What is more desirable/usable, factory lockers or aftermarket?
factory vs. aftermarket lockers
- Thread starter maxafterburn
- Start date
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depends what you are wanting to do.
i say factory for 90% of the applications. (up to 37" tires) - plus no air lines and compressors to mess with
i say factory for 90% of the applications. (up to 37" tires) - plus no air lines and compressors to mess with
The front is the bees knees....no way around that. The rear, 35" tires are the max if you at all think you flog your rig. 37's if you're careful with the throttle. There is no better bargain than an Aussie Locker in the rear of an 80. Virtually unnoticeable, always there when you need it, best warranty ever.
- Thread starter
- #6
I don't have lockers at this time, so I was wondering what it made more sense to do, look for used factory lockers and add them in, or run Aussie or Detroit. I don't plan to go any larger than 35's.
I'm sure it's discussed elsewhere, but since I'm here and asking, what is the best inexpensive option for the front?
I'm sure it's discussed elsewhere, but since I'm here and asking, what is the best inexpensive option for the front?
ARB for the front.
I'll second that! Had them F/R on my FJ62. Great all around; price/ease of installation/reliability.
Costly, though the ARB's are the best solution ever.
Stronger
Almost Instant lock and unlock
Selectable user-controlled so they work only when you want them too
Installed properly...should go years without maintenance
Good for any tire size
I prefer them 10X over factory ones (the way they operate)
Since you don't have factory ones, I'd recommend ARB for the long haul...well worth it.
If you can get them TJMs seem to be better from what i've heard.
They don't seem to spring leaks nearly as much.
As for the original question. If you don't have lockers go aftermarket. Most of the time they are cheaper and easier than getting some used factory ones.
Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
Another vote to ARB Lockers ... if we have the OX locker option .. would be my advice ..
I vote against an ARB. They are a great design, and are built as well as you can expect these days, but they are very problem prone and very complicated to setup. For the front, the absolute best option available is the cable lockers from a 7X series. Second to that would be retrofitted E-locker with a simple harness. Third would be an Aussie locker, followed closely by a Full Detroit. Then almost at the end of my list is an ARB.
Why? More wires are needed than the E-lockers, plus air lines, air source, plus wiring up a compressor if that is your air source, drilling holes in your housing...etc. They just aren't that great....if they worked like they were designed 100% of the time, they would get my vote. But in reality they just aren't that bulletproof....and are a weak link in an 80 series drivetrain.
Why? More wires are needed than the E-lockers, plus air lines, air source, plus wiring up a compressor if that is your air source, drilling holes in your housing...etc. They just aren't that great....if they worked like they were designed 100% of the time, they would get my vote. But in reality they just aren't that bulletproof....and are a weak link in an 80 series drivetrain.
Tapage
Club 4X4 Panamá
after 7 years with my ARB's on my 60 series I have no issues at all with 'em .. but I will be agree in the amount of stuff that they have ready to fail in the trail ..
Sometimes surpriseme with the amount of Cruiser and aftermaket available, that there is no aftermarket cable options for us .. or at least a factory e locker mod to use with cables ..
Sometimes surpriseme with the amount of Cruiser and aftermaket available, that there is no aftermarket cable options for us .. or at least a factory e locker mod to use with cables ..
Say that to a dude running 37's.
All I can say is if they were that prone to trouble they'd not be the #1 solution throughout all the brand names like they are. 6-years in the 100 and 3 in the 80 with no issues. OK, the air housing bolt came loose and I had to tighten it up cuz the o-ring was leaking air. Sure is nice to not have to wait for the
POC factory lockers to lock and especially unlock.
No kidding
I had an Aussie locker of the rear of my 91. Cheap, good road manners, all around capable add-on. For the front, a selectable locker would be the way to go unless you to a part time 4wd conversion, and then you could put an aussie style locker in the front too
I have the Downey cable conversion on the rear of my 40 with the OEM lockable diff, leaves a little bit to be desired, but has worked good so far. I'm putting one in the front as we speak. I'd love to retro-fit the downey kit to use the Ox-Locker shifter knob
I hate to do this but It kinda thread related. I just didnt want to start another thread. My question is I have lockers on my 96 LC so whats on my 97 lx-450. They dont have that switch in the front left like the 96lc. I know this is a very rookie question on the border of total jackass to say the least, but I am learning more and more everyday.
= pwnd
