Thinking About Lockers

[Moab Mike]

In the near future I will be purchasing lockers for the 74' build. I have questions about what is the best lockers to buy. I want selectable and 100% lock up lockers. With that said I am leaning hard towards ARB's but this option would require (to my knowledge) stepping up to 31 spline axles and a compressor for a total cost of approximately $2,500. I would like to hear your experiences with other brands regarding reliability, pricing and ease of installation. I will most likely go with ARB but still want to entertain other options.

[Kinder]

Are you keeping the 9" rear? If so I believe ARB is your only option for that.

[Moab Mike]

Yes keeping the 9". WH's has the 31 spline axles for $250 plus shipping or Viperwolf1 can deliver on his next trip back.

[Justin]

I don't know how much cheaper this would be, but you could snag some full width stock Ford 31 spline axles and have them cut down and re-splined locally. They're all over the place in junkyards. If you can give me some axle length measurements I can check the length on one of my spares and see how much would need to be taken off. I'm not aware of any selectable locker for the 9" other than ARB. I'm a big fan of selectables since I like to drive my rig on the street a decent amount.

[Eck]

I'm rebuilding my 9" and need all of the parts including the ARB components if we want to try to strike a mass buy deal of 2!

[trei75bronco]

I've heard much better reviews on the zip locker by Yukon. No offense to the arb fans but every time I ha been wheeling with a rig with arb lockers there is a issue. There is something not working on them. Plus Yukon has a stupid good warranty. http://www.ringpinion.com/b2c/ProductDe ... rodID=8137

[cravenbronco]

I'm rebuilding my 9" and need all of the parts including the ARB components if we want to try to strike a mass buy deal of 2!

X3

[horseplay]

In order to get a real deal from ARB the break point was 5 or more units. They could be mix and match. Let me know if you guy's are serious and I'll see what we can get for deals.

[trei75bronco]

I would upgrade your lines to the stainless Steel ones. I was talking to a koh racer who ended up losing his arb lockers from inferior lines.

[Gunnibronco]

In order to get a real deal from ARB the break point was 5 or more units. They could be mix and match. Let me know if you guy's are serious and I'll see what we can get for deals.

If this potential purchase is a couple months out, and it was a "real deal". I could be in the market for 2.

[Moab Mike]

June would be ideal for me too and I am in the market for a front and rear. FYI WH's has but two and get a free compressor right now.

[Dukietown]

I'd be interested to see what the deal is as well. I currently have Detroit rear and ARB front and would like to swap out the Detroit to go selectable.

[Jesus_man]

No offense to the arb fans but every time I ha been wheeling with a rig with arb lockers there is a issue. There is something not working on them.

X2. Been wheeling with quite a few guys with issues. In theory ARB is the way to go, but they are finicky at best.

I don't know off the top of my head what is available, but I would look strongly at electric or cable operated lockers. Check out the Eaton ELocker.

Plus, you may not need a select-able up front. Once you unlock your hubs you have taken whatever locker that in he pumpkin out of the equation. And on the trail for turning radius just pop your twin sticks into 2WD L and you're good to go.

[ZOSO]

I sure wish auburn would build the Ected for the 9". That is a killer way to go. A LS with full locker. I believe JT is running one in the front of his bronco.

[ManTruck]

No offense to the arb fans but every time I ha been wheeling with a rig with arb lockers there is a issue. There is something not working on them.

X2. Been wheeling with quite a few guys with issues. In theory ARB is the way to go, but they are finicky at best.

I don't know off the top of my head what is available, but I would look strongly at electric or cable operated lockers. Check out the Eaton ELocker.

Plus, you may not need a select-able up front. Once you unlock your hubs you have taken whatever locker that in he pumpkin out of the equation. And on the trail for turning radius just pop your twin sticks into 2WD L and you're good to go.

I agree with the above.
Detroit front and rear. All good till something breaks which has not happened yet.

[BroncoCrawler]

Not to start a war but the reliability of an ARB depends entirely on the setup. Carrier bearing preload, oring installation, copper air line routing and blue air line routing will either make or break an ARB. unfortunately most gear guys are paid flat rate and don't take the time necessary to make sure its done right. I've never had a problem with any of the ARB's I've installed but that's just me.

