Rezarf
Hard Core 4+
Lock-right has a new design that eliminates the ratcheting sound and is suposedly quieter. Anyone have experience with the new version?
Drew
Drew
Lockers...
- Thread starter Rezarf
- Start date
I wore out 2 "No Slip" in my 62. I went back to a LR instead and later put a Real Detroit in the rear. I put the ARB in later as I was twisting axle shafts due to pulling heavy trailers big sticky tires and 300 hp under the hood. I personally will never run a "No Slip" again. Huge praise for Powertrax customer service! They listen and back up what they sell!
Note: Ignore the "Auto Lockers (in the rear) are death machines in winter" whiners! They either never really done it or couldn't control the right foot!
AxleIke
Hard Core 4+
Many, many people do very well in all seasons in everything from long wheel base domestic rigs to jeeps and everything in between with auto lockers.
You can get used to driving it.
Its personal preference. I drove several trucks before my purchase. All 4 runners or pick ups, since that is what I have. My personal choice was that I couldn't stand them in the slightest, and vowed never to own one. I personally liked the lock right the least. The bucking and ratcheting both annoyed and scared me. DO NOT try a full power u-turn. Its not pretty.
What bothered me was the thought of the unexpected driving, not the everyday stuff. I felt that I could adapt my driving style to handle the every day, run of the mill, driving. But then I thought about evasive maneuvers and emergency situations. I felt that I didn't have the driving skill to adapt in a panic. I'd handled situations like that before, but open/open. I was concerned about something coming up on the highway, making a maneuver that I thought I could handle, and then the locker engaging and messing up my day.
However, since the purchase of my lockers, I've never come into a situation like that. So perhaps it was just paranoia.
I advocate for ARB's because I love mine, and like to see them have the business. Their customer service is off the charts, their products have been to me, bomb proof, and I never have to worry about any different behavior. Full open when I want it, full spool when I want it.
Some second hand testimonial about other drivers. Should you decide to get the auto locker, for the first few snows of the season, I would take Stacy out and have her drive it both in an empty parking lot and on the icy streets.
A good buddy of mine let a friend drive his rig in the snow. The friend had never driven a locked truck before, and within 2 miles, put the truck off of an embankment. No injury, but at some point, Stacy may have to drive the cruiser in bad weather. Better safe than sorry.
In the end, I will again suggest that you do the following:
-Drive a couple of rigs. Several here have offered. I think you'll find the auto lockers are not as bad as internet hoopla leads us to believe.
-Once you have some experience with it, base the decision on your personal preference, and your wallet. Lots of opinions out there, in the end, yours is the only one that matters.
I'll be happy to lend a hand installing whatever you get.
You can get used to driving it.
Its personal preference. I drove several trucks before my purchase. All 4 runners or pick ups, since that is what I have. My personal choice was that I couldn't stand them in the slightest, and vowed never to own one. I personally liked the lock right the least. The bucking and ratcheting both annoyed and scared me. DO NOT try a full power u-turn. Its not pretty.
What bothered me was the thought of the unexpected driving, not the everyday stuff. I felt that I could adapt my driving style to handle the every day, run of the mill, driving. But then I thought about evasive maneuvers and emergency situations. I felt that I didn't have the driving skill to adapt in a panic. I'd handled situations like that before, but open/open. I was concerned about something coming up on the highway, making a maneuver that I thought I could handle, and then the locker engaging and messing up my day.
However, since the purchase of my lockers, I've never come into a situation like that. So perhaps it was just paranoia.
I advocate for ARB's because I love mine, and like to see them have the business. Their customer service is off the charts, their products have been to me, bomb proof, and I never have to worry about any different behavior. Full open when I want it, full spool when I want it.
Some second hand testimonial about other drivers. Should you decide to get the auto locker, for the first few snows of the season, I would take Stacy out and have her drive it both in an empty parking lot and on the icy streets.
A good buddy of mine let a friend drive his rig in the snow. The friend had never driven a locked truck before, and within 2 miles, put the truck off of an embankment. No injury, but at some point, Stacy may have to drive the cruiser in bad weather. Better safe than sorry.
In the end, I will again suggest that you do the following:
-Drive a couple of rigs. Several here have offered. I think you'll find the auto lockers are not as bad as internet hoopla leads us to believe.
-Once you have some experience with it, base the decision on your personal preference, and your wallet. Lots of opinions out there, in the end, yours is the only one that matters.
I'll be happy to lend a hand installing whatever you get.
rover67
Rising Sun Member
i recommend driving one too. take mine for a day... you and stacy can drive it all ya want.
Rezarf
Hard Core 4+
Why do I need a locker you ask?... 
(compliments of Hulk)
(compliments of Hulk)
Last edited:
rover67
Rising Sun Member
yeah, i like that shot!
MDH33
Hard Core 4+
Buy Lock Rite! Support the ones who invented it and not the ones who pirate the design!
