Aussie locker or Lock right for front diff?

[BigMudTruk]

I'll be adding a automatic front locker to my front diff when I regear to 4.56's here in the next week to 10 days, and I'm not sure which front locker I want to go with... I'm torn between the Aussie locker and the Lock Rite, I'm looking for opinions and pro's/con's of each. Also who sells the aussie locker? PORC is doing the re-gear of my diff, and I think they sell Lock Rite's so that'd probably be easier, but I'd like to get opinions...

[jh3]

I'm runnin a lock rite and it gets the job done. A few buddys are running the aussies and they seem to be alot quieter, if I were buying new I would get a aussie for this reson alone.................02

-Josh

[Rebuilt98]

I've had both, not in Tacoma's but the Aussie was much better.

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by BigMudTruk

I'll be adding a automatic front locker to my front diff when I regear to 4.56's here in the next week to 10 days, and I'm not sure which front locker I want to go with... I'm torn between the Aussie locker and the Lock Rite, I'm looking for opinions and pro's/con's of each. Also who sells the aussie locker? PORC is doing the re-gear of my diff, and I think they sell Lock Rite's so that'd probably be easier, but I'd like to get opinions...

start collecting spare CVs now

[vanguard]

Originally Posted by hytenor

start collecting spare CVs now

He's having fun but it's actually good advice. If you're locked in the front a spare CV should be part of your wheeling equipment just like your tools, fire extinguisher, tow strap, etc.

<- Replaced his first CV two days ago.

[TacoCrazy]

My Aussie is great..Smooth, quiet and no bind up issues..Just my .02

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by vanguard

He's having fun but it's actually good advice. If you're locked in the front a spare CV should be part of your wheeling equipment just like your tools, fire extinguisher, tow strap, etc.

<- Replaced his first CV two days ago.

ONE spare?? LOL I carry 3

[Paul]

Originally Posted by hytenor

ONE spare?? LOL I carry 3

One is mandatory unlocked. I'm picking up a second soon though.

[Wgasa84]

Originally Posted by PaulW

One is mandatory unlocked. I'm picking up a second soon though.

When are you coming to a run next? I don't think I'll make a run till the Rubicon or maybe Big Bear in August.

[jh3]

Originally Posted by hytenor

start collecting spare CVs now

I bought 2 and the locker at the same time. I havent broken one yet (knocking on wood) and have been wheelin the chit out of it for a couple months now.

-Josh

[Enzogfx]

Did you buy em from the stealership or off random ppl- bout how much did they run you?

[Timbuddha]

Originally Posted by hytenor

start collecting spare CVs now

In my whole time wheeling with a lockright, I broke one CV and it was my fault, backing up the hill, one side of the diff disengaged and at full turn with full power. Other than that I was fine on 33s. Just one man's experience.

Tim

[Timbuddha]

Originally Posted by hytenor

ONE spare?? LOL I carry 3

Don't let Chris give you a hard time about spares. He carries 3 spares because he doesn't know when he is on a rock or not, so he just puts the crawler in compound low and hammers down.

If you drive carefully, i.e. no hammer down hill climbs at WOT, you will be fine.

Tim

[jh3]

Originally Posted by Enzogfx

Did you buy em from the stealership or off random ppl- bout how much did they run you?

Junkyard

[Paul]

Originally Posted by Wgasa84

When are you coming to a run next? I don't think I'll make a run till the Rubicon or maybe Big Bear in August.

I'll be at the con. I'm still not sure if I'm going to drive it or catch a ride though.

[RedRunnertc]

If you have regular hubs, won't a lunchbox locker wear out fast 'cuz it will be constantly ratcheting?

[Enzogfx]

Isnt the Aussie locker cheaper also than the no slip- I thought i just saw the no slip for 350 and the Aussie for almost 100 bucks cheaper? Sounds like a decision maker right there-esp if you guys say the aussie is better-

[TacoDell]

I wouldn't put one in the front diff unless I had manual hubs... I have the rear lockright and that's enough hassle for daily street use... I can't imagine how annoying it would be to have the front making the same ruckus... But if I spent more time on the trail or it wasn't my daily driver... then maybe... But I'd still hold out for the ARB up front... Rear too or the TRD unit... I'm a little tired of the hassle and the chew'd up tires... JMO

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by jh3

I bought 2 and the locker at the same time. I havent broken one yet (knocking on wood) and have been wheelin the chit out of it for a couple months now.

-Josh

sounds like you and Dale have the same luck, LOL

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by RedRunnertc

If you have regular hubs, won't a lunchbox locker wear out fast 'cuz it will be constantly ratcheting?

among other things...

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by PaulW

I'll be at the con. I'm still not sure if I'm going to drive it or catch a ride though.

with a rear locker, 33s, sliders and burly bumpers you can make it
you'll get tugged a few times, however.

Oh...and a 'no-fear' driving style, LOL

[Paul]

I have everything except the 33's. But I can make a lot more armor by July. And with the half doors I don't have to worry about ruining doors.

[hytenor]

Originally Posted by PaulW

I have everything except the 33's. But I can make a lot more armor by July. And with the half doors I don't have to worry about ruining doors.

Peter Parks has run it on 31s but got tugged through most all of the tough spots. PM him for more details. ...but...he is locked fr/r.

