Which Locker ?? (1 Viewer)

[mudgudgeon]

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All the magic happens in the diff. I don’t see why having a manual would be any different.

When I first installed these I installed a spool in the center diff. Seemed logical from what I read on this forum. Waste of time and money.

Went back to a stock center diff and it was such an improvement. Instead or each axle balancing themselves all four were balanced together.

4low with the center diff unlocked had great traction and exceptional maneuverability

If I had to build another 80 it would be the same as this one.

How do they behave if accelerating around a bend?
This is a big thing with auto lockers, you need to coast through a corner so they don't lock

 

[baldilocks]

Ehhh, might as well go all the way. Here's a video showing the operation of the Harrop/Eaton elocker design:


I honestly see little reason to go air over elocker these days. It's essentially the same thing - pushing a locking plate into place on demand. Whether that's done by air or electromagnet is really inconsequential. Its much easier to route electrics though, there's no air leaks to worry about, and it's easier to repair wiring than air lines. Hell, for a trail fix, you could power an elocker from a clip-on 9v battery at the housing.

So it looks like Eaton went to a new design most likely motivated by unfavorable remarks on the World Wide Web about their original design that had two pinions and used two pins that engage the housing directly when the unit is selected to ON but completely disengaged then had to re-engage any time direction of vehicle travel was changed. I’m not an engineer and that just seemed dumb to me. I see now that the Harrop has 4 pinions and uses a ring/gear to engage a side gear for lock up and that isn’t supposed to come completely disengaged when direction is switched from forward to reverse and back to forward with locker selected to ON. Gee, who’d have ever thunk it??? They finally stepped up to ARB status but with an electro-magnet set up that could arguably be superior to a pneumatic activation system. Glad I watched the video.

 

[Skter505]

Harrop has the same issues, not sure it's fixed. I'd stick with ARB.

 

[bj70bc]

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How do they behave if accelerating around a bend?
This is a big thing with auto lockers, you need to coast through a corner so they don't lock

it can push you a bit into oversteer, but very predictable and isnt an issue if you know its coming, and you can use it to your advantage offroad

 

[ChaseTruck]

A few tidbits re ARBs, may be helpful, may not:

No issues in the FJ40 - the truck came with F&R ARB's, very early version if not 1st generation. The compressor on that truck is weak/aged...

80 - issues with the copper line & the seal ring, with oil intruding and coming out at the solenoid. Worked for many years, slow failure, finally fixed with a replacement part from ARB, no issues since. Maybe one of the solenoids at the compressor is leaking these days.

GM axles - initially 10-bolt front, Dana60 rear, then Dana 60 front and 14-bolt rear - no issues at the differentials since 1998. Original compressor had some issues, and the mini compressor may have a slow air leak somewhere, I need to investigate. Oh, and for about 8 years, it wanted one 30A fuse per year. This issue coincided with the old-style compressor, and went away when I went to the mini compressor.

All the ARBs in our fleet are old (newest ones are in the 1-ton GM axles, at 10+ years), so, can't comment on potential issues with ARBs since then.

From what I've heard, ARB reliability issues may be specific to certain axle models/versions.

I can't compare to other lockers, since I've never driven anything else. I liked how the first ARB in my K5 worked, and stuck with it.
And I like the fact that I can turn it off, and not have the rear of the truck trying to square itself to an obstacle when I need throttle.

 

[bj70bc]

i think for a mostly road or dedicated rock crawler selectable lockers fit the bill
for a dedicated trail rig auto lockers are a good choice

 

[captainva]

So it looks like Eaton went to a new design most likely motivated by unfavorable remarks on the World Wide Web about their original design that had two pinions and used two pins that engage the housing directly when the unit is selected to ON but completely disengaged then had to re-engage any time direction of vehicle travel was changed. I’m not an engineer and that just seemed dumb to me. I see now that the Harrop has 4 pinions and uses a ring/gear to engage a side gear for lock up and that isn’t supposed to come completely disengaged when direction is switched from forward to reverse and back to forward with locker selected to ON. Gee, who’d have ever thunk it??? They finally stepped up to ARB status but with an electro-magnet set up that could arguably be superior to a pneumatic activation system. Glad I watched the video.

Is this similar to how the TJM locker works? From what I've read this one seems like a much better design

TJM PRO LOCKER 9.5" 30 SPLINE FULL FLOATING | TJM USA | Overlanding Accessories

TJM has been empowering adventures into the unknown since 1973. Started by three mates who took the initiative and built the gear they needed to explore off-road, today TJM continues to relentlessly innovate 4x4 accessories so you can go further than ever before.

www.tjmusa.com

 

[baldilocks]

Is this similar to how the TJM locker works? From what I've read this one seems like a much better design

TJM PRO LOCKER 9.5" 30 SPLINE FULL FLOATING | TJM USA | Overlanding Accessories

TJM has been empowering adventures into the unknown since 1973. Started by three mates who took the initiative and built the gear they needed to explore off-road, today TJM continues to relentlessly innovate 4x4 accessories so you can go further than ever before.

www.tjmusa.com

I don’t know much about the TJM so I looked and found this video. Eaton’s design change makes it lock up similar to the ARB, and based on this video, all three units use a sliding lock ring. I can see the appeal of TJM’s actuator being a separate component that attaches to the side of the carrier that can be replaced very easily if needed. Whereas, the ARB has an air chamber located internally.

 

[BILT4ME]

My preference would be the electrically actuated Eaton/Harrop primarily because I don't need to add a secondary system to operate it (compressed air). The ARB requires an auxiliary air tank, hoses, fittings, and a pump. All this takes up real estate.

We all need more room for beer, so that's why.

