Outer Limits 4x4 Board

According to the blurb a LOKKA is permenantly locked. But, when cornering in a high traction situation (tarmac) then the outside wheel can over rotate (rather than the inside slowing as with open diff), ie the diff will unlock in a posative manner (the road drives the wheel rather than the drive shaft driving the wheel). I can get my head around this. My question(s) is, when going down hill using engine braking in a cross axled situation, does the diff unlock and allow the wheel on the ground to over rotate (go faster than the drive shaft)? I apreciate that the wheel in the air will still be being driven by the drive shaft. another rhing to ponder is what happens when you are reversing? will the diff be locked? Any help would be great.
Thanks.
Arron.

the cam action is the same whether in forward or reverse. but the locker relies on force, or torque if you like, to force the locker to engage with the side gears.

i think the answer to your question is no. i do believe the locker relies on both left and right tyres to be on high traction surfaces, like tarmac/bitumen, for it to unlock.

you didnt mention if you have a lockrite installed, or are getting one, but if you still cant get your head around it, maybe jack up a vehicle with one installed, and just have a play with it.

hope this helps.
Steve

Steve. that does help.
I dont have one, if they dont unlock in the situation described then it goes on the shopping list, otherwise an arb goes on the list (witch will take longer)
Thanks.

if you are able to get the arb, then go for it, but if not, the lock right will still do the job.

if its also your daily driver, then a lock right may not be what you are looking for. there are 'side effects' with the lock right on road, but some people dont notice it, and others absolutely hate it.

probably the best thing is to go for a drive in a lock right equipped vehicle. you will get a better and clearer idea of how it will be when you, if you, get one.

a simple version of how the lokka works is jsut think of it as transferring the power of the engine to your slowest wheel

the lokka should do the same job as an airlocker-had 2 lokkas in my DC for 6 years-didnt have traction problems-some torque steer in the front mostly in high range but otherwise great-less stuffing around with switches etc-on the road you get some clicking noise going around corners and occassional "bang". Its OK but the 1st time I heard it I thought something had broken. I would recommend a lokka in the back and airlocker in the front

Have had lokka front and rear of my 84 4 runner for about 12 mths, loved it in the bush, hate it on the tar, the rear lokka drove me mad on the road, to a point that I just took it out and put in an l.s.d.
Both wheels do have to be on the ground to allow it to unlock, but more to the point, is that the slightest bit of traction will cause it to stay locked, eg, turning at traffic lights etc.
I definately would not put in a "lokka" in the rear, in the front , fine.
I ripped up a set of rear tyres in 6 mths, just try turning at an uphill inter section and you will know what I mean.
Got it for sale if any one is interested, fits the front to.
If you can affdord it, go the air locker for the rear.
I know lots of people with "lokkas" in the front of part time 4x4s, and they love them, rear, forget it.

Hey double difffa, would it be that part-time systems allow more road ablity because while they are on tar the front hubs are not engaged and the and the transfer is not engaged and so therefore until you actually choose to be "locked" be it high range or low you can still retain the behaviour of 2 wheel drive (thinking of my beloved funstopper - the daily driver).
If this is the case i can quite easily sell the lokrite to her and can call a hold to long suffering open diff 62 crisis; without having to lose the beer budget

I found my old lockrite (front axle) quite a pig
Because they only disengage under the right torque loads I found I could never predict, and most times not get the response, that I'd be hoping for.

Have switched to ARB and will never go back.

interesting comments-I've now got a airlocker in the front for better steering and lokka in the back. This is the best set up for me. The main problem in the front with the lokka was say going down a slippery hill and you would turn but nothing-so turn some more then it unlocks and sends you into the trees.

G'day boyz, just signed up 2nite after doing a watagans trip with some O/L members last week. got a 80's yota n considering all my options for more traction. noticed ur comments on the lokka n wondered if any other 80's have em set up in the rear (constant 4wd). Ive also considered having the original lsd rebuilt......... cant b 2 bad the dato boys dont complain. your feed back is appreciated.
GUZZLA

I run a detroit ez-locker in the rear of my zook. It my only car, and i have no problem with running the locker. Takes a slight change in ya driving style. but apart from that i love it. In the 80 though, i rekon an air locker would be a better option. The zook isnt too bad on tyre wear, but a heavy rig like an 80 would prob eat the rear tyres a bit with a locker. With ya LSD rebuilding it probably isnt worth the money comparend to fitting a locker. The nissan lsd's work well tighened up, but the toyota units arent realy that good and will wear quick.
Layto....

Well i guess everyone has summed it up. It's just a matter of adapting to driving it.

On the other hand just wondering what's everyone's opinon on reliability with auto lockers and air lockers.

I'm quite happy with my Detroit Rocky... For something thats on the vehicle for a good 15 years and has more than 400k mileage on it..... It still works....
Unliek i've seen countless ARB cars with vacuum problems. Plus u dont have to wait for the compressor to be primed b4 it sees action.

I've a LockRite on my Hilux too and surprising it's much more streetable than my Rocky which has tons of backlash and the diff literally goes bang when it locks.

just as i thought. airlockers it is then . deep down i already new that. thanks all.