limited slip in a FZJ 80 rear diff?

[stlcruiser]

Greetings:

Have had my Aussie since March. On dry pavement as a dailey driver, I have had no adverse issues. The only time I know its there is tight turns with the window rolled down, the radio off, and my head sticking out the window at which time I can hear slight clicking. It has never "bound" up resulting in a popping noise in any circumstance as others have reported. Offroad has also been a pleasant surprise.

Steve
94' 195,000

 

[fourtrax]

Just ordered my aussie locker yesterday. Web site said it was on backorder But, when i phoned they stated they would have shipment in next week. Today I ordered some brake parts (which some of them were also on backorder). So i ask this question, is this common are parts generally not stocked for a 94 cruiser? I will let you know how it goes when i get all my parts in.

 

[Hayes]

It sounds like an Aussie locker isn't a bad rout for us lockerless folk. Any idea how many to do the job? Is it comparable to a full ring/pinion install or slightly easier?

Not a difficult job at all.
Here's my writeup:

https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/118690-aussie-locker-install.html

I don't care what others blindly believe but I haven't found yet the perfect and 100% reliable locker which would make me confident as to lend my cruiser to any of my non mechanic family members for a long off road trip

My eyesight is not perfect, but I've run my Aussie in a 6,500+ lb Cruiser on sane trails for a couple years now without any problems whatsoever. ANYTHING can be broken if you try hard enough, but I have yet experience or hear anything that would lead me to believe that an Aussie Locker is a weak solution.

 

[RedTacoma]

I know one thing I had lock-right (same design as Aussie) in my Toyota Tacoma truck (4 cyl manual tranny) and I won't put that thing again anywhere. It was so hard on drive train, that it made my balls shrink every time I had to change the gear when making turn. It was completely horrible when making turn and goign to lower gear.
I will weld my third or put spool faster then install lock-right again.
In Auto LC that may not be a problem since there is always power to the wheels but I am not keen to find out.
If that Japan LSD with clutches is the same design as TRD Sport Tacos I would go with that. I have TRD in my Taco, and so far worked great in many situations.

 

[Letsgomoreplaces]

Similar in design, but for different application

Is the Japan clutch style unit is the same as the one in 2005+ Tacoma TRD Sport ?
Those are great because they are LSD but with ability to force a wheel to never spin slower then the drive shaft. hence work almost like a locker but provide wheel speed difference.

 

[Letsgomoreplaces]

yes, yes, yes & yes. These are normal chartacteristics with a mechanical locker. As to how bad or tolerable? That is a matter of opinion. I wouldn't up with it on a daily driver, but can live with the noises on a offroad vehicle that sees some road use. I guess, I would do a lockright in a fj60 or old mini truck since they are noisy anyways. I say lockright, since the Aussie is simply a knockoff of one.

I am referring to "drivablity" meaning with the aussie locker installed how does it handle on dry pavement? clicks? chirps? binds? or nothing?

 

[Nay]

An AWD truck with an automatic transmission will absorb most of the unfavorable characteristics of an auto locker. What it comes down to onroad is you have to manage throttle. Hit it around a sharp bend and expect some feedback. Clicking in a parking lot at low speed? Sure, I loved that sound in my old XJ with a rear Detroit. The banging not so much, but it was rare.

Regular highway use they are pretty much invisible because an auto tranny shifts fast enough there is no engage/disengage based on torque load.

Offroad a rear automatic locker is great, better than a selectable IMO.

As others have said, it's about tolerance. If you have a who will drive it, she will probably hate it because she'll get that thing to bang and it will scare her. If it's just you and you don't mind mildly altering your driving style, great low budget choice.

The biggest problem I have with the auto locker is if you plan to get serious you need a front locker, and at the point you've done the compressor the ARB for the rear isn't that much more.

Bottom line: if you are going to lock the front, save your $$$ for the ARB all around. If you want something now, try the lockright. The 80 is too heavy for a LSD to be effective in rock crawling to any real degree, I'd just leave it open.

 

[sandcruiser]

nay, I'm curious as to why you think that an auto locker beats a selectable off-road. Can you elaborate?

I've never wheeled an auto locker, but when the ARB is on... well... its on. Off is off. Seems hard to beat unless you can't reach the switch due to being soooooo off-cambered that you need both hands on the wheel.

Granted: there are more parts to break on an air or electric system, so I can see where that could be a slight nod to an autolocker.

But comparing offroad driveability alone... do you still prefer the auto to the selectable?

 

[Hayes]

While I don't have selectable lockers in my 80, I can speak to the virtues of the auto locker (Aussie Locker specifically):

You don't have to wait even a fraction of a second for it to lock. It's ALWAYS locked when you're putting torque to the rear axle. No stopping, nothing.

