NewHilux.net

Hey, just wondering if there's much of a chance of me buggering anything up if I attempt to install front lokkas on my own.

Most I've done is changed a tyre so it will probably be a time consuming and good learning process, but if there's a chance I cause any issues maybe best I leave it to a specialist.

I do have all the required tools though.

Cheers

You must get all the clearances right or it will not work

Its not too hard to install a lokka in a clamshell diff if you don't touch the bearings. Definitely don't touch the pinion (which you don't need to).

If the bearings need replacing then best go to a specialist.

dave g wrote:You must get all the clearances right or it will not work

There's a pretty good vid of an install on a 4runner, as well as the instructions, but for someone who's never taken a diff apart, I am willing to accept the advice of anyone who knows better and will not attempt if that's your recommendation. Is it difficult to ensure clearances are right? I remember reading/seeing somewhere that one installation required cutting and grinding and I'm not sure why that is the case as I thought being designed specifically for the vehicle it should be a perfect fit (but I am by NO MEANS educated on vehicle internals). Could this potentially be something that may need to be done? I don't have the tools or experience for that.

Didn't 4wdaction do a (vague) install ytube? I thought from that it was a drop-in... no grinding required.

The grinding is if you are doing a gear change at the same time it depends on the gear ratio.

dave g wrote:The grinding is if you are doing a gear change at the same time it depends on the gear ratio.

Ah ok thanks, makes sense

It all comes down to being mechanically minded or you can mess it up and you need the right tools to do it
One of the cheaper ways is to pull the diff housing out and give it to the specialist to build then just put the housing back in yourself don't forget since you're working underneath the car make sure you have some good sturdy Jack stands or you could have a ton and a half of car sitting on your chest and that will spoil your day.

I've posted a few pictures on my build thread if you're interested.
viewtopic.php?f=41&t=30320&start=20

Cheers,

Thanks mate, I only just saw this.

I ended up installing it on my own (needed help putting the diff back in though, too heavy for me).

I've done the water in ADD fix on my own, but honestly apart from that and electrical stuff, the most I'd done before that is changed a tyre. Obviously had to grab a few specialty tools (feeler gauge, couple of sockets etc.)

Massive learning experience and a hell of a lot of fun (when you're not spending hours trying to figure out how to unseize something...).

How do you find the lokka?

hiluxxury,

I'm loving it so far, but I can't say I have been on anything too technical yet, now that restrictions have eased off I'll be looking for some spots (I moved from melb to Townsville just before Corona got serious so need to do some exploring).

I'm waiting for a switch to do the manual ADD disconnect (initially for reversing my trailer up my steep arse driveway) but I recently learned that you can use it to negotiate some quick turns, especially in a manual if you can pull it all off safely and quickly enough so that should be interesting.

Will report back with my experiences over the next few weeks, definitely looking for some ruts and hill climbs !

hiluxxury wrote:How do you find the lokka?

I recently spent a week in the Flinders Ranges driving through many fairly steep creek crossings on the Caernarvon Track and found the Lokka extremely useful. No longer needing a run up to get through the rough stuff and in one instance I stopped with one front and one rear wheel in air and was able to just drive out of it with ease. No chance of spinning the wheels, but I found that disconnecting the ADD didn't do a lot with the drivers side wheel in the air, but when the passenger side lifted, I lost front wheel drive until I switched the ADD on again. To me it makes the ADD disconnect switch almost obsolete, but I was surprised that the steering was virtually no harder than without the Lokka. I've since removed the manual ADD disconnect switch.

Thanks for providing the feedback. I just need to find the time to install one.

Anyone know someone to install a rear lokka in Melbourne?