Locker opinions wanted

Silver Supra

Silver Supra

New member
So I am replacing the axle housing on my 1998 4runner since it has been damaged and will not stop leaking. While I have the new housing I was thinking it would be a good time to put a locker in.

I’m not really interested in an e-locker with unknown history.

I’ve looked at the ARB and am leaning towards having ECGS install it for the warranty while it’s out. I’ve also looked at the Harrop e-locker but it seems most recommend the ARB. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
 
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I've read whats out there on Harrop E-lockers this year, yesterday ordered the A11167 for front diff, along with Landcruiser Locker switch w/pigtailled connector. I wanted simplicity, both have pro's n con's, I liked the Harrop more.

!!!! IT'S ON SALE !!!!!

$200 off For a bit longer at Cruiser Brothers, delivery mid late December no stock in US.
Drop ship to you or Install shop, ECGS does install.

With finding a 2K 127k mi E-Locker rear drum to drum w/ trailing arms and electrical this week, I'm good to go for "Dual Locked" with factory look switch's.
 
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Silver Supra said:
I’ve also looked at the Harrop e-locker but it seems most recommend the ARB. Any thoughts?

Thanks!
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I waded through same process you are for deciding. One con for ARB was the air side of design. Some users say O-rings fail, potential failures w/air side.
Cons for Harrop, diff does need to rotate near full rotation for full diff lock, possible electromagnetic failure.
I got the pictiure in Aus the two are neck n neck in popularity.
 
I would think they are equally reliable as far as the locker itself goes. You'll benefit from having air on the trail if you go that route. I chose the factory locker because well its factory and they seem to have gotten it right. Unlike the pull out cup holders in the dash. I had a good laugh at that one when I first got my 4Runner...
 
D'arce said:
I would think they are equally reliable as far as the locker itself goes. You'll benefit from having air on the trail if you go that route. I chose the factory locker because well its factory and they seem to have gotten it right. Unlike the pull out cup holders in the dash. I had a good laugh at that one when I first got my 4Runner...
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That drink holder really is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever seen. You can either have a drink, or get air conditioning blown on your face - but not both at the same time.

I love my updated center console so much. LOL
 
I really thought hard on ARBs and, more recently, these newer e-lockers. But, I just can't get past the potential air seal failure, and those e-lockers are quite expensive.

So, I am going dual TrueTracs once I sell my house in a few months. Slight disadvantage in extremely crossed-up, two-wheel-in-the-air situations, but those are actually quiite rare for me. And, in those rare cases, either some left-foot braking or simply letting the factoy Trac system do its job should suffice.
 
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Got my invoice from Cruiser Bro's. $1195.00 for Harrop, not much difference price wise between the two. [MENTION=212429]Silver Supra[/MENTION] you haven't chimed in on what your opinion is.
 
With the current rig I went e-locker rear and Aussie locker front. If you spend any time wheeling with folks with ARB lockers seems like they all develop air leaks over time and either don't hold lock, keep the compressor always running, puke out gear oil, or all of the above.

I rebuilt the e-locker and actuator before I threw it in. Added bonus is even if the actuator goes out I can manually lock and unlock it in about 5 minutes.
 
I'm thinking like D'arce on this; I'm going to get a compressor anyways so I might as well go with their locker. I haven't heard of anyone having an air leak, and most of my Jeep friends run them and I haven't heard of any other problems.
 
Wedgy said:
I'm thinking like D'arce on this; I'm going to get a compressor anyways so I might as well go with their locker. I haven't heard of anyone having an air leak, and most of my Jeep friends run them and I haven't heard of any other problems.
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You aint been lookin very hard! ;)
 
rkntoy said:
With the current rig I went e-locker rear and Aussie locker front. If you spend any time wheeling with folks with ARB lockers seems like they all develop air leaks over time and either don't hold lock, keep the compressor always running, puke out gear oil, or all of the above.

I rebuilt the e-locker and actuator before I threw it in. Added bonus is even if the actuator goes out I can manually lock and unlock it in about 5 minutes.
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From my experience ARB lockers are very reliable. 99% of the time if I see anyone having issues with an ARB, its due to poor installation, which has been very rare for me.