In my experience, the only negative aspect I have encountered is the ratcheting noise. I have NEVER chirped a tire or locked and released with a bang on the road. I drive my 80 with a civilized right foot (getting wild on the skinny pedal doesn't do much but make the gas needle move faster, anyway).

I really like negotiating mild slickrock with the center diff open--the Aussie gives extra traction when needed, unlocks when not needed under most conditions, and the open center diff make tight turns much nicer.

nay, I'm curious as to why you think that an auto locker beats a selectable off-road. Can you elaborate?

I've never wheeled an auto locker, but when the ARB is on... well... its on. Off is off. Seems hard to beat unless you can't reach the switch due to being soooooo off-cambered that you need both hands on the wheel.

Granted: there are more parts to break on an air or electric system, so I can see where that could be a slight nod to an autolocker.

But comparing offroad driveability alone... do you still prefer the auto to the selectable?

 

[80t0ylc]

I'm new to IH8MUD and this is 1st post. Ive had my 80 since 2000 and love it to death, but it's a compromise(albeit best in the world) rig, unless you build it for strictly off-road. The optional factory lockers are awesome (if you have them, however most of us don't) but, you can not beat the air locker for the transition vehicle that the 80 is. Yes they are expen$ive, extremely so, but they function flawlessly for the 80 when properly installed & maintained. Auto-lockers, at first glance, would seem to be the item of choice in this kind of a vehicle because they require no input from the driver to function. However, if you or your drive much on packed snow or ice, auto locker(s) can get you into trouble in a hurry. Tire, drivetrain wear and gas mileage should also to be considered for the long run.

 

[Cattledog]

How does the aussie locker do with snow/slush covered paved roads? Is it going to want to spin out in the corners?

Thanks

 

[Nay]

nay, I'm curious as to why you think that an auto locker beats a selectable off-road. Can you elaborate?

I've never wheeled an auto locker, but when the ARB is on... well... its on. Off is off. Seems hard to beat unless you can't reach the switch due to being soooooo off-cambered that you need both hands on the wheel.

Granted: there are more parts to break on an air or electric system, so I can see where that could be a slight nod to an autolocker.

But comparing offroad driveability alone... do you still prefer the auto to the selectable?

The selectable is a spool when it is on, the auto locker is not. When on a high traction surface (like slickrock) it can become a real effort to get a selectable locker to disengage. And the auto is always there and doesn't stick in a locked position on you - plus no locking function to malfunction.

I like selectables as a whole far better, but that's because of the front in a dual locked setup. On a difficult trail, I engage the rear and leave it on, only the front is really used as a selectable. So my wheeling really looks a lot like rear spool, front selectable on difficult trails.

Onroad no question it's nice to have the open diff. The 80 is all about dual purpose, and for serious wheeling it really needs to dual lockers due to its weight, so that's why I'd save my $$$ for dual ARB's and wheel open until then, personally, unless you plan to stay moderate in your wheeling.

 

[Hayes]

How does the aussie locker do with snow/slush covered paved roads? Is it doing to want to spin out in the corners?

Thanks

No. Absolutely not.
My 80 is primarily a DD family hauler, and I wouldn't run the Aussie if it was increasing any danger to my family.
My 80 is better in the snow with the Aussie than without.



Tire wear?
If I was chirping tires at the grocery store, sure. But I'm not.
Fuel economy?
Same answer.
There few--if any--tangible on-road disadvantages to running an Aussie Locker in an AWD 80.

 

[RedTacoma]

How does the aussie locker do with snow/slush covered paved roads? Is it doing to want to spin out in the corners?

Thanks

As Nay pointed out, with auto locker like Aussie or LockRight you may have problems on super slick surfaces when going through turns. Auto lockers require force between axles to brake connection when turning. On slick surface that will brake traction on the wheels locked. I would not install this on your front, rear is not so bad but still, your driving habits needs to adjust. My personal opinion is that on slick surface lockers do horrible since they do not allow the wheels speed difference. If you have selectable locker you can always unlock it before goign to turn.
And if turn is off camber you are pretty much screwed. On one of the runs I had seen multiple trucks all locked sliding into the side regardless of speed. Then open-open truck going throug same spot with no effort. Open open had two wheels providing the side traction and hold on the path. With lockers wheels where just loosing traction and allowing truck to slide sideways.
It looked funny I have to give that much

 

[alkaline747trio]

I've had an Aussie locker in my 80 for about 2 years now and all I can say is WOW! For 30 minutes, $250, and 3qts of gear oil my rig went from conquering mild to conquering wild.

