Maxi vs Lokka vs ARB vs Detroit vs..

[WedWon]

Have done a few searches but can't find a definitive comparison from real expereince etc between the various lockers available

Could you answer
Make of Locker
Type of Locker
Front, Rear or both
Main Type of Off-road driving
Verdict

For example: and this is only an example as i don't have a locker yet
Make of Locker ARB
Type of Locker Compressed air switching
Front, Rear or both Rear
Main Type of Off-road driving Sand 60%, rock and mud 40%
Verdict: copes well in the sand but has been wearing our rear tyres more quickly that I would have thought

Look forward to your input
Cheers
Jason

[Psimpson7]

Could you answer
Make of Locker: ARB
Type of Locker: Air Locker (older type with olives not o'rings)
Front, Rear or both: Both
Main Type of Off-road driving: As difficult as I can find
Verdict: Fantastic. we fitted them ourselves though and the car was basically new. They have been in for 85k km now and have never ever not worked faultlessly.

[Nick S]

Could you answer
Make of Locker: Maxidrive
Type of Locker: Vac
Front, Rear or both: Both
Main Type of Off-road driving: Anything- Victoria mud and rocks- WA sand
Verdict: Best thing I ever bought for the Rangie. Totally reliable for the past 5 years. Upgraded the CVs to Ashcroft and used Maxi drive flanges on the front as well.

[Xtreme]

Around summer of 2002/03 a few of us got together with one of the 4WD magazines and did a comparison test of various types of diff locks / traction aids. We all had 110 Defenders similarly set up and with similar tyres (all but one had 235x85R16 BFG AT's) but with different traction aids.
Following is the conclusion to a report written for our club newsletter.
Probably not what you were after but I jst thought you might find it interesting anyway.

Roger

Conclusion
In sheer traction terms the three lockers came out in front - no surprises there. All performed equally well and only the drivers knew of any operational differences.
Next best was the Electronic Traction Control. Not quite a match for our three lockers, but it performed admirably. What let it down was the fact that you had to push it to perform.
Finally the poor old open diff Defender struggled, but was only ever intended to be our yardstick, from which to judge the others.
If it comes to limited traction conditions like sand, the traction method is less significant. Mud is much the same - no traction available, no progress, no matter what system powers the spinning wheels. Here it's all down to technique and in sand (and mud) it's the combination of momentum (not speed), weight and engine power that determines progress, given equal tyres.
When the going gets really rough and you have loose, steep terrain that can also lift wheels in the air, the ability to minimise (or better still eliminate) wheel spin is the key to success.
Detroit Lockers provide a fuss free entry level locking diff. Once installed all the driver does is steer. But while it's off road manners are impeccable, on road is a different story. It's here they earn their reputation for being ‘noisy’ as they 'clunk' into and out of mesh. Likewise their poor handing reputation, while engaging and disengaging mid-corner. Also, they mightn't prove as cheap if you add the stronger Maxi-Drive axles like Darren did, once his were pulled out and were found to be twisted.
ARB Air Lockers have earned themselves an enviable reputation throughout the world with 4WD enthusiasts. Relatively cheap, very effective and available for a wide range of vehicles, they've become the measure for which all other traction methods are judged. One thing they are not is bullet proof. Standard axles are prone to breakage once controlled by an Air Locker and the mechanism itself becomes unreliable over time, with leaking seals and faulty electricals being the prime causes for concerns.
Unlike the Detroit Locker, you must engage and disengage the locker, requiring some thought on behalf of the driver. You must do so before committing yourself to an obstacle (rather like engaging the centre diff lock) and the need for a set air pressure means that the compressor must be switched on earlier again, so the lockers will engage.
Maxi-Drive Lockers were originally developed in the mid-seventies, have built a reputation for being bullet proof. The reason for this is that they are simple, yet over engineered. Operation is via a pull-push brass button (pull-on and push-off) and a light illuminates only when the locker is engaged. So there is often a minor delay for it to light up, or for the light to go off - just as you get with your centre diff lock.
In fact it was the original Range Rover's centre diff lock that gave Mal Story the idea in the first place. Not the cheapest or easiest to fit of this bunch, but certainly the strongest and most reliable.
Electronic Traction Control (ETC) - The best part about it is that it's free (or at least standard equipment). You can't go to a shop and buy one, but you can always get a new Defender for $50,000 instead. Like the Detroit, it requires no input from the driver. It's simply there doing its job.
And quite a good job too. For not only do you get an effective off road tool, you get the bonus of having it there for when the conditions get tricky on the road as well.
Where it is let down is in its complexity and to a lesser extent its execution. By relying on the computer and all its related sensors you place great faith in Land Rover's ability to provide long-term electrical reliability. Something they've earned a poor reputation for over the past 55 years. There is also the issue of brake pad wear if used to excess.
In operation, the system favours the inexperienced driver. For those people, when confronted with an obstacle, the natural instinct is to put the foot to the floor. ETC requires the wheels to spin first before it can react. It then applies the brakes to retard the spinning wheel/s. So putting your foot down not only gets the wheels spinning, it also helps you drive through the braking force and eventually you overcome the obstacle.
For experienced drivers, who have learnt to modulate the throttle to achieve the best results, it means that you must adapt your driving style, or else you'll be constantly fighting the vehicle's in-built system.
Without doubt adding a locking rear differential will make a significant improvement to your vehicles off road abilities. Our test proved that for certain. But our photographer Michael Elem had brought along his highly modified Toyota 100 Series, just to keep us in check. It was equipped with an eight-inch spring lift and front and rear Air Lockers. I'd just tackled a section that was even harder than those used on our test, so Michael decided it was too much for him and he had to have a go. It was once again very steep and loose, but with a foot high vertical rock face at the top. Using only the rear locker, he reached the point where the rock face was and stopped. Being an auto he was able to punch in the front locker and start off again - effortlessly climbing over the rock face! It just goes to show what an auto and twin lockers is capable of.
But don’t for a minute think that by fitting locking diffs, your vehicle becomes unstoppable - far from it. My own experience with my rear Maxi-Drive was to go out and get stuck within half an hour of collecting the newly equipped Defender! In Mal Story's words, ‘you can get away without a winch if you don’t have a diff lock, but you'll need one with one diff lock fitted and a damn good one if you've got two diff locks fitted!’
In the right hands, a Land Rover fitted with one, or better still, two diff locks will not only go further but also do so with less strain on both the driver and the vehicle.

