NewHilux.net

mmaaxx wrote:Wonder why it costs more than an ARB airlocker?

Becasue they have set their price against the ARB air locker including the compressor.

Max you really got ripped on that locker repair in comparison to QLD. Ryano only charged me about $550 to fit two lockers... Did you look affluent or something on the day?

rodw wrote: Did you look affluent or something on the day?

looked more like a homeless redneck bum!

Gday Maddog
I'm up here in qld so I could understand if freight was maybe $50 on top of that price. All my quotes have been through OL, they trying to tell me a 10hr job at around $800 fitting!!! Thats including replacing all seals, I reckon your quote is much closer to what a fitting should be, I'm thinking of just getting it and fitting myself, or I was going to get a price from a diff centre as I only have a couple of weeks before I'm heading off on trip.
Funny you should mention the price difference in same shop I actually got quoted more again for locker through Harrop themselves??
Thanks mate for chasing that price up.

When getting diffs worked on it really depends on what they do, get it done properly will cost more and last alot longer,like spending time getting the preloads correct, this takes time and needs to be spot on to last and putting a full kit through it, some places will just slap the locker in and away you go nice and cheap but the end of the day you pay for what you get.
On my last car I use to run it at the strip alot, had diff gears done, if I got diff gears done on the cheap the diff would only last about 30-40 passes, done properly about 200 passes, if you see my point.
You really need to compare exactly what they are doing.

I hear what you're saying Wade. OL is in the 4WD market though, and if they're going to offer this product, you would think they would have trained technicians to install it. It sounds like the mob that rox is buying it from really don't want to do the job (they don't know how to do it) or else why would they be quoting these crazy prices. ARB don't charge that much?

MADDOG wrote:I hear what you're saying Wade. OL is in the 4WD market though, and if they're going to offer this product, you would think they would have trained technicians to install it. It sounds like the mob that rox is buying it from really don't want to do the job (they don't know how to do it) or else why would they be quoting these crazy prices. ARB don't charge that much?

ARB charged me $300 to fit the rear on mine . . . . I could have had it fitted by the same place that Wade was talking about as I know and trust their work like he does . . . . . but the timing did not suit me at the time . . .

There you go, ARB charged dute $300 to install an air locker. I know you two know the same diff specialist and as you've told me in the past Pete, you swear by them, but do you think $800 is reasonable for rox to get the Elocker installed by OL. Why would you want to spend $500 more than anyone else? It just doesn't make sense. You either do it properly or you don't.

My neighbour has an ARB Air Locker in his 2002 Hilux. It's been installed for 2 weeks over a year. He's had problems with it from day one. It's going back to ARB at the end of this month to get fixed for the 5th time.

MADDOG wrote:There you go, ARB charged dute $300 to install an air locker. I know you two know the same diff specialist and as you've told me in the past Pete, you swear by them, but do you think $800 is reasonable for rox to get the Elocker installed by OL. Why would you want to spend $500 more than anyone else? It just doesn't make sense. You either do it properly or you don't.

My neighbour has an ARB Air Locker in his 2002 Hilux. It's been installed for 2 weeks over a year. He's had problems with it from day one. It's going back to ARB at the end of this month to get fixed for the 5th time.

I agree with what your saying Maddog, $500 is a big jump from others and also agree with wheather you do it properly or you dont. From what Ive learnt you can take big shortcuts with diffs and save alot of time in instillation, short term works fine, long term will become noisy and eventually fail. Setting preloads can take around 4hrs, add r&r of the diff and a full kit through it and you start to get up near the dearer price mentioned.
I the last thing you said you have answered exactly what Ive been saying, your neighbour has gone back for the 5th time to get his repaired, now that extra $500 for no problems doesnt seem to bad in my eyes.
Look if your not going to give it to much of a hard time go the cheaper route, but putting a locker in says its going to get a hard time.
The guys that me and Pete are talking about build one tough diff, mate I gave my diff in my old car the hardest time anyone have given period and could not break it, so the price they charged for the install was justifyed, I could of saved about $500 getting it install elsewhere but I was glad I didnt as other people were destroying the same diff and not even getting close to the punishement I was giving mine.
Just from what I found is the diff is one place you shouldnt take short cuts as it will come back and bite you in the bum real quick. In the modding would of cars you have to be real carefull who you deal with as 90% are cowboys.
I will give the guys me a Pete are talking about a call today and find out exactly what gets done at what price and let you all know.

Just trying to help

Wade

MADDOG wrote:I hear what you're saying Wade. OL is in the 4WD market though, and if they're going to offer this product, you would think they would have trained technicians to install it. It sounds like the mob that rox is buying it from really don't want to do the job (they don't know how to do it) or else why would they be quoting these crazy prices. ARB don't charge that much?

Out there you have trained technicians like me (I am a mechanic by trade) and you have experienced specialists, there's a big difference.
Like comparing a mechanic building a motor to a full time engine builder.

