Regearing my SR5. Will I regret not adding rear air locker?

[Bumbo]

My only beef with Harrop E-locker i availability and cost.

I talked to my diff guy about ARB and kept talking about all the concerns and issues I read about... at the end of the day it comes down to maintenance.

If it was properly installed, you shouldn't have problem. If you develop an air leak in the fittings or lines, it's time to maintain it.

It doesn't matter what it is... batteries, shocks (oil/seals/rebuilding), engine hoses, fluids, air lines... sooner or later something is going to need a little upkeep.

I just look at this as part of ownership once you get into this type of thing.

 

[Bumbo]

I ended up putting the Harrop in the front and running it through my spod.

ARB air solenoids are still electric... you can wire them up to an spod or switch pro without issues.

The user experience for both is pretty much the same once it's installed. That said, you will use one additional circuit for the compressor assuming you have a dedicated one and not just using OBA.

 

[itr1275]

Just wondering if there is anyone out there that has re-geared a SR5, and didn’t opt for the air locker since everything was open? Getting my 4.56’s installed this week and I’m having second thoughts on the locker.

I live in an area where there’s no real chance of rock crawling. Just some good ol mud, and rocky terrain in the mtns. I’ve always been a guy that says ‘go big or go home’ but with work being dead lately I was nervous about spending another 2grand on that. But right now I’m thinking I might regret it down the road...

If you do any off roading at all and you have the money, get the locker without a doubt. It's not just for rock crawling, it works when your stuck... bad.

The only reasons (send the hate mail) to get the Off Road version is for the KDSS and the e-locker. The KDSS is sort of useful to add like 2" of wheel travel in the front. Maybe a bit more in the back. But the e-locker is gold!

Yes you have ATRAC, but it's not the same as a locked axle. And it doesn't sound like your truck is imploding when you use it.

Get the locker.

 

[Xtremluck]

My only beef with Harrop E-locker i availability and cost.

I talked to my diff guy about ARB and kept talking about all the concerns and issues I read about... at the end of the day it comes down to maintenance.

If it was properly installed, you shouldn't have problem. If you develop an air leak in the fittings or lines, it's time to maintain it.

It doesn't matter what it is... batteries, shocks (oil/seals/rebuilding), engine hoses, fluids, air lines... sooner or later something is going to need a little upkeep.

I just look at this as part of ownership once you get into this type of thing.

Eaton just released a 5th gen specific e-locker a couple of months ago. Should be widely available and I have my supplier sourcing it right now. Will post up once I get it. Even though I have everything already plumbed out for an air locker I'm going with an electric actuated one for reliability reasons.

 

[4rNCMTNs]

ARB air solenoids are still electric... you can wire them up to an spod or switch pro without issues.

The user experience for both is pretty much the same once it's installed. That said, you will use one additional circuit for the compressor assuming you have a dedicated one and not just using OBA.

I agree with you on user experience and the maintenance aspect. If air lines break they are easy, cheap, and quick to repair assuming you the right tools on the trail.

I already have my compressor wired to spod as well as I had space available but will most be likely adding a second one soon as this stuff never ends.

 

[4rNCMTNs]

Eaton just released a 5th gen specific e-locker a couple of months ago. Should be widely available and I have my supplier sourcing it right now.

From order to install was under two weeks for me. I got mine from ECGS as they are close to me and it's just too easy.

 

[Bumbo]

I agree with you on user experience and the maintenance aspect. If air lines break they are easy, cheap, and quick to repair assuming you the right tools on the trail.

I already have my compressor wired to spod as well as I had space available but will most be likely adding a second one soon as this stuff never ends.

To me its part of the hobby. I try to be geared up for basic trail repair. Expect issues and prepare for them.

There is one thing I don't mind is electrical work... I rather enjoy it, so adding a few circuits or doing some custom work is enjoyable to me.

 

[4rNCMTNs]

To me its part of the hobby. I try to be geared up for basic trail repair. Expect issues and prepare for them.

There is one thing I don't mind is electrical work... I rather enjoy it, so adding a few circuits or doing some custom work is enjoyable to me.

I hear you, I love this hobby. I'm getting better and better with the electrical work not your level at all, but maybe one day. I added 3 more circuit breakers (total of 4 on top of the spod) for car audio and another 12 position fuse panel in back of truck this past weekend. I should start my build thread soon...

:focus: yes most us all agree get that locker

 

[delloro]

Eaton just released a 5th gen specific e-locker a couple of months ago. Should be widely available and I have my supplier sourcing it right now. Will post up once I get it. Even though I have everything already plumbed out for an air locker I'm going with an electric actuated one for reliability reasons.

I have been looking for it but do not see it anywhere other than the flyer.

 

[mteolus]

Eaton e-lockers require a half wheel turn to engage and to disengage. So if you are on a steep incline and need to back up, you will have to rotate your wheels 360 to disengage and then re engage. Sound like something you want to chance in a hairy situation?

Same with the stock TRD Off-road. That is the nature of E-lockers. Most of the time you would engage the locker before you get onto something rather than waiting until you are in a bind.

 

[teotwaki]

I had an ARB in my 4th Gen and now I have the Toyota E-locker in my 5th Gen.

The build process for the ARB was a PITA (not ARB's fault) and I ended up learning a lot because the shop I was paying fell short in knowledge and experience. ARB USA folks were wonderful and fully supported me until the locker was working correctly. I would say change the diff oil often because any tiny bits of metal end up damaging the rubber air seals in the locker and generate air leaks. It gets expensive to have to disassemble things multiple times. Route the air line well and there should never be any issues with breakage. I hated how the ARB would "burp" oil back up that line. There are supposed to be some cures for that.

The Toyota e-locker is great too. I've tried to actuate it often so as to wear things in a little and it seems to be smooth and quick when needed. On my recent trip through Death Valley there was one (insane to me) hill climb that just kept getting worse as I ascended. So I pushed the locker button, the elocker engaged quickly and my ascent improved noticeably (so did my confidence in the Toyota locker).

The e-locker's engagement collar/sleeve has fairly fine splines so it does not take much wheel rotation (if any is needed) for it to be able to engage quickly. The Eaton has different mechanics.

So pick whichever design (and costs) to meet your driving needs and then get out and wheel it.

 

[CF_Machete]

I had an ARB in my 4th Gen and now I have the Toyota E-locker in my 5th Gen.

The build process for the ARB was a PITA (not ARB's fault) and I ended up learning a lot because the shop I was paying fell short in knowledge and experience. ARB USA folks were wonderful and fully supported me until the locker was working correctly. I would say change the diff oil often because any tiny bits of metal end up damaging the rubber air seals in the locker and generate air leaks. It gets expensive to have to disassemble things multiple times. Route the air line well and there should never be any issues with breakage. I hated how the ARB would "burp" oil back up that line. There are supposed to be some cures for that.

The Toyota e-locker is great too. I've tried to actuate it often so as to wear things in a little and it seems to be smooth and quick when needed. On my recent trip through Death Valley there was one (insane to me) hill climb that just kept getting worse as I ascended. So I pushed the locker button, the elocker engaged quickly and my ascent improved noticeably (so did my confidence in the Toyota locker).

The e-locker's engagement collar/sleeve has fairly fine splines so it does not take much wheel rotation (if any is needed) for it to be able to engage quickly. The Eaton has different mechanics.

So pick whichever design (and costs) to meet your driving needs and then get out and wheel it.

good to know about ARBs and diff oil changes. I have a front locker and 4.56 gears in my attic and i'm saving up for the rear and install on my 5th gen sr5. will be looking into the bump issue/ fix.