Lockers ARB vs Detroit

2799 Views 18 Replies 11 Participants Last post by Paul, Mar 9, 2002

jason-ramsey

Discussion Starter · Mar 5, 2002

Money set aside, which locker is better. I know that you can drive with or without locker with the ARB. But LOCKED which is better?

Also is the ARB worth going for in relation to cost. Meaning for a daily driver that goes to the trail 2x's a month [maybe] be worth the money. Or is the money better spent putting say6 a Detroit in the rear and say a lock rite or something in the front.

Last question will 4.88 gears fit on a 4.09 carrier. OK done

Jason

------------------
92yj d44 front& rear.4.09
33 geolanders
mazda 626 seats
2.5 susp lift 3" body
Ramsey pro+ 8000

See less See more

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

Greg

· #2 · Mar 5, 2002

If you are constantly heading to the trail, ARBs are great because they are switchable. Ever try to steer when the front is locked and there's a bit of binding? Sandy or snowy sidehills are best traversed with the lockers switched off.

If you only go to the trail once in a while, ARB's are great because they are switchable. When you're on the street, keep them off. When you get to a tough part of the trail, switch them on. Less tire wear, no noise when off, no difficulties when steering, no strange street quirks, no problems with icy streets.

And remember that an ARB is a spool, not a locker.

------------------
Greg Sue
85 Toyota X-cab
http://media-north.com/4wd/

AndrewH

· #3 · Mar 5, 2002

i would say go for a detroit just for simplicity reasons. the detroit will never fail and you will not have to worry about anything crapping out (air pump)

i have heard of ARB unlockers too many times for me to feel comfortable with one and have to depend on it. if your gear oil gets dirty/wet etc the tendancy for the o ring to go is high. the replacement $ isn't the problem, it is just the fact that you have to call ARB to get another one and then have to rip into your diff to replace it. the ARB locker is a great diff and a lot of people on this board run them without problems but remember it only takes one time to make you regret getting one over a detroit.

------------------
'93 sahara ~ SOA w/ tuff country springs, np435, twin sticked d20, d44, 9", detroits f+r, hi steer...and a autometer/CJ dash!!!

buckley

· #4 · Mar 6, 2002

is an ARB whatI have heard referred to as an 'air locker'?
What is the difference in $$ (installed) between the two??

Jarett

· #5 · Mar 6, 2002

yup an ARB is an air locker. They are much more expensive. I think they are good for a front dif, but they are not reliable enough for me to be in the rear dif.

------------------
Coquitlam Crawlers
------------------
1974 Dodge W100 Power Wagon BROKEN

Looks beaten up but it's fun.
360 V8, TF-727, NP-205, D44 front, chrysler 8 3/4" rear with detroit locker
http://members.shaw.ca/jaretthumphrey

dodge456

· #6 · Mar 6, 2002

Well the ARB will cost more because you have to buy a compressor as well to operate it. A benefit is onboard air for tools, air ups, etc. I have a Detroit in the rear of my Ram and all I can say is it kicks ass in the dirt but I sure wish I could turn it off on the street...

------------------
97 ram 1500 swb.3" w/35"at. 4.56 w/rear detroit

Paul

· #7 · Mar 6, 2002

Originally posted by jason-ramsey:
But LOCKED which is better?

To answer this question when an Airlocker is locked it is equivalent in function to a spool. In fact it is a switchable spool. It is a physical connection, there is no give and it will not unload on you. A Detroit may unload because the connection is based on friction but since I don't have a Detroit you'll have to ask the guys who do how often that happens.

As far as price, once you have a compressor the price advantage of a Detroit over an ARB shrinks almost to the point of it being personal preference.

------------------
Paul Gagnon
Burnaby, B.C.
"No Brain, No Pain"
A page from my book.

I was going to go crazy but then I realized that I already have a summer home there.

[This message has been edited by Paul (edited March 05, 2002).]

See less See more

Greg

· #8 · Mar 6, 2002

Originally posted by cornjeeper:
i have heard of ARB unlockers too many times for me to feel comfortable with one and have to depend on it. if your gear oil gets dirty/wet etc the tendancy for the o ring to go is high. the replacement $ isn't the problem, it is just the fact that you have to call ARB to get another one and then have to rip into your diff to replace it. the ARB locker is a great diff and a lot of people on this board run them without problems but remember it only takes one time to make you regret getting one over a detroit.

That sounds like 3rd-hand opinion and not personal experience. As long as the original installation is good, you won't have a problem with your ARB. O-rings, U-rings, airline fittings, etc. are available locally from NSOR. If something in your Detroit lets go, you'll still have to open up your diff to repair it. A lot of people run Detroits on this board, but it only takes one problem (or bad experience because you can't switch it off) to make you regret getting one over an ARB.

Further to what Paul said, you know you want a compressor anyways, so "having" to buy a compressor is irrelevant. The few extra dollars you spend on the ARBs is offset by ability to switch it off. But money isn't the issue here, as Jason originally said "Money set aside,".

Originally posted by dodge456:
I have a Detroit in the rear of my Ram and all I can say is it kicks ass in the dirt but I sure wish I could turn it off on the street...

Now that's personal experience.

Being able to shut off the rear locker on the trail has its advantages too. I've shut mine off, left the front ARB engaged, and have been able to swing the front end of the truck around in snow while in a situation where I was unable to reverse. Did it in mud too. Yes, I had to modify my ARB wiring harness to do this, but that's easy enough.

Maybe it's a control-freak thing; I like to be able to tell the truck when to lock the front or the rear, not have it do it arbitrarily.

