ARB Air/Eaton Elockers

[Ron Civita]

I recently emailed both ARB and Eaton to inquire when air lockers or elockers would be available for the 2004 Ram. Got an interesting reply from ARB today. Reply is as follows:



"ARB is working on lockers for this new Dodge truck. We have sent Australia both front and rear AAM axles for that truck. The technicians in Australia are working hard in the creation of that locker. Currently we have no ETA on the availability of the lockers, but we do know, with Chrysler behind us pushing for a locker, it might be sooner than we think. Please be patient, and continue to check with us. We are always happy to help you out. "



The part about Chrysler pushing for a locker is what caught my attention.

Anybody have any input on this ?



Thanks, Ron

 

[VStahl]

could the push be because of the Powerwagon having lockers?

 

[BHolm]

I think that there must be a big concern about fitting lockers to the CTD trucks. That is a TON of torque to withstand. The Hemi in the Power Wagon is one thing, but consider that the axles themselves have to be able to withstand 600lb/ft multiplied by the low range and to do it right each shaft has to be able to take the full brunt. That is an extreme design requirement. There is a reason you see Jeep guys carrying extra axle shafts on Jeeps with lockers and big tires. I assure you, none of them are pushing 600 lb/ft of torque.

 

[Big MAK]

Keep us posted Vern. I'm very curious about this too. When I saw the Powerwagon had factory installed lockers I was hoping they had them for the CTD...

 

[Ron Civita]

In a followup email today, the Cust Svc. Mgr. noted:



"It seems with a push from a huge corporation such as Chrysler, I would only suspect ARB would like to get this out to the general public as soon as possible. I'm sure that there is a big call for these lockers from their customers, and we need to help fill that void".

 

[RLighthall]

I emailed Eaton and rx'ed this response on the 6th of February '04:



"Thanks for the email. We have been working closely with Diamler Chrysler

to help them improve the traction characteristics of their vehicles.



Look for advanced Eaton designed differentials in the new Jeep Grand

Cherokee. In terms of Aftermarket, Chrysler applications are being

developed so we can serve that market as well. "



My follow-up email on August 2nd went unanswered...

 

[BHolm]

I'm just curious as to why you guys want lockers for your trucks? I have three trucks with full factory lockers and it has to be a pretty extreme off-road situation before they get used. I would also lean heavily towards the Eaton e-locker over the ARB system, especially if you plan to be in water/mud or use them in below freezing winter temps.

 

[rbattelle]

I would also lean heavily towards the Eaton e-locker over the ARB system, especially if you plan to be in water/mud or use them in below freezing winter temps.

Is the ARB unreliable under these conditions (I've never owned one)? I know the ARB is pneumatic, isn't an E-Locker electric?



-Ryan

 

[RLighthall]

Oops... Should have specified that in my inquiry to Eaton I asked about something on the order of a G80 for the version of AA used in the Dodges...

 

[wcjp]

On my Jeep I've used the ARB in the snow on multiple occasions with no problem. I've only seen one Eaton Elocker in action. It belongs to a club member in a frontend Dana 44 of a CJ 5. It takes 5-10 minutes to engage. He's worked with Eaton tech suport on multiple occasions. He finally gave up with their tech support and lives with it. He's wishing he'd gone with ARB.





The comment on carrying spare axle shafts is no joke. When engaged lockers are very hard on various components. This is what's nice about selectable lockers. My front ARB stays off unless I need it. This helps reduce stress and improves offroad steering. When a front locker is engaged(locked) steering sucks.

 

[realsquash]

Does anyone know the part number(s) for the powerwagon front diff? I wonder how hard Mopar would ding me for one... .



The rear works great in my truck so I'm happy leaving that as it is. The best LSD I've ever had, works like the Detroit in my offroad truck.



Andy

 

[BHolm]

To fit the ARBs you need to drill a hole in the diff case to run the air line in. If not very well sealed you "could" get water/mud in there. The winter issue is because of the air actuation, it doesn't take much moisture to freeze in a line to mess up the operation. On the other hand my Unimog uses air for the lockers, has no auto air dryer, and has never failed me winter or summer. Some of that might be because it is a designed in system, designed for brutal conditions as well.



