELocker Opinions (& vs ARB Air Locker)?

[SimonInAustralia]

A local Australian company, Harrop Engineering, is working with Eaton to release/distribute Elockers to suit local Australian 4WD's such as Hiluxes and Landcruisers.

I want to get some front and rear lockers soon for my HZJ78 Land Cruiser Troopcarrier campervan, before our winter, to hopefully help me have more of a chance to get into and out of remote backcountry snow locations when solo.

Harrop already have an ELocker available to suit the 8" front diff in my HZJ78, which I think/assume is the same as a Hilux and 80-series cruiser.

They have apparently designed, prototyped, and are testing the 9" rear ELocker to suit my HZJ78, which they say will be available for sale by the middle of 2009.

Can anyone tell me about the Eaton(/Harrop) ELocker, are they a good locking diff, do they lock/unlock quickly and reliably, are they strong, etc.?

And how does the Eaton(/Harrop) ELocker compare to the ARB Air Locker in use and reliability?

Thanks.

 

[Letsgomoreplaces]

elocker

I am un-aware of any elocker prototypes for these applications. Quantity requirements are pretty high for these sort of things and Eaton is slow to produce new products partially due to the fact that they're aftermarket torque control division is just a small portion of what Eaton does as a whole. The early e-lockers worked reliably, but used pins to lock the side gear to the case rather than a splined coupler. The later design units are supposed to be better, but time will tell

A local Australian company, Harrop Engineering, is working with Eaton to release/distribute Elockers to suit local Australian 4WD's such as Hiluxes and Landcruisers.

I want to get some front and rear lockers soon for my HZJ78 Land Cruiser Troopcarrier campervan, before our winter, to hopefully help me have more of a chance to get into and out of remote backcountry snow locations when solo.

Harrop already have an ELocker available to suit the 8" front diff in my HZJ78, which I think/assume is the same as a Hilux and 80-series cruiser.

They have apparently designed, prototyped, and are testing the 9" rear ELocker to suit my HZJ78, which they say will be available for sale by the middle of 2009.

Can anyone tell me about the Eaton(/Harrop) ELocker, are they a good locking diff, do they lock/unlock quickly and reliably, are they strong, etc.?

And how does the Eaton(/Harrop) ELocker compare to the ARB Air Locker in use and reliability?

Thanks.

 

[SimonInAustralia]

I am un-aware of any elocker prototypes for these applications. Quantity requirements are pretty high for these sort of things and Eaton is slow to produce new products partially due to the fact that they're aftermarket torque control division is just a small portion of what Eaton does as a whole. The early e-lockers worked reliably, but used pins to lock the side gear to the case rather than a splined coupler. The later design units are supposed to be better, but time will tell

Thanks for the reply.

Harrop Engineering are a well known and respected Australian auto/performance engineering firm.

They have some sort of agreement with Eaton to co-develop/manufacture ELockers for Australian 4WD's, this is from their website...
Harrop Performance Products

Harrop Engineering Releases Toyota "Hilux" ELocker Differential.
Harrop Engineering in conjunction with Eaton Corporation are proud to announce the release of the first of many local model application of the ELocker model range. This initial model which suits the following models;

• Hilux all models rear
• Hilux front with rigid front suspension
• Landcruiser 80 series front
• Landcruiser 100 series rigid front suspension

This has also been reported in Australian 4WD magazines.

So, there is one model available already to suit the above Toyota 4WD's.

This is the response from Harrop regarding front/rear lockers for my HZJ78 Land Cruiser Troopcarrier...

We have currently completed the front differential and have units out doing durability testing for the rear.
At this stage we envisage having the rear units manufactured and ready for release by mid year.
Keep an eye on the 4WD publications and our web site for model introduction dates

So, I assume that the above already available 'hilux' ELocker will fit the 8 inch front diff in my HZJ78 Troopcarrier, and that a model to suit the 9 inch rear diff, and I assume other Toyota 9 inch diffs, is designed and in testing, therefore meaning that prototypes would have been made, and will be available to buy mid year.


That is why I am trying to find some info on the ELockers, and how their design/operation/etc. compares to the ARB Air Locker, as my mechanic thinks they would be a better option than the Air Lockers.