hey guys I was just wanting to know some opinions on some different lockers for the rear of my 74 fj40. I do a considerable amount of driving on the road so I need the vehicle to perform both on the road and off. I only do limited wheeling, for now, but it might get more serious. What is a Quick Lock and what are the up and downs? What is the word on the new detroit gearless locker? and what about just doing a limited slip in the rear?


Donald Butcher

:beer: :usa:

This is just my opinion so take it as such. I wouldnt run a locker in the rear again unless it was an ARB. I hated it locking and unlocking and unpredictablility of it (lockright). I am assuming most lockers run similar to it. I wouldnt run a limited slip because I hate spending money 2x, and I dont think it is worth the upgrade myself. Having said that I love my welded rear. For a 4wheel drive that I go more then off a dirt road with, I will weld the rear everytime, from here out.:D

Ditto
I agree with eriks comments completly on the lockrights manners and would either weld it or go ARB.

rich

agreed, and don't forget that the ARB is not that much more than the limited slip (auburn). Installed it is over $500. You can get ARB's for around $630 a piece or so.

Anyone run the No-slip? It is more like a lockright than a limited, right?

Hey Donald, I have had the Alburn limited slip & it sucked. Limited is what it was. I wouldn't recommend welding the diff. Lockrights seem to work, but take some getting used to on the street. Lots of noise & squirrly manners. I would save & go ARB.

I just think that I do to much driving on the road to weld the rear. Has anyone heard anything about the detroit gearless locker? it's suppose to be smoother and quiter not to mention it's cheaper! I would love to go ARB but I also have to buy an air compressor correct? 630 + ? = expensive ha ha

Originally posted by rabid
Anyone run the No-slip? It is more like a lockright than a limited, right?

I run the no-slip in the rear diff of my FJ55. I like it a lot. I've never run a different locker in the rear, so I don't have direct experience of the difference. I can tell you that I hardly know it's there on the road. Very little evidence. Occasionally a clunk in the rear, and on some slow downhill turns (parking garages) you'd hear the drivetrain RPM change.

I daily drove it for a year with the no-slip in the back, worked fine on-road and great off-road. It's fairly inexpensive and a cinch to install. I'd do it again.

Morgan

I'll add my question here:D

I just got a Detroit for the rear, yet to be installed, what do you guys think of a Lock Right for the front?

Originally posted by Mustard Dog
I'll add my question here:D

I just got a Detroit for the rear, yet to be installed, what do you guys think of a Lock Right for the front?

It's really handy to have a selectable locker for the front, whether toyota electric or ARB. Reasons are:


less chance of broken birfields (use it only when you need it)
better turning radius off-road
better road manners
safer on slick terrain
safer on sidehills
less wear on front tires


Problem is that either arb or electric is a lot more dollars.

Morgan

You hit the nail on the head Morgan, $$$$$$$:eek:

The one thing I have going for me is the twin stick, so it's real easy for me to pop out of 4 in those tight, birf exploding, situations:D

I am running lockrights both front and rear in my 40. I have no problem with the rear. Yeah, I have to agree that now and then you hear some noises.....not bad though. It just takes a little getting used to on the road. The front......that's a different story..... traction is great but I don't like having my front end locked all the time. Even with a twin stick, if your hubs are locked your steering is gonna suck. I went from the trail to asphalt with my hubs locked and tcase in 2HI and thought I was going to hit every fawkin thing on the road!!!!!! i had no control what so ever of the truck. Pulled over, unlocked the hubs and all was well. I would love to go with a limited slip up front when I can afford it....

Originally posted by BigRedFJ40
I have no problem with the rear. Yeah, I have to agree that now and then you hear some noises.....not bad though. It just takes a little getting used to on the road.

Yeah, what he said. Unless you do most of your driving in a parking lot, then you just aren't going to notice it much on the road after you get used to it. Even in parking lots you will quickly figure out that it likes to have a little pressure (either accelerating of decelerating) on the ring gear and doesn't like idling aroung a turn.

Why not drive a friends Cruiser that has one to see how you like it first?

At least you won't have to worry about driving on too much ice out there in P'dale.

I live in snowy/icy Anchorage Alaska and a BJ40 is my daily driver. it has a rear FF and a Detroit Soflocker (#225SL124A). I replaced an ARB with the Detroit and sold the ARB. It causes me NO problems on the street, no weird lane changes, and greatly augments traction on snow/ice in 4WD, much more useful than the ARB. Just takes some learning.
Charlie

is a softlocker the same thing as the new detroit gearless? the locker in the rear doesn't cause you any problems driving on the snow/ice? because I may end up somewhere with both.

Donald

:beer: :usa:

I would have to say Ditto on Morgan's comments I have a No-slip in the rear and ARB in the front. The Detroit locker slams and pops when you least expect it and can be dangerous on slick asphalt if this is your daily driver as is mine. The No-slip is the least trouble to install and the most bang for the buck! The ARB is a bit too pricey for both axles unless you have money to blow.
Good Luck
Mike:fj: :jeep2:

Ditto on the Powertrax No-Slip, no regrets :D

I've had a lock-rite in the rear of my 40 for about a year now. It's a little wierd on the road sometimes but I've had no complaints as to it's off-road performance.
I recently put an ARB in the front and I like it so much I'm going to do the same for the rear, so I'll be pulling my Lock-Rite sometime next week.
I'll be selling the Lock-Rite......Anyone interested ?

Send me an e-mail @ dba73@hotmail.com, Make me a reasonable offer, cash or possibly trade.

The manners of an Auto locker in Morgan's '55 and 60 Driver's FJ-60 will be completely different than the road manners of an FJ-40 equipped truck with an Autolocker.

I really don't think there is a dime's difference in the "Lunch box" lockers that retain the stock Cruiser carrier. They all work fine and are as strong as your Cruiser Rear axles.

I would go on price for that if it were me. i.e. Lock Right

As for being "dangerous" with the unlocking and locking, I think that is a little excessive. They have quirky manners, but making an FJ-40 more dangerous becouse of those manners is a stretch.

Auto Lockers make annoying noises and make the rear of the vehicle dance a little in turns. Period. On the trail they will let go and you will think you broke an axle. This noise you will soon determine as the locker disengaging and you will get used to it.

Replacing the stock Cruiser carrier with a full Detroit is in my opinion a waste. Stock Cruiser carriers are plenty strong so save you $$$.

As for an ARB in the rear. Fine. They definately work well and the road manners are awesome due to the fact that it is open when turned off. Engaged, it is a spool/welded and it has a positive feel with no slipping/pinging/popping. The downside is all the &^%$ that can go wrong. Air leaks, switches, compressors, seals etc. Yuck.

ARBs are a great fit for the front of a Cruiser. I would deal with all the crap just to have the help with the Birfield breakage.

Welded? I love the way it performs on the trail and on the road. Love it! It is not for everyone, but I really don't see the downside that some people do on the road. You will chirp your tires in tight slow turns, but on the road, the spool is predictable.

If it were me I would weld the rear and do an ARB in the front. Short of that, stick a Lock Right in and start cataloging sounds in your head.

Yeh ! Like he said, so someone out there should buy my Lock-Right !

Cash in hand is better than a Lock-right in my rear end...:D