I wasn't aware that the e-locker had issues, never heard that before. Isn't that what will be going into the Power Wagon?



On the G80, I felt that the G80 in my '03 Chev D-max was one of its best features, you can really feel it work unlike the current LSD in the Dodges. It also automatically disengages at 20 mph to maintain stability on slippery roads.



I was just a little concerned that some would fit the lockers to a CTD and be surprised when they started breaking things. I think they really have a limited scope of proper use and that a stock set of axle shafts isn't going to handle too much locker use without a failure. I would guess that is why the Power Wagon is only coming with the Hemi.

 

[Ron Civita]

BHolm:



I inquired about a locker because my truck is a 4x2 with an open differential. Living in Florida, this isn't an issue. Now it looks like I will be traveling up north during the winter months. The other options I considered are studded tires and/or chains. I would feel more comfortable being able to have a system I can select to use only when needed - e. g. snow conditions. I gave thought to trading for a 4x4 however, I really like my truck. It has been flawless since new and after reading some of the vibration problems with the 4x4's, Id rather consider another option.

I'm open for any suggestions. I appreciate all your responses to my post.

Thanks, Ron

 

[BHolm]

Thanks for the inside scoop on your intended use, it really makes a difference. I think that ideal solution would be the GM G80 locker. The reason I say that is because it is a real locker not just a limited slip. In the GM application it also disengages at 20 mph. You do not want it locked at any higher speed as you are extremely likely to fishtail it right off the road. Since we have the same basic axle I wonder how difficult it would be to fit that locker. Another choice is the locker used by the Power Wagon but I suspect it will run the 10. 5 rear end, though I don't know that for sure.



You can pretty much disregard the broken axle talk above for your needs. It is much more likely to happen to a 4x4 in low range than it would in your truck with 2wd.



I guess I don't know what else is out there, sounds like you are doing some pretty good research though. Also plan on 800-1000lbs of dead wieght in the bed for traction. I have 5-600 in my 4x4 and there are still plenty of hills I can't get up without 4x4 and I am running 285 BFG ATs.



Good luck, and let us know what you find

 

[ACF]

ARB and AAM LSD

I have ARB's frt and rr in my Toyota and they run like a Swiss watch, although I have yet to use them in below freezing temps. The LSD in my 04 11. 5 AAM sucks off road as I have seen one wheel just sit there while the other spun on a very muddy and slick hill at a standstill. The AAM LSD does work well on the street under power though. You can really feel it work when making a turn on a wet hill (up hill) and it does not make itself know on a day to day basis. In my opinon a well designed set of electric lockers are the best, but ARB's are close 2nd.

 

[Ron Civita]

BHolm:



Thanks for your input. I had considered the AAM LSD from DC but it seems like some guys like them and some don't like them very much at all. And considering the cost of the AAM LSD, I would rather spend the $ on something like the Eaton Elocker or the ARB system, either of which would be more beneficial for my needs.



One thing I hadn't thought of was weight in the bed. Thanks for the tip. I will be doing that.



ACF: I'm still waiting to hear from Eaton. When I do, I will post the info.



Thanks, Ron

 

[evldsl]

You better research this more for as far as I know there is no locker set up on the market for the AA axels. I own a 2001 TJ with the air lockers and have never had a problem with it. If there is in the future a locker setup that will fit the AA axels then buy it the truck will become a beast. Also post your findings I will want the lockers also.

 

[Gunnernmybike]

I've been waiting for a locker since I bought my truck. Look at the AAM website. They have a wide variety of limited slip diff. and lockers for our axles, but they're all I've found. I too, really want an E-Locker.



Check out aam.com



Post the info as soon as you get it.

 

[VStahl]

Have any of you had experience with OX lockers on jeeps? They are a cable driven unit not air or electric. They do not make lockers for big axles like ours but the concept seems to be in the direction of "keep it simple and there will be less to break".

 

[frankram]

Just by 2 cents. I have ARB lockers on front and rear since March of 02. I have no problems and enjoy the fact that when I have them locked, all 4 tires turn no matter what. I haul around a Lance camper that weights about 4,000 lbs. I never used the lockers with the camper on but it does not seem to affect anything.