Rear Aussie locker on 91 or 92 non-viscous transfer case?

[TWILLY]

I am considering running an Aussie or similar rear locker on a 92 FJ80 with (1) an open front differential, (2) full time AWD, and (3) the non-viscous, electronically controlled center differential lock.

I see good reviews of such a set up on a FZJ80 with AWD and the viscous transfer case, but is anyone running such a set up on a 91 or 92 FJ80? If so am wondering how it performs, especially:

- Effects on gas mileage

- Performance on icy or snow-covered roads when the CDL is unlocked

Thanks in advance for any insights.

 

[NevadaCounty80]

Can't offer any advice but also eager to hear others experiences as I'm considering the same for my '92.

 

[Technician1985]

Should be the same as an unlocked 93-97 afaik?

 

[TWILLY]

Should be the same as an unlocked 93-97 afaik?

I don't think it'd be the same because, as I understand it, the 93-97 center differential, being limited slip, would automatically lock if the rear started to slip (on ice, for example), whereas the 91-92 transfer case would not, because the CDL is selectable rather than automatic. My concern (and I could be totally wrong) is that the Aussie locker would therefore be more unpredictable when paired with the 91-92 when running the center differential unlocked on icy or snowy roads and highways.

 

[IanB]

I don't think it'd be the same because, as I understand it, the 93-97 center differential, being limited slip, would automatically lock if the rear started to slip (on ice, for example), whereas the 91-92 transfer case would not, because the CDL is selectable rather than automatic. My concern (and I could be totally wrong) is that the Aussie locker would therefore be more unpredictable when paired with the 91-92 when running the center differential unlocked on icy or snowy roads and highways.

I don't think the center diff viscous coupling is very pronounced on the '93+ trucks, it will come into play only when a tire slips in that it will transfer some power to the axle with traction. With good tires, it's pretty hard to get a tire to spin even in ice/snow conditions in AWD mode. Also, you live in AZ, where are you going to find snow and ice to worry about this, lol?

 

[TWILLY]

Thanks for that feedback. I appreciate it.

Snow? I live in Flagstaff. It snowed all day yesterday, in May. We average 100" + per year, more than Anchorage.

 

[Heckraiser]

Pure conjecture, but I have read on Mud a few times that those of us who do have a viscous coupler on our high-mile cruisers, it's probably not doing much of anything anyway. If you follow that logic, then your experience would be roughly the same as all the 93+ guys

 

[Izeloz]

I have a '91. I installed a Lokka (pretty much the same thing as an Aussie locker) about three years ago. Apart from the sound it sometimes makes while turning (kinda a soft clicking sound like a roller coaster) it's virtually invisible. I live in Utah and am no stranger to icy and snowy conditions. My Cruiser does great and doesn't seem to drive any different from it did before the locker (except offroad when I need it). My mother drives it a lot (she actually prefers driving it because, in her words, "it drives over things better than my Honda") and she has no complaints about its road manners.

 

[TWILLY]

I have a '91. I installed a Lokka (pretty much the same thing as an Aussie locker) about three years ago. Apart from the sound it sometimes makes while turning (kinda a soft clicking sound like a roller coaster) it's virtually invisible. I live in Utah and am no stranger to icy and snowy conditions. My Cruiser does great and doesn't seem to drive any different from it did before the locker (except offroad when I need it). My mother drives it a lot (she actually prefers driving it because, in her words, "it drives over things better than my Honda") and she has no complaints about its road manners.

That's precisely the kind of first-hand experience that I was hoping for. Thanks - super helpful. And, mothers driving over things in the 80... Mine used to too. Very funny.

 

[decoco]

I have a '91. I installed a Lokka (pretty much the same thing as an Aussie locker) about three years ago. Apart from the sound it sometimes makes while turning (kinda a soft clicking sound like a roller coaster) it's virtually invisible. I live in Utah and am no stranger to icy and snowy conditions. My Cruiser does great and doesn't seem to drive any different from it did before the locker (except offroad when I need it). My mother drives it a lot (she actually prefers driving it because, in her words, "it drives over things better than my Honda") and she has no complaints about its road manners.

I have been meaning at opening a thread speaking about my experience with a lunchbox rear locker. I installed a Spartan Rear Locker due to the reviews. Living in a climate where there is ample snow and ice, and now dry asphalt I thought I could offer a good perspective... I wouldn't say road manners are unchanged, I would say they are not significantly altered. I do find that when turning, especially if one gets foolish the truck seems to understeer.

I held back an install on mine due to the *yaddayadda*you're gonna die. I think anyone who has installed a lunchbox in the rear in the AWD 80s would not have much bad to say, and would agree that driving is not severely affected, if we're gonna die, it will probably not be because of the lunch box in the rear.

 

[IanB]

I have been meaning at opening a thread speaking about my experience with a lunchbox rear locker. I installed a Spartan Rear Locker due to the reviews. Living in a climate where there is ample snow and ice, and now dry asphalt I thought I could offer a good perspective... I wouldn't say road manners are unchanged, I would say they are not significantly altered. I do find that when turning, especially if one gets foolish the truck seems to understeer.

Understeer or oversteer? I would have expected oversteer.

