Elocker to air conversion thread (1 Viewer)

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I have a machine shop making 4 shafts but they are backed up and it will be 3 weeks. That will give me time to make some better looking aluminum plates (than the one in the picture above). I am using 1- 1/16 bore cylinder with a 5/16 rod (the one in the picture above is a 3/4 inch cylinder with a 1/4 inch rod). The cylinder return spring is 6 lbs. compressed. I will mount each one on our rear axle and test them, then sell them for $125.00. I think small box USMail is about $7.00. The air valve and fittings can be ordered online. I will post pictures of finished units in 3 weeks. L.B.
 
Someone requested to see how the ARB hose attaches to the diff housing.

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Thanx for the ARB pic. I will look for those fittings with the spring over the hose. Ok Ironhippy, I will post pics as soon as I get them done and e-mail you. L.B.
 
Any plans for the front? How different is the front and rear actuator?
 
I don't know if the front is the same. My front electric motor works, so I have never removed it. I only changed the rear from electric to air out of necessity.
I was faced with either rebuilding the rear accuator or buying a new one. Since this project truck is super low budget, I had to find a cheap fix. After reading all of the elocker rebuilding threads, I became somewhat intimidated. I was amazed at how many members said their elockers don't work. These trucks have a lot of miles on them, but most of the lockers are rarely used.
I asked a few members who had them to give me part numbers or even sell me one, but got nowhere.
I like the low cost and simplicity of the air cylinder. The lack of electricity, unit being stainless and aluminum, and much smaller and lighter seem to be worth the trouble. If the cylinder gets damaged, You could have a trail spare for $25.00 and swap out in minutes (using the same shaft and mounting plate).
When the front stops working, I will tackle it. Until then, If you have good pics of your front with the motor out, post them. If it works the same as the rear I am sure we could build a plate and shaft to fit. L.B.

2013-02-22_22-17-54_585.jpg
 
the front one is completely different, but I think it has been done here in Iceland tough , mine still works.. so havent needed to order an air cylinder there , but will do when that one fails, seems tough it's not old, think a guy at the local dealership said it is from 2007
 
We went to Prarie City today to test the lockers. The accuator works great, but the Viair adjustable regulator leaks and freezes. Obviously, it is for an air tank, not a CO2 tank! Now I have to shop for a reasonable CO2 regulator! :crybaby: L.B.
 
why dont you install a cheap electric pump and a tank, doesn't have to be very quick, just so it can build up pressure to overcome the spring in the actuator, then you can use it also to air up tires when needed, then you dont have to remember to fill up the CO2 tank and dont run out of air
 
I want to run air tools also. L.B.
 
Ideally, if you have the room under the hood, install a York air comp - can run tools and inflate tires all day.
 
I have not seen a york compressor kit for a 3FE. Sourceing the parts, pullys and such, could be a challenge. L.B.
 
I have 2 units tested and ready to go. I will e-mail Iron Hippy. These larger cylinders work well at 35 lbs. pressure. I have a gopro video of me testing them with my shop compressor that I will upload to youtube shortly. L.B.

locker accuator.jpg
 
Obviously, I am no Francis Ford Coppola. Here is the link to the Elockler air/cylinder accuator video. It shows the shift fork slide to the right (locking the diff) when the shop air is applied. Then when I disconnect the air, The shift fork returns to the left.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9ci2XxCnQg&feature=youtu.be
 
I know this is an old thread but did Camino ever sell off any of these "kits"?

How many guys on here have done a pneumatic actuator conversion on their 80's and what can you add to this thread?

I'm just starting my research and might be willing to make a bunch of DIY kits for guys as I have access to CNC for the plates, lathe and milling machine for the shafts. After I've made my own prototype first of course.

Then again, is there someone else out there that has taken this idea and run with it, Might just be easier to buy directly from them if the price is right.
 
I know this is an old thread but did Camino ever sell off any of these "kits"?

How many guys on here have done a pneumatic actuator conversion on their 80's and what can you add to this thread?

I'm just starting my research and might be willing to make a bunch of DIY kits for guys as I have access to CNC for the plates, lathe and milling machine for the shafts. After I've made my own prototype first of course.

Then again, is there someone else out there that has taken this idea and run with it, Might just be easier to buy directly from them if the price is right.

There is a guy in our local HDC club section that did a similar thing, turned out quite sexy. Jstncase is his userid.
 
I have converted the rear locker to air. It was a homemade kit, that has been outstanding for me. If you're interested, dm me.

Jack
 

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