Is it worth getting an air locker for my situation ?

[beefa125]

Hi everyone,

I have a 2000 model single cab hilux 2.7 petrol

I am thinking of getting an arb air locker for the rear of my Hilux, I currently use the vehicle as a daily driver but the main purpose for the vehicle is for being a camping/hunting vehicle. I dont encounter an serious rockcrawling type territory as such but I cover a wide variety of terrain including sand, snow at times and everything in between in tough but not totally extreme conditions

Now I know its an IFS which sucks but I will list the mods so far in regards to suspension.

Torsion Bars: Replaced Original with Old Man EMU
Front Shocks: Replaced Original with Rock Crawlers
Steering Stabilser: Replaced Original with 4WAY RTC stabiliser
Rear Shocks: Replaced Original with Rancho 9000's
Rear Shackles: Replaced with Rockcrawler Greaseable shackles
Bump Stops: Chopped and Modified
Wheels: 15x8 sunraysias with BFG All Terrains 32x11.5x15's

My question is, for my current situation do you think it would be worth getting an air locker ?

cheers

Heath

[Clown Boy]

It's always worth getting an air locker!!!!

Seriously though - have you ever gotten stuck? Do you plan on pushing it further with mud or rocky trails?

Is it difficult for you to afford an air locker?

If you have the cash - you will never regret it - everyone says that one. I am still saving to replace the stuffed engine before I can lock anything.

If you don't have the cash - it will depend on what you want to do.

[bruiser]

I don't think so.

1. To start with You would have an lsd in the back and If the cehicle is low on k's it's probably working well.
2. Others might not agree, but in my experience they don't really help at all on the sand.When your stuck in sand all wheels are usually turning.
( be interested in others coment on this)
Depends how far you want to push it. If you got the cash go for it.
Steve

[alki]

I don't think so.

1. To start with You would have an lsd in the back and If the cehicle is low on k's it's probably working well.
2. Others might not agree, but in my experience they don't really help at all on the sand.When your stuck in sand all wheels are usually turning.
( be interested in others coment on this)
Depends how far you want to push it. If you got the cash go for it.
Steve

they do help in sand.
After fitting my lockers I went to the beach and pushed it in soft sand until stopped.Engaged both lockers and drove out.

[beefa125]

got quoted 2000 fitted, is this a good price ??

[Dee]

for one locker? shite... looks like i wont be getting em any time soon..

[Clown Boy]

That sounds right but you could make it cheaper.

That is assuming it is costing $500 for an ARB compressor and $1500 for the locker - all fitted.

[roadrunner]

Better of getting a winch.

A locker will only get you further into trouble

If you hunt on your own you need to be self reliant, that includes recovery

[Clown Boy]

That is very true - if you are usually on your own.

If you normally have 2 trucks then a winch can go later in your list.

[Madmac]

i reckon if you are going to get one you would be better off sticking it in the front diff

[Clown Boy]

Isn't the front better for rock climbing and such but for sand your better off getting on in the rear?

[beefa125]

Roadrunner, I never hunt alone, I have most recovery gear except a winch but....

[bruiser]

I paid 2600 for two plus compressor fitted by ARB
Still reckon they dont do shit in sand though.
"you saying that only one wheel was rotating"

[Bingham]

I don't think so.

1. To start with You would have an lsd in the back and If the cehicle is low on k's it's probably working well.
2. Others might not agree, but in my experience they don't really help at all on the sand.When your stuck in sand all wheels are usually turning.
( be interested in others coment on this)
Depends how far you want to push it. If you got the cash go for it.
Steve

they do help in sand.
After fitting my lockers I went to the beach and pushed it in soft sand until stopped.Engaged both lockers and drove out.

straight line they can be benificial but when turning one grabs the sand and it can act like an ancor!!!!!

[Jeeps]

What speed can you engage air lockers at? Do you have to be stationary or can you be driving along... either slowly or fast? Are air lockers speed limited?

[Tiny]

I reckon front, the price seems right, Can supply a bit cheeper than retail, but you will still need to find someone to install

PM if ya want a price

[MY45]

What speed can you engage air lockers at? Do you have to be stationary or can you be driving along... either slowly or fast? Are air lockers speed limited?

