Factory Lockers or ARB in the 80 Series.
and performance differences.
and performance differences.
Preference if money no issue....Factory Lockers or ARB (1 Viewer)
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Factory hands down. I hate ARBs.
OEM elockers = easy to lock if the actuator fails - can lock manually if this happens and you are stuck on trail. If used routinely, will prove to be very reliable.
ARB = plenty to go wrong. Somewhere in the archives is a long list of everything I have had go wrong with mine while on trail. While some of it may be due to poor install (although now I know how and before other goobers did it for me), I view the install as part of the equation. Plus, too many parts to go bad including air lines, brass tubing, compressor, blah blah blah .... hold out for one with elockers dude.
OEM elockers = easy to lock if the actuator fails - can lock manually if this happens and you are stuck on trail. If used routinely, will prove to be very reliable.
ARB = plenty to go wrong. Somewhere in the archives is a long list of everything I have had go wrong with mine while on trail. While some of it may be due to poor install (although now I know how and before other goobers did it for me), I view the install as part of the equation. Plus, too many parts to go bad including air lines, brass tubing, compressor, blah blah blah .... hold out for one with elockers dude.
Factory. Cause thats what I got!
Both are positive lockers not Eaton Gov-locks or Positraction or Torsen, the two axle shaft will spin as one. Neither OEM or ARB are prone to failing from torque, they are plenty strong for the task. So performance is identical,
The biggest difference lies is reliability of engagement, every time a large group of trucks hits a trail somebody’s ARB's will be in-op for one reason or another, often it is just lack of air because they ran out of CO2 or the compressor fried or the line got crushed/melted/cut, but the air seals in the locker itself or the funny replacement carrier bearing can also go requiring an axle teardown to get at/fix.
High heat and lage ammound of metal in the oil of new gears has been blamed for some failures of new ARB lockers, witch is a shame as installing either requires you to tear you axle and 3rd member apart and set up the ring and pinion, it makes sense to do them at the same time,
That leads to ease cost and cleanliness of install, the OEM lockers they are alrady installed, come free with the purchace of an 80 and and the install including power sounce (electricity from Batt or Alt) and switches harness etc would be dificult to improve on
One place the ARB has an advantage it is more protected from things like Jackstands or a really perfectly placed very high pointy rock that you manage to get over so it could get at the locker actuators even with that I think the OEM lockers are less likely to leave you stuck
The biggest difference lies is reliability of engagement, every time a large group of trucks hits a trail somebody’s ARB's will be in-op for one reason or another, often it is just lack of air because they ran out of CO2 or the compressor fried or the line got crushed/melted/cut, but the air seals in the locker itself or the funny replacement carrier bearing can also go requiring an axle teardown to get at/fix.
High heat and lage ammound of metal in the oil of new gears has been blamed for some failures of new ARB lockers, witch is a shame as installing either requires you to tear you axle and 3rd member apart and set up the ring and pinion, it makes sense to do them at the same time,
That leads to ease cost and cleanliness of install, the OEM lockers they are alrady installed, come free with the purchace of an 80 and and the install including power sounce (electricity from Batt or Alt) and switches harness etc would be dificult to improve on
One place the ARB has an advantage it is more protected from things like Jackstands or a really perfectly placed very high pointy rock that you manage to get over so it could get at the locker actuators even with that I think the OEM lockers are less likely to leave you stuck
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Junk said:
Blah, Blah, Blah, you hate everything................except your mama, course I like her too
ARB cause thats whats on my rig.
Even took stock lockers off to install ARB cause IMHO the splines are tighter. Would be curious to hear Cristo's opionion on this since he's probably dealt with both more that anyone on this board.
I'm saying ARB because that's what i am going to do. Plus you have the addition of on board air. Not enough for junk to blow himself with, but none the less air.
I also agree with reffug (damn i'm doing that a lot lately) i think the splines are tighter and there isn't an actuator to bang-up.
robbie, christo????.......
I also agree with reffug (damn i'm doing that a lot lately) i think the splines are tighter and there isn't an actuator to bang-up.
robbie, christo????.......
concretejungle said:
That just shows your getting smarter as you age young'in..............
10Nov2004 (UTC +8)
Factory lockers. Not only are they built-in, they don't need no stinkin' air compressor that leaks a lot, and very well documented if you got the factory service manuals. BTW, I got 'em both.
Factory lockers. Not only are they built-in, they don't need no stinkin' air compressor that leaks a lot, and very well documented if you got the factory service manuals. BTW, I got 'em both.
I prefer the OEM locks to the degree that I retro-fitten them to mine using new parts.
