ok guys and gals

what setups do you guys run that works well with being locked and still gives you decent steer'n.

the spool is a no go mainly since i got stuck driving it home front wheel drive and ive been asked by my g/f to rethink the spool.

full detroit whats the issues.....
had a true track it wasnt bad, didnt lock up enough offroad for me though
whats the deal with the new detriot eletrcirky zipy zapy powerd locker
ARB.... probaly expensive as hell and with as many problems as ive seen with them i dont know if i even WANT to go that route.

let me know what you guys have found that works decent. im going to be slapp'n ram assist on the thing here soon, but i still wouldnt mind some options. i can sell the 60 spool so thats probably not a big deal.

thanks

DP

This subject has been beat to death here. Search...



As for my opinion, go ARB* or go home.......:flipoff2:


* ARB must be correctly installed and maintained and the solenoid actuating valves replaced with manual ball valves. Then no problems........

I run an OX locker in the front. Yes, it's expensive, but I think it pays for itself every time I unlock it. It's great to have an open diff. in between the hard obsticles. The 1/2" thick machined steel diff cover is pretty nice too.

you want a track-lok or nothing... arb? well that werkz too but the detroit electrik locker may have something on them. only time will tell how tough the acutator is..

I am about to weld up my front end. I am hoping that my rear line lock, and full twin stick will be able to give me enough manueverability to outweigh the steering issues. I'll just have to do it, and find out though.

Have they gotten the cable jamming / breaking issues fixed on the OX?? All things being equal, I would actually prefer a mechanically actuated locker over an ARB (no compressor to fail), but I´ve heard that the OX´s cables are full of problems. No first-hand experience tho......

Originally posted by billj
Have they gotten the cable jamming / breaking issues fixed on the OX?? All things being equal, I would actually prefer a mechanically actuated locker over an ARB (no compressor to fail), but I´ve heard that the OX´s cables are full of problems. No first-hand experience tho......


I have one of the first lever designs... The ones with all the problems. I'm not sure what everyone is bitching about, because I don't have any problems getting it to lock. When the splines in the locker aren't lined up, you can't get the lever to move all the way to the locked position. It only moves about halfway. All you have to do is keep pressure on the lever while you turn the wheel a little and move a couple inches foward. It takes maybe 5 seconds and it locks right up.

The newer design is spring loaded so that you can move the lever to the locked position regardless of the actuall engagment. The spring keeps pressure on the locker and it will engage as soon as the splines line up (similar to the way the ARB works). I don't think I would like this. When I get the lever to the locked position, I can feel the splines engaging, I know that it's locked up and I don't have to wait on anything.

BTW, I've talked to a couple of people that have had problems with the OX. :rolleyes:

The install is just as important as with the ARB. If you don't put it together right, it ain't gonna work right.

I've run lock-rights in three different applications.
See them everywhere, If you've got good carrier strength, a lock right is good.

If you need carrier strength, go detroit.

If you want selectability, you're on your own.

No full time locker is going to pleasant on a front wheel drive home trip. I haven't done one of those in a long time, and never with a locker.

I've seen bigbene on the trail, the ox worked fine. It was the u-joint in the knuckle that blew.

Hey bigbene, we're putting a ride together the 26 & 27 at Swiss.
Are you in?

Originally posted by bigbene

The install is just as important as with the ARB. If you don't put it together right, it ain't gonna work right.

agreed 150%..........:)

Originally posted by SilverZuk
Hey bigbene, we're putting a ride together the 26 & 27 at Swiss.
Are you in?


Yeah, I'm in. We've got about 7 or 8 guys that are supposed to show up. Should be a good time.

Detroit with Ram Assist :beer:

Originally posted by elf_cruiser
I am about to weld up my front end. I am hoping that my rear line lock, and full twin stick will be able to give me enough manueverability to outweigh the steering issues. I'll just have to do it, and find out though.

Sorry, off topic. Just a bit of advice, you may already know, don't weld up the holes in the carrier like a lot of people do (me). You can weld up just the spider gears and still get it back together. That way if you want to put a locker in it in the future, you don't have to buy a new 3rd member.

Originally posted by elf_cruiser
I am about to weld up my front end. I am hoping that my rear line lock, and full twin stick will be able to give me enough manueverability to outweigh the steering issues. I'll just have to do it, and find out though.

get arb........some day you are tired of using your sticks all the time.........

Sorry, off topic. Just a bit of advice, you may already know, don't weld up the holes in the carrier like a lot of people do (me). You can weld up just the spider gears and still get it back together. That way if you want to put a locker in it in the future, you don't have to buy a new 3rd member.

right on, that is the plan, but thanks!

get arb........some day you are tired of using your sticks all the time.........

