Diff Lockers - user impressions

[zookcubr Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zookcubr]

It makes no difference if the locker is in a Terrican or a Disco, ARB air lockers do fail. Meaning they have a weak spot that other lockers dont, and thats the operator. Most of you guys seem to be buying products mainly due to the great advertising campain that has inspired you to purchase only one brand, and sadly you have been misled. Ive been using a range of different lockers over the years and have found that the air locker is the choice in the rear axle althought in the front is a complete different story. This is where the penny drops.

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

That's how I make choices, sometimes they are right, sometimes they are wrong.

That's life for most of us, I'm afraid.

If I got it right every time, I'd be picking lotto numbers...

[Chippy Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chippy]

If I got it right every time, I'd be picking lotto numbers...

If I got it right every time .... I would be the wife ... not the husband !! :roll: :roll: ..... or so Bek reckons.

Cheers
Chippy

[Grandeman Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Grandeman]

Chippy in a skirt !

I didn't realise that Chippy had such a good tan... must have been the outback sun from the round Oz trip

[samo Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close samo]

PLEASE dont do the O what a feeling jump. we will all be saying O what a member, a loyal pp member

[playdo Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close playdo]

Hi Guys,
I am fortunate to have airlockers both in the front and rear in my Prado 120. Personally I would not be without them, but it also depends on what you are using the car for. I would suggest that lockers would not be so important if driving on sand for example.

I have used both lockers now in ruts etc and they are great. I was also aware that the full size compressor (old style) did not have much puff compared to blue tongue etc so I had a second compressor connected in parallel (from my previous car) so I have no issues blowing up my tyres.

My opinion ditch the rear LSD and get a locker (any sort based on preference) and if you can afford/justify go the front also. Provides a certain peace of mind when it gets tough.

[Byrnsie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Byrnsie]

Alrighty, just got my ARB Rear Locker fitted yesterday by Mannell Motors here in Sydney. Looking forward to flicking the switch during my upcoming Drive 4 Life Vic High Country adventure. Will be able to compare my car with rear locker against Borgy's with traction control.

My question to all you guys with lockers already fitted is when do you flick the switch and when do you drive without it.

Is it safe and preferred to leave the rear locker switched on all time while in a off-road (read low range) environment or do you only turn it on for particular obstacles/difficult sections.

With sand driving, leave it on all the time, only in steep bits, or don't bother at all it does nothing.

Would be great to get some feedback/advice on what is the best approach.

What about in mud?

Cheers - Byrnsie (Locked and loaded and ready to go!)

[Matt Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Matt]

with lockers, you should only switch it on when you need it.

i wouldnt bother on sand, unless its really really rutted out and you dont want to have to push the speed up excessivly to bump thru it.

i wouldnt want to drive around with it on. It will just load up the axle.

[zookcubr Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close zookcubr]

Hi Byrnsie,
only a few things to remember about air lockers. Never turn them on whilst your moving without all 4 wheels on the ground. The compressor must build up pressure before turning on and check your compressor after using your air locker, sometimes the pressure can suck up your diff oil. If this occurs take it back to get a check up. Most important read the instructions that come in the box, this will answer most of your Qs. Another bit of advise, dont put that shinney air locker sticker on. Your only advertising why your vehicle is worth stealing. Trust me, I know people that this has happened to. Oh and enjoy!!

[Byrnsie Member Find all posts View Profile Close Byrnsie]

Thanks zookcubr & Matt

Not sure about the instructions or shiny sticker - I got neither.

Car is going back next Friday for change of diff oil that they recommended after 500kms. I will ask them for the (de)structions then.

Cheers - Byrnsie

[quadcam Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close quadcam]

It makes no difference if the locker is in a Terrican or a Disco, ARB air lockers do fail. Meaning they have a weak spot that other lockers dont, and thats the operator. Most of you guys seem to be buying products mainly due to the great advertising campain that has inspired you to purchase only one brand, and sadly you have been misled. Ive been using a range of different lockers over the years and have found that the air locker is the choice in the rear axle althought in the front is a complete different story. This is where the penny drops.

I'm with zookcubr on this. Manual diff locks must be very carefully used or else something can end up broken. If they are locked too early or for too long the driveline gets pounded, if they are locked too late the locking mechanism gets the flogging.

I far prefer an automatic locking diff and although they have anti-social habits in the back of part time 4wds they are actually virtually unnoticable in the back of a constant 4wd. You can't make a mistake with engaging or disengaging it and there is nothing external to break off or otherwise cause problems.

[halojump Member Find all posts View Profile Close halojump]

I too am debating whether or not to get a rear locker for my Prado.

I have the VX which has TRC etc; how does the traction control work with the locker? My thinking is that since it's only ABS operated it shouldn't be a problem. I (think) that vehicles with VSC\TRC dont have a LSD, so I'd not be losing this.

I always had ARB lockers on Telecom Landcruisers (and Troopies) and they seemed reliable enough and never had a problem with them, despite a tough working life and the neglect that any company vehicle gets.

We have an auto locker on our SES Hilux and it makes it a pain in the arse to drive, it carries a heap of weight and can be a real handful even on suburban streets.

On the SES troopie we have a rear ARB Air locker and we have had a number of broken axles. Not too sure if its the locker or the lead foot drivers. Like with any off roading, doing anything at high speed decreases your ability and going too fast with a locker engaged can cause all sorts of problems.

One downside of the ARB locker (and its really minor) is the bloody ugly switch they use. It'd be nice to have a more OEM look switch rather than something you'd see on a powerboat.

[quadcam Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close quadcam]

I too am debating whether or not to get a rear locker for my Prado.

I have the VX which has TRC etc; how does the traction control work with the locker? My thinking is that since it's only ABS operated it shouldn't be a problem. I (think) that vehicles with VSC\TRC dont have a LSD, so I'd not be losing this.

I always had ARB lockers on Telecom Landcruisers (and Troopies) and they seemed reliable enough and never had a problem with them, despite a tough working life and the neglect that any company vehicle gets.

We have an auto locker on our SES Hilux and it makes it a pain in the arse to drive, it carries a heap of weight and can be a real handful even on suburban streets.

On the SES troopie we have a rear ARB Air locker and we have had a number of broken axles. Not too sure if its the locker or the lead foot drivers. Like with any off roading, doing anything at high speed decreases your ability and going too fast with a locker engaged can cause all sorts of problems.

One downside of the ARB locker (and its really minor) is the bloody ugly switch they use. It'd be nice to have a more OEM look switch rather than something you'd see on a powerboat.

I have had auto-locking diffs in the rear of both part time and full time 4wds. For a part time 4wd I would put the auto locker in only if the vehicle wasn't going to see much city driving.

But for a full time 4wd I would definitely do an auto locker. The big difference is that while only one wheel is driven in corners with a part time in 2wd, there are 3 wheels being driven in a full time 4wd when cornering (one rear and both fronts via the centre diff). With my last 4wd and auto locker you couldn't make the inner wheel chirp no matter how hard you accelerated in a corner.

I think an auto locker with electronic traction control for the front axle would be about as much as anyone would realistically need for a non-work vehicle. If you need double diff locks you probably shouldn't be there in the first place. I have found that with a rear locker and open front diff you can get into some precarious positions.

The question with a VX or Grande is would an auto locker effect the VSC detrimentally. Although once you lock the centre diff isn't the VSC inhibited anyway?

[mav Addicted PP Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

[quote="quadcamAlthough once you lock the centre diff isn't the VSC inhibited anyway?[/quote]

Yes that is correct.

[Chuck Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Chuck]

I thought the VSC was only off in low range locked.

Chuck