 

[Eicca]

I’ve never gotten my 92 to go fast enough to over or understeer...

Have a Spartan locker in mine. Aside from the occasional bang caused by just the right combo of gas, brakes and turning the wheel, it made no noticeable difference in normal driving. It’s fantastic off road and in snow/ice.

Technically these things should be called auto-unlockers.

 

[-Spike-]

Understeer or oversteer? I would have expected oversteer.

My experience with an autolocker was the same. If you're in a lower traction environment at low speed, steering has less effect when you're on the gas a little. The rear wheels push at the same speed with no differential, which can cause the front tires to scrub when turning. It's easy to counteract- just get off the gas.

Now obviously if you nail the gas, the rear is going to break loose and you'll have oversteer, but that's more predictable.

Edit- I'm not even sure that last statement is correct, my experience was in a part-time truck. Not sure you would break the rear tires loose on a full-time 4wd, more likely to spin the single front tire and again, have understeer.

 

[baldilocks]

If you want a smooth locker I suggest the Lincoln locker. Seamless, quiet operation at a fraction of the cost.

 

[Marine7]

If you want a smooth locker I suggest the Lincoln locker. Seamless, quiet operation at a fraction of the cost.

As long as you know a good welder! Get some hillbilly with his 110 welder and your asking for trouble. And $$ to fix correctly.
For around $250-$300 you can add an Aussie. I have found this to be a great, low budget locker that works quietly and smoothly. Unlike the “violent” locking sound that the Spartan sometimes produces , the Aussie is quiet, to the point of forgetting about it. Until your off road then you quickly remember it’s there! Do it! Best “low $$$” mod for off roading!

 

[leonard_nemoy]

My 91 has a Detroit or some other kind of auto locker only in the rear according to the p.o. very rarely does it bang or pop. I have only had it happen 3 times in 5 years and it was always while turning sharp in deep sand. For the most part it has been awesome having the locker. But I have had 2 instances in the snow and mud where I wish I had an open diff or selectable locker. One was going uphill in some nasty southern utah purple mud and the other was driving up a paved canyon road in 2 feet of snow to snowboard. On both occasions when I would lose traction in the rear, both tires would spin instead of one and it would cause my rear end to slide to the down hill side of the road very rapidly. Very scary when the downhill side is looking off steep hills and cliffs. On both occasions the locker pulled me off the road and got me stuck in ditches. The center diff doesn't seem to help with this problem either.

 

[baldilocks]

As long as you know a good welder! Get some hillbilly with his 110 welder and your asking for trouble. And $$ to fix correctly.
For around $250-$300 you can add an Aussie. I have found this to be a great, low budget locker that works quietly and smoothly. Unlike the “violent” locking sound that the Spartan sometimes produces , the Aussie is quiet, to the point of forgetting about it. Until your off road then you quickly remember it’s there! Do it! Best “low $$$” mod for off roading!

A hillbilly plus two car batteries plus a set of jumper cables plus a coat hanger equals welding phenomenon

 

[mr jits]

My 91 has a Detroit or some other kind of auto locker only in the rear according to the p.o. very rarely does it bang or pop. I have only had it happen 3 times in 5 years and it was always while turning sharp in deep sand. For the most part it has been awesome having the locker. But I have had 2 instances in the snow and mud where I wish I had an open diff or selectable locker. One was going uphill in some nasty southern utah purple mud and the other was driving up a paved canyon road in 2 feet of snow to snowboard. On both occasions when I would lose traction in the rear, both tires would spin instead of one and it would cause my rear end to slide to the down hill side of the road very rapidly. Very scary when the downhill side is looking off steep hills and cliffs. On both occasions the locker pulled me off the road and got me stuck in ditches. The center diff doesn't seem to help with this problem either.

I don't think being fully locked would have helped much in what you described. A loss of traction is exactly that, no traction available.
To the OP: I ran an aussie in my 92 80 series and never really noticed anything adverse. It made my truck so much more capable offroad and in reality it made it (IMO) more predictable in the ice and snow. Never once was I surprised by it's road manners.
Also to the OP: a quick search would have brought up 30-40 threads on this exact subject.

 

[TWILLY]

I don't think being fully locked would have helped much in what you described. A loss of traction is exactly that, no traction available.
To the OP: I ran an aussie in my 92 80 series and never really noticed anything adverse. It made my truck so much more capable offroad and in reality it made it (IMO) more predictable in the ice and snow. Never once was I surprised by it's road manners.
Also to the OP: a quick search would have brought up 30-40 threads on this exact subject.

Thanks for sharing your experience running one on a 92 -- that's what I was fishing for. I appreciate it. Also, FWIW, I did search, and could well have missed something, but didn't find a discussion specific to the 91-92 transfer case, which was my aim here.

 

[cruzer971]

I had a Powertrax in my '91 and it worked very well. I also lived in Flagstaff and got out to play in the snow every chance I got. I would recommend an auto locker in the rear.
You asked about fuel consumption and I can say that it actually improved noticably with the locker installed. Actually just while exploring the Cinder Hills OHV area. On road, I don't think there was any difference, but climbing around the Cinder Hills with the locker made the fuel gauge go down slower.