[jonfromhamilton]

auto locker or chinasoong ? (Yes price is an issue)

[steve125]

ARB.

Tracks are about to close for winter so you've got plenty of time to save up for an ARB airlocker.

[jonfromhamilton]

I need that time to save for a front locker and cromos and.... and.... and...

[Matthew]

Are you still getting that company car? If so, you can buy my mini spool, still in original bubble wrap.

[stockman]

None of my spools have had the luxury of bubble wrap.

[Matthew]

It came in a $50 ($65 now) box from low range with a few other items. Everything was nicely wrapped.

[mika]

I personally don't think you'll like an auto locker. It changes handling characteristics significantly on road. I have one in my TJ. I think spool or airlocker.
Just my opinion though.

[christover1]

Matthew wrote:

Are you still getting that company car? If so, you can buy my mini spool, still in original bubble wrap.

Can I buy the bubble wrap separately

My vote is a Spartan auto locker.
But I'm biassed.

Take an auto locked car for a drive,
on and off road, see what you think.
Better than all the thinking and talking.
I'd prefer an electric type locker,
seen to many air lockers fail when needed.
(usually air leak related)
Brads rear wasn't working on Saturday.
On Sunday, Michaels was losing pressure when parked,
but worked ok on the move.

Also borrow a spooled car, see how you like the driveability

[christover1]

Buy the spool,
put it in either end till you can afford a locker

[Matthew]

X2

I'm not biased though.

Or the chinasoong so I can see one in real life.

[ridzilla]

don't want to hijack but does anyone make an E-Locker of a sierra?

[Matthew]

Yes, there is the Kam locker

[joeblow]

christover1 wrote:

My vote is a Spartan auto locker.
But I'm biassed.

christover1 wrote:

Take an auto locked car for a drive,
on and off road, see what you think.

You will hate it eventually, perhaps the worst type of locker available.

christover1 wrote:

I'd prefer an electric type locker

Even when these are set up correctly or fitted by O.E they are too sensitive to contamination and weak when it comes to torque application.

christover1 wrote:

seen to many air lockers fail when needed.

Me too. And I'm usualy swearing at the side of the track because some nuffy has either given it to the wrong place, fitted it themselves or it has been an unrelated recent 'molestation' of the vehicle.

christover1 wrote:

Brads rear wasn't working on Saturday.
On Sunday, Michaels was losing pressure when parked,
but worked ok on the move.

Bring these lockers to me and I will guarentee my work but not future nuffies who mess with stuff.

christover1 wrote:

Also borrow a spooled car, see how you like the driveability

Better than an auto locker but very dangerous and hard wearing on components.

[suzukikid]

if ya not drivin it all day every day.....

cig locker it and air locker the front!

i was going to sell my front lock rite but got power steering in stead!

[Matthew]

Why would you bother with welding? A mini spool is dirt cheap and reversible if you don't like it.

[jonfromhamilton]

Unfortunately it seems there is only the option of going down the air locker road.

[abclarke]

You can always go with another option, just might change your mind in the future

[whincup]

my vote is for mini spool. if you know its there and drive to it, theres no problems. i had one in my old SWB, and even on almost bald rear tyres in the wet, as long as i took it really easy it was fine. always got strange looks while turning into the servo though.

only real issue is u-turns and sharp roundabouts... but just use a high gear and low throttle to limit torque to the wheels and its fine

[suzukikid]

Matthew wrote:

Why would you bother with welding? A mini spool is dirt cheap and reversible if you don't like it.

it costs about a dollar.... and if ya want a spool its gunna handel pretty much the same anyway....i swear by my welded rear! ya know a air line isnt gunna get ripped out, leak etc....you know its always engaged and not ratcheting in and out like an auto locker....and cheaper then a spool!

[jonfromhamilton]

I think I'm going to air-locker the rear.
but probably wise to learn to drive a bit with open diffs before I cheat by locking my hubs *waits for angry replies*

[Shansh]

if i was in VIC i would definitely take air lockers to Joeblow to get em installed................my two cents worth..............

[twitchy]

Matthew wrote:

Yes, there is the Kam locker

Any one run one of these????????

[SierraDan]

Rusho has one. Dunno if he's used it yet?
Fatzook would have all the info.
Theyre not a bolt in option though, the housing needs fabrication.

[31zook]

I would buy a second set of centers, weld them up, and run that till you can afford to buy airlockers

[Dr_Snapid]

Are people seriously suggesting a spooll is better than an auto locker? What about road manners with a spool? Are they even legal?

[christover1]

Dr_Snapid wrote:

Are people seriously suggesting a spooll is better than an auto locker?
What about road manners with a spool?
Are they even legal?

On a Sierra I'd say a spool rear was better than an auto locker,
I have driven both, on and off road.
Handling more predictable with spool.

But on Vitaras and Jimnys I'd say no,
heavier cars and wider tracks being my reason.
Probably break stuff, and handle bad.

A spool or welded diff is NOT legal at all.
Some argue that lockers aren't either.

[whincup]

auto lockers and air lockers are legal, because they both still allow the diff to differentiate on road, how well they do so is irrelevant, the fact is they do (air locker turned on onroad would be illegal)...
auto lockers seem to be hit and miss, people love them or hate them, that was my reasoning for mini spool, the mixed reports of good or bad... plus i got my spool a great deal. it is hard to drive in wet weather at first but you get used to it very quickly because its extremely predictable.

[kenn]

31zook wrote:

I would buy a second set of centers, weld them up, and run that till you can afford to buy airlockers

Yeah, and maybe you will have saved enough money to fix the front of your car when you punch a tree with it cause you cant turn it quickly enough.


Save up, buy the right locker, that you want, once.
Just my opinion, you cant go past an ARB Air locker and for a little bit more money you can put the heavy duty air lines on.

[suzukikid]

yeah i wouldnt weld the front.....an auto locker in the front is bad enough with no power steering!

[SierraDan]

It's not even that bad..