------------------
Greg Sue
85 Toyota X-cab
http://media-north.com/4wd/

See less See more

Lil' blue Yoyo

· #9 · Mar 6, 2002

If I had the money I'd do the ARB, just because you could turn it on and off. Then you could try stuff with your diffs open-probably make you a better wheeler and the on-road characteristics would be soooooo much better.

Just one question for the ARB owners out there, do you have to use and ARB compressor? Couldn't you just mount a compressor to your engine and use that instead, so long as the psi is regulated?

------------------
Just because the next guy has frosted tips, an earing, and a jeep doesn't mean you have to!
89 Toy p/u, locked rear, 4.3l on propane, still ifs. Work in progress

[This message has been edited by Lil' blue Yoyo (edited March 06, 2002).]

See less See more

Paul

· #10 · Mar 6, 2002

All the locker cares about is that it gets between 85 and 105 psi(recommended range). How you control it is up to you.

------------------
Paul Gagnon
Burnaby, B.C.
"No Brain, No Pain"
A page from my book.

I was going to go crazy but then I realized that I already have a summer home there.

Jarett

· #11 · Mar 6, 2002

Originally posted by Paul:
A Detroit may unload because the connection is based on friction but since I don't have a Detroit you'll have to ask the guys who do how often that happens.

this has never hapened to me. s long as there is power being applied to the wheels your dif will be locked.

I must agrea with other people. If I had the money I would have put in the ARB simply because it is switchable. I am very happy with the Detroit, but my truck is also not a daily driver. It does get driven on the road, and it's litle quirks don't seem to be all that bad, though I do notice more tread wear on the rear tires.

------------------
Coquitlam Crawlers
------------------
1974 Dodge W100 Power Wagon BROKEN

Looks beaten up but it's fun.
360 V8, TF-727, NP-205, D44 front, chrysler 8 3/4" rear with detroit locker
http://members.shaw.ca/jaretthumphrey

[This message has been edited by Jarett (edited March 06, 2002).]

See less See more

dodge456

· #12 · Mar 7, 2002

If your Detroit "unloads" while you're on the power something bad has happened. It is not friction but physically locking lugs. When it's locked it stays locked until you are off the gas at the very least. At any rate I would like on board air as well. ARB does not yet make a locker for my rear diff. Wish they did as my truck sees 80+km/day as my daily driver when I REALLY don't need a locker.

------------------
97 ram 1500 swb.3" w/35"at. 4.56 w/rear detroit

lars

· #13 · Mar 7, 2002

Originally posted by Paul:
A Detroit may unload because the connection is based on friction but since I don't have a Detroit you'll have to ask the guys who do how often that happens.

The only time it'll "unload" is if one of the wheels gets turned faster than the carrier speed (as in the case of driving around a corner on a high traction surface). On the trail, I can't ever recall mine unloading suddenly and certainly never on a loose surface.

...lars

------------------
19911995409993004:144444.103512.58274

[This message has been edited by lars (edited March 06, 2002).]

Cmdrdata

· #14 · Mar 8, 2002

Detroit vs ARB.... Having run an ARB from nearly the first few times I went out, I would have to say its was the best mod I have made... Well, maybe the ARB bumper...hmmm...

For one negative. I have had one case where I had trouble unlocking it. Only took a little extra playing on the side of the road turning back and forth to get it to unlock.

Remember, locked on a slope covered with snow that has a slight side slope will end up with the rear end over the bank... Love the OFF switch.

See less See more

buckley

· #15 · Mar 8, 2002

I need it explained to me why a locked diff sounds like such a bad thing in snow...one of the reasons that I'd like to get a locker is to keep from having to chain up as often in the snow...but if for some reason a locker can cause headaches for me I'd like to know.

Jarett

· #16 · Mar 8, 2002

Slippery surfaces don't privide enough resistance for the locker to disengage when needed, so you end up just fishtailing really bad. An ARB locker would solve that problem(on/off switch)

------------------
Coquitlam Crawlers
------------------
1974 Dodge W100 Power Wagon BROKEN

Looks beaten up but it's fun.
360 V8, TF-727, NP-205, D44 front, chrysler 8 3/4" rear with detroit locker
http://members.shaw.ca/jaretthumphrey

Greg

· #17 · Mar 9, 2002

It's not necessarily a bad thing in the snow, it's just that sometimes you want to switch it off. With both tires turning on the same axle, it becomes very easy to slide sideways and off the trail, where if only one tire was turning, the tendency to slide is reduced. This is mostly noticeable when off camber.

Chains? If I installed chains, I'd rip the sheetmetal apart.

------------------
Greg Sue
85 Toyota X-cab
http://media-north.com/4wd/

seapotato

· #18 · Mar 9, 2002

a question about the arb, ( already have a compressor on board) it requires a certain psi, but is it a steady stream at that psi, or or does the psi activate it, and then pressure is just maintained with out air consumption...?
hm if you understand that, basically wondering if a couple valves could be used,instead of all this wiring business.one to give it air, and then isolate it from the system, one to unload it, and so unlock.
my truck doesn't like fancy electrics!

cheers
ryan

------------------
nothin that works

See less See more

Paul

· #19 · Mar 9, 2002

Originally posted by seapotato:
does the psi activate it, and then pressure is just maintained with out air consumption...?
hm if you understand that, basically wondering if a couple valves could be used,instead of all this wiring business.one to give it air, and then isolate it from the system, one to unload it, and so unlock.

Yes. Lots of people use big rig air valves.

------------------
Paul Gagnon
Burnaby, B.C.
"No Brain, No Pain"
A page from my book.

I was going to go crazy but then I realized that I already have a summer home there.

1 - 19 of 19 Posts

This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.