Front lockers

[harrisbm]

The lux can't handle a front locker under full lock. I have done 3 in two weeks. The cv then broke the shock and the wheel bearing. Toyota now don't know what is wrong with the wheel bearings as they keep failing. The front lockers will get you out of trouble in tight spots but most driving i completed with the rear locker in only. On a good note the power of the V6 got me up a hill the first time that a tough truck couldn't get up. The last day we had a comp again and i still got further but before the ridge i broke the CV.

[Dave]

So when are you going a live front axle? you shouldn't really be driving the way you do in an IFS soft-roader lol it's no wonder you keep breaking CV's that is what always happens with the Surf IFS when you put lockers in them, etc....

[Brett B]

Yup, I'm with you Dave. Poor Lux

:eek:

[harrisbm]

the lux is going to be the family car and i'm building a truck using a 75 series body. The tube tray goes on next week so the oxy will cut the back off monday and the fox dual coil shocks should be in by the end ofthe week.

[Dave]

Good stuff... I am humming and harring weather to make a buggy or not, if I do, it will be a SWB GQ Patrol........

[Doug67]

Can you spill the beans please on where you are buying your cv's please, no I have not yet broken mine just getting prepared. Only used my front locker a couple of times so far when I probably did'nt need it. Did you try 4wd mega stores as I have seen them advertise cv;s for some 4b's?

[chaser]

hey harrisbm are you going to be ready by the all terrain challenge with your new rig?

[samsondel]

i have a 2002 3l diesel hilux that i am currently fitting out. At the moment I use it mostly for hunting all types of terrain though I want to do a bit of 4x4 stuff and start taking it out on bigger trips. I was thinking of going the whole hog and putting air lockers in front and back. though after reading the above can i assume this is now a bad idea? can you guys give a newbie some advice....i have just put bilstien suspension with a 2" lift kit in..

[harrisbm]

I will not be ready for the comp and will learn to drive hopefully in time for the may day comp. The CV's are toyota's and cost $995-$1100 full shaft
$695 outer and $810 inner. I have tried to get one made by CBS but there is not enough demand for them yet. However they will be bringing in one from asia in the next 2 months. Also make sure your CV nut is tight when you break the cv and don't drive without it in as you will break your bearing as the CV puts the pre load on the bearings.

[Dave]

What about the Prado CV's they might be able to do them, I'm pretty sure they are the same??

[Dave]

Samsondel; I probably wouldn't recommend a front locker, I have a friend who broke his front diff because of the locker, I'd put a locker in the back which is all you'll need anyways, will get you through almost anything!

[adrian]

I ws thinking of stuffing the front with a locker on my 07 duel cab before the rear ( under the impression that it pulls rather than pushes) but reading the above mabey im wrong...would you go rear first??? just thought the LSD would hold out if the front is locked ,give us your thoughts thanks Vossy

[Skog07]

I am thinking about locking front and rear diffs as well. I can see the weakness in the Cvs and would like to know if ther is a free wheeling hub and double cardan joint alternative. I read an article in a 4wd monthly ages ago about Double cardian joints to replace Cvs in Jeeps. But is there an option for Hiluxs. Have also seen advertisements for Eaton Detroit lockers can you get one of these for the rear diff on the lux and a limited slip option for the front. I own a Bronco with this diff setup and it is user friendly get over most terrain and is absolutely brilliant in sand and mud.
Mark

[Doug67]

Skog07

Yes you can get a Detroit for the rear through Opposite Lock, but I have not heard of an LSD for the front.

[Skog07]

Doug67.
How do you find the Detroit in the rear end? Am looking at fitting an upgrade to the rear diff and tossing up between the Detroit or the Arb locker. What made you chose the Detroit over the locker when you have a front locker anyway and could run both as air? All I have heard about is the air locker and would like an opinion of the Detroit on the Hilux.
The photo of your rig looks great and I actually saw it 4wd action as it was featured in the article. It mentioned you only had a front air locker and didn't mention the rear detroit.
Mark

[Doug67]

Skog07

Only had the Detroit since the first week in November. I only put the front locker in because we had the rear LSD which turned to crap and ended up stopped working back in July last year. I wanted something that would work on the tar and gravel all the time, I hate the inside tyre just spinning all the time and not going anywhere, wet road very bad for this. I have previous experience with tight Nissan LSD's and CIG lockers so wanted the benfits of both.When you put an airlocker in the rear you removed the LSD so it's back to a freespinning open diff for normal road driving. What happens is when under power the the locker engages and when not it disengages. On road I'm getting more tyre wear due to on tight turns under power the inside tyre is trying to catch up with the outside one but I think it is worth it. When driving in a straight line under a constant throttle you sometimes may hear it engage a give a slight twitch to the left and when lifting off a slight twitch to the right, I'm the only one in our family who has noticed it. Some may ask what's in like when pushing in the wet on tar, I've found it to be better than I thought and has not done what a CIG locker does and push the front straight ahead, Gravel road one word, brilliant found some beautiful shire roads at Chrisy and performed with the extra grip and turn in as I wished, Heaven on earth similar to a tight LSD diff. Costs where $1251 for the centre, $300 in new bearings etc and around the $100 to install though it would cost closer to $300 I would expect normally. I was quoted $1850 istalled from Active 4x4 in Newcastle.

[Skog07]

Thanks for the inside view on the Detroit, have own a short wheel base Bronco with a Detroit on a 9inch it is a great diff. I do like the idea of having the diff automatically lock itself in on it own and perform as a feature of the vehicle on the road as well. The Bronco does the same as you mentioned in the lux but with a 110k on the clock it has become quite noticeble. Under power through a corner you can feel it click in but it does not push the vehicle in the wet. I am trying to do some research to find if there is a LSD option for the front but without freewheeling hubs on the Hilux I think this option is not available.
It would be good if the airlocker retained the LSD clutch pack in it so that in normal driving it would use the LSD and when required you could lock the diff for the more difficult terrain. Maybe we should all lobby the Aftermarket companies to find a solution.
Would love to do the Turon Trip but unfortunately have other plans.
Thanks for the insight.
Mark

[Doug67]

Skog07

Pre 1994 the Detroit locker where a very rough engaging diff which made a loud noise when engaging, since then they redesiged installed some springs which took the roughness out.

[jcarter]

would i correct in presuming the biggest problem with front lockers and the cv is more of an issue when the wheel is not in a straight line? (so turned).

Or can it be just as bad either way?

[Doug67]

From what I hear turning and wheels jumping up in the air when landing is a killer. At least one of the ones Harrisbm broke was going straight when he drove over two truck tyres alternate sides.