Finaly got my new ARB locker!

[KKELLER14K]

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.

[specta]

noteven wrote:
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.

This is what I dislike soo much about the newer vehicles.

The manufactures and their attorneys think they know more about the situation that you're in and that they are mare capable of driving your vehicle than you are.

[AnEv942]

My only experience is a front ARB in our jeep Dana 44 I installed back in 2002. Clean air and annual oil changes, not engaging under hard load-never had an issue 18 years. From completely open to 100% full lock with the push of a button.

[time2roll]

I am sure the ARB will prove itself. I opted for TrueTrac front and rear and while not a locker all four wheels will be turning in demanding situations. OK if a wheel is hanging in the air it might be an issue but that is not where I go. Mud, snow, sand, etc the TrueTrac just works and is ready full time always. I have 150,000 miles on these and they work same as new.

[BradW]

ARBs are great. I installed front and rear in my jeep ten years ago and have never had a single problem with either one.

[noteven]

jaycocreek wrote:
Having driven logging trucks for years on the snow and ice,I can say that weight can be your enemy just as it can be your friend..It was quite common to put one chain on the front axle to steer and keep it on the road..I never leave the house without chains for a 4X4 or 2wd.

Really heavy truck camper being as top heavy as they are,are an accident waiting to happen on snow and ice on pitched roads,especially without chains.

I would agree with jaycocreek.

I've never scared myself driving a truck up a hill...

[jaycocreek]

Having driven logging trucks for years on the snow and ice,I can say that weight can be your enemy just as it can be your friend..It was quite common to put one chain on the front axle to steer and keep it on the road..I never leave the house without chains for a 4X4 or 2wd.

Really heavy truck camper being as top heavy as they are,are an accident waiting to happen on snow and ice on pitched roads,especially without chains.

[KKELLER14K]

Check the profile but I have an 02 Dodge dually. With the floating front end on the Dodge there is no locking hubs. So the quick story is I'm on a snow covered road that pitches to one side....the front starts to slide down hill and as I try to turn back up hill, the front will spin only one tire. My mistake not having chains, which of course I carry always now was a learning curve. I had to use tree limbs to get the front to pull me back straight. I don't have a winch setup "yet" that is on the list but I will have the full pull If it was to happen again. I'm learning as I go but to me I think it will be a fun thing to install and it is an insurance that both tires are pulling when I need it... it will be there.

[Freep]

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?

Smarter than me. I have no idea what you're talking about.

🙂

[Geo_Boy]

What about a winch that can be used in the front or back of the truck to pull you out of a bad situation?

[kohldad]

Air operated are prone to leaks and you won't know you have a leak until it won't work.

Cable operated are very reliable but you have to run that cable just right for it to work and it could get snagged.

Electric operated are vey dependable, wires are easy to run in a protected way. This would be my choice.

Generally, the limited slip device goes in the rear first since that is where most of the weight is located. If you have a device in the rear, than the front makes sense. However, before I spent the money on a locker I would invest in a good winch for the front and then learn how to use it by praticing and taking a class if need be. Not only would the winch help you out more than a locker, but it will also benefit any others you run across.

[deserteagle56]

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]

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.

[Lwiddis]

Any pictures to share?

[jimh406]

Congrats. Chaining up didn’t work?