Outer Limits 4x4 Board

I have the locker and have the complete 3rd member (Hilux) on the bench.

Any ideas as to how much i should pay to have it installed?

The prices i have been quoted thus far seem to include remove and refit from the vehicle (its already out).

I have paid $150 in the past when i was too busy to do the job myself. That was the same as yours. allready removed from the vehicle.

James I'll find out from my brother

Thanks Grimbo.

Paying to get a job done, fair enough, getting quoted the same figure on two phone calls

Ph 1. How much to fit an air locker to my hilux rear diff with the third member already removed from the housing, about $300

Ph2 How much to fit an airlocker to my hilux if i drop the vehicle off to you, about $300

I can get the centre rebuilt and locker fitted for around $450, i'd go this way but i don't know that i'll have hilux diffs for long enough to worry about it.

those prices sound about right from an ARB fitter.

$150 - $200 is fair. is it a brand new, in the box locker? if so, don't be too scared of having a crack at it yourself - the instructions supplied are quite comprehensive and the only special tool you really NEED is a 1/4" BSP tap (and a brake line/pipe cutter for new models with the copper internal air line), a dial gauge is a good idea to make sure you set the backlash spot on (you can get a good idea by reading the contact pattern), you should be able to borrow those from someone on outers who lives down there.

Think that might be the go.

I've pulled plenty of diffs apart, just never installed an air locker. I'll have a read of the instructions. Anything i need to look out for when i do the install?

sierrajim wrote:Think that might be the go.

I've pulled plenty of diffs apart, just never installed an air locker. I'll have a read of the instructions. Anything i need to look out for when i do the install?

the instructions are set out with checkboxes fofr each stage so you can tick them off as you go - if you've never done one, it's a good idea to tick them off as you go. When you drill the housing do it with the housing 'nose-up' so the swarf falls away from the pinion - also stuff the cavity with a rag like in the instructions. Be very careful not to kink the bundy tube - older models have steel tube and it's pretty tough but the newer ones have copper and it is very soft. basically just take your time and be careful. If you get stuck at any stage just post it up here, there are plenty of people on here who have done dozens of air locker installs, so there's plenty of help on tap.

they really aren't that hard. a rattle gun helps to get the bolts out the crown wheel too. just note how the backlash feels brfore you take it apart and you will be in the ballpark on re assembly.

When re-fitting the crown wheel. Sneak it into the wifes oven for about 1/2 an hour on high and put the Airlocker in the freezer for the same time. It will then just drop straight on with no effort

RUFF wrote:When re-fitting the crown wheel. Sneak it into the wifes oven for about 1/2 an hour on high and put the Airlocker in the freezer for the same time. It will then just drop straight on with no effort

my favouite part of the install - putting greasy fingerprints on all the oven knobs.

you only need a temp difference of about 60 - 70 degrees so dropping the CW in boiling water for 5 minutes in just as effective.

this is in the ARB instructions

sounds like a good excuse for a BBQ with cold beer

sierrajim wrote:sounds like a good excuse for a BBQ with cold beer

damn straight.

dumbdunce wrote:

RUFF wrote:When re-fitting the crown wheel. Sneak it into the wifes oven for about 1/2 an hour on high and put the Airlocker in the freezer for the same time. It will then just drop straight on with no effort

my favouite part of the install - putting greasy fingerprints on all the oven knobs.

you only need a temp difference of about 60 - 70 degrees so dropping the CW in boiling water for 5 minutes in just as effective.

this is in the ARB instructions

dont forget to put your welding gloves on before you pick it up

another tip make sure the brass air line IS NOT RUBBING on the crown wheel or center
and once fitted in the diff housing spin the pinion and make sure you didn't knock the brass line onto the center as well when fitting it ,it has been done before worst is you find out when you most need the locka

a arb dealer told me about some guy who had a go at it himself and had done that

other tools a dial indicator guage and some bearing blue to check your back lash n wear the pinion teeth n crowny teeth are meshing on each other

What is the best way to hold Airlocker while installing or removing crownwheel bolts?
Original Carrier is a nice shape for vice.
Airlocker is round , vice doesn't work, clamping it to the bench nearly works. Maybe one of those chain pipe vices?

...and fit the external air line whilst before putting the centre back cause too many people make the mistake of fitting it afterwards when the centre is in, and they accidently unthread the coupling or even worse, twist the inner copper pipe. Doing it beforehand means you can make sure the coupling don't spin, and everything is air tight - suck on it and hold some vacuum for a while.


.....the second installation is always easier

oh and you should not need to hold it tightly, we jut used a plain old bench vice and wrapped a bit of rag round the locker unit to keep it in place. There should be no need to put any force on the crown wheel. Provided you heat it beforehand it should just fall into place. Put the retaining bolts in as early as you can to guide it down so the holes all line up. You can even put in 3 opposing bolts and use these to draw it carefully down to its correct seating position.

sorry i have already tightened the bolts and i need to get them undone.

as i have too much runout on crown wheel