When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Have a 04 F250 Stroke and Im thinking about getting a locker or limited slip up front, any of you guys running one? If so, what would be my best choice? Thanks alot.
Besides the ARB air locker, EATON (Detroit Locker) makes the ELocker, an electric locker. It acts a limited slip when not engaged as a full locker. They have one specifically dialed-in for the front. Unless you want a wild ride when turning or the trucks a dedicated trail rig, I wouldn't recommend putting in a full-time locker in the front. And if you're going to go with a LS, make sure it's specific for the front axle.
My truck has an ARB in the front axle. It works very well, on when you need the traction and off when you need the steering. As Envirocon stated, you don't want a locker (Detroit Locker/No-Spin) in the front axle as that greatly affects steering. The truck will want to go straight, especially in mud and snow. You also don't want the front axle locked when on icy roads.
I mentioned the ELocker as another option for a driver controlled locker, but I'll still give ARB my vote, since that's what I've been using in my rockcrawler for years now and haven't had a problem with them ever failing to lock/unlock.
I have the lockright and use it when I need extreem traction. It works fine and is inexpensive. Its not bad going down the road below 35 mph. I use it for plowing and the woods and a tree business dragging things etc. I don't need anything else except to have it maybe a little quieter...Around corners with just the hubs locked..
I have the Arb in the front of my 1999 and never had a problem with it. I had the locker installed with my gear swap, then did the wiring and plumbing myself. I used an old military ammo box to house and protect the arb compressor on the frame.
Had the ARB's on my '04, front and rear. That was, without a doubt, the best purchase I made for that truck. I would tell anybody that wants a locker to go that route.
Mine ran 785 each. The compressor was free, but is normally about $200.
I can't say I had a problem with the air lines freezing; Alabama / Georgia doesn't get that cold. Also, I had the stainless steel lines, so I don't think that would have even remotely been an issue.
I would "think" if you have the compressor mounted in the engine compartment, where mine was, and everything is warmed up that you wouldn't have any issues at all.
I wouldn't think twice about about installing them in another truck, if I was gonna build to that level again.