lockers

[timbercruiser]

OK, a newbie question. What is the best locker to use in the 80-it being full time 4wd? Basically, will an auto locker in the rear cause trouble? What's best up front.

(just curious, it won't matter to me because I'm putting a manual in it-when I actually stop bench racing and but one!)

 

[tucker74]

If your truck didn't come w/ factory e-lockers - ARB are the best choice for front and rear. You can get away with the "Aussie" type auto-locker in the rear - but not the front on an FZJ ...



Tucker

 

[Biff]

Tucker, Is my 94 prewired for lockers? Was told all I have to do is get the hardware? I'm considering it.

 

[Safado]

Biff,

You'll be time and $ ahead with ARB. That conversion has been done, but it is a lot more hardware than you think, and you will need to add the wiring and harness as well. IIRC, you'll need to find a doner truck with lockers. C-dan is the only one I know of that did it in his 80...the Ferg did it in his 60.

 

[Biff]

ARB seems to be the way. Did you install your ARB lockers yourself?

 

[Cruiserdrew]

ARB lockers are excellent. I have them on 2 trucks and for all uses they are outstanding. The key is a good install, which unless you are highly skilled and know/understand differentials, you are not going to do yourself. You can save $$$ on the install by pulling the diffs yourself, then doing the reinstall.

 

[Safado]

[quote author=Cruiserdrew link=board=2;threadid=16942;start=msg165218#msg165218 date=1085695742]
ARB lockers are excellent. I have them on 2 trucks and for all uses they are outstanding. The key is a good install, which unless you are highly skilled and know/understand differentials, you are not going to do yourself. You can save $$$ on the install by pulling the diffs yourself, then doing the reinstall.
[/quote]

Exactly.

 

[Biff]

I'll probably have someone do the install. How expensive do you think it can get?

 

[Rookie2]

So are the un-locked axles and diff. housing the same, or is that what the donor is for?? Are you basically removing the un-locked differential and install the locked in place?

Thanks
Rookie2

 

[Cruiserdrew]

[quote author=Biff link=board=2;threadid=16942;start=msg165221#msg165221 date=1085695989]
I'll probably have someone do the install. How expensive do you think it can get?
[/quote]

Biff-I assume you are talking ARB's. The ARB's themselves are about $725 each. If you take in the differentials from your truck to a diff shop, the install itself is reasonable-about $150 per diff. You should do new pinion and carrier bearings @ $125 per diff. You may also want to regear while you are at it-about $200 per diff. If you take in the truck and say "install ARBs" expect to pay $2500 or more if you regear. I took in diffs, ARBs, gears and bearing kits. Our guy here is great and had them out to me the same afternoon. Total bill was about $300. I did all the time consuming work, like dissembling the knuckle and pulling the axles and the differentials themselves. It really pays to do the grunt work youself. For instance I also mounted the compressor, the Slee manifold, the solenoids, and ran all the lines. That way you know it's done well.

One other tip-I would buy the Slee mounting bracket, and manifold as they make for a super clean install on the 80. See their website for details, my install looks even better!

 

[cruiserdan]

[quote author=Rookie2 link=board=2;threadid=16942;start=msg165282#msg165282 date=1085704370]
So are the un-locked axles and diff. housing the same, or is that what the donor is for?? Are you basically removing the un-locked differential and install the locked in place?

Thanks
Rookie2
[/quote]

The e-locker housings are different from the open housings. The rear (full floater only) is fairly easy to modify to fit a locker diff. The front is a different matter. The diff mounting surface is a totally different shape and has more studs in it. A non-locker front housing can be modified but it is a tall order.

 

[Rookie2]

[quote author=cruiserdan link=board=2;threadid=16942;start=msg165350#msg165350 date=1085715441]
The e-locker housings are different from the open housings. The rear (full floater only) is fairly easy to modify to fit a locker diff. The front is a different matter. The diff mounting surface is a totally different shape and has more studs in it. A non-locker front housing can be modified but it is a tall order.
[/quote]

Okay Dan. So if you find a donor.. how many bananas to swap the front axle.?

 

[cruiserdan]

[quote author=Rookie2 link=board=2;threadid=16942;start=msg165631#msg165631 date=1085765227]
Okay Dan. So if you find a donor.. how many bananas to swap the front axle.?
[/quote]

Swapping a front axle is no more difficult than installing a lift and caster bushings. Of course you do not need to actually install the bushings or remove the control arms from the truck. If you are swapping housings and transfering the knuckles and brakes, ETC, it is like a front axle over-haul and a lift job combined. I took 2 days to do mine (option 2). I took my time and also spent 1/2 a day chasing trunion bearings because I figured I would not need them with only 90k on the truck. WRONG, they were toast.