[knotty7]

Hi

I have a rear detroit pro locker got it from the states landed to me
for $780. It took me not even 2 hrs to fit. Most of my driving is hard offroading:twisted:. I still use it as a drive car every day. I cant fault it, you dont need a compressor, there are no electrics its just there.
I wouldnt have it any other way:D

[justinc]

Detroit locker, rear, salisbury diff.
Open front differential, (soon to fit true track due to front end traction problems:o)
I must add that the one fitted to my vehicle, (took 55minutes to fit:)) causes NO road handling issues whatsoever, and is the best thing I have fitted to my RR apart from the 4BD1T.

Type of offroading; rocks, mud, sand, touring on dirt and towing.

It is also dead silent and works with no intrusive noises or has any side slip problems or any of the perceived issues these diffs are supposed to suffer from. I am using Maxidrive rear axles and drive flanges too.

I am completely happy with it and don't hesitate to recommend them.

JC

[Jezzaol]

Make of Locker : Detroit
Type of Locker : Trutrack front , Full Detroit rear
Front, Rear or both : Both
Main Type of Off-road driving : moderate to extreme small amount of comp work 60% mud & Rock 40% sand
Verdict : Simplicity, drives nice on and off road. mobility off road and steering is better than a solid locked front diff (like Full detroit or ARB) and its much nicer on your front axles and CV's !

Cheers

[weeds]

Could you answer
Make of Locker: ARB
Type of Locker: Air Locker
Front, Rear or both: Both
Main Type of Off-road driving: A bit of everything, when touring solo i try not to engage the front, its my get out of jail card if i get stuck with the rear engaged
Verdict: Fantastic.........fitted by the previous owner. I have driver approx 80Kand have never ever not worked faultlessly.

:D:D

re: search, there would be dozens of threads covering locker/axle combo's

[Boxer]

This is a great thread guys. I've been sniffing around at these options for mine.

Without hijacking the thread, what sort of dollars would someone be up for when it came to axel and flange ugrades?

[Psimpson7]

Boxer,

From memory a set of rear shafts and flanges from HiTuff is about $800

Ashcroft and Rovertracks do them also

Front shafts, CVs, and drive flanges are more.

Couple of options

Ashcroft - available from Rovacraft
Rovertracks - out of production at the moment

Cheers.

[waynep]

Have done a few searches but can't find a definitive comparison from real expereince etc between the various lockers available

Cheers
Jason

As you are probably aware, Maxi Lockers are no longer available ( new anyway).
I have one - it can be slow to engage at times but once in performs flawlessly.

