Installing Airlockers
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New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 18
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From: Meridian U.S.A.
Installing Airlockers
I am seriously considered installing air lockers in my 96 Full size Bronco. Does anyone know what this involves and what types of problems I may have with the install. Also what tools and how much time it may take. I have never worked with the differential before so it seems like it may be too complicated for a rookie. Please help!?!?
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Installing Airlockers
Yes, it's too complex for a rookie. If the gear mesh isn't set within a few thousandths of an inch, you can quickly ruin the gears and possibly even lock the rear end at highway speed. I know a guy who has done several ARBs at work (Land Rover technician) and he's rebuilding my diffs - find someone you trust & pay him to do it. The labor alone should cost between $150-250. That gives you an idea of how precise it needs to be.
http://www.differentials.com/techi.html
http://www.differentials.com/techi.html
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: Brandon, Mississippi
Installing Airlockers
I have a rear arb. I hooked up the oba and got everything ready. Then I took it to my local drivetrain place and they installed the arb for 100 bucks. You can easily hook up the compressor, solenoid, and run the airline yourself. BTW, make sure the shop has installed arb's before so you can make darn sure they know what there doing. I love mine b/c it's perfect for a daily driver.
Brian
Brian
Elder User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 937
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Installing Airlockers
>I have a rear arb. I hooked up the oba and got everything
>ready. Then I took it to my local drivetrain place and they
>installed the arb for 100 bucks. You can easily hook up the
>compressor, solenoid, and run the airline yourself.
I agree. Have a shop install the lockers in the diffs, but you can easily install the compressor, run the air lines and wiring. If you're using ARB's wiring harness and compressor it's extremely easy, all plug and play more or less.
>ready. Then I took it to my local drivetrain place and they
>installed the arb for 100 bucks. You can easily hook up the
>compressor, solenoid, and run the airline yourself.
I agree. Have a shop install the lockers in the diffs, but you can easily install the compressor, run the air lines and wiring. If you're using ARB's wiring harness and compressor it's extremely easy, all plug and play more or less.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 295
Likes: 1
From: Brandon, Mississippi
Installing Airlockers
This took all of 9 seconds to do.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=air+lockers&btnG=Google+Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=air+lockers&btnG=Google+Search
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Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,809
Likes: 3
From: Loveland, CO.
Installing Airlockers
ARB Air Lockers is a driver controlled differential lock actuated by pushing a dash mounted button. In only one tenth of a second compressed air actuates a piston inside the differential which engages a locking gear, instantly locking the differential and directing drive torque to the wheels with maximum traction. The differential lock is a simply disengaged by, again, pushing the button.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 9,987
Likes: 7
From: Memphis, TN
Installing Airlockers
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 01-15-03 AT 08:42 PM (EST)]Read the "Diffinitions" post on the second page of this thread - it has LOTS of good links; some to animated images of differentials and how they work:
http://tellico.off-road.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=offroadfordbroncolate&Numb er=673392&page=9&view=expanded&sb=5&o=0#Post673392
The TorSen is a good torque-biasing diff, but it has limitations that a full locker doesn't. That post has a link to the Zexel site that explains why their diff won't help if one wheel is FULLY off the ground.
Of course, torque-biasing diffs have a few advantages over lockers in some situations...
http://tellico.off-road.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=offroadfordbroncolate&Numb er=673392&page=9&view=expanded&sb=5&o=0#Post673392
The TorSen is a good torque-biasing diff, but it has limitations that a full locker doesn't. That post has a link to the Zexel site that explains why their diff won't help if one wheel is FULLY off the ground.
Of course, torque-biasing diffs have a few advantages over lockers in some situations...