Lockers

[naradataranto]

Ok please give opinions
Im looking at adding a locker to the fender tdi but dont have the money for duel just yet. The question is front or rear and why.
How much should I be paying for a good job and a good locker.

Opinions appreciated

[Slunnie]

Front or rear is always something that gets debated. Its a bit like asking which tyre is best.

IMHO... Rear as when you climb, thats where the weight and so traction is. Its also a lot more stable when you start to wheel spin and the rear end driveline is stronger than the front end as it has stronger axles and no CV's.

How much? I'd check the ARB catalogue and then add $800 for a set of axles.

[long stroke]

ARB air locker around $1300 un fitted (for a defender salisbury rear) and about $1800 fitted, plus axles your looking at around about $2600:o

TIM.

[naradataranto]

Thanks Slunnie and Long stroke you guys always seem to have the answers and deliver them straight up, the way a newbe like me needs it.
Thanks for your continuing help and answers.

[cewilson]

$1300 - that depends on what compressor you use to activate it. My locker cost me $1150, and then the hi-flow compressor and tyre kit another $300. Axles were around the $750 mark from memory.

Worth it - hell yeah. And I agree with Slunnie as well. I hardly use my front locker, but the rear gets a good old fashioned work out!

Cheers
Chris

[matt39788]

I just payed $750 for some Hi Tough Axels (same as maxi) and $1050 for a detroit locker to fit my 2000 Defender Salisbury, I will finish the fit up next week. I was going for the air locker but ARB perth mucked me around so much saying it would be here in a week then 3 weeks later still no locker, so i went with the detroit.

Happy shopping, lockers aint cheap as you have already worked out but they make offroading all that much better.

cheers Matt

[weeds]

would agree with a rear ARB locker first, if your axles are in good nick than there is no reason to upgrade straight away, just monitor the wear

my lockers run off a bush ranger max air compressor with a small reciever

[naradataranto]

Thanks guys.
Once you have the compresor e.c.t fitted for the rear/front it is obviously cheaper for the other locker as you already have the compressor right??? or do you have to get two, or is that what the hi flow is for. Glad to see you agree about the rear as from my limmited reading I was expecting that.
Do you mean to tell me that you quite often only engage one locker even though you have two.
Any particular reason?

[weeds]

the one compressor will run both lockers

arb wire the lockers so that the rear has to be engaged first than the front.....a mate of mine changed his wiring so he can select as required, i'm happy for the rear to engage first

i tend to use the rear locker a little more than the front, if there is the smallest chance of losing traction on the front i engage it.....mays well as the previous spent plenty of $$$$ installing them

[Slunnie]

Thanks guys.
Once you have the compresor e.c.t fitted for the rear/front it is obviously cheaper for the other locker as you already have the compressor right??? or do you have to get two, or is that what the hi flow is for. Glad to see you agree about the rear as from my limmited reading I was expecting that.
Do you mean to tell me that you quite often only engage one locker even though you have two.
Any particular reason?
Just 1 compressor is needed. The ARB one is now a good one though and everything just bolts up to it so there is no need for air manifolds and that type of thing. Also comes with the loom to operate the lockers etc - everything just goes together nicely and everything matches. Its also fast to pump up tyres. A lot go their own way though with airtanks etc.

I often only use the rear locker. If there is good traction, the track is flatish or you're in ruts then there are not problems, but if its a big obstical that you are trying to drive and you spin the tyres, then running front locked takes away the lateral traction and the rear end can drive the front around sideways and into things. Its just more stable with the front unlocked.

[Tank]

There's a Stage 1 V8 ute in the markets for sale for $2500 with F&R Lockers, would be a good buy just for the lockers alone, Regards Frank.

[easo]

There's a Stage 1 V8 ute in the markets for sale for $2500 with F&R Lockers, would be a good buy just for the lockers alone, Regards Frank.

For $3,400 fitted -ish both front and rear, yeah worth it.

The pluss is the compressor can run both and has an out let for a tyer inflation hose (can't support air tools), so you wont think twice about airing down then worry about when you get to re-inflate.

[leeds]

I run ARB locker on rear axle only, do not use it often but it is good.

Air locker on front axle as far as I understand it makes steering difficult and increases possible danger to CV joints. Competitors at challenge events seem to switch front lockers in and out so that they can steer etc and also get maximum traction.

Regards

Brendan

[aloa9061]

Lockers are a great investment and contrary to what many people say you actually reduce damage.

Lockers allow for a much more controlled approach to hills and reduce shockloads which is what usually breaks stuff.

Rear is definatly the first choice. I use my rear locker all the time and it makes a huge difference.

With the fronts I use mine regularly but I am veyr careful on smooth rock. As slunnie said locking the front up on smooth rockms tends to cause the front end to wash out to the side!

[F4Phantom]

For one locker only and for maximum capability the front locker is the way to go. However from the opinions here you can see that people prefer the rear locker when only one unit is installed, me included. This is because of CV's and steering and I suspect the general idea of rear wheel drive somewhere in the back of our minds.

As for the Unit, I prefer auto mechanical lockers over manual air lockers. Many opinions and reasons for and against these two but in the end they both offer advantages depending on what you want.

[XSiV]

I got a price from a wholesaler on detroit locker the other day. $740+gst for salsbury rear and $750+gst for a true trac LSD on the front. Obviously this wasn't fitted. They're in Syd and they are the importer and supply all the railways & RFS etc.

Good thing about a detroit is there is no need for a compressor it's a fit and forget job. I was all ready to make a purchase and then my head gasket went so the lockers are on hold.

Cheers

Josh

[sclarke]

There's a Stage 1 V8 ute in the markets for sale for $2500 with F&R Lockers, would be a good buy just for the lockers alone, Regards Frank.


DATS mine......

its priced to sell as the lockers are worth that.....

then you get to sell the rest and make $$$$$