Lockers and gears!

[3rdGen4R]

Just got the 2002 4runner back from the shop. I ended up regearing to 4.88 and installing both a rear and front ARB locker.

Here is what I noticed so far. On my 02 4runner my speedometer is only off now by 2-3 mph instead of 5 and more after 60 mph.

Oh my 02 4runner because the ARB was recloated on my model I was able to have a nice mounting plate made for me to put into the passenger side of engine bay. Not sure where people would put dual compressor on 3rd gens prior to 02.

It’s amazing how fast the lockers engage. You could forget that you engaged them very easily and how quite it all is. I hear a couple of puffs of air and it’s silence from there. I didn’t drive around to much with them on, but the front has some sounds when you turn. Didn’t push it at all as I’m still breaking the gears in.

What’s everyone’s experience with air lockers? Anything I need to think about? Any mistakes you all made that no one told you?

Super pumped about everything!

Phillip

 

[jps8460]

Nice!! That’s a big leap, congrats. I don’t have any air lockers at the moment. When i did, I carried about 6ft of extra line and some push to connect unions and spare arb bulkhead fitting stuff. I never used it on my own rig, but help others with it a few times.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Definitely keep a few feet of tubing and several fittings. IIRC the plumbing is 5mm.

I have a love/hate with Air Lockers. Just never could get them to completely seal so I got puffs of oil with each disengagement. I had to get ARB to send me a couple of the solenoid exhaust fittings to run vents out of the engine bay. The underside my hood and the fender were getting coated in gear oil.

But they do the job, open and fully locked. There's nothing much better than that.

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

^^Best advise right here^^

 

[Inukshuk]

Where do I get my spare parts? My 100 has Slee installed ARB lockers.

 

[3rdGen4R]

I would think slee could help you.

 

[Dirt Claude]

Do your first gear oil change in the new diffs on time. 500 or 1,000 miles maybe?
Mine wasn't done on time by the PO. The result was metal flakes in the gear oil which caused the bonded seal in the locker to fail. Air leaks

 

[DaveInDenver]

Where do I get my spare parts? My 100 has Slee installed ARB lockers.

I think I bought a bunch at McMaster-Carr.

https://www.mcmaster.com/pneumatic-fittings

Look under "Push-to-Connect Tube Fittings for Air" and I may be wrong about them being 5mm. That doesn't look to be a typical size unless I got 3/16" perhaps.

ETA: Whelp, I just checked the Air Locker pneumatic spares kit I carried and they are marked as 5mm couplers. So not exactly sure where I got them then.

 

[3rdGen4R]

Do your first gear oil change in the new diffs on time. 500 or 1,000 miles maybe?
Mine wasn't done on time by the PO. The result was metal flakes in the gear oil which caused the bonded seal in the locker to fail. Air leaks

Yup! I’m scheduled for a fluid change for 500 miles.

 

[nakman]

Get to know how the compressor is wired up, and some of its main parts. Like where is the fuse, where is the relay, if you had to bypass the relay what wires are they? there's a pressure switch on the compressor, I had one fail on me but was able to get out of the jam I was in by jumpering the terminals with a blade fuse.. which sounds simple now, but it was about and hour after the digging, pushing, and maxtraxxing had all failed that I went back under the hood to see if I could get the locker working again. Funny thing about lockers, they never seem to fail in the driveway...

 

[AimCOTaco]

I had a heck of a time finding push connect in 5mm and ended up just buying a bulkhead fitting from ARB for my line splice kit.

 

[jps8460]

New (black line) arb is 6mm. Old (blue line) is 5mm. So check to see what you have. It’s a roll of the dice right now when you crack open the arb box.

 

[3rdGen4R]

Thanks for all the advice. I should be getting diff oil changed at 500, and I will pick up some spare parts that were listed in here.

 

[Cheeseman]

Have had ARB's for 22 years. As to the front lockers concern. You have to think of it this way. When an ARB is locked you then have a spooled differential. Look that one up. So it does not allow for easy steering when engaged. Therefor steering is very difficult. So we usually only engage the front only if you need it and when you have a line on the obstacle and don't need to steer much. Then disengage when thru to obstacle.

 

[3rdGen4R]

Yes! Absolutely! Being IFS it’s huge to be aware that both tires spinning over obstacles could break stuff pretty easily. Having a 02 4runner that stop making rear e lockers... I’ve had great success with just my center locker. But there have been times I couldn’t get up strep obsticles and the rear locker would have been priceless. Regearing and having just the elocker will be a huge upgrade. My plan with the front locker is to really be cautious using it. Your right about having a line and not counting on having any real ability to steer. Thank?

 

[PhatFJ]

Just got the 2002 4runner back from the shop. I ended up regearing to 4.88 and installing both a rear and front ARB locker.

Here is what I noticed so far. On my 02 4runner my speedometer is only off now by 2-3 mph instead of 5 and more after 60 mph.

Oh my 02 4runner because the ARB was recloated on my model I was able to have a nice mounting plate made for me to put into the passenger side of engine bay. Not sure where people would put dual compressor on 3rd gens prior to 02.

It’s amazing how fast the lockers engage. You could forget that you engaged them very easily and how quite it all is. I hear a couple of puffs of air and it’s silence from there. I didn’t drive around to much with them on, but the front has some sounds when you turn. Didn’t push it at all as I’m still breaking the gears in.

What’s everyone’s experience with air lockers? Anything I need to think about? Any mistakes you all made that no one told you?

Super pumped about everything!

Phillip

You did not say what size tires you are running. I am guessing 35ish. When I did my lockers, dual compressor and gears (456) on the GX470, my speedo is about 4mph off (low) at 75. I am running 33s. I have used the ARB's many times and they are fantastic, no issues what so ever. Been running them on rigs for over 15 years now and love them. As others have said, be careful with the front locker wheel spin and binding..

 

[3rdGen4R]

I’m running 33’s! I won’t go any bigger. I don’t really want a body lift.

 

[AxleIke]

On a more difficult trail I just leave the rear locked. It’s slow so I don’t bother with it. Front runs unlocked except on obstacles but I wouldn’t say you have to be “careful” using it. Greg is right, it’s tough to steer, but only when both wheels are on the ground and loaded. On big ledges when the weight is transferred back, it’ll steer pretty well. And since it’s ifs, you’ll likely have one in the air a fair amount anyway. I generally do.

 

[LARGEONE]

My only advice is to make sure the lines are run so that they don't take rock hits....and anywhere they are exposed, use the optional "protected" lines that are available. I still need to fix my oil spray in the engine bay issue....the solenoids spray everywhere when I disengage. I have the O-rings, but I just haven't had a chance to take the front end apart.