So, following this train of thought, should I then be driving a *eep instead of a 40??
wesintl
Moderator
I've never had a problem with my lock rite. It hardly ever makes noise. Proper set up is the key as well as tire pressure on each side. Slight adjustment to driving is all. In 4wd in the snow can hardly even tell it's there. 2wd is a different story and more fun
for what you can pick up a used one for around here or off mud (150) buy one slap it in. if you like it keep on truckin. If you don't pull it and sell it for what you paid for it. no harm no foul.
Every time i'm wheelin people ask me if i'm open in the rear. They can't tell watching or riding. I've had mine for some 8 years. In a 60, then my 40, now my 70.
for what you can pick up a used one for around here or off mud (150) buy one slap it in. if you like it keep on truckin. If you don't pull it and sell it for what you paid for it. no harm no foul.
Every time i'm wheelin people ask me if i'm open in the rear. They can't tell watching or riding. I've had mine for some 8 years. In a 60, then my 40, now my 70.
MDH33
Hard Core 4+
If you're referring to me, I'm not whining about driving it in winter. In fact I drove my 40 about 4 days a week this winter due to my wife needing the 60 a lot and I'm "livin' in the hills" now on twisty, hilly, snow packed roads. I never said it was sketchy on snow or even on slick roads. I did say, and I will say again that it is down right squirrelly on ICE compared to my open 60. Swampers and manual steering don't help on ice either though.
Nope.....not talking about you! I'm just ranting about all the arm chair wheelers that chime in every time the auto locker vrs selectable locker argument shows up. I get sick of hearing from so many "experts" with so little actual experience!
Depending on the circumstance I will almost always rant in favor of an auto locker over selectable. 4 wheeling has a lot in common with the agricultural world and the "KISS" theory will more often than not get the job done with the least amount of downtime!
I figured Drew would run up against a situation like that sooner or later...even with all his good intentions of having an expedition-ish rig
I've done full-power u-turns in my 40; you just gotta know when to power and when to stop, that's all
Evasive maneuvers - 40 can't do that anyway...(I'm kinda kidding). For real though, I've only noticed strange behavior from my lockright when I'm under power. If I let off the gas then it pretty much returns to normal. I guess honestly I never thought much about evasive maneuvers; maybe I'm able to stomach that risk a little easier than some...
I've done full-power u-turns in my 40; you just gotta know when to power and when to stop, that's all
Evasive maneuvers - 40 can't do that anyway...(I'm kinda kidding). For real though, I've only noticed strange behavior from my lockright when I'm under power. If I let off the gas then it pretty much returns to normal. I guess honestly I never thought much about evasive maneuvers; maybe I'm able to stomach that risk a little easier than some...
AxleIke
Hard Core 4+
Glad your stomach is so strong. Guess I have some crunches to do. Or not.
Looks like the consensus is a lock-right.
The extra cash on hand will come in handy for your other projects.
Looks like the consensus is a lock-right.
The extra cash on hand will come in handy for your other projects.
Red_Chili
Hard Core 4+
Ask Squishy what a lock right felt like on Red Elephant Hill in the winter. And how he needed my strap.
Selectables all the way. YMMV.
Selectables all the way. YMMV.
Can't argue with keeping it simple, and keeping cost down. But it comes down to how you plan on using your truck, and if you're willing to accept some of the downsides of the auto locker in exchange for the plus of better traction while wheeling. You just ran Kane Creek which is rated 4 out of 5, and you did it open. So what if you spun a little.
On snow runs, there will always be someone around with a strap, and honestly if you find yourself on a snowy shelf road you'll be glad you're open- especially if you have to back up, going uphill- much better to spin just one wheel than spin them both and slip sideways.
So the equation is to spin a little less 1 or 2 days per year in exchange for learning a new driving style on the street. I did it both ways, albeit for a short period of time, but I preferred being open in back hands down. The Aussie I pulled ended up in Treeroot's hands, not sure if it's on his shelf somewhere or in his dad's 40 or what, might not hurt to ask him though. It's a cheap enough mod even if you go new (compared to ARB's), not worth getting too worked up over, you may as as well try it then decide.
Is it possible to swap in a 4Runner/Taco third? Or would you have to swap the whole axle? I have no idea if an e-locker is even a viable option, but it's at least worth ruling out.
On snow runs, there will always be someone around with a strap, and honestly if you find yourself on a snowy shelf road you'll be glad you're open- especially if you have to back up, going uphill- much better to spin just one wheel than spin them both and slip sideways.
So the equation is to spin a little less 1 or 2 days per year in exchange for learning a new driving style on the street. I did it both ways, albeit for a short period of time, but I preferred being open in back hands down. The Aussie I pulled ended up in Treeroot's hands, not sure if it's on his shelf somewhere or in his dad's 40 or what, might not hurt to ask him though. It's a cheap enough mod even if you go new (compared to ARB's), not worth getting too worked up over, you may as as well try it then decide.
Is it possible to swap in a 4Runner/Taco third? Or would you have to swap the whole axle? I have no idea if an e-locker is even a viable option, but it's at least worth ruling out.
