[KStacoma]

I've got a 98 reg. cab 2.7l Tacoma that I geared to 4.88 a year ago and am kicking myself for not getting a locker when getting the gears set up. Now I am getting more serious and am wondering what my options are for lockers and what is mostly recomended around here. My truck is my daily driver and I need a locker that will not fail and hopefully has the same dependability disengaged on the road as it does engaged off the road. What kind of lockers should I look into and how much are we talking about price wise?
Thanks guys.

 

[JBL13]

My sense is that if you can afford it, get an ARB Air Locker.

That being said, I had a No-Slip automatic locker installed in my '02 regular-cab five speed two weeks ago. It works great off-road, but there are some drawbacks on-road. They are:

- Mild tire chirping/scrubbing while cornering unless you're very light on the gas pedal
- Occasional clanging noises from the locker, though mine has quieted down considerably since the installation.
- Transmission synchros don't quite know what to make of the new driveline arrangement, and a borderline "crunch" can result while upshifting sometimes. This is nearly entirely mitigated by shifting slowly and engaging the clutch a little sooner in the shifting process.
- I haven't driven my new locker on snowy pavement yet, but understeer due to the locker would mean an adjustment of driving style.

All of these are perfectly acceptable to me, and I'm quite happy with the locker.

 

[JBL13]

PS: I paid $365 for the No-Slip and $225 to have it installed.

 

[KStacoma]

My sense is that if you can afford it, get an ARB Air Locker.

That being said, I had a No-Slip automatic locker installed in my '02 regular-cab five speed two weeks ago. It works great off-road, but there are some drawbacks on-road. They are:

- Mild tire chirping/scrubbing while cornering unless you're very light on the gas pedal
- Occasional clanging noises from the locker, though mine has quieted down considerably since the installation.
- Transmission synchros don't quite know what to make of the new driveline arrangement, and a borderline "crunch" can result while upshifting sometimes. This is nearly entirely mitigated by shifting slowly and engaging the clutch a little sooner in the shifting process.
- I haven't driven my new locker on snowy pavement yet, but understeer due to the locker would mean an adjustment of driving style.

All of these are perfectly acceptable to me, and I'm quite happy with the locker.

Sweet, so you're is an "all time" locker whenever you are travelling in a straight line, then sort of ratchets on turns? What is the drawback of this, just that it's non selectable? Are they weaker? Shorter life expectency? Etc.? since 300 bucks sounds alot better than 7

 

[JBL13]

Yes, the locker is locked up while driving in a straight line. There is no ratcheting sound while turning; the No-Slip design precludes that. An apparent side benefit of the locker being locked up while driving straight is that my truck feels more stable at highway speeds.

As for strength, the locker uses the existing Toyota carrier, which may or may not be as strong as a Detroit locker arrangement, which uses a custom-designed carrier (if I understand it correctly). However, I don't recall hearing of anyone breaking a Toyota carrier while using an automatic "lunchbox" locker unless extreme abuse was involved, but I have heard of No-Slips breaking if installation instructions weren't followed closely. I'm aware of someone else on this forum who has put 75K miles on a No-Slip with no problems. Perhaps others with firsthand experience could chime in here...

 

[John Luttrell]

I am running a no-slip in my 2001 short cab 4wd and love it.

 

[KStacoma]

Sweet, that sounds appealing for sure. Like you said someone's had over 75k on theirs, that's what i'm talking about, that is what i'm lookign for is something that will not wear out and break and f'up my ring gear or bearings etc. when it busts.

 

[KStacoma]

I am running a no-slip in my 2001 short cab 4wd and love it.

anything that bothers youa bout it? Or anything you'd like to add about it's performance, thanks man.

 

[crbenton]

Don't mean to butt-in or anything, but I have the same question. What about the lockright or the EZ lock?

 

[Blacksheep]

I would go ARB. I am installing mine as we speak. I have a AIM DC5000 Compressor, a 3 gallon tank welded under the bed, and air switches in the cab. I have not used it yet, but I will next week. I have a 98 NON-TRD as well. I hear the older NonTRD models like we have are more stout and strogner then the TRD axles. So there not too bad build up to what you want. Anyways, This is the route I am taking. If you have questions, just ask.

The problem with being locked all the time is you wear and tear on your tires are not that good cause your locked in. The ARB is either on or off, you can turn it off or on right there at a switch. Save my tires for the highway, no need to be locked. Now when my tires come off the ground or when I come up on some loose stuff going up hill, turn the locker on, and crawl.



