My hearing and my memory are outstanding. I highly doubt I heard wrong. I think it's worth pointing out that anything requiring compressed air to hold it in place is prone to fail. Air lines and seals leak. Why do you think semi trucks use air to turn the brakes OFF instead of ON? because air fails. So for those of you that love your ARB, which cost what, $800 plus? More power to you. For my money an auto locker in the back is adequate. Maybe a mechanically operated selectable in front, but that depends on where you try to go with the Jeep too.

 

Prone to failure? Not really. I've ran an arb without issues, many customers without issues, and my boss has had the same arb for over 15 years.

You're clearly not familiar with arb's

For street driveability and sheer strength... the arb is miles ahead of ANY auto locker.

 

now if you have the money, more power to you. but if you just want a locker, dont mind the little harshness of the streetablility, and a little backlash feel then go with the Detroit locker. get the new detroit soft locker, i heard they are nice. i have a detroit locker in the back and love it. i drive on the street every day to work, then wheel on the weekends (and sometimes on the way home from work).

 

Aussie Locker XD-58229 Chrysler 8.25 29 Spline $299.99 they just got them back in stock yesterday . i luv em ya can't beat em

 

Really? I guess ARB has survived by making products that are prone to failure, then?

Do you believe everything you hear? Especially with something you admitted to having NO first hand experience with?

Do you even know what having a locked front or rear is like??? You don't "think" you're locked in. You KNOW.

So how the hell are you criticizing something you have NO firsthand experience with?

Cost difference?

You keep your auto locker in the rear that cost you X amount less. Then when you are buying new rubber for your rears exponentially more than I am because I've got a more advanced, better system, we can talk about how much more my ARB is.

Try thinking of the long run.

Oh, and before you start 'bashing' a product you clearly know nothing about...learn how it functions first.

The ARB system uses a compressor and small tank, very similar to a setup in your garage. Once the reserve tank reaches a certain pressure, the compressor stops. Even if you do manage to put a small hole in the cheap air line, or you mess up a seal and have a slight leak, the compressor and tank will more than compensate giving you the full lock you need.



My ARB has been in the truck for YEARS. Factory parts are still in there and are working correctly.



Don't forget the unpredictability in wet or snowy/icy roads. Oh, and premature tire wear.


For those of you having issues with price, there was a front ARB locker for sale a month or so ago for $250.

 

chill out, gee. I was never "bashing" the arb. I suspect it's one of the best airlockers on the market. i was told by someone who had one that wouldn't stay locked, apparently. probably a bad air leak. and, repeating that information was an un-informed opinion. however, i am sticking to my guns regarding reliability of an air system vs mechanical. i'll take an OX over ARB 10 times out of ten. and for us poor bastards, an auto locker in the rear is usually a pretty good compromise. is everybody happy now?

 

http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticl...out/index.html

For anybody considering an auto locker

 

Do you mean a Full Carrier Spool when you say "full carrier type locker"? I haven't had any luck finding a full spool for the 8.25. I am planning on putting an 8.8 in it, unless I can find a full spool then I'd be willing to upgrade the 8.25

 

I ran my 99 Sport with the 8.25, 29 spline shafts, 4.10 gears, 32's with an Aussie in it for several years and never had a problem. I could not justify shelling out the extra time and money to pull a D44 out from a yard, rebuild it and swapping it out of my XJ when the 8.25 under it was just as good. Unless you are getting in to some heavy HP high RPM challenges, I see no need to get anything else. This was my DD and was well mannered on the road and kept up with many other rigs sporting D44's, 14 Bolt etc.

 

$450s shipped to your door is a pretty good price for a D44... but I'd go with the 8.25, should be plenty strong for your needs. I got my 97'+ 8.25 (29 spline) for $100 already pulled. I wasn't planning on upgrading until I saw it for sale, but figured it's cheap insurance.

 

full carrier type locker is like a detroit, ARB, or Ox, it replaces the the original carrier. and they dont make spools for 8.25s btw

 

I had a set of arbs in a jeep I had, they were an older style of button, the bottons broke and wouldnt stay on, so to actually turn on the compressor and lock the axles I had to hold down the buttons. eh at least it made for a but of fun wheeling, hot to make sure I was in the right gear then hold the buttons throught the obstacle, lol.

 

Yeah, I know they don't make spools for the 8.25 that's why I'm looking to upgrade.

OK - So if I leave the 8.25 in the rear, what front end should I use? I've been told by several people that the D30 front is Junk. Right now I'm stock as far as horsepower but I'm looking into building a stroked 4.0.

 

weld the rear and put a a selctable up front...

 

Good thread gents! I have a D35 and decided to go the C8.25 rout. I pulled the trigger on a junk yard 27 spline C8.25, picket up a 29 spline carrier, 4.56 gears, 29 spline Yukon ally shafts and a spartan lunch box locker. Gears are being installed this week and I hope to drop it this weekend.