Unless its a factory equipped Rubicon edition Jeep. Its not a real ARB those come with stock, same way they don't come with real Dana 44's. Everything is lower grade and poorly designed.

I've ran welded diffs, Yukon grizzly's, ARB's, and E-lockers. Which pretty much covers every "type" of locker available. For a daily driver, selectable is the only way I'd go IMO, or keep it open.

OP: Your planning on dropping some serious $$. If you actually plan on going off-road on more difficult trails I'd recommend an ARB from ECGS. If its more of a daily and camping rig, keeping it open is still a good option.
 
daniresch said:
From my experience ARB lockers are very reliable. 99% of the time if I see anyone having issues with an ARB, its due to poor installation, which has been very rare for me.

Unless its a factory equipped Rubicon edition Jeep. Its not a real ARB those come with stock, same way they don't come with real Dana 44's. Everything is lower grade and poorly designed.

I've ran welded diffs, Yukon grizzly's, ARB's, and E-lockers. Which pretty much covers every "type" of locker available. For a daily driver, selectable is the only way I'd go IMO, or keep it open.

OP: Your planning on dropping some serious $$. If you actually plan on going off-road on more difficult trails I'd recommend an ARB from ECGS. If its more of a daily and camping rig, keeping it open is still a good option.
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On our Dusy trip all the ARBs were having some kind of air seal issue - all built by ECGS.
 
Is your rig a daily driver? What kind of wheeling are you planning to do??

Those are questions I always ask anyone looking to get lockers..my rig hasn't been a DD for years, purely a weekend driver and offroad.

I've got a full detroit in the rear and tru trac up front..For my purposes this is a great combination most of the time and will get me out of pretty much any situation. I particularly like the fact that I don't have to worry about pushing a button or having a leaking air line, the detroit is always there.

Now they do take some getting used to on the road, but once you know they're manners it's not a problem..however, if you driving in icy conditions that can be a little sketchy...

I've never owned a selectable locker, but was considering and eaton e-locker for the front...it was the price that kept me from pulling the trigger.

having said that I know plenty of folks that love the ARBs..
 
daniresch said:
Now I'm curious, leaking from where?
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The O-rings in the diff internal rotating assembly are the biggest concern and where some have had failures, others have had issues from compressor to locker.
For me I wanted selectable with fewest possible failure points. I figure the yota e-locker on 96 worked great for 22 yr that's what I wanted on 01 rear with Harrop in front. Is there any info out there of a ARB performing the same, I doubt there is.
 
Also a vote for a TrueTrac if it sees a lot of on-road duty, or a Detroit. Limited Slip Differentials are great, I can keep up with most off-roaders with my highway-rated tires just because of the LSD. I don't think I'd ever have a situation where I'd need a fully locked axle though.

Also is great in transferring power to the wheels on the road, I think I remember reading you have a supercharger on yours.
 
96RedRunner said:
The O-rings in the diff internal rotating assembly are the biggest concern and where some have had failures, others have had issues from compressor to locker.
For me I wanted selectable with fewest possible failure points. I figure the yota e-locker on 96 worked great for 22 yr that's what I wanted on 01 rear with Harrop in front. Is there any info out there of a ARB performing the same, I doubt there is.
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I'm with you the e-locker is known to be very reliable. For a 3rd gen 4runner they are perfect (I run one on my rear axle, and an ARB on the front).

Physically the ARB can handle more abuse than an e-locker.

But both are solid options.

IMO:
Daily/camping rig = e-locker or ARB
Heavy offroading/Rock Crawler = ARB
 
Lindenwood said:
I really thought hard on ARBs and, more recently, these newer e-lockers. But, I just can't get past the potential air seal failure, and those e-lockers are quite expensive.

So, I am going dual TrueTracs once I sell my house in a few months. Slight disadvantage in extremely crossed-up, two-wheel-in-the-air situations, but those are actually quiite rare for me. And, in those rare cases, either some left-foot braking or simply letting the factoy Trac system do its job should suffice.
Click to expand...

A TruTrac is NOT a real locker. It's a limited slip. As long as you fully understand that, it's fine.
 
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