Vitara Locker

[guido1985]

Hi guys,
would like some information on places to purchase a locker and the types that you recomend for a Zuk Vitara `94 model. Front and rears and a rough prices.
Information would be greatly appreciated.

[rodw]

ARB make front and rear lockers for your rig. Do the back one first which will cost about $1,500 installed. (about $1,100 for the locker). Some people say lock the back only becasue the front alloy diff breaks. Defer the front one until you can round up a steel diff and axle housing from a GV that does not break.

It seems though that the dif breaks when you floor it in reverse under load as the bracket does not handle the backwards twist well, so perhaps a gentle right foot would be OK with a locked front diff. NOt sure if the locker causes the break, but I guess it puts more stress when in reverse due to better traction.

Check out Mitchy's rig on this thread about a snapped diff: http://www.auszookers.com/index.php?nam ... pic&t=1183

[bugden23]

there are much cheaper options to the ARB air locker but your better off getting the air locker due to the fact that its the best option and its by far the most user friendly design that doesn't affect the handling on the road

[guido1985]

Any other apart from the ARB one or they the only makers of em. Thanks for the info thus far

Chris

[rodw]

Well the cheapest locker is one called a CIG or Lincoln locker where you use a couple of welding sticks you can buy for a few bucks from CIG (One brand of stick is Lincoln). Apparently there are a lot of these in Suzukis. Not much good if you have a daily driver.

There is also a Spool you can get from Suzisports in Brisbane for $350 which uses parts to achieve the same thing as the CIG without welding it up.

Then there are the autolockers (eg. Detroit, Lockrite etc) which you can get from a few places. They are usually about $800 but I have seen them on special for about $400 from BBM Motorsports occasionally. You get mixed reports about these.

Here is a good summary of the different types
http://www.webwheeling.com/forums/showthread.php?t=650

All in all, most people would agree that the ARB air locker is the best (but most expensive option) beacuse you turn the thing off when you don't need it and you get all the advantages of an open diff on the bitumen.

[guido1985]

Ok thanks mate. Will do a little thinking as to the type.

Chris

[FLUFFY]

A locked diff on tar isn't a good idea Fun but definatly not safe

[zooker]

A locked diff on tar isn't a good idea Fun but definatly not safe

I dont think it'd be that bad, as long as you were aware of it and drove accordingly.

[FLUFFY]

as soon as you get any sort of moisture on the road..
your inside wheel turns faster and breaks traction then your other wheel breaks loose ending in you spinning out of control.
either into a gutter or into oncoming traffic..possibly even hurting some one..
all for saving a couple of hundered $$$

[Toecutta]

I am running an LSD from Calmini.

Not a total lock but you can tell the difference.

[cj]

If you don't go ARB then Sean at Low Range Offroad can sort you out with mechanical lockers or a mini spool.

http://www.lowrangeoffroad.com/kickaxles.htm