Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Ok, Ive got a factory fitted diff lock on my stock Shorty Mav which im starting to slowly tinker with,Ive got a couple of quick questions for anybody in the know.

1: Has anybody ever had any drama's with them and if so what types of problems.

2:Also is there any need to replace it for the likes of an airlocker in future or are they a fairly decent unit to start with which wont need to be replaced at all.
I will also be fitting an airlocker in the front in the not to distant future.

Im not to interested in rock climbing and stuff i just want a front locker for deep mud bogs and stuff.Is it worth fitting a front locker for just that or am i wasting my money.

From what I've seen they are a fairly stout unit, if you were going to swap it out you would need to replace the whole diff assembly, not just the carrier. The vacuum actuator is just as vulnerable to age and wear and tear through use (failed rubber seals etc) compared to other manual locking systems.

Ive had one that I got for a reasonable price second hand fitted to my wagon. They are not as fast to lock and unlock as an airlocker and shouldn't be locked or unlocked at high speed or with one wheel spinning. If you do, you will certainly feel it lock. They need a little respect but when used nicely and locked before the wheelspin or before the other wheel comes off the ground, it makes a huge difference or stop before locking it. When locked, they are pretty good. Also be careful of the little actuater thingy on the back of the axle. If this gets damaged, no more locker.

I say drive it till you kill it then replace it when and if that happens.

MAV-RIK wrote:Ok, Ive got a factory fitted diff lock on my stock Shorty Mav which im starting to slowly tinker with,Ive got a couple of quick questions for anybody in the know.

1: Has anybody ever had any drama's with them and if so what types of problems.

2:Also is there any need to replace it for the likes of an airlocker in future or are they a fairly decent unit to start with which wont need to be replaced at all.
I will also be fitting an airlocker in the front in the not to distant future.

Im not to interested in rock climbing and stuff i just want a front locker for deep mud bogs and stuff.Is it worth fitting a front locker for just that or am i wasting my money.

Mate has 530,000klms on his 89 mod, with factory locker still workin like day 1.

Front lockers are good items to have.

The factory locker is a good unit. It uses a solenoid to direct vacuum to opposite sides of the actuator mounted to the rear diff. Mechanically the actuator and locking mechanism is strong and reliable. The only problems you are likely to experience are related to vaccum supply. The hoses can perish and induce moisture. This moisture can then corrode the solenoid. The air pipes that follow the left chassis rail can be crushed by sticks.

Remember that the locker sometimes requires 1/4 rotation to engage and disengage, which is why the locker often doesn't kick in until your moving. This is the same for any manual locker, its just that there is a light to let you know. There is a speed sensing saftey module located behind the center dash that ensures the locker is not activated above 6kph.

Ensure the rubber hoses are in good condition and you won't have any problems.

Rgds,
Tim

Thanks guys ive used it quite a few times which have helped out alot especially in some bogs, but on some ive beached it a beuty coz its still on factory springs with 31s and it hasnt helped at all.

Are they hard to source parts such as actuators and stuff if they let go.

Parts can be hard to find and expensive if you do. If you ever need to find one at a wrecker they are probably the first thing to sell.

We sold our factory rear locker while it was still worth money and replaced it with an Air Locker.

We like the fact the Air Locker is very positive and engages straight away rather than the factory locker that it isn't instantly locked.

Aus4wd or anybody else that can help, do you know off the top of your head what an ARB Airlockers worth installed.
I wouldnt mind putting 1 in the front and then a little down the road swap out the factory rear locker diff and swap in another rear airlocker assisted diff.

is there any other 4wd places around other than ARB that fit them.

MAV-RIK wrote:Are they hard to source parts such as actuators and stuff if they let go.

All parts are available as geniune spares from Nissan. The solenoid is the only thing that is likely to ever give problems and its worth $180 new. However, there is a similar solenoid that was used in the Camira that does the job fine for about $10.

Rgds,
Tim

A friend of ours destroyed his rear diff when the car dropped onto a rock and moved the actuator, this then meant the locker wasn't totally engaged, he then accelerated and blew the diff and locker to pieces. It was as easy as that to bust.

A front locker and compressor will set you back around RRP $1491 + fitting.

PM me if you would like a proper quote for this.

what can you do about he vacuum switch on the firewall? can you use anything else?

Aus4wd wrote:A friend of ours destroyed his rear diff when the car dropped onto a rock and moved the actuator, this then meant the locker wasn't totally engaged, he then accelerated and blew the diff and locker to pieces. It was as easy as that to bust..

I can see that happening, they do stick out like dogs balls on a blowfly.

CRUSHU wrote:what can you do about he vacuum switch on the firewall? can you use anything else?

A while back NickW told me he found that you can use a Holden Camira solenoid as a replacement.

Rgds,
Tim

Will a front ARB Airlocker make very much of a difference in mud and loose stuff or its not always the solution.

Also another question, if i get an airlocker&compressor fitted for the front diff and then i decide on swapping out the factory rear locker and fitted another diff and bought another ARB airlocker do i have to get another compressor for the rear or does the 1 compressor i buy for the front diff do the job for both diffs.

My rear locker seems to work really good so far and has got me out of a few situations, i find that if i flick the switch while driving it doesnt come in straight away but if im standing still and let the clutch out and accelerate a little aggressively its on in a flash.

A front locker will make a lot of difference in the sloppy stuff. I also found the front locker great in snow.

The air compressor can be used for both lockers as well as for tyre inflation duties (slow!). You can have it all set up so that all is required when you get the rear locker is to drop in the switch and connect the air line and solenoid.