Outer Limits 4x4 Board

hey all, just wanting to know any peoples opinions on lockrites,airlockers,welded etc???? i had plans for an ARB but recently got am apprenticeship and a loss of wages in doing so so im now thinking of welded or lockrite or lokka???? i am running 32x11.5 maxxis bighorns so they arent huge on stress and i dont drive it on the road hardly ever,it gets babyd around anyway.any info would be great thanx

What year Lux

I know an IFS model running a lockrite type and he likes it but wishes for an air locker

I know a welded surf that just had to replace the diff or axles because they snapped

And i have seen some solid axle ones running air lockers and they appear to be great.
In the long run you will wish you saved up and got the air whether it is an ARB or TJM
Would not put it in the front on a Lux but thats my $0.02

Myself and a couple of others I know have been running Lokkas in the front of our hiluxs for 2 years now. Never had a problem and make a huge difference. I have never once wished I had saved up for a air locker for the front!!

LOKKA all the way.

Have them front and rear in an IFS surf (same running gear as lux) with 35's. Had them for 2 years now and never missed a beat. No dramas on the bituman, just have to put up with everyone telling you you have a dodgy CV because of the clicking noise.

wouldn't run Airlockers if you gave them to me.

Keep your cash and get lokkas/lockrites.

Interesting info there guys.

Boof -
Is yours IFS or solid axle
Do your hub seal require overhaul alot
How limitting is the lokka to your steering capability

I was advised never to run a front because it kills front hub selas quickly and the CVs (whatever they are called in a solid axle) are just not strong enough.

I have an air locker in the rear of my Hilux and Lockrite in the front.

All i need to say is that the lockrite will now go in the rear. I feel that locked front diff is hindering the manuverability too much.

In the not too distant future air lockers will be fitted both ends with cutting brakes on the rear for even more control.

Anyone want to buy a lockrite?

i have an airlocker in the front of my 84 lux wiht 35's and its great wouldnt have it any other way. in saying that i used to run a welded diff in the rear of my old hilux and it was great to except for on road wear. in my opinion the best bet would be automatic locker in the rear like a lockrite or lokka and a air operated locker for the front. I never once had the feeling that i couldnt manouvere around or over sumthing because of the welded rear but with the front locked in trying to turn its almost impossible(ps i dont have power steer) unless i actually need the locker in. its also good for shits and giggles when u drive sumthin first go and people say oh its cause your front locked u can always switch it off and show em how to drive it unlocked

LuxyBoy wrote:Interesting info there guys.

Boof -
Is yours IFS or solid axle
Do your hub seal require overhaul alot
How limitting is the lokka to your steering capability

I was advised never to run a front because it kills front hub selas quickly and the CVs (whatever they are called in a solid axle) are just not strong enough.

ifs
never had a problem with hub seals or cvs
Doesnt limit the steering at all, the only side effect is a strong return to centre if you let go of the wheel. But its not like you have to fight the wheel.
I would never run anything except an auto in the front, a lot dont agree but thats my opinion. The only reason I am fitting a air locker to the rear is I got one for the same price as a auto.

got one of my IFS 4runner.

running 33's and having no problems. No regrets and had more cash to play with in the end.

Go for the air locker.

booflux wrote:

LuxyBoy wrote:Interesting info there guys.

Boof -
Is yours IFS or solid axle
Do your hub seal require overhaul alot
How limitting is the lokka to your steering capability

I was advised never to run a front because it kills front hub selas quickly and the CVs (whatever they are called in a solid axle) are just not strong enough.

ifs
never had a problem with hub seals or cvs
Doesnt limit the steering at all, the only side effect is a strong return to centre if you let go of the wheel. But its not like you have to fight the wheel.
I would never run anything except an auto in the front, a lot dont agree but thats my opinion. The only reason I am fitting a air locker to the rear is I got one for the same price as a auto.

Interesting; have you driven a Lux with an air locker to compare

booflux wrote:Myself and a couple of others I know have been running Lokkas in the front of our hiluxs for 2 years now. Never had a problem and make a huge difference. I have never once wished I had saved up for a air locker for the front!!

thats because you've never driven one with an air locker to see how good it can be!!
driven both, air locker wins hands down.

sometimes diff action can be good. what happens when its slippery and you're on a big angle sideways?? those auto lockers try to make the rear of your rig step out on you and they're f!@#$d for steering under load while going down steep hills. just save up longer and get the real deal because you'll end up getting one long term when you see how much better they are.

