Another Aussie Locker Review

[djtc]

Hi guys this is just a short review of the Aussie locker (rear) installed in a 2000 5spd 4runner .

So when I first received the locker I was impressed with the quality of the machining and the instructions were okay but not the greatest.

Installation:
The installation went without any problems , as a matter of fact very easy!If you take your time and know how to use a wrench, anybody can install one of these lockers with basic common knowledge.

Impressions of product:
When I first took it out I didn't hear any loud bang ,and I couldn't hear any clicking while turning out of my driveway.First thing that came to my mind was ..the damn thing is stuck locked!(I did do a spin test before driving it and it did disengage) After leaving my driveway I took the next turn and I could barely hear anything with my heater fan blowing.I turned off the heater and put down my rear windows and then I noticed the clicking sound.Talk about internet hype!

So the locker isn't loud at all.Taking turns I can still downshift into 2nd and lighty apply throttle through a 90 degree turn without any clunks or chirps.Another thing that people are scared of is performance on snow/ice...I took turns on snow covered roads with throttle and the ass did not kick out.It only kicked out when punching the throttle, but it's very controllable.If you're going really slow in 2nd though the truck will start to buck (like when you first learned how to drive standard).Other then those few symptoms the locker is flawless , I couldn't imagine myself spending 1000$+ to replace this unit.

Performance:I didn't have time to test it out on some hardcore terrain but I went through some deep snow/ice ruts and you can really tell the difference!In 2wd it is more capable and in 4wd its a beast.

Conclusion:If you don't have one .....Buy One. :thanks:

Yeah she's got an aussie...

 

[TCMach]

Another good review for the Aussie. Looks like it's moved up on my to do list. Where did you get yours from?

 

[djtc]

Another good review for the Aussie. Looks like it's moved up on my to do list. Where did you get yours from?

Straight from aussie locker aka torque masters. Search aussie locker on google , it should be one of the first results. I dealt with the owner Bill Cole great guy!

 

[TCMach]

Straight from aussie locker aka torque masters. Search aussie locker on google , it should be one of the first results. I dealt with the owner Bill Cole great guy!

Awesome. So far that's the only place I've seen it. You can't go wrong ordering straight from the source. Also, what gear oil are you running now?

 

[AZTOY]

Have had mine for about six months. Big change rock crawling, huge. This is my DD and everything is great. Everybody needs one for off roading.
Home page - Aussie Lockers - Welcome to Torq Masters Home of the Aussie Locker

 

[djtc]

I had bought a box of synthetic 75w90 for the whole truck before deciding on this locker but that was no longer an optioin with the aussie.You want thicker oil to reduce the noise and the company says to use 80w90 non synthetic so that's what I went with.You could go heavier on the oil as well.I believe some guys are running 85w140.

I actually just Emailed Bill last night and I woke up this morning to a response!Good customer service!

 

[mcaz5]

I've thought about getting one of these, but I just don't know if I could justify having an auto locker in a DD. I do try and wheel it at least once a month though. Decisions, decisions...

 

[djtc]

If you have an automatic I think you'll notice it even less!

 

[AZTOY]

I've thought about getting one of these, but I just don't know if I could justify having an auto locker in a DD. I do try and wheel it at least once a month though. Decisions, decisions...

Mine is DD. Here is my thread on Aussie locker.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/126270-my-aussie-locker-review.html

 

[tee-bone]

Hopefully this isn't too OT...

I am going to show my ignorance here. I went to the aussielocker.com site because I was curious about the pricing. One thing I noticed is that they sell front lockers as well, which brought up a few questions.

1.) Does a locker in the front avoid the chirping on corners whilst accelerating on dry pavement issue that a rear locker suffers from - at least while the truck is not in 4wd? If that is the case I might rather have the front auto-locked, since I can just make sure I don't go into 4WD on dry pavement.
2.) Is it much harder to install a front locker than a rear?
3.) People say the Aussie Locker is OK in snow as if they think it is likely to be worse in snow. One of the main reasons I want this is to improve my ability to get around in snow - do these not help with that?

 

[AZTOY]

Based on my research before getting my Aussie locker, I would not get a front locker for a DD/off roader. The rear is stronger and able to withstand the possible abuse of the locker. IMO, the ifs is weak enough and a locker would cause more parts breaking. I have driven in snow with mine. Put it in 4wd and you will be fine. As long as you don't punch the gas in 2wd and snow you are fine. You shouldn't be punching the gas in snow anyway, unless you want to do doughnuts.
As far as clicking in the front, I don't believe it will click unless it is in 4wd. But I have heard there is a lot more impingement because of the sharp turning of the front wheels, when in 4wd.
You are going to get a lot of opinions on this. Research and do what makes sense to you. Google search has a lot of threads on this.

