Who runs an auto locker in the REAR of a sierra?
I don't know much about them as I've never really taken any notice of them, since its a trail-only car and only sees highway to & from trips, I always thought that one day I'd just weld up the rear. Im not sure if I like the idea of clacking and clunking and banging when going around corners...
Question: When offroad does it unlock/clack & bang much? When doing hard/tight wheeling would it equal a 100% constantly locked diff or do you see times where you may lose momentum or something due to the auto locker having to "engage"? or is it fairly instentanious?
Also, Ive done a beach trip and plan to do a couple more in my suzuki, (surfing noosa/north shore & going on a fraser trip etc) and I've heard stories of auto lockers being a bit scary on sand due to them unlocking & then locking in the slightly softer stuff & kicking the arse end out etc...
Is it worth paying the money to put up with the clacking and banging but have the car handle better on the road to & from wheeling trips (if it equally rivaled a fully locked diff offroad), or would I be better off saving the $$$ & welding up the arse end & putting up with it steering like a dog and having increased tyre wear to & from wheeling trips...
Just after some opinions...
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Auto Lockers in Rear
The auto locker in the back of my suzy you can't even notice the noise offroad. It is only tight cornering on the road where you can actually hear it clunking or clicking or whatever it does.
Mine is not a daily & is only driven to & from trails.... There is no loss waiting for the locker to engage, it engages when your foot is on the pedal.
Can't comment on it in comparison to a welded diff as I ave never had one. Haven't done any soft sand driving with it either.
The lockers are quite cheap if you get them from the states. End up being less than $300 AU landed.
Mine is not a daily & is only driven to & from trails.... There is no loss waiting for the locker to engage, it engages when your foot is on the pedal.
Can't comment on it in comparison to a welded diff as I ave never had one. Haven't done any soft sand driving with it either.
The lockers are quite cheap if you get them from the states. End up being less than $300 AU landed.
"85 drover, 1.6 EFi Vitara donk, 2" BL, 2" susp lift, exo cage, 31" BFG muds, 6.5's, lockright rear, birf rings & front locker, soon to be RUF"d
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I have one and on the beach
no problems drove most places in 2wd
The only time i notice it is in car parks
mine is a daily driver .Best thing i put
in the zook.
BONER
no problems drove most places in 2wd
The only time i notice it is in car parks
mine is a daily driver .Best thing i put
in the zook.
BONER
slugs are just snails that sold their belongings for drug money
Dream as if you'll live forever, live like you'll die today.
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Powered by Pals, Motivated by Mates.
Got a locker in the back its great, done heaps of beach not a problem I normally drive around in normal 2WD on the hard stuff, if not in the soft just keep the speed up. Out bush you wont ever get one wheel spinning on its own. As for noise cruising you wont notice it or out wheeling you wont either, more so if your in a car park or going slow and doing tight turns you may hear it clicking but thats about it. But the capabilities and things you can do once a locker is in will almost double if not stop you from being stuck when the wheels are crossed up.
..wrench, wheel, wreck repeat..
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Have heard if you run the thickest diff oil you can get, around 80/140 I think, it helps keep the noises down. Don't quote me though as my rear locker hasn't moved since it was installed 
Almost built now though
Almost built now though
'92 Rodeo - VR V6, T700, 31's
'89 Zook - 4 inch lift, 32's, 5.14 gears, RUF, F&R Lockrights, Rear Disconnect, Falcon/Landcruiser PS
'89 Zook - 4 inch lift, 32's, 5.14 gears, RUF, F&R Lockrights, Rear Disconnect, Falcon/Landcruiser PS
cheers guys.
Just read the spool thread and noticed people talking about the disadvantages (steering) of welding the front. Also read the spidertrax cromo axle/cv thread and this has got me thinking about a set of those and running auto lockers front & rear
Have many people run the auto's in the front? I will be going to vitara P/S in the future which as stated in the spool thread, it will make turning the wheels easier, but won't fix the problem of the car not turning due to locked diffs pushing it in a straight line. Do auto lockers help retain some/alot/all of that manouverability?
Just read the spool thread and noticed people talking about the disadvantages (steering) of welding the front. Also read the spidertrax cromo axle/cv thread and this has got me thinking about a set of those and running auto lockers front & rear
Have many people run the auto's in the front? I will be going to vitara P/S in the future which as stated in the spool thread, it will make turning the wheels easier, but won't fix the problem of the car not turning due to locked diffs pushing it in a straight line. Do auto lockers help retain some/alot/all of that manouverability?
Hi Dee,
I've been thinking about a lockright too but theres just one thing putting me off the idea.
They (apparently) aren't recommended for large tyres, although theres no mention of this on the Richmond Gear website.
US$110 for a spool (which I have already)
US$260 for Powertrax Lockright (not sure)
US$815 for ARB air locker (love one or two
)
How many people have had their Lockright break on them???
I've been thinking about a lockright too but theres just one thing putting me off the idea.
They (apparently) aren't recommended for large tyres, although theres no mention of this on the Richmond Gear website.
US$110 for a spool (which I have already)
US$260 for Powertrax Lockright (not sure)
US$815 for ARB air locker (love one or two
)How many people have had their Lockright break on them???
and dont get too worried about the noise, for me it is seriously a faint tick only when tight cornering.
i have had both welded and lockright and would choose lockrite any day due to not wearing out the tyres.
the locking is instantatenous.
mine is a dd and still has the lockrite.
sand is fine, as i feel the locker makes it predictable.
think thats all you asked.
and as usual go with www.lowrangeoffroad.com and exchange rate is great atm.
i have had both welded and lockright and would choose lockrite any day due to not wearing out the tyres.
the locking is instantatenous.
mine is a dd and still has the lockrite.
sand is fine, as i feel the locker makes it predictable.
think thats all you asked.
and as usual go with www.lowrangeoffroad.com and exchange rate is great atm.
85 LWB w. FRP Canopy
Ca18det conversion in progress, Vit PS, RUF,
6.5:1's, 33x12.5 Bfg's, custom front and rear bars.
Ca18det conversion in progress, Vit PS, RUF,
6.5:1's, 33x12.5 Bfg's, custom front and rear bars.
Sold.Spike_Sierra wrote:and dont get too worried about the noise, for me it is seriously a faint tick only when tight cornering.
i have had both welded and lockright and would choose lockrite any day due to not wearing out the tyres.
the locking is instantatenous.
mine is a dd and still has the lockrite.
sand is fine, as i feel the locker makes it predictable.
think thats all you asked.
and as usual go with www.lowrangeoffroad.com and exchange rate is great atm.
They are on holidays and aren't shipping till the 14th. I need to get crackin on this, If im gonna do it I want it ready for expo weekend (may 2nd)...
there are two types of lockright or detroit. the first uses the original sierra side gears and is pretty rough.....will wear quicker etc...the second uses lockright side gears. this is the better option. the main drama's with these diffs is they use shimming to keep them operating properly, once these shims wear, the diff becomes noisy and starts doing wierd shit. try to go for the locker with sidegears, it will last much longer and be nicer to drive, but at the same time saying that i will never go back to these lockers....been there done that!
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