By Gary M. on Friday, May 04, 2001 - 10:59 pm: Edit

has anyone had any problems with an ARB locking diff? is it effective? does it work all the time? i was thinking about getting either a detroit true trac or an arb locker. which is better for 95% on road, 5% off raod driving? where can i get them installed? can the stock axles take the pressure of a locking diff or will i have to get heavy duty axles?

By Bill on Friday, May 04, 2001 - 11:54 pm: Edit

I'm sorry I can't directly be of any help (newbie here), but if you do a search using various keywords you'll find numerous threads answering your questions. I had the same question today, and found more answers and opinions than I ever wanted to know of!

By nadim on Saturday, May 05, 2001 - 11:50 am: Edit

Gary,

I did the research before, as I am sure many others did, and this is what i came up with:

the ARB is the best for a daily driver who wants to have fun...since it keps the LR in stcok configuration when on the road, and locks it up 100% when off..
also, this will be safer on ur axles, and will lengthen the life of your components...

hope this helped

By Moe on Saturday, May 05, 2001 - 12:13 pm: Edit

Nadim, why do you say an ARB will lengthen the life of your components? I would have thought a Truetrac would put less stress on the shafts, cages etc.

Gary, go to this site for some info. If you go with a locker and don't upgrade to HD shafts etc, you run a higher risk of blowing stuff on the trail.
http://www.greatbasinrovers.com

Ian

By nadim on Saturday, May 05, 2001 - 12:24 pm: Edit

moe, with the TrueTrac, the diff engages and disengages many times while on the run, eventhough it is smooth, this will have negative consequences down the line...
with the arb, when you flick the switch, you know that you will be slipping, so there will be less stress on the components that say when the TT engages after you turn on tarmac atr 50mph...
my opinion only...i would save for an arb and run that only...(been saving for 2 years for 2 arbs now!)

By ho on Saturday, May 05, 2001 - 02:14 pm: Edit

regarding which traction device puts more stress on the shaft... it's hard to tell.
there are many ways of thinking, like the above posts reveal.

whichever diff you get, if you are not cearful, it'll all snap.

so, save some more money and go for the HD shafts as well.

enjoy the lockers.

By Gary M. on Saturday, May 05, 2001 - 02:19 pm: Edit

what kind of suspension do you have , ho?

By ho on Saturday, May 05, 2001 - 02:26 pm: Edit

stock?
hehehe.
it's a mix of this and that.
but all on stock mounts.

By John on Saturday, May 05, 2001 - 03:52 pm: Edit

Then one considerstion I believe is the most important is front locked diffs when turning...thats the stress point that snaps most front axles/cv/etc. The ARB does give you the ability to free the front axle system when turning during a steep climb which stress loads the front cv system. The ability to quicly disengage the front locker to free the front axle does work. I am still using original stock front axle components with the idea smart driving/thinking is better that locked alloy/expensive front axle parts.

By Ron on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 09:44 am: Edit

Nadim,

Sounds like you mean the Detroit Locker not the TT. TT does not place much more stress on axles than stock. Scroll down and find "who has lockers?"

Ron

By nadim on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 12:32 pm: Edit

eh...yeah...true...

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 12:38 pm: Edit

I love how everyone just automaticaly thinks that the ARBs WILL work when you flip that magic button.


Kyle

By Bill Gill (Bluegill) on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 12:51 pm: Edit

Kyle, that's why there's such a thing as "preventative maintenance". Sure, the ARB system is comparatively complex (electrical, air compressor, lines, lines, and more lines), but if you give it the "how's your father" every now and then, it works.

You could also say:
I love how everyone just automatically thinks that the Disco WILL work when you turn that magic key.

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 01:11 pm: Edit

Bill , I have seen them fail on trucks that are maintained very well. Your day will come ....And YES , you are correct , I HOPE that damn thing will start every single time I am out in BFE and I get in it. It is complex in it self , why add more ?


Kyle

By Bill Gill (Bluegill) on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 01:28 pm: Edit

You're right on the complexity issue (why add more?). That's why I'm still waiting for someone (maybe me) to write that manual entitled "How to Rid Your Disco of All the Bullshit So It Can Actually Do Its Thing". The locker chapter of this manual will have to, by definition, advocate simplicity (TT vs. ARB). For now, I have a working ARB system, so I'm defending it. If it shits the bed, then I'll look at all my options before re-installing.

By Bill Gill (Bluegill) on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 01:36 pm: Edit

Kyle, one more thing - when you say "fail", do you mean the ARB just stopped working (i.e. wouldn't engage, thereby wouldn't lock axle), or do you mean catastrophic failure of the ARB and/or associated Disco parts (like the whole damn diff or axle)? If you're talking catastrophic failure, and you can attribute that failure to the ARB, then your point becomes a bit clearer...

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 01:40 pm: Edit

No , I fully believe its stronger then a stock diff. Even if you cant get the bitch into a locked state. Locking seems to be the problem. As I have said before. Sometimes the bastards just decide not to work. The compressors decide not to work , the electrical decides not to work the seals decide not to work. Take your pick.... For a coolness seeker they are probably great. For someone who didnt come in on a trailer and really needs that bitch to lock , they are not so great...


