What kind of locker to put on my LJ70?

[gotoy]

I just can't decide what type of locker to install on my LJ70. This is the last major offroad equipment I will buy so don't wanna make a mistake.

My LJ70 did not come with a locker, just the standard 8" diff.

So here's the choices:

1. LSD, would have to be a 2nd hand unit and chances of finding a good one are slim. The clutch plates are hard to replace too.

2. Aussie locker or Lockrite.

3. Toyo Electric factory locker, the motors crap, but I could convert this over to cable no problem as theres a kit on the market.

4. ARB Locker, speaks for itself. Problem here is the cost!

[plowy]

save your money and do your self a favour n go the arb air locker

toyota lsd are shit

if you don't mind having a locker in all the time and don't mind chewin tyres out go for it

and how much is the factory locker conversion going to cost ?

[dibbz]

An auto locker in the front is not on all the time. You get a lot more traction going up loose hills with a locker in the front rather than the back.

Do TJM have pro lockers for that model yet? Are they cometitively priced against ARB?

Factor in with the lokka, if your diff is out of tollerance and needs shimming it will cost more than you think, if you are using a mechanic think 300 for labor and another 300 for lapping, and 600 for the lokka. The air lockers are a whole center so this wont happen.

[JOHNZ]

An auto locker in the front is not on all the time. You get a lot more traction going up loose hills with a locker in the front rather than the back.

Do TJM have pro lockers for that model yet? Are they cometitively priced against ARB?

Factor in with the lokka, if your diff is out of tollerance and needs shimming it will cost more than you think, if you are using a mechanic think 300 for labor and another 300 for lapping, and 600 for the lokka. The air lockers are a whole center so this wont happen.

Brand new bullet proof Detroit Locker is $1000 & just bolts in.
just have the side play checked before fitting to diff housing approx $60
cheers JOHNZ

[+dj_hansen+]

Personally, by the time you dick around finding, rebuilding and fitting an LSD, auto locker or toyota locker... you will probably have paid for an airlocker install and be sitting in your truck having a beer dreaming about driving it . There is normally airlockers listed on here to suit your diff, or try ebay and trading post, which can be rebuilt using a kit from ARB (not sure on price), and be far stronger than lsd/auto/toyota locker.

About the only thing better than an airlocker (YMMV) is a detroit electrac available for dana axles, unlocked it performs as a detroit true-trac, when locked just as strong as an ARB. Howvever, need to fit D44 or D60s

[gotoy]

Then its settled, save the spare coin and go for ARB!

[beefa125]

[quote="dibbz"]An auto locker in the front is not on all the time. You get a lot more traction going up loose hills with a locker in the front rather than the back.
quote]

I have always been told that because there is so much more weight on the abck wheels when climbing hills that u should always lock the rear..

[dumbdunce]

An auto locker in the front is not on all the time. You get a lot more traction going up loose hills with a locker in the front rather than the back.
quote]

I have always been told that because there is so much more weight on the abck wheels when climbing hills that u should always lock the rear..

sometimes front is better, sometimes rear, there are too many variables to be able to say one is definitely 'better' than the other. rear is probably better in the majority of situations but the situations where a front alone will help you out are likely to be 'harder' terrain that what the rear will help with. Getting the front up steps and things it's hard to beat a front locker - the front wheels with positive traction lift and pull the front of the truck - having only the rear locked in some situations just slams you into a step you have no chance of climbing without drive to both front wheels.

so what's the solution? well, I think it's completely obvious. you need to buy two diff locks, right away. what, are you still here reading this? get down to ye olde diffe locke shoppe nowe!

(auto lockers are heaux meaux sechural, mmkay )

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

Well the ARB airlocker is the nicest of the lot but the most costly too.
By the time u factor in instalation, aircompressor and the locker, would probably set u aside say RM 5k,

With that sort of cash i rather u just go to the wrekcers and get your self a front and rear axle factory electric locker.
U get 2 lockers, complete front and rear axle which can be used for spare parts for the same amount of money.

Another worthwhile alternative if u're traveling to say oz or the states u could get hold of the Lockrite. It's pretty small package so it's easy to transport it back to Malaysia and avoid customs.

LSD is pointless.......

Or maybe you could just save the money and go Volvo c303 and make everyone is this forum envious of u hehehe.

Cheers.

