A local wheeler offered me a Spartan automatic locker for $200, new in box, and while I was saving for an elocker, I couldn't pass this up. I just finished installing it.

Install process - difficulty is a 3 out of 10. If you can change your brakes or bolt on a new starter or alternator, you can install a Spartan locker. Time-wise, it took me about 8 hours over two days, but this was the first time I'd ever pulled my third, and I spent lots of time scratching my chin and drinking beer and consulting my manuals. Doing it again, I bet would be 3 hours tops. Uncommon tools you will absolutely need are a ft/lb torque wrench and a long punch - I didn't have a punch, and I went through two screwdrivers trying to drift out the rod that holds the center pin. Don't bother reading the directions that come with, they're generic garbage. Read the Aussie locker writeup on ZUKs site, gearinstalls.com, and just remember that you're not re-using the thrust washers. You will have to pull the ring gear to remove the center pin, but this will not affect your backlash.

Driving impressions - I'll be back to update this once I get this bad boy on some rocks, and again after I've driven it on a snowy road. Right now I've had it around the block a few times, and am impressed. I'd heard that it would click loudly, bang every time I got on the throttle, and bind up and chirp the tires if I didn't coast around corners. None of those things happened. It clicks quietly on tight corners, not obtrusively at all. I also don't notice it when turning and accelerating from a stop, unless I really punched it, at which point I could feel the rear not want to come around, but not bad enough that I chirped or scuffed the tires. At 1/4 throttle or less (ie, normal driving), I didn't even know it was there.

I'm totally stoked. I know it's going to add to traction off-road, and so far its on-road manners are much better than I was even hoping for. I'll be back to update as I get it in more situations.

You should still check backlash... anytime the ring gear comes out.

Want wait to see some wheelin pics! You get those sliders on yet?

No, those are waiting on something... special. You'll dig it.

Yeah let us know for sure how it is off the road. Those seem like the most economical lockers there are, I have been drooling over the e-lockers but I know my wife will never go for it, so the $300-$400 range is where I have to keep my self at

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I think $370 on Marlin Crawler I was just looking at them

looks like someone is finally gettin their big boy pants. well man, it's all uphill from here... literally.

Your going to love the difference offroad! Having recently installed my Yukon Grizzly locker I can tell you that you will be able to climb far more places than you could without it. Have fun! Just don't get over confident like I did and break a CV.

Here you go $358 found the link on Pirate4x4

Baseline 4x4 Outfitters - SL T7.5-27 - Spartan Locker for Toyota 7.5" with 27 spline axles

That's for an IFS front. They're 320 for an 8 inch rear at Randy's. Probably get down to 300 if you shop around.

Oh ok they have the 8" there too at the same site I believe I just clicked the 1st one I seen

How was the installation now?Is it really good?

I don't understand the question? See the OP - installation was fine, it drives great on dry roads, and I don't know anything else about it yet.

Drove to work through 4 inches of snow, and to be perfectly honest, I noticed the TrueTrac in front far more than the Spartan in the rear. With the hubs locked, the TrueTrac is working to keep the front wheels spinning together, even while I was still in 2wd, so there was certainly some understeer going on. The TrueTrac also got kinda grabby at the wrong times once I put it in 4wd - maybe I'll get better predicting what it's going to do once I'm more used to it. On the other hand, the understeer worked nicely to counter the tendency of the rear to slide out when I "accidentally" blipped the throttle on a corner or two.

But the Spartan didn't give me any problems at all. A nice steady throttle and sane driving and I barely knew it was there.

That's good info, KidV! I was curious how the TrueTrac would do on sloppy paved roads--I already know a standard mechanical locker will mess with your steering, but I wasn't sure if the TT would. It appears a selectable locker in front is still the most desirable, then, as it would allow open-diff 4WD for pavement. Thanks for the feedback. Your combination should be awesome once you're on the trails!