Which locker in a Dana 44 rear?

[Rot Box]

i would be interested in hearing some bad luck stories about the lockright cause I have never had or heard of one.

Pssss... I run a Lockright Uh oh I think they heard me.... Oh I'll never hear the end of it

I have had ZERO problems with the Lockrights, and prefer them over a spool. I have seen problems with them though, and they were mostly because of a tweeked carrier, or lack of the much needed thrust washers. Also mine drove me nuts at first, and sounded like it was going to gernade untill I ran a 60/40 blend of Lucus gear oil additive and 80W 90, and now it's almost silent.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Even Rick Pewe on the 05 Ultimate Adventure video is having problems with his ARBs. The video never says what the problem was just that he was having problems with them engaging. Im sure with his experience it was installed corectly. If he would have just had a Detroit.......wouldnt have even had to fix one problem...

So one high profile guy has a problem with an ARB, and you doom them all? I didn't see the 05' UA, but there are sooooooo many variables to consider, a blown fuse, low diff fluid, not too mention the various install errors that cause overwhelming majority of all problems. I've run my lockers for 5 years... never a problem (other than the underwarer compressor, who knew water was incompressible ) So you trust Ricks install, but you don't trust his opinion on which locker to run, your taking his experience for granted

I love ARB's because they are so reliable, but that doesn't mean they are the locker for everyone. The prized OEM Toyota lockers (been around 20+ years now) even have thier drawbacks. Detroits are great too, but they are not a selectable, apples and oranges... Lockrights are the best BANG" for the buck, no doubt about it, but they have their drawbacks as well. Failed diff center pins, shock loading on axle shafts, pin/spring wear... No one answer for everyone. If you need something cheap, get a LR/Aussie,etc... If you need a dedicated locker, and plan on working it hard, get a Detroit... If you need a selectable locker, get an ARB. My 2 cents...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

i would be interested in hearing some bad luck stories about the lockright cause I have never had or heard of one.

Lockright (and other lunchbox lockers) are great setups... you truly can't beat the gain for the $$$. However, they are surely not without their problems... sheared center pins is fairly common (though not likely for most) and worn locker pins/springs is pretty common, though a $20 Lockright pin/spring kit and your pack in business.

There is also the "shock load" factor that is inherent with a Lockright type locker. You can't honestly think they stereotypical "BANG" from the lockright engaging doesn't have some degree of effect on your axles, pinion, center pin, etc. While it would be nearly impossible to quanitatively determine how much "damage" it does, especially considering all the different applications, one can't discount the fact it does exist. I know a couple of RME'ers that have destroyed Lockrights or carrier parts... Lockright warrantied the bad unit in one case, but they don't handle carrier damage caused by the Lockright.

I have a lot of customers looking to get into a locker setup, without killing the budget, Lockrights are often the answer. They can install them themselves with no special tools, and they have a remarkably high resale value (they sell used for ~$150, new they are ~$275), so its a win-win situation. I've had alot run the lockright for a year or two and then upgrade to ARB's, but many run the Lockright for years.

 

[Jay5.9L]

I have a Lockright in the front and I think I may have tweeked it but overall its worked out nicely. How do they stack up against the Aussie locker? I;ve heard a lot of good things and may go that direction if my Lockright is beyond repair.

 

[waynehartwig]

Just because someone has 30 years of experience installing carriers, doesnt mean he installed the ARB correctly. You can't install the ARB the same way you would a normal carrier. If you do, you will have issues with it! However, if you follow their instructions, in the instruction manual, you will never have any problems - for life! Granted, there are times you might break something or an o ring will wear out, but those are not the norm. I can't tell you how many I have 'repaired' that were not installed correctly - and probably from guys that 'knew what they were doing'. Even dumb stuff, like the seal housing being upside down or the shims in the wrong place. These are because the person did NOT read the directions!!!!!!!

Keep in mind too, if you brake an axle/joint with a detroit, you just bought a new one. It will grenade, and Detroit will NOT warranty it. The ARB won't...Replace the axle/joint and move on. ARB's are also rebuildable, Detroits are not - unless you send it back to the factory...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...How do they stack up against the Aussie locker? I;ve heard a lot of good things and may go that direction if my Lockright is beyond repair.

Well, you have to look pretty close to determine the difference... which I beleive is mostly in the ramp changes... I've installed a couple Aussie's, but truthfully I've never compared the two side to side. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend either.

As a point of interest... one of the original designers of the Lockright is one of the prinicpals of Aussie Locker, I'm not sure he physically designed the new Aussie, but I'm sure he put a word or two in

 

[waynehartwig]

Oh, and OX lockers, don't get me started! There is no way an OX locker is more reliable than a Detroit. Genuine Gears are more reliable than an OX locker! I've spoken to one person in the last 5 years that had one that worked. All of the others said they worked for a short time after the install, and then never again. After having the cable adjusted several times, they got tired of it and upgraded to ARB's and have been happy ever since. Several of those people are on this board, so maybe they'll chime in on this one....

 

[Bart]

I don't care for spools, even in a purpose built off road rig. They're just too hard on equipment. My personal preference is a Detroit in the front (if you have selectable hubs) and an ARB in the back, or ARBs front and back.

I know others have problems with ARBs, but I've used them and abused them and love them.

