Doing a world tour next year, hopefully in a yet to be found land cruiser. Trying to decide on lockers. Factory is great but it seems like the ARB or Harrop options are just as good if not better. Do I need them or is it a want? ARB or Harrop just as good as OEM?
World tour - Need lockers
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Each one is “slightly different” but at the end of the day, it’s all going to work for you. My findings (in as few words before I go back into the office)
Factory: look to spend a G an axle, then you gotta source wiring (maybe) and rebuild ($$$) if its not in good shape. Swap isn’t hard but you have to mess with a bunch of things. Locking the axle is slowest of the bunch as it needs to rotate until it locks (not a lot, but not instantly)
ARB. about $900-1000 for each locker and you need a compressor (I got mine free on Promo). Locks nearly instantly and doesn’t “disengage” when moving to reverse.
Harrop. Electric locking like factory. I think just a hair more expensive than the ARB. Disengages from drive to reverse. Lock should be close second to ARB.
I went ARB in the rear (open in front) and do not regret my decision.
Factory: look to spend a G an axle, then you gotta source wiring (maybe) and rebuild ($$$) if its not in good shape. Swap isn’t hard but you have to mess with a bunch of things. Locking the axle is slowest of the bunch as it needs to rotate until it locks (not a lot, but not instantly)
ARB. about $900-1000 for each locker and you need a compressor (I got mine free on Promo). Locks nearly instantly and doesn’t “disengage” when moving to reverse.
Harrop. Electric locking like factory. I think just a hair more expensive than the ARB. Disengages from drive to reverse. Lock should be close second to ARB.
I went ARB in the rear (open in front) and do not regret my decision.
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Find one with my factory lockers imo. But if you do find a clean 89 without them you can add them later.
What do you mean by world tour? Good tires and a winch can get you through a lot of stuff without the lockers.
Learn how to drive without them, you will be unstoppable with them. Lockers allow you to get into harrier situations and lull you into the false security that inevitably leads to Lift envy, tire desire, and a whole multitude of debilitating mechanical wants. Next thing you know you are going back to a stock height suspension to drive the same trails you hit last year on your world tour.
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Our goal is to visit almost every country and every continent over 2 years. Much of our route is planned and we are now in the phase of selecting gear, and fine tuning our times and routes. Reading about others journeys it sounds like the lockers will be needed.
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I couldn't agree more! Lockers aren't magic. Once I find the right cruiser I'll spend a good bit of time becoming intimately familiar with it. I believe I will go with 33" tires that skinnier than I originally thought I wanted. Very light lift if any, maybe 1.5" at most as I don't want to change camber. Completely agreed with you on the multitude of debilitating wants mine are more around solid baselining than they are around lots of addons. I'm even considering taking out the engine and transmission to rebuild and put on a new HG to provide me with more peace of mind. All this and I don't even have my cruiser yet. Ugh.
Focus on buying the newest, most well maintained 80,with documents of the maintenance, you can afford. This approach will set you up with a solid foundation that will require the least amount of time and money spent on baselining.
Lockers will end up being part of your custom build which will put you in the driver seat of exactly what you want to tour earth in.
Lockers will end up being part of your custom build which will put you in the driver seat of exactly what you want to tour earth in.
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Just buy a Land Rover so when you break down in 5 miles you will save a lot of money by not going on your trip. 
But as others have said just look for an 80 with factory lockers that preferably has not been wheeled yet.
But as others have said just look for an 80 with factory lockers that preferably has not been wheeled yet.
i have had friends do crazy things like this i am going to tell you what all of them told me...
dont buy a truck here and expect to use it over seas, buy something local. every place you go will have "the local rig" like a jeep is here in the states. it will also keep you from sticking out as a tourist to be taken advantage of.
dont buy a truck here and expect to use it over seas, buy something local. every place you go will have "the local rig" like a jeep is here in the states. it will also keep you from sticking out as a tourist to be taken advantage of.
Guess I would be leaning toward e-lock (harrop) or if going OEM to the cable actuator mod. Nothing against ARB really, but issue in the air system could be more finicky to fix in remote countries. I know its a ongoing debate, but that is my thoughts.
Having driven in a lot of middle-of-nowhere places I can give my opinion.........particularly when near the equator, traveling during rainy season in any kind of elevation changing terrain on what they consider "roads" in the boonies(there are no paved highways going city to city in a lot of places or through the mountains), you will wish you had working lockers. OEM ones are awesome. .......unless you like playing in the mud in a monsoon.......constantly. Going downhill is fine.....it's going uphill or reaching the bottom of said downhill when it is washed out and now a river that will suck. Flats are not much better when it is just a mud path with 2-3 foot deep holes everywhere plus the vehicles driving around at that point are all big trucks with big tires whose path you can't follow because the ruts will be well past your frame.......Also, do yourself a favor and get a diesel.....it will make your life easier in the long run for a lot of reasons when out of the US.