Off-road is amazing! It's not a spool, so it doesn't bind up in turns like welding, a spool, or a locked E/Air-locker. It's always locked when you need it, no thinking involved.

On-road I don't notice it at all. Never once have I noticed it while driving on public roads. It clicks in parking lots but never bangs, pops, binds, or makes my tires chirp.

Nasty weather is easier to drive in! Having an open center and an auto-locked rear promote understeer/push, NOT oversteer/spinouts. The center diff will always pick the path of least resistance which is the single tire forced to spin in the front. This generates a 'one-way' effect that you would get in a front wheel drive car which is very comfortable in low-traction situations.

Strength is not an issue with the Aussie either. There isn't a real 'weak-point' in lunchbox lockers to begin with, and Torque Masters made the Aussie locker even better than the others by simplifying the design of the pins and springs (half the parts) removing as many failure points as possible.

 

[80t0ylc]

No. Absolutely not.
My 80 is primarily a DD family hauler, and I wouldn't run the Aussie if it was increasing any danger to my family.
My 80 is better in the snow with the Aussie than without.



Tire wear?
If I was chirping tires at the grocery store, sure. But I'm not.
Fuel economy?
Same answer.
There few--if any--tangible on-road disadvantages to running an Aussie Locker in an AWD 80.

This is the USA and you run what you want to run. But don't tell people that a locked axle won't spin out in corners on slick surfaces! IF you are expecting it, then you're prepared because THAT is what will happen if the road is slick enough and the auto locker doesn't unlock and both wheels turn at the same speed on a corner. Sure your 80 is better in some situations with an auto locker, but not all situations. On bare dry pavement and normal driving, ANY locker will NOT give you ANY added advantage. It is only off road or in MOST low traction conditions that a locker will give you the advantage. Looks like you live in Utah where they "salt" (or use some kind of de-icer chemical) on the main roads & freeways in the winter. That helps to reduce the "black ice" and "shady spot" ice patches that can sneak up on you. I know, I have lived in Utah and Wyoming (WY doesn't use salt) and in the winter there is a night & day difference when traveling I80 and crossing the Utah - Wyoming border. As far as tire wear and fuel economy, there may not be a big difference, but there IS a difference. With fuel and tire prices like they are, us 80 owners need all the help we can get. Most of the mods we put on our rigs are for helping us off road, but since most of us also use our rigs to get off road or for other paved road chores we need to be selective and insure that we don't "shoot ourselves in the foot". My hat is off to those who have installed and are having success with auto lockers. I'm not trying to "rain on their parade". I just believe that we can't over-educate ourselves when we modify our rigs. It's usually when we don't do our "homework" that we get in to trouble. 80's FOREVER!!! -Tom
​

 

[Hayes]

But don't tell people that a locked axle won't spin out in corners on slick surfaces!

I didn't tell anyone this.
My Aussie-d 80 does not spin out in corners on slick surfaces any more than it did before I installed the Aussie Locker. In fact, I think it is more stable.
I stand by this statement. People can take it or leave it as they choose.

On bare dry pavement and normal driving, ANY locker will NOT give you ANY added advantage. It is only off road or in MOST low traction conditions that a locker will give you the advantage.

I never said or implied otherwise.

 

[80t0ylc]

I didn't tell anyone this.
My Aussie-d 80 does not spin out in corners on slick surfaces any more than it did before I installed the Aussie Locker. In fact, I think it is more stable.
I stand by this statement. People can take it or leave it as they choose.





I never said or implied otherwise.

I'm confused. You didn't respond to Cattledog, who asked "How does the aussie locker do with snow/slush covered paved roads? Is it doing to want to spin out in the corners?" by saying "No. Absolutely not."??? I'm sorry, I took that as: No worries - drive as you did before after you install one. You know there's a very good reason why auto lockers are not recomended on the front axle and it has nothing to do with off road driving. It is because you can loose control of your vehicle on corners on slippery roads. (Also, for off road driving, if you can't disengage the front locker, in some situations the front end will have a mind of it's own) If you're expecting it, you usually can handle the rear end breaking loose if it does, but woe unto you if the front end breaks loose. I was just trying to prevent some unsuspecting owner from thinking his rig was bulletproof on slippery roads because he now has an auto locker. Sorry for the mis-understanding. -Tom

 

[46/71 Hybrid]

I've had lunchbox style lockers in several different rigs and once I learned to drive with them in, felt like they performed better in every driving condition than an unlocked diff. Regarding icy corners, coast through them and don't accelerate. Open or Closed diff, accelerating in a low traction/icy corner is a good way to break the truck loose and get the tail wagging.

 

[Hetsekr]

Good info here. Any changes in the last 17 years?