Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) ARB Air Locker

[JHenry]

Is anyone running one of these? I would appreciate some input on satisfaction and performance. I'm considering one for my '98 12v auto. Thanks. JH

 

[FordCummins]

I have one in the rear axle of my F350. (Dana 80) Well worth the money in my opinion. 90% of the time the truck is on the highway, or at least pavement, but the 10% of the time it is off road, especially with a heavy gooseneck behind it, its been a god send. Fully controlable, positive engagement when I want it.

I was gonna go with a Truetrac until I read some horror stories about them blowing apart when turning sharply on pavement when loaded HEAVY. Not wanting to be stuck on the side of the road with a blown diff, I decided to spend a little extra cash and get the ARB setup. Its been flawless in operation, and really worked well time after time. Half the time I just use it instead of getting out to lock my hubs in for 4wd and even in 2wd the ol dually just keeps pullin through.

Randy's R&P got me a real good deal on a new set of gears and the install kit, and a screamin deal on the ARB itself. Even though its a bit pricier, and the installation is more involved, its been well worth the money.

 

[JHenry]

Thanks for the input. Why did you have to get new gears? Did you change ratio? Or?
JH

 

[FordCummins]

I installed new gears because the truck had 250k on it, and tons of backlash. Rather than pulling it apart to check out the problem (I knew it was coming apart for the ARB install) and not wanting the truck to be off the road any longer than necessary by waiting for parts, I just decided to rebuild the whole rear end in one shot. Once we pulled it apart we found that all the carrier bearings were junk, the gears had a funny wear pattern due to this and the pinion bearings werent in good shape either.

The new rear end is so much tighter, its alot smoother taking off with a lot of weight in tow.

 

[JHenry]

That is the way to do the job right. I was just curious. I thought the ARB would use the existing gears, provided condition warranted it. I do a lot of snow plowing with my truck and I think the locker is in the cards for next year. My previous plow truck was a '66 F350 4x4 with a Dana 70 with a Loc-Rite in it. With enough weight in the back of the truck, it would plow forever in 2 wheel drive.

 

[MReed]

On my wheeling rigs i perfer either a mechanical locker such as a ox locker or a detroit. I have run arbs in the past and dont care for all the added complexity of the compressor and lines to rely on. Theres nothing like getting stuck out in the middle of nowere because you lost a air line lol. But its all just prefrence. Some guys love them. If your just gonna use it for plowing and light wheeling and dont want the chatter of a detroit,i say go for it.