[V8Landy]

Could you answer
Make of Locker-macnamara
Type of Locker-air operated
Front, Rear or both-Both
Main Type of Off-road driving-Anything i can find to challenge them.Mainly ruted hills and bogholes
Verdict-Excellent as long as you have traction so tyres are important in slippery mud.Fitted them ourselves not to difficult.Would not hesitate to recomend them.
At the 2.07 min mark of this vid you will see Kevin(my Disco)climb a hill pretty easily that those without lockers had lots of trouble at


http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=Xgl076sqa3E

[njz]

Make of Locker: ARB
Type of Locker: Air Locker
Front, Rear or both: Rear
Main Type of Off-road driving: bit of every thing from club day trips to the vic high.
Verdict: Greatly improved off road capability for a relatively stock looking truck like mine. Its great being able to flick a switch and crawl instead of having to use momentum. I didn't really see a difference in sand on our recent trip to Fraser.
I had the flange and gasket changed under warranty as it was blowing oil out of the solenoid exhaust port.

[hook]

Detroit locker, rear, salisbury diff.

and is the best thing I have fitted to my RR apart from the 4BD1T.


I am completely happy with it and don't hesitate to recommend them.

JC

Hi Jack!:wasntme:


Salisbury in the rear of a RR???

How hard was the mod????

Might be worth a look at my Disco?

Tanks

[discowhite]

Could you answer
Make of Locker DETROIT
Type of Locker Front TRUE TRACK and Rear FULL DETROIT
Front, Rear or both BOTH
Main Type of Off-road driving EVERY DAY AND NASTY STUFF OFFROAD.
Verdict WOULDNT DO IT ANY OTHER WAY.



Detroit Lockers provide a fuss free entry level locking diff. Once installed all the driver does is steer. But while it's off road manners are impeccable, on road is a different story. It's here they earn their reputation for being ‘noisy’ as they 'clunk' into and out of mesh. Likewise their poor handing reputation, while engaging and disengaging mid-corner. Also, they mightn't prove as cheap if you add the stronger Maxi-Drive axles like Darren did, once his were pulled out and were found to be twisted.

this statement is no longer valid as the new detroit's are easy and noise free to drive on and off road. and as knotty7 said landed for $780 pluss $400 USD for the axles, thats cheaper than any other locker/axle combo on the market.

cheers phil

[olle]

Hi new to forum, live in New Zealand and get off road at least 1'ce a week, mostly forestry tracks, muddy clay and also sand/dunes on beach. I am intrested in advice on diff locks front and rear. Heard alot of good and bad things about ARB Airlockers. Did have a 4.6L P38 Ranger Rover in past and found onboard air to be a bit unreliable, with leaks however first to aknowledge that maintance was low as this was a bush basher. Tending towards Detriot Locker for rear, no idea about front. Welcome advice and comments, also recomendations on suppliers esp in New Zealand, But regularly visit USA and have no issues importing parts either.

[Tank]

Could you answer
Make of Locker DETROIT
Type of Locker Front TRUE TRACK and Rear FULL DETROIT
Front, Rear or both BOTH
Main Type of Off-road driving EVERY DAY AND NASTY STUFF OFFROAD.
Verdict WOULDNT DO IT ANY OTHER WAY.

this statement is no longer valid as the new detroit's are easy and noise free to drive on and off road. and as knotty7 said landed for $780 pluss $400 USD for the axles, thats cheaper than any other locker/axle combo on the market.

cheers phil

Phil and others, need some clarification, here's the scenario with a Detroit locker fitted to rear only, driving up a very steep, loose rock firetrail (which would be impassable with standard open diff) when a very sharp right/left hand switchback/hairpin bend of the same steepness appears
Does the Detroit locker Dis-engage while trying to negotiate this sharp bend and revert back to a standard open diff as it does on tarmac.
My understanding is that Detroit lockers are ALWAYS LOCKED when driving straight ahead, BUT UNLOCK while turning, I am wondering what would happen in the scenario described in the off-road situation, Regards Frank.

