Thread: Diff lockers

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 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

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.

Originally Posted by Larns

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.

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.

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 ?

Originally Posted by waynep

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.