Any speed you like...but you may break your cvs if you do it at full throttle whith one wheel up as all the force will be transfered to the wheel with grip and SNAP

[MY45]

I reckon front, the price seems right, Can supply a bit cheeper than retail, but you will still need to find someone to install

PM if ya want a price

Dont put a locker in the front without one in the rear would be my advice as your not getting as much traction from the rear which means the front is doing more of the work which often results in CV snappage. Put one in the rear then later on if you want chuck one in the front as well.

[ausyota]

I reckon lock the rear (I did and love it) BUT....


....the IFS diffs are weak and have a habit of breaking crownwheel gears. Fitting an air locker helps make the diff stronger.

BUT... using a locker on IFS will probably end in tears anyway with broken CVs
Paul.

[hotrod4x4]

mate of mine was recommended to put a locker in the front ( ifs )

makes the front stronger and less likely to break the cv's
must keep the load more even so less likely to trash the cv?

and

if u have a factory limo in the rear
put the locker in the front

[ausyota]

if u have a factory limo in the rear
put the locker in the front

Problem is the factory limo in a lux does SFA even when new.

[ToyTruck]

i thought it would be better to have locker in the front regardless of rear being lsd or open
my thoughts are that a front locker would pull the vehicle thru an obstacle rather than a rear locker tryin to push the front end when the front end is slipping

the front is always the first to encounter the lack of traction and a front locker COULD drag you thru it?????? !!!!!

[SiKiD_01]

i was quoted $1400 for a rear arb air locker and compressor for my vitara. i thought lux's would be heaps cheaper. then if i wanted a front, the guy said it would cost another $900. now i know its a load of $hit, cos arb dont make a front locker for the vitara. maybe your price includes fitting etc. but then again, so did my price. and i bought my vitara for $2000.

i too often go hunting and camping, and most times the good places are hard to get to. ie. very muddy and boggy, wash outs, and unused tracks etc.

in the beginning, i relied on sus travel to keep all the tyres on the ground, and try to make it through situations, and i couldn't justify the arb costing more than my vit all up. good travel works well.

i then bought a lockrite auto locker from the states for well under half the RRP in aus.

anyway, i think you should invest in a good quality winch for your situation, but if yuou have enough money, then just get the arb (for the rear). when i am out camping or hunting, sometimes you need to clear tracks from fallen trees etc, and a winch would be bloody great instead of a big a$$ chain.

maybe rebuild the lux rear lsd? (if possible???) but if you dont get bogged or stuck every time you go out, maybe a arb may be a bit expensive. have a look into winches maybe?

hope this help.
steve

[bazzle]

In a Lux the rear option will improve the traction over the front. Front later if you "really" think you need it.


Bazzle

[cj]

then if i wanted a front, the guy said it would cost another $900. now i know its a load of $hit, cos arb dont make a front locker for the vitara.

Then how do you explain the ARB in the front of my Vit? They have them for 22 and 26 spline Vits and can also be fitted to GV's.

[shortie]

with LSD in the rear already put your lockers in the front if you can justify the cost

[rOd]

Not all LSDs are the same apparently. Some are still effective even with high Kms.

I recently fitted a front air locker and the difference without is truly amazing.

[SiKiD_01]

then if i wanted a front, the guy said it would cost another $900. now i know its a load of $hit, cos arb dont make a front locker for the vitara.

Then how do you explain the ARB in the front of my Vit? They have them for 22 and 26 spline Vits and can also be fitted to GV's.

man, i must be really der. thanks for pointing that out to me. i know they don't make a front lockright for the vit. mixup maybe? *sigh*

[MQ080]

I haven't even read your post, or able to spell your name... Hattthhh, or something like that. But what I do know is the answer to your question; YES. Unless you've had lockers you don't know what your missing and can't comment otherwise.

[Jeeps]

Not all LSDs are the same apparently. Some are still effective even with high Kms.

Mine works really well although it was found by the dealer to be shattered inside at around 65k so was replaced under warranty