I wish they made one for rockwells dude...

BUT, the reason i am welding it instead of going detroit is because AFAIK wolfgang has decded to make the vacuum locker for the rockwell next year sometime. So 350sammy, I am definitely not gonna hurt the carrier, as I will need it to do the vac locker next year.

Although I have no experience with them the E-locker might be the way to go detriot makes a quality product and a wire is alot easyer to repair and maintian, then a compressor and airlines or a cable and lever. however I have plain a old full time locker and have no problems with the way it works or affects the steering.

Originally posted by Elf_cruiser:
I am about to weld up my front end. I am hoping that my rear line lock, and full twin stick will be able to give me enough manueverability to outweigh the steering issues. I'll just have to do it, and find out though.

Originally posted by ZAG
get arb........some day you are tired of using your sticks all the time.........
Rockwell 2.5 ton = NO ARB!!!

here is otters 2 cents hope u can handle it... run either a detroit of arb...most of the problems with arbs are due either to user error or installer error.. i ran one for 4 year in the rear without any problems i only ever tore the blue line once when i was driving through brush..done that lots before never had a problem.
i am now running one in my front 60..i dont like it as much because the it is so hard to turn when it is engaged( i have just regular steering for now with 38's). If u have plans for steering upgrades in the future i would go with the arb...if u are going run the stock steering box go detroit so it will be easier to steer...
this one is kinda below the belt but oh well...u wouldn't have to drive home in front wheel drive with a spool if u built your suspension right the first time..:rolleyes:

I would go ARB, just because of ease of use. I would rather push a button then have to pull and sometimes hold a knob. Realiability seems to have to do with instalation and parts used, personally I think alot of the ARB crap is junk(expecially the compressors) but you can find a good do it yourself setup fairly easily

well for the steering im running a hi steer setup with an inverted T its pretty decent works nice. ive got a waggy steering box in there which had made one HELL of a difference. im trying to get my ducks in a row so i can get the ram assist done but i would like some different options for the front since i am going to try to get my jeep chic behind the wheel of my jeep.

so basicly were looking:

ARB:
goods...push button on off, open diff when off, fully locked when on. i already have oba to power them.
bads.... install error, selenoids, oba dependant, still hard to turn locked.

detroit
goods.... best full locker to run (in my opinoin), gives you some turning ability,
bads, still need ram assist, still locked up while driving, etc.

ox
goods... open diff when off, thick cover, new cable design,
bads... isntall errors, cable errors, cable issues. erc.

detroit electicy thingiy
hell if i know its new.


missing anything? who's runnin the best prices on the ox, arb, and eltricalythingamagigger for a 60?

hehehe anyone want a full spool for a 60?

About that spool. Is it 35 spline?

-Jeremy

if you get an ARB tattoo "are both wheels spinning" on your forhead.................. cuz ur gonna ask it all the time

i am a detroit locker fan. i have them front and rear in my 1tons and i had them in my previous set of axles too. i have never had a problem with them and have never wished i had a selectible locker. with a detroit you put it in and forget about it.

Originally posted by Rat Patrol
About that spool. Is it 35 spline?

-Jeremy

yep its a 4.10 35 spline spool cause im runnin thick cut gears up front.

DP

Originally posted by Dust Puppy
detroit

bads, still need ram assist


I have a detroit front and turn fine without ram assist. If you put a longer pitman arm in conjunction with attaching your drag link farther out on your high steer arm you'll be fine. The longer pitman arm allows you to still turn tightly with the drag-link far out on the arm. While the distance out on the arm allows for greater leverage on the knuckle. I'm not saying it's as good as hydro (I know it's not), but I haven't had any problems a little elbow grease couldn't steer through.

Originally posted by bigdude


I'm not saying it's as good as hydro (I know it's not), but I haven't had any problems a little elbow grease couldn't steer through.

Dude I have seen your picture, you probably have a little less trouble steering than most people.

Hydro,..... I don't need no fawking Hydro:flipoff2:

Originally posted by TNToy



Rockwell 2.5 ton = NO ARB!!!

what is the price of those rockwells in usa.............
compared to mog axel or volvo c303 portals..........:confused:

ROCKWELL = NO ARB but VACUUM LOCKER SOON!! (a promise)

www.killeraxles.com

ROCKWELL = NO ARB but VACUUM LOCKER SOON!! (a promise)

Hell Yeah Baby!!!

Sign me up fo dat shat!!