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Post by mooman on May 24, 2007 8:41:44 GMT 11
Hey all, Well after much research ive decided to install front and rear diff lokka's. Heres my question, Are ARB air lokkas available in nz without importing?, Who supplies them? & around how much nz$$$? Will i have WOF isusses with front AND rear lokkas? (might have heard something about it.. not sure).
If i cant get ARB is there another selectable lokka available in nz..
Thx
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Post by JustinW on May 24, 2007 11:54:23 GMT 11
Yes. Autokraft in PN are the NZ agents. Tauranga Diesel is the nearest ARB reseller to you. (Autokraft won't sell to you direct). They also do installation. Cost $2,000-2,500 each end. There are no other selectable lockers avaiable for a Izusu that I know of. The only other selectable ones I've heard of are by TJM and they are for Landcruisers only. There are no WOF issues. Personally I would put a Lokka (auto locker) in the back and a ARB in the front. There has been a rumor floating around that there is a guy in the south island (I think) that is custom building lockers but the cost is similiar to ARB.
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Post by mooman on May 24, 2007 12:34:12 GMT 11
If there is no selectable lokka... do they auto lock in 4H and 4L? and does that price include fitting?? LSD might be the cheaper option in the rear... had a price in my head of around $1000 each end.. $2500 might take some convincing from me to my missus.. (who isnt the boss of me!!)  ;D |
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Post by mudgrip4 on May 24, 2007 14:12:37 GMT 11
Note Lokka is not title for all diff lockers - it is the specific tradename for the Australian copy of Lockrite only. All the rest are lockers.
You can get an auto Lokka ex Aussie for about $575-600 delivered, then its about 5 hours to put it in front diff = about $900 retail all up. Don't know what truck you have - question is whether they make a lokka for the rear diff of your model. Best thing is give 4WD Systems Online in Adelaide (maker of lokkas) a call on 00618.8369.0033. Doesn't cost much and they'll tell you pretty quick what your options are. Have your truck model number ready, check if you have a 10 or 12 bolt rear diff, and tell them you'd like their best club price. Makes a big difference. Mine cost $525 a year or so ago - depends on exchange rate.
If you have to do LSD rear, I got one from Truck Bits Auckland for $450 delivered to Chch, then $200 or so to have it checked and tightened and 2-3 hours to fit it. Works great.
You could get away with less than $1000 each end. But a quick call to 4wd systems will clarify alot. There's are v good lokkas - very tough.
With auto lokka they are operating as soon as you put truck in 4wd, hi or lo, and engage front hubs.
Mike
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Post by geeves on May 24, 2007 16:11:56 GMT 11
With manual lockers ie ARB you might need to fit a lockout so it can only be activated in 4wd Otherwise the boy racers would all be fitting them. Once a manual locker is locked its locked solid till released which is no good for corners whereas an auto locker ie Lokka will allow the wheel with least load to travel faster than the wheel doing the work. Dont ask how it does this they shot all the people that could work it out.It does meean you can still steer although in very slippery conditions they might reduce steering ability but these conditions are rare. If you have free wheel hubs then as soon as these are unlocked any front locker is out of action so not considered by the wof people.
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InVinceble
Isuzu Junior
....still says ISUZU on the motor!
Posts: 77
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Post by InVinceble on May 24, 2007 16:41:30 GMT 11
If I recall correctly, an ARB Air Locker for the rear of a Bighorn will set you back in the region of $1800, add to that an air compressor ....and a new pair of bearings 'cos you'll be lucky to get the bearings off the donor without buggering them up.... just the one end sounds like it would blow your budget. Have a look at LOKKA's - www.4wdsystems.com.au/html/lokka.htmYou can get them over here from Genie4x4 for $689 each. www.genie4x4.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=107 I've read quite a lot about them recently (NZ, Aussie & US reviews) and the news is good. Front fitting is very popular, to the point of being the predominant recommendation if starting out from 2 open diffs. |
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Post by polcat on May 24, 2007 19:08:49 GMT 11
If I recall correctly, an ARB Air Locker for the rear of a Bighorn will set you back in the region of $1800, add to that an air compressor ....and a new pair of bearings 'cos you'll be lucky to get the bearings off the donor without buggering them up.... just the one end sounds like it would blow your budget. Have a look at LOKKA's - www.4wdsystems.com.au/html/lokka.htmYou can get them over here from Genie4x4 for $689 each. www.genie4x4.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=107 I've read quite a lot about them recently (NZ, Aussie & US reviews) and the news is good. Front fitting is very popular, to the point of being the predominant recommendation if starting out from 2 open diffs. Hey Moonman, agree with invincible, the auto lokka is the best bet in the front and I believe they are making or have one for the back diff as well. These lokka's in my view are misunderstood by the traditional ARB users among others, the fact remains they work reliably and do not inhibit the maneuverability in any way and they are cheap!! easy to fit and then simply enjoy yourself without worry! no more maintenance than the regular oil services. I have a front one and no LSD, am looking at adding a rear Lokka! Got mine from 4wd systems. my 2 1/2 cents worth cheers Stu |
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Post by geeves on May 24, 2007 19:48:35 GMT 11
In a 4wd magazine about 3 years ago there was an article on lockers etc It quoted a drive over a slip somewhere on a Canterbury farm where in a 10 meter long stretch of track the driver locked and unlocked his locker 34 times depending on whether or not he needed to turn. He crossed this slip on a regular basis and always did it this way. An auto locker would happily take care of this with no input from the driver. I think in those conditions having both hands on the wheel would be a huge advantage.
