okay, to clarify, the rear full size e/lockers are 2 huge teeth but the small e/lockers have numerous small teeth.
so in reality, in your opinion and from your write up, the ARB is really no advantage over the factory electric or cable.
the electric has (supposedly since i have yet to experience it) a chance for acting up in water. (i play in the water lots engaging the electric locker as needed on the dry and buried in the water, snow, mud and clay enviroments)
the cable lockers are like anything with a cable, capable of seizing so rutine inspection and maintainence is a good idea but the cables are very tough to rip off.
the ARB has the air line issues with possible freezing in the winter, needs a compressor to be activated so electrical issues could be a concern, possibility of the tiny air line being ripped off and when the final bill is recieved is more expensive the the factory option and you still have your worn crown and pinion.
the lockrite is cheap to install, easy to use but has the 'torque steer' concerns when accelerating and decelerating as well as the potential for 'fish tailing' on slippery conditions.
so it comes down to budget, application and desire of the potential customer.
personally, i will run anything but the ARBastard. should my feeling or experience change then i will be the first to admit any flaws as i experience them.
cheers.
They all have their good and bad points but the ARB in my experience is not as faulted as you seem to believe they are. As for engaging under load, it is not recommended but all the comp guys down here who run ARB reguarly "crash lock" their ARB's under load with V8's screaming, not the best for long term life but certainly they do ok for a few racing seasons. Myself I like to atleast lift off the accelerator before engaging.
What problems do they have at low temps? The lowest I am likely to see here is -4c which presents no issues. As for air line problems that is a poor installation issue, if they give you problems, get a decent installer or do it yourself.
Both my lockers are OLD RD33's and have given no problems (the front has copped a blown pinion to the casing) with the rear covering over ~150,000km since the last rebuild trouble free. For the air lines I run the front with a HD airline (not the blue stuff) along the brake lines to the chassis then cab, the rear runs up the handbrake cable into the cab. If I ever manage to rip them out I will have far greater problems then a leaking air line.
I have experience with only 5 lockrites in 60/70 series cruisers, two are faultless but have had VERY VERY little use. The remaining are now all in the bin from internal issues ( I think it was a cross shaft/pin that keeps breaking). A Detroit would be a far better option.
I've had no experience with factory lockers, only read about peoples issues which have been primarily electrical and wearing of the dog teeth.
As for the $$$ between factory elec lockers and ARB, I dont think there is really much $$$ between it at all, on a new cruisers factory lockers are over 3K, twin ARB's similar and both situations ring and pinions are new (its a new car)
I dont see how going with ARB's gives you a worn ring and pinion over elecs? Unless up there you can buy new elecs with new gears for the same price as ARB's (in that case you should start shipping them down here!)
,now that looks like my scene