 

[agloukhoff]

3.) People say the Aussie Locker is OK in snow as if they think it is likely to be worse in snow. One of the main reasons I want this is to improve my ability to get around in snow - do these not help with that?

A locked diff will force at least one of your two wheels to lose traction in a tight turn. This may result in the rear fishtailing especially at speed.

On the other hand, you will have an easier time starting and speeding up in the snow.

In short, unless you are driving too fast for conditions, you should be fine.

 

[2big4arunner]

I only have one question and I will try and make it as specific as possible.

I am thinking about putting an Aussie locker in the front of my 4runner which would take out the ADD if I am correct. So now with me out of 4wd would the system still CLICK when turning corners being that its not being driven by a driveshaft? I know its not that loud but unless i am wheeling I would like for it to be quiet. Should I aim my question to the manufacturer

If this doesn't work out or if I need more flex in the cv axle, I might be the first to put a Toyota Supra rear end in a 4th gen. Its an 8 inch lsd stock and if I want the electric lockers from the older models should bolt in which means I should be able to use that as my base for ordering a locker. 30 spline axles and the axles bolt just on the outside of the diff so there should be less angle. It might need custom lengths but its a supra axle.. no problem :first:

 

[KidVermicious]

I only have one question and I will try and make it as specific as possible.

I am thinking about putting an Aussie locker in the front of my 4runner which would take out the ADD if I am correct. So now with me out of 4wd would the system still CLICK when turning corners being that its not being driven by a driveshaft? I know its not that loud but unless i am wheeling I would like for it to be quiet. Should I aim my question to the manufacturer

Unless you have manual hubs, it'll still click through corners. And you'll be more likely to bust a CV. I wouldn't mess around with half measures - if you need a front locker, go straight to an ARB.

 

[tyr0981]

Unless you have manual hubs, it'll still click through corners. And you'll be more likely to bust a CV. I wouldn't mess around with half measures - if you need a front locker, go straight to an ARB.

i talked with Bill C. from Aussie locker via email, the Front differential does NOT turn / engage when not in 4WD, i believe that's because Toyota isn't from the USA and thought there 4wd system through.... i'll dig around and put his email up if i can find it.

i've been wanting to put this on my runner / Automatic since i first read about them...

i emailed Bill again, will post up his response.

imp:

 

[KidVermicious]

i talked with Bill C. from Aussie locker via email, the Front differential does NOT turn / engage when not in 4WD, i believe that's because Toyota isn't from the USA and thought there 4wd system through.... i'll dig around and put his email up if i can find it.

i've been wanting to put this on my runner / Automatic since i first read about them...

i emailed Bill again, will post up his response.

imp:

If you don't have manual hubs, the CVs will spin when the tires spin. If putting in a Spartan locker takes out the ADD function the way 2big4arunner thinks, then the CVs will be tied together at the differential and since they're spinning at different rates when you turn, the Spartan will ratchet.

If the ADD is retained, then the CVs won't be connected in 2WD and it won't ratchet.

 

[white_n_slow]

I will second this. I've used the Aussie and the Lockright (very similar design), and it is by far the best bang/$ mod for any truck that will see duty off road.

 

[white_n_slow]

I've thought about getting one of these, but I just don't know if I could justify having an auto locker in a DD. I do try and wheel it at least once a month though. Decisions, decisions...

I've DD'd (<--ha!) two vehicles with auto lockers and found it 100% fine. The only issue in my mind is that you have to keep up on rotating your tires because the rears will wear out a little faster than the fronts.

 

[KidVermicious]

I've DD'd (<--ha!) two vehicles with auto lockers and found it 100% fine. The only issue in my mind is that you have to keep up on rotating your tires because the rears will wear out a little faster than the fronts.

I have a Spartan in the rear of my DD - I'm actually waiting to rotate because I want to know when they start wearing, and I'm about 10,000 miles in and haven't noticed any additional wear yet.

I agree that the auto lockers are VERY doable in a daily driver, even one that sees ice and snow. Longer wheel base helps, and having an auto trans helps, but they'll work in anything once you get used to them.

 

[tyr0981]

Bill C. @ Ausie Lockers:

Why is their "tips" to not put a locker on the front? is a front locker on our rigs is always engaged (or just turning) so when the vehicle makes a turn in 2wd on the street the front dif can make the clicking sounds / try and lock up? the same way that the rear will do when on the throttle in a turn. So is that accurate? -Thanks for helping out Bill!


Thank you for your note. The front locker is not engaged but one side is turning, so you may hear the click in a turn. The locker is designed for this and you do not experience premature locker wear as a result.