View Full Version : Diff lockers
Larns
4th February 2007, 09:25 AM
Lookin at getting diff lockers soon and wondering what you guy's have experianced and what was good and bad.
I'm looking at putting a Tru-trac in the front and a locker in the back, however I'm interested in a vacume operated rear locker not a compressor run.
Whats my options.
TIA Larns
Slunnie
4th February 2007, 09:28 AM
I guess the options are a Detroit Tru-trac or a Quaife in the front, and Maxi-drive in the rear. I'm pretty sure JacMac don't do vacuum anymore.
dobbo
4th February 2007, 04:41 PM
would an lsd in both front and rear be a better option, might be cheaper on install if you get the two together.
D110V8D
4th February 2007, 04:45 PM
I'm going Detroit rear and tru trac front in the 110.
I've used a Detroit before and I like it's simplicity.
I'm selling a pair of Maxi Drives if you're interested. Shipping will be a bitch though.:(
dmdigital
4th February 2007, 04:57 PM
Hey there fellow Territorian :D
I had ARB air lockers in my previous Disco. Only issue with them is I wouldn't trust ARB Darwin to install a nut on a bolt properly. I've actually officially complained to ARB head office about work they have done.
At the time I went ARB because I couldn't get the Maxi-drive at anywhere near the same price. But that was years ago. If I was repeating the procedure I'd be going Maxi-drive lockers and axles front and rear.
easo
4th February 2007, 05:57 PM
Sally Anne's got ARB air lockers had them fitted by ARB in Albury. They were pretty good. Do the Maxi drives come with the axles or it just an extra your getting dm_td5?
D110V8D
4th February 2007, 06:06 PM
Maxi Drive diff locks always come with axles.
Maxi Drive lockers will not operate without Maxi Drive axles. The locking mechanism (dog) slides on the inner part of the axle, locking the diff to the axle.
It's a different system to ARB/Jac MAC
Blknight.aus
4th February 2007, 06:21 PM
Hey there fellow Territorian :D
I had ARB air lockers in my previous Disco. Only issue with them is I wouldn't trust ARB Darwin to install a nut on a bolt properly. I've actually officially complained to ARB head office about work they have done.
At the time I went ARB because I couldn't get the Maxi-drive at anywhere near the same price. But that was years ago. If I was repeating the procedure I'd be going Maxi-drive lockers and axles front and rear.
I'll second that but not from personal experience... and goto tjm instead...
one of the boaties at 10fsb had some spotties installed by ARB... and promptly nearly set fire to his ride... the relay for the spotties went unfuesed from battery to earth when turned on....
dmdigital
4th February 2007, 06:27 PM
I'll second that but not from personal experience... and goto tjm instead...
All I'll say on that note is no.
D110V8D
4th February 2007, 06:29 PM
I'll second that but not from personal experience... and goto tjm instead...
one of the boaties at 10fsb had some spotties installed by ARB... and promptly nearly set fire to his ride... the relay for the spotties went unfuesed from battery to earth when turned on....
Sounds like something I'd do.........:angel: :angel: :angel:
easo
4th February 2007, 06:42 PM
I didn't have any dramas with opisit lock in darwin, I think its on coonawarra rd.
blitz
5th February 2007, 11:29 AM
Hi guys
I'm supprised at the comments about ARB Darwin I got them to install lockers front and rear, long range fuel tank, 75mm suspension lift, umm and some other crap I cant remember it all about five years ago or more now (KRAFT)
Everything they did was very professional and the only things breaking on the disco is because I had finally found the design limits of certain landrover parts (read that as my fault not Landrover or ARB ) I have never had a problem with the ARB air lockers and the maxi ones are even better I am lead to believe.
As with any form of manual differential locking system the responsibility rests with the operator, if you lock up the diffs in the wrong situation you will break or reduce the operational life of the various parts. Used responsibly they are a fantastic piece of equipment, but I would recomend a winch first. the first time I took the disco out after I had the lockers fitted to test them I got hung up on the diffs, had to get a mate to pull me out :blush: So a winch went on the next week.
My personal prefrence is for manual locking ones over auto locking ones ie Detroit etc as an experienced operator is far better than an auto locker.
No matter wich way you go you will go much further and with less damage to the environment
Cheers Blythe
isuzurover
5th February 2007, 12:55 PM
MD lockers are very good quality and very reliable, and also easy to install. Apart from setting up the ring and pinion on the new centre, the rest can be done by any semi trained monkey capable of wielding a plasma cutter and welder - Mal Supplies a template so it is almost impossible to go wrong. If there are no competent diff rebuilders in Darwin, you could always send your centres down to Mal for him to set them up.
JM lockers are also a very good design (better than ARB IMO as no moving air seals to leak) - but as mentioned are apparently no longer offered as a vacuum locker.
Tank
5th February 2007, 07:31 PM
Lookin at getting diff lockers soon and wondering what you guy's have experianced and what was good and bad.
I'm looking at putting a Tru-trac in the front and a locker in the back, however I'm interested in a vacume operated rear locker not a compressor run.
Whats my options.
TIA Larns
I have ARB Lockers fitted front and rear with 4.11 gears, Maxi Drive Axles and Flanges and 110 Swivel and CV, in my 93 4L disco, they have been in less than 2 years and the seal on the rear air locker Mechanism has gone and am blowing diff oil out of compressor, only a small amount when engaging or disengaging, the seal should last longer, told ARB about it, weren't interested, then again I would never own another 4WD without them, TJM might be the go with Maxi-Drive axles and flanges, Regards Frank.
HSVRangie
5th February 2007, 07:54 PM
Jac mac air locker.
Maxi drive.
ARB with maxi axles.
if you want simple and very effective then go true trac front and detroit in rear will do 99% of anything most people want, fit maxi axlews to.
Michael.
waynep
6th February 2007, 07:28 AM
I have an MD in the rear - sometimes it takes a while to engage - need to swerve from side to side to get it to lock in. Maybe something not adjusted right ?
isuzurover
6th February 2007, 05:18 PM
I have an MD in the rear - sometimes it takes a while to engage - need to swerve from side to side to get it to lock in. Maybe something not adjusted right ?
Because MD lockers only work on 15psi engine vacuum (or less), they can take slightly longer to engage than other lockers which work on 90psi air pressure (or more). Also remember that the light only lights up when the locker is FULLY engaged. ARBs light up when you flick the switch - whether the locker is engaged or not.
That said, if your locker is excessively slow, it can mean either a bend diff housing or twisted axle (unlikely).
On hard-packed surfaces if mine doesn't engage straight away I usually turn it off and back on, and it locks in. On loose surfaces it usually engages straight away.
Larns
7th February 2007, 10:45 PM
SWEET.....I can post again. Been tearin my hair out cause I changed my e-mail and it wouldn't let me post for the last couple of days.
Am sold on the Tru trac for the front, it's the rear I'm still undecided on though. The MD sound like their the go for me if they are vacume lock.
Mick, may be interested in the rear MD locker. Send me a PM if you have a price in mind.
And I agree about ARB.....I think they are extreamly over priced and rated. I've delt with TJM and don't rate them as well. I do however get along with opposite lock, as I find they don't BS me if they are unsure on something, and their not shy about rating another shops product if it's better then what they stock. And they are extreamly competative in prices. They under cut ARB by 30% on a set of lightforces for me, and I didn't ever mention that I had a price from ARB.
But every town is different, and I suppose that in another town the TJM dealer is the down to earth bloke and the others as stuck up.
Cheers Guys
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