Further to getting a Lokka fitted.

Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 19:16

ThreadID: 87823 Views:5548 Replies:8 FollowUps:10

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workhorse

It seems just about every large well known 4wd shop doesnt want to fit a Lokka auto locker to the front of my Ford Courier. Without naming individual shops I have rang and discussed this with many along the NSW coast down to Sydney and even a diff specialist recommended to me in Brisbane.
Sifting through all the talk of wanting to sell me an air locker which I don't want for my ute, it has come down to the same consistent comment that they don't like this brand of auto locker and don't want to fit it and then back up their work.
I have read a lot of material on this site and elsewhere regarding this brand of auto locker and the vast majority of sensible feedback has been positive with a few comments on the clunkiness of the unit, but nothing really bad.
However it has planted the seed of doubt in my mind and the more practical problem of finding some one to fit it and then back up their work.
Many thanks on this drawn out matter.
michael

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Reply By: Isuzumu - Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 19:45

Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 19:45

I have one fitted to the MU was about four years ago by a local mechanic (not around any more) who had not ever fitted one before, and I gave him a hand to do the diff centre which we just took from the instructions from what came with the Lokka. The biggest job is pulling the front end out of an IFS vehicle (like mine and yours). Ring 4WD Systems in Adelaide, who are the only distributor of the Lokka and ask them for some one to do the job for you, other than that Google "how to fit a Lokka" or "Who can fit a Lokka"

AnswerID: 461094

Reply By: disco driver - Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 23:22

Wednesday, Jul 27, 2011 at 23:22

Michael,
If you are getting so many who don't want to fit a Lokka to your Courier, perhaps they are trying to tell you that, in their opinion, the Lokka system won't suit the Courier diff for whatever reason, and if you do so, they will not be responsible for any resulting problems.
You may be left with either an air locker or nothing.
If it was me I would take their advice and fit an airlocker if you MUST have a locking front diff.

Disco.

AnswerID: 461115

Follow Up By: workhorse - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 07:27

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 07:27

Hey Disco that's what is starting to dawn on me. just trying to separate the real advice from the upsell to an air locker.

FollowupID: 734813

Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 17:04

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 17:04

Workhorse - Nothing wrong with the Lokka - Had one for quite a while now - The bees knees :-)

Cheers Tony

FollowupID: 734865

Reply By: Member - Bucky - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 05:55

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 05:55

I am sure there is a User group/forum, on the Net, in which you will get answers to your problem.

Dosen't the Courier/Bravo have a torsion bar front end ?

That could be a problem in itself, and is the front end strong enuf to accomodate a Lokka ?

May not be worth the hastle, or the cost !

Good luck at findinr the result you are looking for..

Cheres
Bucky

AnswerID: 461122

Follow Up By: Member - Bucky - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 05:59

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 05:59

I just googled in the line below

how to fit a lokka to a ford courier ?
You wil lbe amazed at what came up

Cheers

FollowupID: 734805

Follow Up By: Isuzumu - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 06:22

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 06:22

My MU has a torsion bar IFS and works great, the only problem you can have is breaking CV joints if you keep the pedal to the metal to much.

FollowupID: 734806

Follow Up By: workhorse - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 07:26

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 07:26

Thanks Bucky.
Most of those posts have been mine or ones I've chased up.

FollowupID: 734812

Reply By: Member - Vince M (NSW) - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 09:26

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 09:26

Why not an Air locker?

AnswerID: 461130

Follow Up By: workhorse - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 09:32

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 09:32

A few reasons,
Cost
The rear LSD is ok
I'm not into really difficult 4w driving
Prefer an autolocker to a manual one

Thanks

FollowupID: 734827

Follow Up By: Member - Royce- Saturday, Jul 30, 2011 at 09:30

Saturday, Jul 30, 2011 at 09:30

'not really into difficult 4w driving'.... probably means that you don't need a front locking system. lsd should cover any standard off road situation... Carry recovery gear for the once in a while difficult situation?

FollowupID: 734986

Follow Up By: workhorse - Saturday, Jul 30, 2011 at 17:11

Saturday, Jul 30, 2011 at 17:11

Sorry I meant to say extreme 4w driving, eg steep rock steps.
Unfortunately I've found a steep wet paddock with wet clay base is enough to stop me at times.

FollowupID: 735009

Reply By: rotor138 - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 09:58

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 09:58

Mate has just fitted one to front of his Patrol there is no noise clunkiness etc. I'm not sure why said workshop won't install it.

Have you thought about doing it yourself? It is not that difficult.

AnswerID: 461133

Follow Up By: rotor138 - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 10:00

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 10:00

Check out Patrol4x4.com as there is a bloke there from the states who sends to Australia with huge savings, Just Differentials is his name.

FollowupID: 734829

Reply By: Tonyfish#58 - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 17:11

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 17:11

Workhorse - Well worth the effort mate :-) My local mechanic fitted mine & I do recommend you use someone who knows what they are doing to get the required tolerances may require some machining.

If you do not already have them, also fit manual free wheeling hubs. If you have a good LSD in the rear, it means you can select low to tow the boat out of the water in low without going into full 4x4. Or back a Boat/Caravan/Trailer in low without 4x4 - always handy.

Cheers Tony

AnswerID: 461168

Reply By: workhorse - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 17:44

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 17:44

Many thanks for the replies.
I had done my research here and elsewhere and it was the frustration of these larger 4wd shop's attitude that ended up putting some doubt in my mind.
Having run several businesses for many years I am amazed by their poor response to a customer's genuine enquires. Maybe because I drive a dirty farm ute that doesn't shine (albeit mechanically A1 and has gone most places people dream of) they limit their horizon. Their loss.
I ordered one today from Tom at 4wdsystems and he said Couriers seemed to perform exceptionally well with a Lokka.

AnswerID: 461171

Follow Up By: Tonyfish#58 - Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 18:45

Thursday, Jul 28, 2011 at 18:45

Have fun - You will be amazed at the difference. The other good thing is that you will be able to tackle the rough stuff with just an idle. To me the best way..not too hard on the gear.

Be careful when it is steep and rough, with the Lokka the old girl will just keep on climbing :-) I have had a front wheel quite a long way off the running surface too many times :-)

Cheers Tony

FollowupID: 734875

Reply By: jrzoo - Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 08:58

Friday, Jul 29, 2011 at 08:58

Hi Michael

I had one fitted to my Rodeo with a similar front end to yours I think. No issues by the installer and its works well.

Autoleaders in Nerang Qld (good bunch) organised it through a diff bloke in Nerang. They wanted to leave it with a diff pro and why not. All day and $300-400.

Could find out the name if you want (or ring Autoleaders?). I don't know where you are - Nerang is on the Gold Coast.

cheers

AnswerID: 461211