One thing I want to find out on any system before I buy and install is in what manner it fails. Does it fail last position, fail open, fail locked? I'm referring only to the actuation method, being air or electric, not gear failure, as that's a different issue.

 

[mudgudgeon]

The ARB requires an auxiliary air tank, hoses, fittings, and a pump

Doesn't need a tank, but yeah on the rest.

ARB compressors have a tiny pressure vessel attached, it's enough to cycle lockers a few times.

 

[baldilocks]

My preference would be the electrically actuated Eaton/Harrop primarily because I don't need to add a secondary system to operate it (compressed air). The ARB requires an auxiliary air tank, hoses, fittings, and a pump. All this takes up real estate.

We all need more room for beer, so that's why.

One thing I want to find out on any system before I buy and install is in what manner it fails. Does it fail last position, fail open, fail locked? I'm referring only to the actuation method, being air or electric, not gear failure, as that's a different issue.

ARB also offers a locker dedicated compressor that's the size, or maybe even smaller, than one of those beer cans. All of these selectable lockers are designed to fail open. ARB was on the market long before the others therefor thousands more units have been installed leaving open much greater possibility for complainers to shout their complaints. You won’t hear from the thousands (or millions?) that never had an issue or at least live by realistic expectations.

 

[ajax1]

ARB also offers a locker dedicated compressor that's the size, or maybe even smaller, than one of those beer cans. All of these selectable lockers are designed to fail open. ARB was on the market long before the others therefor thousands more units have been installed leaving open much greater possibility for complainers to shout their complaints. You won’t hear from the thousands (or millions?) that never had an issue or at least live by realistic expectations.

I have the small compressor,that’s just for the lockers, mounted in the engine bay, if I didn’t point it out common person wouldn’t even notice it. Mine was installed in 09 or 10, trouble free for 14 years and two different cruisers. I’ll stick with Arb

 

[baldilocks]

I have the small compressor,that’s just for the lockers, mounted in the engine bay, if I didn’t point it out common person wouldn’t even notice it. Mine was installed in 09 or 10, trouble free for 14 years and two different cruisers. I’ll stick with Arb

My ARB equipment is from 2010 as well. Unfortunately it’s sounding like ARB might be putting out some locking diffs built to a lesser standard in resent years.

 

[landtank]

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How do they behave if accelerating around a bend?
This is a big thing with auto lockers, you need to coast through a corner so they don't lock

You feel a slight bit of torque steer on high traction surfaces.

Not sure why people keep referring to these as auto lockers? If anything they would be auto un-lockers. As I stated before they are always locked.

I’m going to see about shooting a video demonstrating how this happens.

 

[ThreeEyedBandit]

You feel a slight bit of torque steer on high traction surfaces.

Not sure why people keep referring to these as auto lockers? If anything they would be auto un-lockers. As I stated before they are always locked.

I’m going to see about shooting a video demonstrating how this happens.

It's because most(all) the manufactures refer to them automatic locking differentials. Works the same as most name brands. Doesn't allow the axle shaft to go slower than the carrier, some require input torque from the carrier to fully lock.

 

[Broski]

When there’s a issue with the ARB locker they default to the open position.
And that’s where they stay tell the issue is resolved.
Personally I like my OEM lockers and think the work great, are they perfect no and no locker is.
But as far as I know the only locker that can be manually locked with a few hand tool on the trail are the OEM lockers and that’s pure gold !
Not going to happen with a ARB.

 

[basalt51]

Auto-lockers are definitely a compromise on road and in slick conditions (ice, snow, etc). I've had Detroits front and rear and loved it, but they are not something I would want my wife driving in any possible condition/situation.

Selectable lockers are far superior in that regard, but also are a compromise in that you have another point of failure. Every trail ride I have ever been on, someone has an ARB that is not working. My OEM lockers decide when they will lock and when they will unlock. They definitely bind more than the Detroits.

I couldn't care less what race teams run, since their pit crew isn't going to fix my s*** when its not working. If I ever change my lockers, it will likely be a Detroit (or Kaiser) rear and Eaton in front or just Eaton front and rear depending on cost.

 

[alia176]

All of my 4x4 rigs have OBA so the ARBs were a non-brainer for my application. I've never owned an ARB air compressor and utilize my own air solutions. The ones in my 80 were installed in '04, and I think I changed over to the modern O ring design when I redid the bearings and such few years back.

This has been an educational thread for sure.

 

[JoeCova]

I run ARBs on two different rigs. Everything has OBA as well so easy to just run the ARBs. I looked into the TJMs because like others have said have a slightly better design, however there is very little support for them in the US, and talking with distributors they have issues getting parts and honoring warranties. ARB on the contrary has a ton of stateside support, I can order every single ARB part I need, even from Amazon in some cases.

Will the seals eventually fail, sure everything does, but I'll probably need to rebuild the swivel hubs by then anyway, so I'll add some seals to regular preventative maintenance. Replacing seals on 3rds is much easier than Dana axles.

I did not like that the Harrop's and Eaton unlocked with wheel direction changes, not a huge deal but something that was something I didn't really want to consider. Lastly the ARBs are easier to wire into the factory rotary knob if you are into that.

 

[bigredmachine]

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How do they behave if accelerating around a bend?
This is a big thing with auto lockers, you need to coast through a corner so they don't lock

i never really had an issue on bends and curves with the locker unless it was snowy/icy and i was probably already driving too fast, dry/wet pavement no problems. dry pavement on tight turns there was a little binding but it was really more noticeable when turning from a stop, if its a tight enough turn your approaching at speed going to be on the brakes and coasting through the turn anyways so its not really an issue