Need some help on lockers.
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Junior User
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Need some help on lockers.
Hey everybody i'm lookin at lockers for my 87 f150 and have a few questions. i'm lookin for a automatic locker cause they are cheaper so where do i get it? i have no clue what kinda rear end i have. would a front or rear be better for mudding and trail ridding? tell me if there is a better place to post this please.
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From: Orangevale
Hey everybody i'm lookin at lockers for my 87 f150 and have a few questions. i'm lookin for a automatic locker cause they are cheaper so where do i get it? i have no clue what kinda rear end i have. would a front or rear be better for mudding and trail ridding? tell me if there is a better place to post this please.
You've also got things like the Detroit soft locker, or less than full lockers allowing some sort of slip so you have a little better on road handling, a lot of people are fans of the Aussie locker. Keep in mind, if you lock it up, your on street handling when turning in parking lots, or even just around street corners will be affected, a locked vehicle drives differently than one with an open rear or limited slip.
Money is of course a factor, on the cheaper end you can get lockers in the $300 range and if you go with an ARB you're looking at a hell of a lot more, so what you've got as a budget is important. Don't forget spools.
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From: Orangevale
Aussie Lockers, here is their website page for Ford with prices:http://www.aussielocker.com/make.php.../514d/06/.html
Hotshot
Joined: Sep 2001
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I recommend a clutch type diff like the factory limited slip unit (traction lcok). It can be rebuilt. You can also add a couple of discs to tighten it up. There are also aftermarket units that are similar. These operate very smoothly. I have had a locker before and I'll never do that again. My friend had one in is 70 Mustang and hates it as well. The only way I would use a locker is if its truely a trail rig that is not driven everyday on the street. The air locker would be cool, but costs too much.
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From: Rusty, Maine
Isn't the Aussie the same concept as the Lock right except cheaper? Or am I wrong?
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From: Orangevale
I did read somewhere that it is a copy of some other Australian brand locker and as such they can't sell it there. I don't know if that is true or not, but if you go to their company website and try to order, you can only choose America as a destination, so there might actually be some truth to that. That aside, I've only ever heard good things about them.
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From: Greater Austin, Texas
You may not like the Aussie with a manual trans - I get quite a bit of backlash on decel with mine and had to change the way I drive. I used to downshift to decel but now have to push in the clutch and freewheel more otherwise it bucks. The tech guy told me this was normal with a stick and their product works much better with auto trans.
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From: spokane wahington
I agree with Texas Guy. go with a trac lock. They are very pavement friendly and can be made tighter by installing another clutch and shim on each side to really get it grabbing. This is what Ford used as oem so they can be found everywhere and anywhere. I would get one at a wrecking yard and have just install a new clutch pack from Jegs.
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thanks guys, i think i'm goin with an aussie though. i think that it would do better in the front though. I've done soem research and it seems like the trucks with em in the front climb over objects better. plus i wont have to worry about "backlash" or "bucking" because the front wheels won't be engaged on the road. What do yall think?