But ARB will cost you. about 700 for the locker, 200 for the Compressor, 170 for air lines, fittings, switches, guages, air chuck ect. and about 50 bucks for a dryer/water seperator and oiler and filter. Plus 20 for wiring. Then 175 to get installed at a shop into your third. 250 if you take the whole truck in.

So I spent $1315.00. But The arb is lifetime i beleive, and I got on-board air, to fill my tires up at the end of the trail. I will also get CO2 tanks for backup if the compressor goes out on the trail. All i have to do is connect the line. Up to you how much you want to put into it.

 

[KStacoma]

that is totally badass and i'd love to do it but 1300 bucks is out of my budget for sure. I'm a broke college student lol. The benefit of a selectable locker is appealing however, but not worth the extra 700 bucks or so to me I dont think.

 

[John Luttrell]

Sorry took so long to reply KC, but works has been nuts. The only quirks with the no-slip, lock right, and the EZ locker is the truck is real easy to chirp a tire when throttling in a turn at low speeds, like in a parking lot. Every now and again it will release and give you a pop noise from the rear end, but that is normal. The trade off is worth it for the traction you gain off road.

 

[hytenor]

I've got a 98 reg. cab 2.7l Tacoma that I geared to 4.88 a year ago and am kicking myself for not getting a locker when getting the gears set up. Now I am getting more serious and am wondering what my options are for lockers and what is mostly recomended around here. My truck is my daily driver and I need a locker that will not fail and hopefully has the same dependability disengaged on the road as it does engaged off the road. What kind of lockers should I look into and how much are we talking about price wise?
Thanks guys.

with what you describe you have only 2 options: ARB or complete axle swap to a e-locker.

now, didn't we tell you last year to throw in that locker with the regear? LOL

 

[KStacoma]

Sorry took so long to reply KC, but works has been nuts. The only quirks with the no-slip, lock right, and the EZ locker is the truck is real easy to chirp a tire when throttling in a turn at low speeds, like in a parking lot. Every now and again it will release and give you a pop noise from the rear end, but that is normal. The trade off is worth it for the traction you gain off road.

sweet that isn't too big of a deal at all, a little binding up here and there. Can you take 90 degree turns onto street and stuff fine w/o it making noise and stuff or is it like creeping into parking spots it makes noise?

 

[hytenor]

that is totally badass and i'd love to do it but 1300 bucks is out of my budget for sure. I'm a broke college student lol. The benefit of a selectable locker is appealing however, but not worth the extra 700 bucks or so to me I dont think.

geeze, if you do a lot of the install yourself it won't cost that much for the ARB. Locker: something over $600, check with Alex at PORC for best price. all the wiring, air lines and switches are included. Wiring instal is very easy!
compressor: ARBs are around $200...install is very easy.
take the 3rd member to a gear shop with the locker and have them install it for $250...add another 100+ if you just drop off the truck.

the lunch-box lockers will still cost you around $250 + install...it's only money

 

[JBL13]

sweet that isn't too big of a deal at all, a little binding up here and there. Can you take 90 degree turns onto street and stuff fine w/o it making noise and stuff or is it like creeping into parking spots it makes noise?

I'll tell you my No-Slip experience so far. If I'm basically idling through a parking lot or making turns at that speed (foot off the gas), the locker is essentially unnoticed. I can pull up to my house and back into my garage at idle speed, and there's no noise or tire scrubbing (that I can tell). If I have my foot on the gas at all, there is a little tire scrubbing while making a turn. If I have my foot hard on the gas while turning, there's some tire chirping in addition to tire scrubbing. The locker doesn't really "pop" much anymore now that's it's broken in.

There's also a little backlash in the driveline -- like if you're coasting and suddenly jump on the gas, there's a little rotational slack in the driveline due to the locker that can cause a bit of a jolt when it "catches." The No-Slip has springs which help absorb this shock so you don't feel it as much. Making smooth transitions with the gas is key to keeping the backlash at bay, and it becomes all but unnoticeable. It's no big deal.

 

[KStacoma]

talk about majorly helpful, you guys rock jbl13, thank you for taking the time to explain that to me, that doesn't seem like a bid deal compared to the benefit offroad, thanks a ton.

 

[KRYPTO(dale)]

my new opinion is-dont wheel the daily driver.
lol.

 

[KStacoma]

i wish i had the money to have another vehicle, maybe when i get out of college

 

[hytenor]

my new opinion is-dont wheel the daily driver.
lol.

Uh...now what did you do to it?