As to whether its better to put the locker in the front or back first the members of the jury are still beating each other up on this one. For manual lockers rear makes more sense as it has slightly less effect on the steering but with Independent front suspension a front locker helps compensate for the reduced front travel. With an auto locker steering is less of an issue. Performance wise for the rear you get weight shift on hills giving better results on most hills but in bogs and rivers etc its the front wheels doing most of the work so any help you can give them has got to be good. In ruts they are about the same.
I would love to have a locker but at the moment Im trying to decide on a smaller wagon and save the money for it so the rear lsd will have to do
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Post by Jimmu on May 24, 2007 22:06:48 GMT 11
Auto Lockers should more aptly be described as Auto Unlockers. They actually unlock only when not under driving force and allow the wheels to turn at different speeds. If you are on the juice or have the wheels spinning they feel the same as a Manual Locker. Even when unlocked they do increase your turning circle a fair bit. The tightened LSD and Lokka in the front keeps me happy  PS. Lokka is a brand name. Jimmy |
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Post by mooman on May 25, 2007 7:26:43 GMT 11
Yea we know.. lokka is easier to type than locker tho.. .. but anyway, Im gunna put auto lockers on the front and maybe change the rear diff from open to LSD.. Would it be possible to keep the diff case and stuff i need from it and install LSD or eaiser to just replace the whole diff?.. Have to do something with the rear end as we still cant track that noise down, must be in the spiders.. Will look at ARB as they are the only 1 i have reviewed, but if any1 can give me a more reliable brand at around the same price... im all ears.. Cheers guy's |
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Post by geeves on May 25, 2007 10:45:56 GMT 11
For LSD just pop the axles out then change the head. Takes a couple hours tops and fairly straight forward. Only catch is manhandleing the diff head while lieing under the car. Its quite heavy and a close fit. Think safety for this one as you are under a 2 ton car on blocks.
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Post by JustinW on May 25, 2007 11:53:51 GMT 11
As Greeves said, just change the diff head to an LSD one out of a wrecked Isuzu, make sure you get the correct diff ratio. The Isuzu LSD is very good. Depending on how big your tyres you run and what ratio you have at the moment you may want to change the ratio at the same time.
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Post by mooman on May 25, 2007 15:47:15 GMT 11
So if i was to put diff locker in front & LSD in rear they would need to be the same ratio or will the locker ratio match any diff ratio? I know absolutely nothing about diff lockers and dont really have the time to read up about them.. But this looks like the system i'll use.. Contacted genie 4x4 and they have manual lokkas for my mu, but think ive been swayed more towards the auto ;D.. Any other auto locker brands in nz?..
Cheers guys
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Post by geeves on May 25, 2007 19:42:30 GMT 11
Lokka is the brand of choise I think mainly because its the only one readily available. There are powertrax etc in USA but they can get confused as a lot of there trucks got Dana diffs instead of Isuzu. Nothing wrong with the Lokka brand. A search on the net seems to show them to be more reliable than the far more expensive manual locker. Only problem that can occur is clicking in corners. With a front locker this can only occur if you have the front hubs locked so not an issue
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Post by mooman on May 26, 2007 9:17:26 GMT 11
Ok, done a bit of reading on the topic and it would seem that manual lockers may be the go, Any body running manual lock right lokka's, how are they engaged? Sounds to me like it's mostly personal preference as to what brand etc. But all say manual lock right lokkas are as good as any at a good price and have the same negatives and positives as ARB..
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Post by polcat on May 26, 2007 11:17:00 GMT 11
Hey Moonman, I am not aware of a manual lock rite lokka, I think the manual reference is to the manual locking hubs that you have to install, this locks the axles so when you select 4wd you are all go.
personally having fited the Lokka it is easy to fit and operate, no special maintenance required.
As Greeves says the Lokka is the most readily available and as the parts fit inside the crown wheel and axle carrier Lokka will only have to know your model to supply the right part.
hope this helps.
cheers
Stu
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Post by mooman on May 26, 2007 16:54:57 GMT 11
Ok, Ive decided to go Lock right front and LSD rear. lock right tell me they dont have a locker that will fit in the rear of my MU any way so might look at another brand for the rear at another time.. ARB will be out of my price range i think..
Thx for all the advice
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;D