[beefa125]

Yeah Dumdnace I suppose that stepping up rocks would be invaluable in rough terrain, my soltuion would be to marry a dentist or solicitor and get her to pay for decking out your rig !!

[baby_troupe]

Is the LJ70 the Prado???? (similar to mine)

I am running ARB RD23s at both ends of mine & they are absolutely brilliant.

The articulation of the LJ70 is pretty ordinary, so with lockers it will make a huge difference.

[gotoy]

Well the ARB airlocker is the nicest of the lot but the most costly too.
By the time u factor in instalation, aircompressor and the locker, would probably set u aside say RM 5k,

With that sort of cash i rather u just go to the wrekcers and get your self a front and rear axle factory electric locker.
U get 2 lockers, complete front and rear axle which can be used for spare parts for the same amount of money.

Another worthwhile alternative if u're traveling to say oz or the states u could get hold of the Lockrite. It's pretty small package so it's easy to transport it back to Malaysia and avoid customs.

LSD is pointless.......

Or maybe you could just save the money and go Volvo c303 and make everyone is this forum envious of u hehehe.

Cheers.

You should know very well the Toyota electric motor is renown for failing open or close when you don't want it too! Costly repair too. May as well go for ARB style locker in the 1st place.

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

Yes it's quite true that the motor is prone to failures too as it doesnt help it's exposed in quite a vunerable position outside the diff pumkin.
But an ARB airlocker can fail too.
Well if u can address issues such as plumbing i'm sure it works like any locker. It's just my 2 cents really. U pay for what u get.
Just that for the money u pay u can get 2 lockers.

End of the day any locker is better than no locker.
If u just want something with no hassles. Plug and forget get a Detroit.

[gotoy]

Are you sure its cheaper? From what I know for Toyo Electric lockers you would have to buy the whole axle which would take the cost up to near that of a ARB locker.
Better to convert the electric locker over to cable operation. The kits are available, but I dunno the prices yet.

[+dj_hansen+]

finding toyo lockers at a wreckers in Oz would probably be as rare as rocking horse doo doo's aswell

[frp88]

i have tojo cable lockers and no you cant have them there is no way i would even look at anything but air locker due to it's on or off and when no air it goes to open i gess i can't stand the whole arb thing but it's the best my cousin has them f/r and they work all the time with my cable it takes a little to go in and out (no jokes here )

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

I recalled the last time i asked around in the wreckers, front and rear axle with lockers and wiring for around 5k.
I'm thinking that for the money u spend, u can get 2 lockers, and spareparts in case when u break your axle.

Have u checked what are prices for an ARB air locker? The last i checked it came up close to 5k new complete with instalation, compressor, diff for your car. And that's only 1.

I'm sure cable conversion been done here locally.

Do take into consideration when running lockers it's harder on the drivetrain and things are more likely to break such as halfshafts.

Oh btw we're from Malaysia.
Most ppl back home run factory lockers for the LCII as opposed to airlockers and detroit lockers. And for the guys with bottomless wallets, Volvo C303s.

[gotoy]

Never actually checked the price of the factory electric lockers. I just know one dude bought one the other month and cost him 3k plus, complete with whatever axle came with it. From what I can gather he has had heaps of trouble with it, stuck on, stuck off, that sort of thing.
To me it does not seem worth while to spend 3k, or even 5k from what you say, just to have a load of trouble.
Yes a cable conversion can be done, I am still looking into that.
So in the meantime its save the cash for an ARB locker, which is 3k. At Malaysia glorious 30% import duty its going to be knocking on 4k+. I already have a reliable air compressor, nothing flash and its from China. Except for the axle I would install it myself.

I just found out today a friend is going to Perth on his hols for a few weeks, so I am just contemplating giving him the cash to hand carry an ARB air locker over. Alternatively, I might just wait another few months and take my luck with mail order.

Bottom line is, I don't want to spash out on factory lockers and find out they are no good and have to go for ARB anyway....so may as well just go straight for ARB.

[BabyGodzillaGTi-R]

Understandable. Plus the stuff are 2nd hand anyway. Just sharing my 2 cents.

Well if u've got a mate going down under the rest is up to u and your wallet. Hehehe
Rear Detroit front Air locker.

[MKarmyshev]

Personally, I'd go ARB. Toy electric locker is prone to jamming, I mean sometimes it doesn't disengage. It happened to me and some of my friends who run 80s. ARB is said to be free from that problem.