I find it hard to beleive that we even need to answer this question,You get what you pay for in lockers and locka and lock rite should be sold at crazy clarks.

ok thanks for all the info fellas,im off to crazy clarks then. i had a lokka in my old 1L sierra with 31's and it broke quick but i just thought id see with the lux.also is there any difference with the TJM,i think ill just hang out a bit longer and wait hey

mule75 wrote:

booflux wrote:Myself and a couple of others I know have been running Lokkas in the front of our hiluxs for 2 years now. Never had a problem and make a huge difference. I have never once wished I had saved up for a air locker for the front!!

thats because you've never driven one with an air locker to see how good it can be!!
driven both, air locker wins hands down.

No I have not driven one with an air locker yet!

However at the time 1800 to supply and fit a air locker compared to 500 for a lunchbox locker as they are called made sense to me. The 3 year no questions asked warranty sounded better than the multi page warning spread ARB fed me also. The extra money was very handy for extra mods. I understand the difference in a comp vehicle.

However for the normal trail rig and mine is ifs also (read goes nowhere unlocked to start with) the auto locker has been great and if I had to do it again I would do the exact same thing.

Crazy clarks it may be but I am very happy happy with mine!

If you save up for the Airlocker, make sure you keep saving!! the maintenance and repairs on airlockers is rediculous!!

At least with the lokka you know your locked when you need it, no airlines to tear off, no seals to let go, no compressor to play up.

No stress, everytime you press that little button with your fingers crossed hoping that it'll work!!

Lokkas - install and just drive it!


Ducks for cover!

PS.
Have had both, would never go back to airlocker.

ditto boof

03 ifs with lokka front end - and luvvin it.
nil extra wear

Ive had 3 rigs with airlockers and had no maintanance

Had 1 Lokka destroyed my diff when it locked up the the main rd

Detroits are the poo.Quieter than a locker and I think work smoother.Id have them again.

If on a budget Id use detroits or at least a richmond lock right and import them

yeh the Detroits are great especially for bigger power like a chev transplant ...but i ran lokka's front and rear in an IFS Lux for 4 years, and drove the vehicle very hard and never had a problem...but now with the SAS and Chev 4.3 I.m goin for the detroits..still stayin with the auto lockers!!

Ive never had a Lokka or Lockright, but ive had airlockers, and they rock.
Still saving for them for the Lux though....

a mate had an airlocker in the front with 35's kept busting cv's, put an auto locker in and never had any problems.

as for steering, we busted the rear pinion bearing at fraser and i drove it in front wheel drive all the way home and it was alrite. heaps easier to turn than my airlocker patrol.

My old 4Runner (93 IFS) had an air locker in the rear and Lockright in the front, worked really well most of the time, the only time you'll wish you had an air locker is on slow, tight corners, as the Lockright requires the wheels to be turning so it can unlock and allow you to steer, just means lots of back & fill turning on twisty tracks.
I did snap a front stubaxle while I had the Lockright, but I was running 33x13.5 Mudzilla's, which wouldn't have helped.

i have not had one problem with air locker. maybe if people are tearing air lines they should of thought a bit more about where they ran the line. all the bad things people say about air lockers seems to come down to carp installations. the only prob one mate had is when he swamped his car and the compressor got wet and didnt work. now we put the compressors in the cab and run back up endless airs. problem solved.

rover1 wrote:a mate had an airlocker in the front with 35's kept busting cv's, put an auto locker in and never had any problems.

maybe it's his driving style, are you going to bame comp tyres for breaking cv's too? maybe he should run some 31in road tyres too, no cv probs anymore! if you have slip then grab traction with good tyres and lockers you should be thinking a bit more about your wheeling instead of driving with your right foot.

mule75 wrote:

rover1 wrote:a mate had an airlocker in the front with 35's kept busting cv's, put an auto locker in and never had any problems.

maybe it's his driving style, are you going to bame comp tyres for breaking cv's too? maybe he should run some 31in road tyres too, no cv probs anymore! if you have slip then grab traction with good tyres and lockers you should be thinking a bit more about your wheeling instead of driving with your right foot.

i would say its alot to do with his style of driving, but if he can drive the same with a lokka in the front and not break stuff.....

the only thing a lokka isn't that good for is beach driving, got to unlock hubs when you dont need 4wd.