arb locker install

for any of you who have installed arb lockers yourself..... Is this a project your average guy can do? or should it be left to a professional? Will there be a need for any special tools? Just wondered what you all thought.
Tom

 

Its possible to do yourself, especially if you dont plan on much street driving. However, having the right tools can make for a muchquieter and longs lasting installation.

With the ARB being a full case locker, getting the preload, backlash, and pinion depth correct can be difficult for someone with no experience.

 

I do a lot of the work on my jeep, but this is one thing I farm out to the experts because I don't have the tools to do it properly. I also don't do enough of them to justify the price of the tools.

 

Yep one of those things that you can do but it is just easier to pay someone else to do. If you mess it up you can waste a lot of things.

 

well is there a plug and play locker out there? like a truetrac detroit locker?

 

there arent any selectable lunch box lockers. there are a bunch of auto locking lockers that don't require playing with the gear setup. Lok-rite, Aussie, spartan, i think detroit might make one. Ox, arb, E-locker are all full case replacement and require setting the backlash and pinion preload and such things.

 

"Lunch box" lockers that replace the differential gears are about as close to plug and play as you can get.

 

Like the guys said above, the lunchbox type lockers are installable by a decent mechanic without special tools.

I've been extremely happy with the powertrax in my D44 and my brother has had a great experience with his Aussie locker. Also base on experience, i would stay away from the detroit EZ locker. I'm also 50/50 on my Lock-right I have in the front D30. It seems to work OK, but I'm not happy with the tradeoff on the steering. Probably not any fault of the locker itself however.



THe lunchbox/drop-in locker function essentially the same as a full case detroit, they just aren't as ultimately strong.


As for selectable ARB or Ox-trac type differentials, there are no options that are "drop in." All are full case lockers that esentiall are a total rebuild of the rear end.

 

alright guys, this is all great information. I am going to ask my local jeep mechanic what he would charge to install the lockers. I was considering the truetrac Detroit lockers for my front and rear but I dont want my steering to be affected.

 

I put ARB lockers in mine front and back. The d-44 and D-30. Did it myself.
I think all went well. The tools I made up myself as well. Fabricated a spreader out of some old heavy steel stock and 1/2" all threaad layin around the garage. It did take a little time getting the lash correct. I think with some patience and ingenuity you can tackle it ok. I figure what the hell you only go around once in life.

Dave