Topic: lockers-arb vs ox locker

[spyros'89]

is anyone using an ox locker? any reviews/comments...?the arb unit i'm fammiliar with, but the ox sounds pretty decent and stout. any info would be apreciated

[Jeffy]

ARB's have been around for a long time.  OX's are still pretty limited since they only have one distribution outlet.  I would also consider the Eaton E-locker and the Tractech Electric True-Trac.

[SMC4WD]

Just go with the ARB and don't think too hard on it.

[Jeffy]

Personally, I like the Electric lockers.

[FourbangerYJ]

Personally I like Detroits :wink:  

[Jeffy]

Personally I like Detroits :wink:  

Well, I've got a Detroit and have it say, I sorta wish I didn't since I've put a lot of street miles on my Jeep. :?

[jagular7]

I've just got installed a Quik-lock up front with LockRight in the rear with 4.88s. Went wheeling yesterday at KanRocks and the kids and I had a blast.  
This is the first vehicle I've owned with automatic locking front. On the street, they are not noticeable (probably due to the 4cyl). But offroad in slow go, the front is troublesome. I've got to make wider turns and had to back several times to make what I use to make in my 92 Bronco unlocked. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just something I need to work on. I did get better as the day wore on.
The shifter did get disconnected from the t-case, but I was told by my counterparts, that's normal for a TJ. The rubber bushing wears and the arm just pops out of the shifter mechanism. (Never had this problem in my XJ I had for 9 yrs.)

I've had the ARB in my XJ back in 92. They did fine for the 9 yrs I had that. I've had a front ARB in m Bronco. Now, with the TJ, its locked all the time. I figured the TJ is light enough and the lunch box lockers are cheap enough, I went that way.

[FourbangerYJ]

Personally I like Detroits :wink:  

Well, I've got a Detroit and have it say, I sorta wish I didn't since I've put a lot of street miles on my Jeep. :?

I DD with a rear LockRight for a couple of years. When I swapped rear axles I had the Detroit put in. What a change for the better. Hardly notice it's there.

A couple years ago I had my buddy with dual ARB's so a turning radius test. Me with my duel Detroits and he with his ARB's. With both his lockers on he had a turning radius about 5 FT larger than mine.

(Back on topic)
Given a choice between the OX or ARB I would go with the ARB. Lot of the guy's I run with have them and like them. From time to time they have problems with them but someone usually has the parts or knows what to do to get it working again.

[BlackYJ]

I have duel ARB's and love them.  If they are installed properly, they should not give you any problems.  However, I have heard of a lot of people having problems with them, but it was mostly because of improper install.

Now the Ox locker is good but the main problem with them is the cable tends to stretch so you have to constantly be tightening it.  I say go with the ARB

[Bounty Hunter]

Now the Ox locker is good but the main problem with them is the cable tends to stretch so you have to constantly be tightening it.

I'd choose that over chasing down air leaks any day.  Not to mention having to plumb a decent air source.

[Jeffy]

Hmm, I'm the only one who likes the electric lockers...

[shotgun]

every selectable has it's problems and installationis key to all of them. ARB's have air leaks, bad compressors and kinked lines. OX's strech and limited availability, etc. Eletrics short and such. But each has it's niche and that'll keep them all going.

I've heard people that hate the arb and people that love it. Some were converts from a bad arb install. for the ARB the Installation is key, find some one who knows arb's not just gear installs.

If you have some solid waterproofing, I doubt you could beat the electric. Throw the switch on the diff and no air leaks or steching cables. You just have to keep the water out.

[BlackYJ]

Hmm, I'm the only one who likes the electric lockers...

I missed your post, but I think the Electrac is the ultimate selectable locker, basically combining both aspects of the truetrac and detroit locker.  If I was to do it again, I would probably put in an Electrac.

All selectable lockers have their downfall in their actuators but what it comes down to is personal choice.

[FourbangerYJ]

http://65.42.106.152/forums/showthread.php?p=5998542#post5998542

Saw this thought I would pass it along.

Looks like getting the Electrac working good is a problem for some.

I would worry about bashing the cover and messing up the adjustment or the actuator.

[Jeffy]

The problems with the ElecTrac sound no different then the cable problems the OX had early on.  The cover is pretty big though.  The Eaton E-locker is a lot simplier.  I wouldn't worry too much and shorts

As for the ARB's it seems some people haven't heard of all the solenoid problems early on, back in the 80's.  Then in the 90's the ARB had problems with oil in the lines.  Not to mention D35's grenading because the locker did not like axle housing flex one bit.

The main problem with the ARB is that half of the system is electric while the other half is pneumatic.  Although in recent years ARB seems to have gotten most of the problems fixed.

OX had a lot of problem with their cables not working because of improper adjustments.  The other potential problem with OX is that only have one main distributor.  The cables can also be a pain to run.  You've also got the specialized diff cover.

The only locker I haven't heard any problems with is the Eaton Elocker.  It uses one wire that is passed through the gasket of the diff cover so there is no need for a specialized cover.  Since it's only one wire, its pretty easy to maintain.

I would like to eventually switch to a selectable locker though.  The Detroits are practically bulletproof but they have their on quirks.  Rearsteer when shifting and lack of power on a uphill turn from a stop. 1wd with a 2.5L will usually mean lots of wheel hop.  Then if you got snow and ice, it has that lose feeling.  Ocolation on wide sweeping turns down hill are always good for a seatclincher, too.  Hard to beat it offroad though.  No need to worry about turning it on.  Just wish I could turn it off sometimes though.