Wade

ap per my second post on page one
guys
had my e locker done by opposite lock and was $1750 installed about 6 months ago and came with 2 year warranty by opposite lock
so do not understand current prices being thrown around

Cheers Drew

Here is the link to the current Winter Sale http://www.oppositelock.com.au/uploads/ ... 010_01.pdf
As you can see the ELocker is $1495 to buy. That is Australia wide. Only Opposite Lock can answer the question as to why the big price difference to install.

Good info here guys, been following this thread and speaking to other enthusiasts and trying to decide between an air locker or the E-locker and have finally made my mind up.....getting the E-locker....just called Opposite Lock and ordered one so should have it by the end of the week. Everyone wants top dollar to install the thing though so i will be doing the job myself, just been through the detailed installation manual on Eaton's website and looks like it will be a pretty easy task, especially because my diff is only 6000km old, everything should still be in spec. Can't wait.

I spoke to two diff specialists in Sydney and Melbourne I know are very good at what they do, there prices were (intstall only, not supply E locker) $650 to $700 respectively, both said they always change seals, new carrier bearings etc, set preloads, R&R of diff was about $250 and supply of bearings, run wires and switch, seals etc and rest preloads was about $400- $450, they both also said for a price of around $300 they would only be just slapping the locker in, no new bearings, seals, setting preloads, they cant see it possible at that price, they also both said if you dont set preloads and change bearings etc they will not warrent the diff at all.
Just a bit more food for thought.


Wade

I've been thinking of getting an elocker but was going to do the install myself to save a little money.

My Lux has done 120-130k.

However, after reading this thread i'm not so sure how easy is it to install?

Also what is preload and is it easy to set yourself? I have a fair knowledge of mechanics but not sure if I should do it myself.


cheers

Jiggins

I got my E-locker today and was contemplating fitting it myself as i am a working mechanic, but having not done any serious diff work before i have reconsidered and decided that my nice new diff would be much better off being modified by a professional. The actual fitting is easy and straight forward but i just dont trust myself to get preloads and tolerances perfect like a specialist would, even with the correct tools. So i will be removing the diff carrier and taking it along with the locker to a reputable differential re-builder in Moorabbin that i have used in the past, plus i want it done ASAP and i don't have the time or patience to do it myself at the moment.
Like Quadcams has mentioned with something with such exact tolerances as a diff assembly it will certainly pay to get it done right the first time by a pro, especially with a high mileage diff.

toyboata wrote:I got my E-locker today and was contemplating fitting it myself as i am a working mechanic, but having not done any serious diff work before i have reconsidered and decided that my nice new diff would be much better off being modified by a professional. The actual fitting is easy and straight forward but i just dont trust myself to get preloads and tolerances perfect like a specialist would, even with the correct tools. So i will be removing the diff carrier and taking it along with the locker to a reputable differential re-builder in Moorabbin that i have used in the past, plus i want it done ASAP and i don't have the time or patience to do it myself at the moment.
Like Quadcams has mentioned with something with such exact tolerances as a diff assembly it will certainly pay to get it done right the first time by a pro, especially with a high mileage diff.

Well done mate, I will be going the E locker when I have the funds and also in the same boat as you could do it myself but in this case would get a specialist do it properly, alot of piece of mind.

Wade

looks like I will be forking out the extra money too.

If that is the case i'll save the extra money and wait till they have the front locker aswell and get both fitted at the same time

Thanks for the help fellas


jiggins

After fitting an Elocker to our Hilux I would say it would take about 5 to 6 hours.

1 hour to pull the axles and diff center out.
1.5 hours to replace the carrier bearings, change the center and set preloads.
2 hours to get it back in, add new oil and bleed and adjust the brakes.
1 hour to wire up.

Doing it for the first time you could add about 1.5 hours more.

Plus about $120 in parts

You might be able to take about 1 hour of if you cut some corners and had done the Hilux ones before.

hmmmmm looking at lockers myself at the moment. a little turned off the elocker now. it doesnt activate when wires disconnect and you cant drive over 30klms p/h. which isnt what i buy a rear locker for. when i hit the bush i leave it on. so is the elocker just a toy that you operate only when it looks hard and not exceeding 30ks. the pro locker is hell expensive for something no one has. the arb has /has not got leaking issues but has a lot more versatility in usage. also is it true that the arb lockers are made in china now. if so i might as well buy the knock off version where i can get front and rear complete kits for $1700.

pootrol wrote:hmmmmm looking at lockers myself at the moment. a little turned off the elocker now. it doesnt activate when wires disconnect and you cant drive over 30klms p/h. which isnt what i buy a rear locker for. when i hit the bush i leave it on. so is the elocker just a toy that you operate only when it looks hard and not exceeding 30ks. the pro locker is hell expensive for something no one has. the arb has /has not got leaking issues but has a lot more versatility in usage. also is it true that the arb lockers are made in china now. if so i might as well buy the knock off version where i can get front and rear complete kits for $1700.

I was under the impression ARB since changed the seal they using to stop leakage from the diff.....