[BigMudTruk]

Originally Posted by cbrRRman

I wouldn't put one in the front diff unless I had manual hubs... I have the rear lockright and that's enough hassle for daily street use... I can't imagine how annoying it would be to have the front making the same ruckus... But if I spent more time on the trail or it wasn't my daily driver... then maybe... But I'd still hold out for the ARB up front... Rear too or the TRD unit... I'm a little tired of the hassle and the chew'd up tires... JMO

Manual hubs are going on the 02 just so I can run the front locker, I'm also planning to wire the add actuator so that i can engage/disengage the actuator at will, esentially making it a selectable locker of sorts, the rear already has an e-locker, I wish it was a detroit though... The whole being open thing gets annoying, especially in the rain.

[BigMudTruk]

What is the best source for a Aussie Locker for the front diff?

[TacoCrazy]

I bought mine from a supplier on Pirate, but I can't remember their name right now..

[shiftless89]

just as cheap to buy from them direct
http://www.aussielocker.com/make.php.../1bc1/20/.html

in the past they have run specials on pirate

I've had 2 lockrites fail, one in my dads 66 bronco d44 front diff and one in the rear of my old f150 8.8. I've searched many times for an aussie failure and to date there are none recorded

[kytann]

Originally Posted by cbrRRman

I wouldn't put one in the front diff unless I had manual hubs... I have the rear lockright and that's enough hassle for daily street use... I can't imagine how annoying it would be to have the front making the same ruckus... But if I spent more time on the trail or it wasn't my daily driver... then maybe... But I'd still hold out for the ARB up front... Rear too or the TRD unit... I'm a little tired of the hassle and the chew'd up tires... JMO

The rear is a hassle because you're always sending power to the rear, causing it to try and lock up all of the time. When no power is applied (as in, when the clutch is in, or when in the front diff in 2wd mode) it doesn't clang or jerk or anything stupid. Or wear out my tires faster.
In fact, my fron Aussie is so quiet I have to strain to hear it, when in 2wd mode. And it's made no effect on steering in 2wd mode. In fact, it's almost transparent.
I've got auto hubs, which I've taken manual control of the ADD actuator. The locker itself will wear out faster in 2wd mode IF you leave one side disconnected. It disconnects so easily that just the friction in the driveline will have it ratcheting constantly when driving. However, if you leave both hubs connected it only ratchets on turns, and like I said, disconnects so easily as to be transparent.

Even in the snow, I haven't really noticed anything too wierd in the handling characteristics. When I disconnected the ADD and drove in 4HI that way (essentiall 3WD) it pulled noticeably to one side. When the ADD was connected I could feel it lock the front together when gassing it, but as soon as I let off of the gas it disengaged like normal.
In 2WD, if I gassed it, I oversteered. in 4WD if I gassed it I understeered. Kinda made for fun playing around, and was predictable enough not to be a problem.
Of course, I only brought my truck out this last winter for the really heavy snow that I couldn't make it through in the car, due to reasons completely unrelated to the fron locker, and probably never went above 45mph. But then with gas prices now I don't go above 55mph in the summer....

The Aussie does help in the rocks. I've been able to crawl up loose rocky shale obstacles with the Aussie front and open rear that others in a 4runner with the e-locker couldn't with the rear locked up. It really has allowed me to go slower and easier through obstacles, since I no longer need the momentum to crawl up things.

I haven't broken anything yet, but I do carry a spare CV axle. I'm also really conscious of what my front end is doing, and I go really light on the throttle when off-road. It's better to just go slow and constant with a light throttle application than gassing it and clanging up obstacles.

While I have no experience with the lock-right, I really like my Aussie. And I bought it directly from them, got it promptly, and once I had it in my hands finaly understood exactly how they work, installed it myself (no regearing) and have no regrets.

[Squirrel Pwr]

I have been running the Aussie for about a year now, and carrying a spare shaft, but so far I have not broke one. To be fair I have only been to Tellico once and River Rock twice since I put it in. Around my home town I am usually in mud or on sand hills. The traction is so addictive from having the front locked I can't believe I did not do it sooner. I can crawl places were before the only way up was skinny pedal!! I am the only IFS guy in the group of guys I wheel with and they always have a good time watching me find my way up obstacles.

I left my hubs locked after leaving a trail and drove about 35 miles before I even realized the locker was even there. The Aussie is much quieter and engages and disengages much smoother than any Lockrite I have seen, and yes it is cheaper. I got mine directly from Aussie and they also had good tech support when I had a question about cam clearance.

Get the Aussie!!

[TacoCrazy]

Originally Posted by Squirrel Pwr

I have been running the Aussie for about a year now, and carrying a spare shaft, but so far I have not broke one. To be fair I have only been to Tellico once and River Rock twice since I put it in. Around my home town I am usually in mud or on sand hills. The traction is so addictive from having the front locked I can't believe I did not do it sooner. I can crawl places were before the only way up was skinny pedal!! I am the only IFS guy in the group of guys I wheel with and they always have a good time watching me find my way up obstacles.

I left my hubs locked after leaving a trail and drove about 35 miles before I even realized the locker was even there. The Aussie is much quieter and engages and disengages much smoother than any Lockrite I have seen, and yes it is cheaper. I got mine directly from Aussie and they also had good tech support when I had a question about cam clearance.

Get the Aussie!!

That is my exact observation of my front Aussie..Quiet, smooth and very effective..