Rzeppa
Rising Sun Member
The Lock Right was the first "real" mod I did on my 71, and man oh man, it was the single best and most cost effective mod there is IMHO. I had one in my 1997 HZJ75 since 2000 so I already knew how they worked and how to install them. I ran that 71 for several years with 31s, stock 3-speed and stock suspension, and the difference in capability on the trail and in snow is just phenomenal.
I found that in a shorty 40 it's a little more "twitchy" when getting on and off the throttle around corners (compared to open, or the long, heavy HZJ75), but I got used to it in a very short time. Banging and all that is when they're not set up right, mine just ratchets quietly when I park in a lot. I have no problems whatsoever in snow and ice, and would say that driveability is much improved in snow and not adversely affected on ice. Many instances I used to have to use 4WD I don't even bother any more.
I have subsequently added a mild lift and 33s, and then added a 4-speed, but the Lock Right has definitely made the most difference in trail capability. Last year, I did Hell's Revenge in 2 wheel drive.
I know from working on them and from other's accounts that Detroits are much more robust and stronger. And they cost more than twice as much and are a much more involved installation.
And I'll certainly concede the advantages of a selectable locker like an ARB or stock Toyota electric (which are both stronger than a Lock Right), but as for bang for the buck, I really like the Lock Right. Aussies look the same and by all acounts work the same, I just have no first hand experience with them.
I found that in a shorty 40 it's a little more "twitchy" when getting on and off the throttle around corners (compared to open, or the long, heavy HZJ75), but I got used to it in a very short time. Banging and all that is when they're not set up right, mine just ratchets quietly when I park in a lot. I have no problems whatsoever in snow and ice, and would say that driveability is much improved in snow and not adversely affected on ice. Many instances I used to have to use 4WD I don't even bother any more.
I have subsequently added a mild lift and 33s, and then added a 4-speed, but the Lock Right has definitely made the most difference in trail capability. Last year, I did Hell's Revenge in 2 wheel drive.
I know from working on them and from other's accounts that Detroits are much more robust and stronger. And they cost more than twice as much and are a much more involved installation.
And I'll certainly concede the advantages of a selectable locker like an ARB or stock Toyota electric (which are both stronger than a Lock Right), but as for bang for the buck, I really like the Lock Right. Aussies look the same and by all acounts work the same, I just have no first hand experience with them.
I have ARBs front and rear in my 40 and am very happy with them. I have driven full size trucks with Detroit Lockers and prefere the selectability of the ARB.
My .2€
My .2€
Red_Chili
Hard Core 4+
Bingo.
Bingo x2
Detroits are beasts! They do not fail but they will let weaker parts show up! Detroits are also better mannered on the pavement but they also lock up harder under mild loads. If your doing a Detroit then I would assume your considering a rig to be more trail, less street, as the price isn't that much less than an ARB. My 40 will always be Detroited in the rear but I'm getting softer to the ARB in the front idea as sometimes rear wheel drive isn't enough when turning and auto lockers under load in the front on a sharp turn just aren't very maneuverable. Wild Rice has been F&R Detroits for a long time! I have done most of the toughest trails in the US with that setup and love it!
Red_Chili
Hard Core 4+
FWIW, for all the supposed problems and issues with ARBs, I have had few. I wore out a set of O-rings (old design). They held, but I was chasing a bit of gear oil PHLOOF when releasing, so that may have been just me being compulsive. Oh yeah, and I left too much slack in a blue line and it managed to touch hot exhaust. Fixed easily in the field.
The solenoids blow gear oil mist, but not extremely so. ARB now has right angle fittings that screw into the solenoids that accept blue line for a nice catch system. Keeps the engine bay clean.
Another consideration not addressed: ARB is perhaps the most robust carrier (heart of the diff) you can buy. It will not flex, and will not break spiders ('pinion' gears to the factory). Build a diff around an ARB (even minitruck 4-cyl 2-'pinion' diffs), get a good pattern, torque the carrier bearings to 80-100 ft. lbs., and forget it for the life of the truck. It won't break.
To top it off, ARB tech support is the best in the business. For being a democratic socialist nation, Australia has managed to produce enough workers with a major work ethic to populate ARB, that is a fact.
The solenoids blow gear oil mist, but not extremely so. ARB now has right angle fittings that screw into the solenoids that accept blue line for a nice catch system. Keeps the engine bay clean.
Another consideration not addressed: ARB is perhaps the most robust carrier (heart of the diff) you can buy. It will not flex, and will not break spiders ('pinion' gears to the factory). Build a diff around an ARB (even minitruck 4-cyl 2-'pinion' diffs), get a good pattern, torque the carrier bearings to 80-100 ft. lbs., and forget it for the life of the truck. It won't break.
To top it off, ARB tech support is the best in the business. For being a democratic socialist nation, Australia has managed to produce enough workers with a major work ethic to populate ARB, that is a fact.