<Tinkerer> Locker Deep Dive

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Another masterclass video by Tinkerer. Objective insights into locker trade space much of which is relevant to the 200-series.

OG 80-series locker comparo is just for you @Boston Mangler

 
I always learn a few things on his videos. I didn’t realize there were multiple versions of the Eaton E locker. I also have even more respect for a factory triple locked 80.
 
Very informative. Thanks @TeCKis300!
I know the ARB & Eaton are available for 200. Is there a Toyota one we can borrow from another T truck?
 
That guy's content is fantastic. He is very fact based and objective, which is so refreshing. I must admit that sometimes it's too granular for me, but I aspire to absorb everything he says. It would definitely be fun to spend a couple hours wrenching and then wheeling with him. Plus he just seems like a really nice guy.
 
When we were deciding on a rear locker I remember a lot of these same points being discussed. We went with the ARB air lockers and have been happy with it. Already having under the hood ARB air compressor made that decision a lot easier. So far, it’s been great except for a short period of gear oil coming back up the line and out the manifold. However, that was a easy fix with a better diff breather and I should have done that sooner so that one is on me.

I wish I had this video to watch back then… I feel fairly confident I would still do air but for a few minutes I would have been a locker expert making that decision.
 
OEM OR NOTHING….

#getoffmylawn
 
Am I correct in thinking that on an 80 series... it seems like the front locker is locking a side gear to the carrier, where as in the rear locker its locking the axle shaft to carrier?
 
This whole locker issue is confusing to me. Would lockers from an 80 fit in a 200? Additionally, when I bought my 2004 Taco, I planned on putting ARB in the front and rear. Tacoma World has scared me away from ARB as a result, I don't know which locker is best for dependability. I wonder if the fear of leaks with ARB is justified?
 
This whole locker issue is confusing to me. Would lockers from an 80 fit in a 200? Additionally, when I bought my 2004 Taco, I planned on putting ARB in the front and rear. Tacoma World has scared me away from ARB as a result, I don't know which locker is best for dependability. I wonder if the fear of leaks with ARB is justified?
It comes down to who does the install. I am told they can definitely be finicky but generally speaking once in are good to go.

I’ve had ARBs in my old 3rd Gen 4Runner and 100-series, in my current 80-series and might get at least a rear locker in my 200. In my 3 vehicles with ARBs I have had one case of oil from the solenoid (bad diff breather) and a melted airline that was my fault due to bad routing.
 
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It comes down to who does the install. I am told they can definitely be finicky but generally speaking once in are good to go.
^^^ This. I had ARBs installed 4 or so years ago when I regeared. All good except for one gear oil leak on the front diff at the air fitting. All it needed war to be tightened, fine since.

I recently had to replace my rear pinion bearing and had a different shop do the work than my original gear/locker install. Picked it up and rear locker doesn’t work. No air leaks. They pulled the third and had crushed the internal copper tube air supply line during the reinstall. They fixed that and tried again. Went to get it, locker worked but compressor cycled indicating a leak. Pulled the 3rd again, and this time it was the banjo air supply fitting (I don’t think they needed to pull the diff had they figured out where it was leaking first).

The shop was good about it and took care of me but the guy did say he hates ARB because its easy to screw it up in the install.
 
Someone with more social media reach than I should consider putting the issue of the Eaton pins gouging the ramps onto Tinkerer’s radar. I can’t remember who but someone has definitely posted about it in this forum section.

Am I correct in thinking that on an 80 series... it seems like the front locker is locking a side gear to the carrier, where as in the rear locker its locking the axle shaft to carrier?

That is my understanding. And some people have twisted those splines.. making it nearly impossible to get the axle shaft and therefore third member out.

I’m not sure whether that carries over to 100 and 200-series factory e-lockers.
 
It is good to hear about positive experiences with ARB, especially since they were my first choice.
 
Super interesting video as always from him - one of my favorite YT subscriptions.

Seems like most of the hangup with Eaton is the unlocking on F/R direction change, but is that really consequential for most users? I guess so given all the feedback. I can see in an extreme technical crawling situation maybe, but if you're shifting the transmission from forward to reverse, you would've already lost momentum and you'd be on the brakes holding position. It also only takes what looks like maybe 15 degrees of one wheel rotation to engage again, which certainly in my off-roading doesn't seem like a dealbreaker.

Also, to his point on the sliding action increasing wear, I don't see it as any more harmful than the OX and OEM needing forward/reverse to align the collars to bang into locked position. At least to my smooth brain.
 
Great video! I bought Eatons because I've had reliability issues with ARB (air leaks) and have had 3 different factory e-locked toyotas that worked flawlessly. I really had no idea the Eaton design was so completely different from OEM e-lockers. But it has worked well for me so far! I'm looking forward to his "testing out the eatons on the Tundra" video. I've never had problems reversing or bumping with mine, but curious to see what he comes up with for a test format.

ARB vs. Eaton is a little bit like GM vs Ford. Everyone's got a favorite and nobody is wrong. :hillbilly: And let's hear it for lunchbox lockers!
 
So one issue putting an OE e-locker into the rear of a KDSS LC200 is getting the sway bar to clear the actuator.. not an issue on LX afaik. Also this image appears to confirm that the 200 version does act on the axle shaft splines.. seemingly to keep that diff carrier bearing from having to be huge like in Tinkerer's video

TO4111060B41.webp


Also I was able to track down the post with Eaton carnage. It is from our resident hammer-dropper @ga12r1

Doesn't bode well for the long-term durability of these things. It sure seems an ARB wouldn't have this problem.

 
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