Auto lockers types/pros and cons

Post by **buddha** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 1:00 pm

Just wanting to find out from any of you that are running automatic lockers what you are using and their pros and cons.
Just about to re-gear

and thought id chuck in some lockers as well.

Dont want to spend the money on air lockers so looking more at detroits or similar.
Going onto a cherokee that also has to be used as a daily driver.
What do you recomend?

Post by **grimbo** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 1:34 pm

buy Air lockers.

if you are going to use it as a daily driver you will notice the locker kicking in and out all the time. Also aren't Cherokees full time 4wd if so you don't want one in the front as you will find yourself in some pretty scary situations driving on wet bitumen.

i have a LA Locker in the rear of my Zuk (an early Detroit) and it kicks in at some strange times on the road. i have got used to driving with it but on something with more power would be interesting. offroad its great but I prefer my air locker. I had the air locker in the rear and the LA Locker in a box on the shelf for awhile as I didn't want to put it in the front because of the aforementioned problems also offroad you will lose steering at times when it is locked. So i put new diffs in moved the air locker to the front and put the LA back in

Post by **bogged** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 4:54 pm

search the archives, there would be at least 100 threads on this.

And as Grimbo says, pay the extra for air lockers.

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 7:59 pm

I run Detriots both front and rear on my Rocky. The rear I have run for at least 6 years, with no real dramas. You do have to change your driving style a little bit, but you get used to it. For the price, as well as the availability for my fitment, Im very happy with them. The best mod I have ever put on my Rocky, regardless of type. Now I have power steering as well, the front doesnt present a problem anymore.

Post by **Bluey** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 8:17 pm

are air lockers more than detroits?

when i looked at prices the detroits were more expensive. round the start of the year. or was i getting told a heap of bullshit?

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 8:23 pm

Air lockers are round about 50 to 100% more than Detriots

Post by **hypo** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 8:32 pm

mate of mine has a detroit in the rear of is lux, and it cost more than the ARB and comp and fitting was gunna cost.

Post by **BundyRumandCoke** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:03 pm

Ok, I'll probably stand corrected here, but I thought Detriots could be had for somewhere under a grand, where as an ARB with compressor and fitting came in round the $1600 mark.

Post by **MissDrew** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:14 pm

A lockrite is around $700 to $800, but these do NOT make your standard diff any stronger.

A detriot is around $1200, these do make your diff stronger.

An air lock can be bought from about $950 to around $1500 plus compressor. These prices are aprrox what you would pay, depending on the discount you can get.

I used to run a detriot in the rear of my lux and thought is was great, that was untill I changed to an air lock, now I would spend the couple of hundred more and go an air lock every time. For a trail only rig then yes a auto lock would be fine but if its an every dayer then I wouldn`t touch them ever.

Post by **Bluey** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:36 pm

Guts wrote:A lockrite is around $700 to $800, but these do NOT make your standard diff any stronger.

A detriot is around $1200, these do make your diff stronger.

An air lock can be bought from about $950 to around $1500 plus compressor.

yeah, that roughly wot i was told. rang some mob in syd thinking get better deal, lockrites around $800, detroits $1300 and arb's $1400ish

Post by **MissDrew** » Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:56 pm

The thing is if you need locks then you also need to let your tyres down, if you let your tyres down you need a compressor. So in my mind you shouldn`t add the cost of the compressor into the decision on which locker to buy.
If you do add the cost of the compressor into the decision then you had better add the cost of the extra tyre wear with a auto locker in as well.

Post by **hypo** » Sat Nov 08, 2003 6:47 am

Guts wrote:If you do add the cost of the compressor into the decision then you had better add the cost of the extra tyre wear with a auto locker in as well.

good point Guts.

Post by **MissDrew** » Sat Nov 08, 2003 7:29 am

Why thank you sir

Post by **MQ080** » Mon Nov 10, 2003 8:40 pm

Go air if you can afford it.

Auto ones can never get it right through sharp turns (backing and filling) or even in the wet... They just increase you turning circle big time.

Post by **Monty** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:22 pm

In the wet detroits lockers are fun though

Putting mine back in tommmrow morning hoping for a rainy day hhehe

Post by **greg** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 1:46 pm

Monty wrote:In the wet detroits lockers are fun though

Putting mine back in tommmrow morning hoping for a rainy day hhehe

If you have air lockers and it rains, you can turn them on and run them too...

Then you can turn them off again once the road dries out :cool:

Post by **Wooders** » Tue Nov 11, 2003 4:30 pm

Buddha,

I don't think the detroits would be that bad in your XJ.....ie being auto and having an ok wheel base etc will mean it's not as savage as in the SWB TJ (esp the manuals)....BUT and it's a bit fat BUTT....you will not be able to use your fulltime 4x4......

Personally I'd tell Gordo to bugger off & get the ARB's :!:

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Auto lockers types/pros and cons

Auto lockers types/pros and cons

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