That being said im about to order 3 ARB's myself (2 for my bronco and 1 for a customer), and am curious about the discount. I already get them a little cheaper through my shop but if someone else is ready to go in the next week or so maybe we can get a better price.

[ZOSO]

Not to start a war but the reliability of an ARB depends entirely on the setup. Carrier bearing preload, oring installation, copper air line routing and blue air line routing will either make or break an ARB. unfortunately most gear guys are paid flat rate and don't take the time necessary to make sure its done right. I've never had a problem with any of the ARB's I've installed but that's just me.

That being said im about to order 3 ARB's myself (2 for my bronco and 1 for a customer), and am curious about the discount. I already get them a little cheaper through my shop but if someone else is ready to go in the next week or so maybe we can get a better price.

I agree. High country set up the ARB in the front of my bronco sometime in the early 90's and never had an issue with it yet.

[Gunnibronco]

Not to start a war but the reliability of an ARB depends entirely on the setup. Carrier bearing preload, oring installation, copper air line routing and blue air line routing will either make or break an ARB. unfortunately most gear guys are paid flat rate and don't take the time necessary to make sure its done right. I've never had a problem with any of the ARB's I've installed but that's just me.

That being said im about to order 3 ARB's myself (2 for my bronco and 1 for a customer), and am curious about the discount. I already get them a little cheaper through my shop but if someone else is ready to go in the next week or so maybe we can get a better price.

I agree. High country set up the ARB in the front of my bronco sometime in the early 90's and never had an issue with it yet.

I've read this over & over.

I'd look at electronic or Ox lockers, but they aren't made for 9" or the D70 I've got for my next rear axle.

[BroncoCrawler]

As a side note also ARB has absolutely phenomenal customer service and also great parts support. You ever try buying an individual part for a Detroit or a an elocker? ARB is not problem even their old style lockers are fully supported. I used to be a Detroit diehard fan.... Then I owned a rig with an ARB and won't ever look back.

[Jesus_man]

I will buy that proper and precise installation of an ARB could yield good results, but with the air line, compressor, etc I think it complicates things, which is something you don't want IMO. If you plan to do any snow bashing, you really have to watch that air line. I'd like to know what other selectable lockers are available for the 9".

I do prefer my spool over say a detroit only because it's much more predicable. With a detroit you get "torque steer" on the highway when accelerating hard or decelerating. And that can get hairy in a lifted short wheel base rig. With the spool, it puts the same torque to each wheel all the time. It is a little harder on tires tho, but again, it's simple and a great solution for a mostly trail truck. For something driven more often...yeah that's tough.

[Gunnibronco]

but with the air line, compressor, etc I think it complicates things, which is something you don't want IMO. I'd like to know what other selectable lockers are available for the 9".

I 100% agree. But I don't think there are any other selectable lockers for the 9" (or my D70).

[horseplay]

I'll try and get some real $$ amounts together as soon as my rep gets back from vacation on 27th of April.

[Rox Crusher]

I might be in for a one as a back up / spare

Cuz apparently mine are gonna blow up soon

[Eck]

It's amazing that a company that is so well respected in the off-road community has terrible products that never work.

With that said- I'm in for one for the 9". I'm in no hurry and can be part of a mass buy whenever if it is the right deal.

[sykanr0ng]

If the company (TFS) that made the Heep Rubicon TJ air locker would sell them on the aftermarket I would be interested.

A gear type limited slip like a TrueTrac when unlocked.

Clutches wear out, and require special additives to the oil.

[Jesus_man]

Maybe it's the "bad news travels fast" phenomena. But I personally know more people who have had trouble with their ARB locker than those that don't. Just get it installed correctly and carefully route your lines and secure them for the best possible option for success.

[sykanr0ng]

Maybe it's the "bad news travels fast" phenomena. But I personally know more people who have had trouble with their ARB locker than those that don't. Just get it installed correctly and carefully route your lines and secure them for the best possible option for success.

Satisfied customers tell three people.

Unhappy customers tell three thousand people.

[Gunnibronco]

Due to new federal regulations I'm out of the group buy. Sorry.

[Jesus_man]

Due to new federal regulations I'm out of the group buy. Sorry.

Wait, what?