I have an ELocker that is open diff when off and spooled when on, hit the gas and grab it and I hope you've had your wheaties . . .

 

I didn't know you had one of the Elockers Rlh, sweet! What happens if you haven't had your wheaties?

 

Well, manual lockers are a different story. Those just have a sleeve that slides over the spiders and spools the diff. Auto lockers use clutches with engagement springs. That's what allows it to disengage when going around corners and such. If you tried to turn the wheel backwards, you'd engage it for sure, but when the wheel is in the air, sometimes that side will disengage, and can spin freely. Goosing the gas will engage it, sure, but when idling through it doesn't always stay that way for the wheel with no traction. It DOES always stay engaged for the wheel WITH traction, however. I know, I know, you'd have to see it to believe it, but I've seen it, and do believe it. I've had Detroits for years. They have very peculiar handling characteristics.

But on the subject of the e-locker...have you had a chance to get on it really good? I've done lots of ARB installs, and have been thinking of switching to one, but I see too many people lose the ARB at inopportune moments when either their air source fails, or they blow an o-ring, or a solenoid...too many failure points for my liking. I like the idea of the e-locker, but haven't seen any yet.

 

The Eaton Elocker is in my Bronco. You drill a hole in the upper left part of the diff for the wiring fitting. The harness is routed with the rest of the rigs harness and brake lines. If I rip it out, I have ripped out every thing and am screwed anyway. Its as much as my 8.8 can take. I have a MAC reinforced diff cover to support the bearings. Someday I'll post complete pics.

The downside to the Eaton is they only make it for the 8.8 and some gm rears. They have had a prototype for the Dana 44 but I don't think they have released it yet.

 

I saw some company that just made an air locker that has the engagement fork that comes out of the housing cover like an electrac. It is neat because if you do loose air, you can replace the solenoid with a bolt to lock it down.