 

[Jinx]

I don't care for spools, even in a purpose built off road rig. They're just too hard on equipment. My personal preference is a Detroit in the front (if you have selectable hubs) and an ARB in the back, or ARBs front and back.

I know others have problems with ARBs, but I've used them and abused them and love them.

its good to hear something possitive about the ARBs from someone who isn't selling them

nothing personal Kurt or Wayne.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...nothing personal Kurt or Wayne.

None taken I sell all lockers btw, and truly I make more on non-ARB sales (ARB has the tightest margins these days). I just have to stand up for the good results I've had with them, and I joke not that I know of hundereds in service that are working flawlessly.

I will say this, the Toyota (drop out 3rd) versus in axle installs of an ARB can make a huge difference. There are alot of ARB problems that are actually a result of a bent housings (D30, D44, etc) (mbryson stand up ), as well as just plain improper install...

I'm sure this guy got all over the forums and told everyone how bad ARB's suck and how stupid the air lines are, etc... The most vocal are often the minority

Well what do you expect when you install them out of the BOTTOM of the 3rd member I'm sure he didn't mention that when he was badmouthing them

 

[I Lean]

its good to hear something possitive about the ARBs from someone who isn't selling them

nothing personal Kurt or Wayne.

I don't sell 'em....and I like 'em. I've installed quite a few of them, so I have some amount of experience I feel.

They're too expensive though. I say that from the bottom of my wallet.

 

[Herzog]

Well what do you expect when you install them out of the BOTTOM of the 3rd member I'm sure he didn't mention that when he was badmouthing them

Wow... Just wow.

 

[Bart]

Wow... Just wow.

I just can't believe it. What a

 

[waynehartwig]

None taken I sell all lockers btw, and truly I make more on non-ARB sales (ARB has the tightest margins these days). I just have to stand up for the good results I've had with them, and I joke not that I know of hundereds in service that are working flawlessly.

I will say this, the Toyota (drop out 3rd) versus in axle installs of an ARB can make a huge difference. There are alot of ARB problems that are actually a result of a bent housings (D30, D44, etc) (mbryson stand up ), as well as just plain improper install...

I'm sure this guy got all over the forums and told everyone how bad ARB's suck and how stupid the air lines are, etc... The most vocal are often the minority

Well what do you expect when you install them out of the BOTTOM of the 3rd member I'm sure he didn't mention that when he was badmouthing them

x2 I have had, and heard of, good luck with ARB's. I also sell OX lockers, and will persaude people from buying them. So it's not all about making a buck, it's about taking care of your customer and helping them make good, long lasting, decisions. I'd feel worse taking $1k from you on a shcotty locker than $20 on a good one....

 

[XJEEPER]

After 10 years of wheeling with open/LS equipped axles, I'm in the market for a couple of selectables lockers. ARB and OX have both good and bad trail reviews, hard to gauge because the feedback is so varied.

Read through this and several threads on other boards and haven't heard much feedback on the T-Locker? Got a couple of buddies running them with good results, the design appears solid, but I just heard today that Tera is no longer importing them......so anyone where to get one, other than Germany?

 

[shortstraw8]

Well I would have to agree with Wayne & Kurt. My brother has them on his Tj and the only problem he had wasn't an arb issue, it was an install screw up (3 really drunk people at 2:30am after doing a lift on another jeep the rear arb and the speedo gear) and arb sent him a new one and it was there in next day and in time for Moab. I have yet to see anything with the system fail and its been over Three years and he wheels the hell out of it.

My Cj7 has lockright up front, the pin did shear from the fact that I run 35s, but once I did the kit Kurt talked about I haven't had a problem I even sheared my hub bolts before anything happened to it. As for the noise factor there is nothing from mine not even the "BANG", they lock smooth as all getout and unlock the same.

In my opinion (meaning not a fact) arbs are the way to go once I get my jeep to the planned point they are going in yes they are pricey but if done right they are great. I've seen numerous people wheel them without any problems. And when your out wheeling and you see those people that have to back up to make the tight turns, or to get a better line in tight spots thats cause its not selectable, which I saw the two guys that had detroits do on three different occasions when we ran hanging tree, Im not implying that that will happen on every trail probably not many at all just sayin.
DD and a Cj depending on trails you want two run 0-2.5poss3 lock the front with lockright get the pin kit - dd 3+ 35s+ I say selectable your choice obviously - trailer Queen linkin lock it same idea as the detroit but will only cost some welding wire maby a six pack (pop/beer) if you have a friend do it. Just my .02 maybe .10

 

[1993yj]

After 10 years of wheeling with open/LS equipped axles, I'm in the market for a couple of selectables lockers. ARB and OX have both good and bad trail reviews, hard to gauge because the feedback is so varied.

Read through this and several threads on other boards and haven't heard much feedback on the T-Locker? Got a couple of buddies running them with good results, the design appears solid, but I just heard today that Tera is no longer importing them......so anyone where to get one, other than Germany?

From what I have heard the company that was building them for Tera is not doing it any longer. Plus they had some issues with strength and the way they were built. Basically, the T-Locker is not an option. When they were first coming out I wanted to go that route too, but then the release was pushed back so much, and I got sick of waiting, so I just went with the ARB. Never had any problems. From most of the posts in this thread it seems if you setup the ARB's correctly you won't have any problems.