Kyle

By Parker on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 05:46 pm: Edit

I have read a few threads now on the whole "ARB vs Detroit" wars and thought I'd finally jump in having used both. Both are excellent choices that have advantages/disadvantages. The rear diff is a no brainer, Detroit it and forget about it. Obviously a Detroit is not a good option for the front diff in a disco. In my opinion neither is the True Trac for the simple reason that it's not a full blown locker. I have seen these act as if they are fully "open" while on the rocks in Moab. That is not acceptable for me and can be the difference in making an obstacle/trail or not. That leaves the ARB as a great option for the front. From some of the comments I've heard the impression I would get is that you're lucky if your ARB EVER works. That simply is not the case. Most of the failure from Air lockers is from installation errors and not properly maintaining them. My last set held up to three years of hard abuse with no failures to speak of. Countless friends have had the same luck with Air Lockers.

I have since switched to Detroits front and back and believe this to be the ultimate set-up for off-road as long as you're not seeing anything but trail use.

Anyway, I thought I'd give my two cents on this subject. Sorry so damn long. This is just my opinion and I know some of you won't agree with me but hey, that's what makes this sport fun.

By Blue Gill (Bluegill) on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 06:08 pm: Edit

Parker: "Detroit it and forget about it." Are you saying that you never know it's there, meaning you can't "feel" or hear it's effects while on road (like when you're turning)? That is my chief concern, and the main reason that I like ARB - if I don't engage it, then it ain't there (or, as Kyle would have you believe, it ain't ever there ) If a Detroit locker is going to go clankety clank on me all day long while on-road, then it's not for me. I only have rear ARB right now, but I want a locker for the front. If Detroit is really something you can install and forget about, maybe I'll look into swapping the ARB to the front, and Detroit in the rear...

By Parker on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 06:22 pm: Edit

A detroit in the rear is noticeable but definitely something that you can get use to and eventually forget that it's even there. It never pops on the street. The only time I hear popping noises are when I'm on the trail, twisted up, and turning at full lock. Not really a big deal at all. I think you have a great idea, swap the ARB to the front and get a Detroit for the rear. You'll love it...

By david b. on Monday, May 07, 2001 - 08:12 pm: Edit

wouldn't you have to upgrade your rear driveshaft or something for a Detroit Locker?

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Tuesday, May 08, 2001 - 10:21 am: Edit

Axles should be done yes. As far as the reliability of the ARB , I guess people for the most part defend what they have. As I have said before , I have both. Detroit and TT in one truck and dual ARB in the other. I have been around plenty of other trucks with the ARB setup as well. Most defend them even when they aint working... HAving a limited slip front that you know will always be there is much better then a full locker that does what it wants...


Kyle

By ho on Tuesday, May 08, 2001 - 11:06 am: Edit

no kyle, whatever i have is the best setup. hehehe.

for those looking for upgrades (or degrades...)
consider the pros and cons. then decide what's for you. if your purchase turned out to be a mistake, just convince yourself it's the best mod. and you should be a happy wheeler.

By Discosaurus on Tuesday, May 08, 2001 - 01:15 pm: Edit

...one of MY biggest issues w/ ARB's (in the
front - Detroit in the back is THE ticket) is
that they don't always UNLOCK when you need them
to. Wind that bitch up and you'll find youself
doing the 'ol back-n-forth to get it to release.

Not something I want to be doing on a slippery
rock shelf next to a 1000' drop off at night.

keith
discosaurus

By Kyle Van Tassel (Kyle) on Tuesday, May 08, 2001 - 03:54 pm: Edit

Yes Keith , and then there is that. All these people are worried about detroits breaking an axle and they dont even realize how easy it is to snap a front one with an ARB and not be doing much at all other then turning. There has to be slack in the drive line to get the bastards unlocked once they are locked. as you mentioned in your post , there are times that you really cant afford to be fucking around with it..

kyle

By Mike on Tuesday, May 08, 2001 - 07:49 pm: Edit

I don't think that all of this foul language is really necessary. This board has been very clean until recently. How about we try to keep it that way!

Thanks in advance,
Mike

By Parker on Tuesday, May 08, 2001 - 08:03 pm: Edit

Now I'm a bit confused... You put the lockers in the diffs for the sole purpose of helping you make certain obstacles or trails. Now you're saying that they're a pain in the ass and you don't want to mess around with them? Those "times" that you're speaking of are the reason I'm glad I have the lockers to help me keep my vehicle moving. Maybe it's better for some just to leave the diffs open and buy a good winch and winch up everything????

By mrbieler on Tuesday, May 08, 2001 - 08:11 pm: Edit

Believe it not, people used to actually 4wheel WITHOUT lockers. Shocker. I know. It took me a while to get used to myself. I thought it was a myth, but I've seen the pictures! ;-)

You don't need them for a good time. Are they useful? Absolutely. Like anything you do, however, there are reprecussions all through the drivetrain.

I doubt you'll ever hear an answer on the "best solution" without starting an argument.