F&R Maxidrives - what is next to break?

i would definitely go Maxi drive.

not just giving you a locker but stronger diff centers, best axles and drive flanges. all Australian made buy a fantastic company.

you may not need lockers but they can help in soft sand and don't dig you further in than open diffs only you can do that!

i think they are a better design than arb, no compresser needed, unlock just as fast, and if needed can be disengaged via sucking on the vacuum line with your mouth.

if you can afford to treat yourself some fun go with Maxi-drive

serg

Get Air Lockers stick to only one size larger tyre than stock and save on the money of maxi axels and CV's and you wont break anything anyway.
Nothing wrong with Air Lockers, just make sure the power for the compressor is wired direct to the battery not the cabin fuses.

We do as much remote touring as possible, normally around the Cape and Gulf region, and because of my work stucture, mostly we travel alone. As such, I've tried to make my vehicle as strong and self sufficient as I can afford. I chose Maxi-Drive because of their simplicity, reliability and strength, and, of course, they are Aussie born and bred. They also tend to be fitted by specialists - unless you're game yourself!.
This is important, as a mate will attest, he had a noisy rear diff after two months of having the ARB, once we took it apart, it was obvious that the diff had not been re-installed correctly, you're average ARB store is not a differential specialist.
Maxi's are slower to engage, but the light illumenates only when the dog is locked, unlike the ARB, where the light is on with the switch. I'm not a racer, I don't mind the extra two seconds to dis/engage.
Seals are a known issue with the ARB - do a search.
From my point of view, the County is a long term project, that did not cost a great deal to buy initially, and therefore I am not reluctant to spend on quality products that will last, and it is my intention to keep the vehicle for some time. Still heaps cheaper than a base 100 series cruiser!!......:D

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what will be the next thing to break with one of these setups?

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After all the Maxi stuff is installed, generally the next weakest link will be crownwheel and pinion.

Yeah, side tracked, crown wheel and pinion, are next, but have heard if you order the 'export' version from Maxi-Drive, these are also included, anyone confirm?..

I just went thru the ARB vs Maxi.

If you consider that at some point you will need to replace your standard axles, and you will have to do the rears sooner rather than later especially if towing, the full rear maxi works out almost the same as ARB + maxi axles.

I just prefer the maxis and Mal is a lovely person to deal with.

Front I have a tru-trac and county CVs with Maxi axles.....if any of that breaks....

The other consideration is detroit rear with maxi axles down the track?

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Originally Posted by Captain_Rightfoot

Why not Maxi lockers? The price seems to be the same? why the preference for ARB? Back to my question... what will be the next thing to break with one of these setups?

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well main reson is that when i last went thought this exercise was in the Uk and ARB is a hell of a lot cheaper (still bloody exspensive though, compaired to here) than Maxi drive Lockers if you can get them. That is why almost all the serious winch truck in the uk run air lockers with maxi drive shafts

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Originally Posted by noddy

I just went thru the ARB vs Maxi.

If you consider that at some point you will need to replace your standard axles, and you will have to do the rears sooner rather than later especially if towing, the full rear maxi works out almost the same as ARB + maxi axles.

I just prefer the maxis and Mal is a lovely person to deal with.

Front I have a tru-trac and county CVs with Maxi axles.....if any of that breaks....

The other consideration is detroit rear with maxi axles down the track?

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That's what I found. By the time you price the arb and then the maxi's with axles the price seemed fairly similar. :)

My preferance is all Maxidrive .

Next to break will be a competition between your crown wheel & pinion and your rear tailshaft.

The above is not a guess, They are all facts based upon my own experiances.

Just remember what ever you do, you are moving the weak point somewhere else. Intelligent driving can save thousands of $$$$$$$.

Justin

Maxi-Drive all the way.

I've had an ARB, good unit but lacks the entire upgraded package that a MD locker gives you. Mals is a great bloke to deal with and very helpful and instilation is not that much more than an air locker (avg. fitting charge for MD lockers are around the $500 mark, ARB fitting charge around $400 or so).

Another advantage of an MD is that there's no need for a compressor to operate, it's all engine vaccume and requires bugger-all to engage the locking dog.

Trav