Spartan locker install and review

[BucknutBob]

Yeah, washboard roads and bad shocks don't play well together--the poor springs can't keep the tires planted because the shocks aren't keeping up. I'll bet you're going to love the traction on the trails, though!

 

[KidVermicious]

Yeah, washboard roads and bad shocks don't play well together--the poor springs can't keep the tires planted because the shocks aren't keeping up. I'll bet you're going to love the traction on the trails, though!

And the locker makes it worse, no differential action to keep the rear end behind me.

I did notice a definite difference in hillclimbing, but the rest of the crew was in a Legacy so I didn't get much of a chance to really test it. I'm anxious to get on Fins or Hells Revenge and see what it can do!

 

[BucknutBob]

I finally got mine far enough along to take it on a shakedown run in the Black Hills, and I was extremely pleased with the lockers (Detroit rear, Lockright front). They have some serious hard-core crawling trails out here, and without ever having done anything with a high degree of difficulty, I was able to walk it right up a pretty nasty trail. I have no doubt you'll be having some fun with yours!

 

[Footofgod]

Were you aired down on the washboard? The only thing I have found to improve ride quality on the washboard is being aired down to 25psi or less. Old Stagecoach Rd in Colorado Springs has given me ample opportunity to practice.

 

[KidVermicious]

Were you aired down on the washboard? The only thing I have found to improve ride quality on the washboard is being aired down to 25psi or less. Old Stagecoach Rd in Colorado Springs has given me ample opportunity to practice.

Yeah, I had to in one section, it was that or keep it below 10 mph, lol.

Which turned into a whole 'nother PITA, because my 12v compressor blew the hose last week and I hadn't fixed it yet...

 

[Footofgod]

Yeah, I had to in one section, it was that or keep it below 10 mph, lol.

Which turned into a whole 'nother PITA, because my 12v compressor blew the hose last week and I hadn't fixed it yet...

I started riding with just an air tank with 120lbs in it. That enough to put 20lbs back in each tire. Saves me from relying on elctrical devices.

 

[KidVermicious]

I started riding with just an air tank with 120lbs in it. That enough to put 20lbs back in each tire. Saves me from relying on elctrical devices.

How big is the tank? You say 120 pounds, are you talking PSI?

 

[Footofgod]

How big is the tank? You say 120 pounds, are you talking PSI?

It's a 7 gallon tank that holds up to 125psi.

 

[BucknutBob]

I just got one of those Superflow MV-50 compressors as a stop-gap until I can afford a serious onboard system, and I was impressed with the little thing. It was only about $70, and it aired up my 35's from around 15 psi to 35 psi in just a couple minutes each. Doesn't take up much space, and it has a screw-on inflater valve already, so you simply screw it on, hit the switch, and hang out while checking the attached gauge occasionally. Pretty sweet.

 

[KidVermicious]

I just got one of those Superflow MV-50 compressors as a stop-gap until I can afford a serious onboard system, and I was impressed with the little thing. It was only about $70, and it aired up my 35's from around 15 psi to 35 psi in just a couple minutes each. Doesn't take up much space, and it has a screw-on inflater valve already, so you simply screw it on, hit the switch, and hang out while checking the attached gauge occasionally. Pretty sweet.

Mine is the Viair 90p, and it's been awesome until the hose blew, right there at the compressor fitting. Gonna replace it with a longer hose with a quick-connect so it doesn't get bent and stressed, then probably look into plumbing an air tank like FoGs and have the best of both worlds.

 

[KidVermicious]

FoG, you have pics of your setup? I wanna see how big that tank is in the back of your truck.

 

[Footofgod]

FoG, you have pics of your setup? I wanna see how big that tank is in the back of your truck.

I don't have it permenantly mounted yet, but I working on an idea. I'll snap a pic sometime today. Right now I have to go earn some green for my rock sliders.

 

[Hyde802]

I found an old set of compressor tanks in a metal scrap pile missing the a/c compressor. Cleaned them up and threw them in the truck. I fill it to about 125 psi before going out. I still need to get a little compressor to fill them with on the trail.

 

[Footofgod]

Here's the tank I have. I strapped it up on the roof rack. We'll see how it works up there.

 

[KidVermicious]

That's a big tank. How many fills do you get out of that?

 

[Footofgod]

Not as big as it looks. Only a 7 gallon tank. It fills all 4 tires up at the end of the day on the trails.

 

[RiFF RaFF]

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.

Dumb question time - is the rear diff in a 6 cyl the same as in the 4 cyl? I'd like to drop a Spartan in the back diff of my 93 4Runner.

 

[KidVermicious]

Dumb question time - is the rear diff in a 6 cyl the same as in the 4 cyl? I'd like to drop a Spartan in the back diff of my 93 4Runner.

We just went over this in another thread, actually. You can swap whole thirds between the 4cyl and 6cyl axle housings, but the internals of the thirds themselves are different. You wouldn't be able to use a Spartan designed for the 4cyl third unless you went and got your hands on a 4cyl third to put it in, and that'd be a downgrade.

Lockers for the v6 third are the same price as for the 4cyl, though.

 

[Royisme]

So now that you have had this setup for awhile, what are your thoughts?

 

[KidVermicious]

So now that you have had this setup for awhile, what are your thoughts?

In terms of bang for the buck it's easily the best upgrade I've made, and I've yet to find a serious downside. Selectables are cool, and I'd prefer one for sure, but at 25% the cost I'm not complaining.

I think a locker is the second thing anybody should do to their truck, after sliders and before tires.