R
robbie
Guest
I have the toyota lockers and I like them. I have had to manually lock the rear in once when I sheared the lock pin (Do not really know what happened), the left it locked for the rest of the rubicon. The strengh issue would go to the ARB, no holes in the carrier for the ring to deflect, where the stock ones have some holes that can cause some deflection of the ring gear, leading to some damage of the ring and pinion, mostly in the front. Plently stong for most folks. I have seen a couple of twisted axles that will not come out of the rear locker from too much HP and foot planted on gas pedel. So twisting a axle can cause some problems for the toyota locker. '
Some have mentioned the down side of the ARB, busted air lines, can not manually lock it ETC. It will also work in the best interest of the owner to work the air lock once a month, older locker can be updated with the new inner 4 lip seal that will not lend it self to being contamited with stuff in the oil as easily. Issues with the air source will always be their expecially if you use the ARB compressor for other than the locker. Both good units both have pluses and negatives, you just have to get used to the stuff you have and carry the spare parts needed. later robbie
Some have mentioned the down side of the ARB, busted air lines, can not manually lock it ETC. It will also work in the best interest of the owner to work the air lock once a month, older locker can be updated with the new inner 4 lip seal that will not lend it self to being contamited with stuff in the oil as easily. Issues with the air source will always be their expecially if you use the ARB compressor for other than the locker. Both good units both have pluses and negatives, you just have to get used to the stuff you have and carry the spare parts needed. later robbie
a smart shoper would have bought the 80 new in 93 with the lockers already installed
me I like the ARB, but the only real advantage over the OEM lockers is speed of locking and unlocking.
and I have seen plenty of OEM lockers not work, usally it seems because they have never been used.
me I like the ARB, but the only real advantage over the OEM lockers is speed of locking and unlocking.
and I have seen plenty of OEM lockers not work, usally it seems because they have never been used.
cruiserdan said:
Landpimp said:a smart shoper would have bought the 80 new in 93 with the lockers already installed
A smart shopper did buy right (for the time-frame) There were NO deals to be had even for employees and they were 40+ G's. Mine was a brass hat from the Denver Region office. It was only 32 G's.....
Cruiserdrew
On the way there
I've seen both factory lockers and ARB's not work for various reasons. For me, it comes down to the fact that OEM lockers are basically free when buying a used 80 series. My 80 did not have lockers but was otherwise in great mechanical and cosmetic condition-so I bought it, and have been very happy with the ARB's I had installed. Their only downside was the cost.
I also run ARB's in my FJ40-excellent performance, but the rear had to be repaired after I broke an axle on the Rubicon. The fact that in failure mode the ARBs are open is not really a disadvantage-they leave you with a normal open diff, and are perfectly drivable. I also like the fact that they lock and unlock instantly.
If cost were no object, ARB's would have a slight edge in my book, but since cost IS almost always an object, get the free lockers from the factory if you have a choice.
I also run ARB's in my FJ40-excellent performance, but the rear had to be repaired after I broke an axle on the Rubicon. The fact that in failure mode the ARBs are open is not really a disadvantage-they leave you with a normal open diff, and are perfectly drivable. I also like the fact that they lock and unlock instantly.
If cost were no object, ARB's would have a slight edge in my book, but since cost IS almost always an object, get the free lockers from the factory if you have a choice.
would have sworn we paid $36K for moms 97 new in 97 with OEM lockers (traded a 62 Vette in on it
Brass Hat? demo? or dealer rep car?
your 93 must have been rear disc, FF and ABS to be able to add the OEM lockers.........either that or there is a 93-4 running around with Dans old rear end in it
(traded a 62 Vette in on it Brass Hat? demo? or dealer rep car?
your 93 must have been rear disc, FF and ABS to be able to add the OEM lockers.........either that or there is a 93-4 running around with Dans old rear end in it
cruiserdan said:A smart shopper did buy right (for the time-frame) There were NO deals to be had even for employees and they were 40+ G's. Mine was a brass hat from the Denver Region office. It was only 32 G's.....
Landpimp said:would have sworn we paid $36K for moms 97 new in 97 with OEM lockers
Brass Hat? demo? or dealer rep car?
your 93 must have been rear disc, FF and ABS to be able to add the OEM lockers.........either that or there is a 93-4 running around with Dans old rear end in it
Yes, ABS and FFA. The ONLY thing it was lacking was lockers. Mine is a very early production vehicle (9-92), most of the first batch to come over was less locks. It was a factory-owned demo. It was still on an MSO when I got it.
97's were bumping 50k. 36k would be below invoice.
42K was the other # floating around in my skull........
cruiserdan said:
Im going with an ARB in the '94, It dosnt have rear disc brakes/ABS and would be a huge ordeal to put in a factory locker, even in the front I will go with a ARB, retrofiting factory lockers in a non locker housing looks to be a real PITA.
Unless I can find a VERY cheap FZJ80 with lockers...But then there are other ABS issues?!?
Unless I can find a VERY cheap FZJ80 with lockers...But then there are other ABS issues?!?
You know I think I know of a garage where all the parts for 80 factory lockers might be housed. 
cruiserdan said:A smart shopper did buy right (for the time-frame) There were NO deals to be had even for employees and they were 40+ G's. Mine was a brass hat from the Denver Region office. It was only 32 G's.....
I was in Guam when the FZJs came out. I could have picked one up for 28k in 93 and the 94 models were 29.988 or so (I can't remember the last two digits) on the sticker. Same as US spec but no import duties. And when we got home I kicked myself for not buying one, it would have been worth the shipping. Lots of color choices there too white, white, and white. Seriously, I don't think ever saw one another color. They had HiLux 2wd pickups with cloth and AC for 6700.
HZJ60 Guy
Tank Buster
The ARB's will be stronger. Nothing (except maybe a Detroit) is stronger than the ARB. I say if you already had them then factory. Sence you dont I say ARB. I have had FOUR rigs with ARB's in them. Ive wheeled the crap out of them and never have I had trouble with them.
TB
TB
