Rear Locker - Detroit or ARB?

[pjg]

Rod, that tight corner on the way to work that chirps your tyres now, will have one of the tyres spinning up madly with an open diff especially in the wet. My solution to that was to lock the ARB air locker and get both wheels spinning

I don't understand the comments about having to remember to lock a manual locker. FFS you spend $1500+ on it, there's no way you will forget to use it! Locking it, or not, just becomes another decision to make like which line to take up that climb. If anything, you may forget to unlock it, but put the switches in the right place and you'll see the light to remind you.

Agree with having the air compressor in the cab too. Vibrating under the passenger seat was a popular position for it with the wife

[rodw]

Rod, that tight corner on the way to work that chirps your tyres now, will have one of the tyres spinning up madly with an open diff especially in the wet. My solution to that was to lock the ARB air locker and get both wheels spinning

Agree with having the air compressor in the cab too. Vibrating under the passenger seat was a popular position for it with the wife

I like your style mate, looks like my wife will be dissappointed as I stuck my compressor under the bonnet

[pootrol]

i love the arb lockers. my EX GU ute had twin air lockers and it was the total control of any situation. and again being maily bitumen driven with the lux now there would be no option than an air locker for me

[Dluxv6]

Guys
any one got any thoughts on the Detroit E locker
am biting the bullet this week putting a rear locker in but can't decide which way to jump

ARB Air-locker
pros
proven unit
millions sold
cons
air compressor cycling
seals letting go
can blow oil back to comp (which is in cab)

Detroit e locker
pro
big name in USA

Cons



There is only 100 buxs difference for a rear one at the moment

Cheers for any input

Drew

[Quinny34]

RAB have a bypass valvue you can get that will stop blow back.. cost around $70 I think... Every now and then you simply fire up the locker and compressor and hit the button to clear out the breather.

Just fyi... choice is still yours on either brand... I was thinking of going a LOKKA but not that I have the front ARB and the compressor already in... I'll most likely go ARB so I control when its on and when its not.

[Dluxv6]

Quinny

Detroit is the new Electronic one so is controlled by flicking a switch on/off, all the gear is internal in diff so nothing external except a twin wire to dash for power
i can't find any one who has one for some feedback
Detroit has a good name and comes with 2yr warranty so might rely on both and just go for it

something different i suppose from ARB air locker, just don't like the idea of cycling compressor in cab , noise wise.

Cheers Drew

[Quinny34]

Valid points... I thought you meant the Lokka type.. if its electric, I've heard of people bagging them due to the wire etc... hanging out of them... The air locker has an air hose hanging out so I cant see the argument.

Still will be up to you but if its a switched mechanisim... then I cant see what the diference would be and in your case it would stop your compressor going of in the cab... (Although they normally only go for a very short period of time and then they stop, may cycle periodically under load etc)

If its cheaper and quiter... I think you'll find your choice is made for you... at the end of the day, they all produce the same result.

[Hilux Max]

The e lockers are good in one way.....if your far offroad and you cut the wire accidently on the e-locker it will stay locked so atleast in tough terrain you can get to a sealed road before calling for help.....

if an arb locker malfunctions then you have an open diff and if in harsh terrain where you need it to get to the main road you may not.....

the e locker uses an electrical signal to keep the locker disenagaged which is why when power is cut it engages.....

personally....if you do alot of driving round town a selectable locker, either arb or tjm or e locker is good.....for predominantly offroading Id go a full on detroit rear and air locker front...but end of the day each to their own....

[Dluxv6]

thanks for your input
like the idea of detroit ie been around a long time
me thinks airline is same as wire hanging outa the diff
as long as i route along brake line path i don't see a issue being snagged on anything

will post up when fitted next week

Drew

[rodw]

I am not up with the Detroit e-Locker, but Eaton launched an e-Locker with great song and dance a year or so ago. Is this the unit you are referring to? Did Detroit take them over or develop their own e-Locker? I would have thought trade marks would have forced Detroit to use another name...

If we are talking about the Eaton e-Locker, avoid it. I did a fair bit of research about them and they are prone to failures. Just not as robust as the ARB or Detroit.

I think the consensus is that if you live on the dirt or don't drive round town, go the Detroit in the rear (always on, more reliable), if like most of us, you live in town and grudgingly drive lots of miles in traffic on bitumen, you have to go with ARB and put up with the lesser reliability. In the front you have not got much choice and an ARB air locker is the best choice.

[Alby]

I think the consensus is that if you live on the dirt or don't drive round town, go the Detroit in the rear (always on, more reliable), if like most of us, you live in town and grudgingly drive lots of miles in traffic on bitumen, you have to go with ARB and put up with the lesser reliability. In the front you have not got much choice and an ARB air locker is the best choice.

Agree!

As with a lot of these types of questions the correct answer needs to be kept in context with what it is being used for.

[9W6VX]

Making this a sticky as per Rod's request.

[Dluxv6]

Rod
what have you heard as i can find no feedback
Eaton and harrop engineering are making the e locker
Eaton have been making diffs for years for trucks so am leaning this way
hurry with answer as i ordered today

Drew

[Dluxv6]

rod
further to above
Eaton owns Detroit so when you hear some one say Detriot locker it is made by Eaton
Harrop eng Melb under license from Eaton build Elockers for aussie market
they also do all the v8 supercars eng /diffs etc etc
standard two year warranty

Drew

[rodw]

rod
further to above
Eaton owns Detroit so when you hear some one say Detriot locker it is made by Eaton
Harrop eng Melb under license from Eaton build Elockers for aussie market
they also do all the v8 supercars eng /diffs etc etc
standard two year warranty

Drew

Well based on this, the Eaton e-locker and the Detroit e-locker are the same thing. Do your own research. Mine said don't buy it.

[Dluxv6]

Rod
some one has to try it
it may as well be me
just thought it would be different than the usual route of ARB locker
Harrop Eng have a well reputed name
will let you guys know of the performance over the next couple months

cheers for your input

Drew

[rodw]

Yes I was a bit dissappointed about the feedback I found as I would have liked to give it a go. Probably will be OK unless you really cane it.. Good luck with it.

[Dluxv6]

Rod
Spoke to Harrop eng today and they are willing to back their product
no maintenace required over its life bar bearings obviously or i happen to pull wire out of diff
speaking to a mate (diff specialist) tonight re Locker and then final decision tmrw
fingers crossed

Cheers Drew

[Quinny34]

I reckon you'll be fine.... and I reckon you made a good choice given your situation.... Let us know how it goes...

[oldrev]

hi
i just thought i'dshare my thoughts.
i enquired about the e locker when it was released and it was quite a bit dearer than arb air job.
but in saying that i liked the concept better than arb because you can fix a wire easier than an airline in the bush twistit and tape it .
in agreeance with drew the manufacturers of this product are well know for quality products.
also tojo is putting e lockers in the 79 series arent they
just my two bobs
cheers
ken