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KKELLER14K's avatar
KKELLER14K
Explorer II
Sep 23, 2020

Finaly got my new ARB locker!

I was in the NW forest in snowy conditions with my AF1150 and being naive...thought that my 4x4 was just that...WOW was I wrong. I didn't know what the difference was between a full floating Dana 60 and locker really was. I'm not so smart right? I was stuck in a really bad place and my front end failed me. I swore I would never have it happen again. When I needed traction it failed, Horribly..badly, scary bad. So a new project has been on my bench.....I already have on board air...this is not the first time I have been in the front end...A total rebuild with Moog everything so I know that Dana 60 now!! The decision was to go with air or electronics. After a lot of mind bending...being the air was already there...OK so what is your take on it?...I wanted a true locker. I'm saying when you need it...you got it, both tires pulling..but it will still float in 4x4 going down the road unlocked.
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  • deserteagle56's avatar
    deserteagle56
    Explorer II
    Sep 23, 2020
    KKELLER14K wrote:
    I was in the NW forest in snowy conditions with my AF1150 and being naive...thought that my 4x4 was just that...WOW was I wrong. I didn't know what the difference was between a full floating Dana 60 and locker really was. I'm not so smart right? I was stuck in a really bad place and my front end failed me. I swore I would never have it happen again. When I needed traction it failed, Horribly..badly, scary bad. So a new project has been on my bench.....I already have on board air...this is not the first time I have been in the front end...A total rebuild with Moog everything so I know that Dana 60 now!! The decision was to go with air or electronics. After a lot of mind bending...being the air was already there...OK so what is your take on it?...I wanted a true locker. I'm saying when you need it...you got it, both tires pulling..but it will still float in 4x4 going down the road unlocked.


    Tell us more about "my front end failed me". Was it because only one front tire was spinning? Or did you have automatic locking hubs, or an axle disconnect, that failed to work? Most front end "failures" are due to those two things. Manual locking hubs are the only way to go - seems like the auto ones always fail when you need them most. I had a GM with the axle disconnect that failed to engage when I got stuck in a snow bank.

    I had ARBs installed front and rear in my van (E350). Made a world of difference in the rough stuff. Allows me to crawl through bad spots that previously I'd have had to tackle with speed.
  • noteven's avatar
    noteven
    Explorer III
    Sep 23, 2020
    My F-3 fitty has the factory electric rear locker for low speed three wheel drive. No locker in the front. It auto shifts to open diff as speed increases. I can't remember if it stays locked in if you are using low in the transfer case.

    A driver controlled locking diff or two is handy as a shirt pocket. So is air on board for airing down and up.

    If gravity can overcome traction in a dangerous manner I am not too proud to put chains on a truck.
  • BurbMan's avatar
    BurbMan
    Explorer II
    Sep 23, 2020
    That's the right tool for the job if you're out in the rough stuff. I would opt for air if it's already onboard. What truck do you have?

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