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World tour next year , and you haven't got your rig , Yet !
But your are thinking about lockers and big tires ..
Sounds like the boy that wants to run before being able to walk ...
Sorry If I am a bit harsh .
Ref. Lockers , I used my rig for just 12 years in Africa , without them.
Of course I got stuck , a lot.
No winch.
No friends on which to count .
A good shovel and ladders , will do good.
Bot not always ....
In the end I will get at least the rear locked .
But expect to use it very rarely.
Tires , forget the good look, go for strong AT tires .
I would not go above 265/75/16.
Bigger tires are very difficult to find in third world countries.
Even 7.50, is a commun tire .
In Africa ,locals are running all on this size .
Far Less stress on transmission train .
Prepare your veichle very very well.
It will save you stress, frustration, time and give confidence .
Just my 2 cents .
But your are thinking about lockers and big tires ..
Sounds like the boy that wants to run before being able to walk ...
Sorry If I am a bit harsh .
Ref. Lockers , I used my rig for just 12 years in Africa , without them.
Of course I got stuck , a lot.
No winch.
No friends on which to count .
A good shovel and ladders , will do good.
Bot not always ....
In the end I will get at least the rear locked .
But expect to use it very rarely.
Tires , forget the good look, go for strong AT tires .
I would not go above 265/75/16.
Bigger tires are very difficult to find in third world countries.
Even 7.50, is a commun tire .
In Africa ,locals are running all on this size .
Far Less stress on transmission train .
Prepare your veichle very very well.
It will save you stress, frustration, time and give confidence .
Just my 2 cents .
It'll take a while to build a 22 year old Cruiser into a world traveller.
Not to sure if I would choose Eatons (Harrop) personally. Definitely not the same as OEM from what I've read. Might want to research first-hand experience further (You Tube cough-cough). ARB's are always a safe bet IF you get a pro installer.
Have you thought of buying a fully kitted vehicle overseas and then flying over and starting your ROTW there? You would save quite a bit of time and $ if you found a diesel -Toyota or not. Sell it when you're done.
Good luck man
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I think I have done most of the prudent modifications to my rig to make it trail-worthy on a variety of surfaces (see my signature block). I have a 4-inch lift, mud tires, armor in all the right places (front, rear bumpers and plating underneath), a Warn 12,000 lb winch, good lighting. Nothing I have done to my truck compares to lockers for overall capability improvement. It is an absolute game changer. I wheeled my rig from 97 to 2010 completely stock (no lockers and none of the other things on this list). I got pretty good at wheeling my truck in a stock configuration after 13 years but there are simply things you cannot do as effectively without lockers. The most important improvements are wheeling on steep wet rock surfaces, deep mud, rutted, loose caliche uphill climbs or uphill climbs over large rocks. Having lockers is much safer as you essentially eliminate wheel spin reducing the chance of rollover. I added my lockers in 2010 and continue to be amazed at the difference. I cannot vouch for electronic lockers because I have only had ARB lockers but I have been very happy with them. Keep in mind that an 80 series comes with a center diff locker so when you lock the front, rear and center all 4 wheels turn in unison. If any wheel can gain purchase, you move forward with very little slippage. It is one of the things that makes an 80 a unique platform and combined with the ruggedness of the overall platform makes it my choice to wheel anywhere.
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Don’t discount TJM pro lockers either, personally I prefer their actuator design but I like the fact ARB can be found virtually anywhere.
Could also go with a “lunchbox locker” aka mechanical locker. Not as good on road but super reliable off-road.
I’d be more concerned about getting a good base vehicle, I’d probably recommend a 1HZ diesel and not the turbo 1hdt. The 1HZ will be slow but super reliable, the turbos are good (I have several turbo diesel cruisers) but more to go wrong.
Could also go with a “lunchbox locker” aka mechanical locker. Not as good on road but super reliable off-road.
I’d be more concerned about getting a good base vehicle, I’d probably recommend a 1HZ diesel and not the turbo 1hdt. The 1HZ will be slow but super reliable, the turbos are good (I have several turbo diesel cruisers) but more to go wrong.
I still get hungry everytime I hear this haha
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@Gr8WXbow
If you are going around the world, I’d buy one with factory lockers already installed. Minimize one off and aftermarket mods as those will prob be not obtainable in remote places but you might have a better chance with finding factory Toyota parts.
There are plenty of spots you’ll want to skip. As we are not liked too well in many places.
If you are going around the world, I’d buy one with factory lockers already installed. Minimize one off and aftermarket mods as those will prob be not obtainable in remote places but you might have a better chance with finding factory Toyota parts.
There are plenty of spots you’ll want to skip. As we are not liked too well in many places.
Buy an 80 with factory lockers in the Emirates and start your journey there. Just a thought.
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Bad area to start. Bad bad areas north, east, west and way south plus prob won’t be able to get into the Kingdom.