Lokka Diff Locks

Mat, I'm interested to here why Auto Hubs are dangerous without a locker in serious 4wding?

Cmon Jeff are you serious??

Unless they are the GQ Nissan type (unsure if there are others) that have the option of locking in positively then they can and do occasionally let go. If you were relying on this grip, it can be potentially dangerous!
You can go from 4 wheel grip to one (depending on your rear) in a split second!!
I dont doubt there will be many who have NEVER had a problem, but there are MANY that have!! In the IsuzuClub alone nearly every member who can scrounge a set of man lockers thows them on for that reason. Its cheap insurance for a potential threat!

Hey but if you like them, then go for it, to each their own and no arguements here on your choice!

Matt.

Mine are electronically/vacume actuated so I guess that would not be a problem, I had never heard of such a problem. I guess that would only be applicable to the older style auto hubs like what was used in the early jackaroos and pajeros and such.

Now days most automatic hubs are locked in my electronic or numatic style setups and once in are in, either that or their full time 4wd setups where its a non issue anyway...

Ahh yes I remember the Surfs now, you have an actuator on the top of your diff. But does that mean your axles turn all the time with the wheels and the 'locking' is just bringing the front propshaft into play with the front diff?

Have you ever looked into it?

The auto locking hubs I was talking about are the assain, warn etc etc ones that simply lock the axles to the wheel hubs. I dont think you would have any probs with hubs but I also recall (somewhere in the grey matter muck) that there is a reason you dont fit lokkas to Surfs!!

Cos your axles dont unlock, if you were to fit a lokka, on road you would always get the increased turning cirlce and steering effort!! You cant simply unlock your axles to eliminate the lokka on road. Similar reasons for not fitting lokkas to the front of constant 4wds and shift on-the-fly Pajeros Jackaroos etc. Im not 100% certain, again been awhile since I looked at a surf but I think I am on the mark. Not that I intended to be, but you reminded me when you asked about auto locking hubs!

Matt.

Yes Mat you are correct, the 4wd Computer activates a vacum actuator that enages the prop shaft. Fronterers I know have electronic locking hubs though.
I've been told by the boys at Opposite Lock that a front detroit locker works fine in the 4 runner/surf but had my doubts as you have mentioned. That's why an ARB locker would be my only "real" option IMO.

5 years now for me and no problems in my 80 series (manual hubs).
She climbs up walls if I ask her too

I had the locals take the Lock-rite out of the front of the GQ and put it back in the the GU and it was very straight forward for someone who's done the diff thing before. They only difference was that they had to get the GU front shafts machined as they were square cut at the ends where the GQ ones were tapered.

Anyone who mucks with diffs needs to know how to "set" the diff. ot sure what it is but back home, Mack is the diff setting expert, everyone takes the completed job to him to Set.

These guys did the job in half a day (in the GU) and 2 hrs to get the lockite out and slap in the old bits in the GQ.

Also, I dont think the hubs have to be either way to get the axles out, unless you have to wiggle the splines to get them out, in which case theyd have to be locked.

I installed mine myself in the front. All up about 4 hours - most of that was actually removing the diff centre from vehicle. The actual diff lock into the carrier assembly installation should take less than an hour.
As for the front hubs, if you have reasonable mechanical skills and a manual for your hubs it should be a doddle (assuming manual hubs - confess to knowing nothing about autos and full time!)

Forgot to mention the Lokrite installation manual has a procedure for installing and keeping your diff backlash the same, ie you don't need a diff expert if you follow instructions. That assumes your backlash is correct now, of course.

Oh yeah forgot they don't make a rear one yet so putting it in the rear is not an option unless I go for the ARB one.

Richard

Stuffed both those links!! hahah

Check this out!

link text

Matt