[isuzurover]

Vehicle 1
Make of Locker: ARB
Type of Locker: Airlocker (Rover front Sals rear)
Front, Rear or both: Both
Actuation: 80 psi compressed air provided by converted AC compressor
Main Type of Off-road driving: Touring / sand (some mud/rock)
Verdict: 100% happy. Work as they should. Both bought 2nd hand. Front overhauled and converted to 24-spline by McNamara

Vehicle 2
Make of Locker: Maxi-Drive
Type of Locker: Sals
Front, Rear or both: Rear
Actuation: 15 psi compressed air provided by converted AC compressor (need to reverse connectors to blow instead of suck at piston end)
Main Type of Off-road driving: Anything that looks fun, as much rock as possible.
Verdict: 100% happy. Ok - one minor niggle, the actuator grub screw always needs retightening...




Phil and others, need some clarification, here's the scenario with a Detroit locker fitted to rear only, driving up a very steep, loose rock firetrail (which would be impassable with standard open diff) when a very sharp right/left hand switchback/hairpin bend of the same steepness appears
Does the Detroit locker Dis-engage while trying to negotiate this sharp bend and revert back to a standard open diff as it does on tarmac.
My understanding is that Detroit lockers are ALWAYS LOCKED when driving straight ahead, BUT UNLOCK while turning, I am wondering what would happen in the scenario described in the off-road situation, Regards Frank.

It depends if the wheels both have sufficient traction. If the surface is very loose the detroit probably won't unlock and the back end will just slide around.



Hi new to forum, live in New Zealand and get off road at least 1'ce a week, mostly forestry tracks, muddy clay and also sand/dunes on beach. I am intrested in advice on diff locks front and rear. Heard alot of good and bad things about ARB Airlockers. Did have a 4.6L P38 Ranger Rover in past and found onboard air to be a bit unreliable, with leaks however first to aknowledge that maintance was low as this was a bush basher. Tending towards Detriot Locker for rear, no idea about front. Welcome advice and comments, also recomendations on suppliers esp in New Zealand, But regularly visit USA and have no issues importing parts either.

I have the lockers mentioned above, and have never had any reliability issues. Though there are a few aspects of the ARB design I don't like (including the o-rings) however no problems so far. I have also found my home-built OBA system to be reliable. The only issue I had was one of my oil/water filters once blocked, causing a hose to be blown off.

Detroits are probably more fit-and-forget though. Though you can't fit one in the front. ex-usa is probably the cheapest option. Keith at Rovertracks is good to deal with.

[PhilipA]

Phil and others, need some clarification, here's the scenario with a Detroit locker fitted to rear only, driving up a very steep, loose rock firetrail (which would be impassable with standard open diff) when a very sharp right/left hand switchback/hairpin bend of the same steepness appears
Does the Detroit locker Dis-engage while trying to negotiate this sharp bend and revert back to a standard open diff as it does on tarmac.
My understanding is that Detroit lockers are ALWAYS LOCKED when driving straight ahead, BUT UNLOCK while turning, I am wondering what would happen in the scenario described in the off-road situation, Regards Frank.
No it doesn't if on a slippery surface and you tend to plough straight ahead or make a very wide turn as the diff remains locked. It doesn't happen very often but it does happen.
Regards Philip A

[djam1]

Make of Locker: Detroit In Salisbury Rear
Type of Locker: Auto
Front, Rear or both: Rear
Main Type of Off-road driving: bit of every thing
Verdict: Greatly improved off road capability not as bad as most people say they are on the road you just need to learn to drive with it. They do have some strange habbits on greasy side slopes though
Run Maxi Axles as didnt like the idea of breaking detroit if an axle went

[101RRS]

Frank,

I find that when offroad the wheel will normally slip in the dirt before the detroit slips and if it does it is normally only one click. For all intends and purposes offroad the Detroit works just the same as a manually locked setup.

Even on road it is only on really tight turns that it clicks - on straight stuff I never hear it so I assume that natural bumps in the road etc tend to release the bit of windup in the rear axle. Good highways might be different but at 100kph in a 101 I would never hear it anyway.

I have had mine in for 18 months and covered 12,000km onroad and various offroad conditions and in driving the vehicle you would never know it was there and working away. I have no unusual wear patterns in the back tyres and in mine the rears wear better than the fronts.

Cheers

Garry

[Jim621]

Could you answer
Make of Locker - Detroit
Type of Locker - Full Detroit rear, truetrack front
Front, Rear or both - as above
Main Type of Off-road driving - main type would be sand driving; have dabbled with rock crawling.
Verdict - Brilliant! Cheap - Easy Install - No wires/hoses - No worrying about locking/unlocking. As mentioned by others the detroit will make your turning circle larger if you are on a loose surface and are hard on the gas while turning the corner - Generally if you are easy on the throttle the car will turn the same as with a locked centre diff.