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Need some help on lockers.

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Old Feb 6, 2010 | 05:05 PM
  #1  
chevyassasin's Avatar
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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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Old Feb 6, 2010 | 05:12 PM
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From: Orangevale
Originally Posted by chevyassasin
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.
If you're only going to have one locker, you want a rear. There are several different kinds, personally I like Detroits which are "always on". You can do ARB Air lockers, which use an air compressor setup to allow you turn them off and on, or something like an OX locker which uses a cable to actuate it.

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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Old Feb 6, 2010 | 05:48 PM
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Where are these $300 lockers.... Haha i want to see one.
 
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Old Feb 6, 2010 | 06:31 PM
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From: Orangevale
Originally Posted by BURNSTOUGHFORD
Where are these $300 lockers.... Haha i want to see one.
Aussie Lockers, here is their website page for Ford with prices:http://www.aussielocker.com/make.php.../514d/06/.html
 
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Old Feb 7, 2010 | 04:15 AM
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Have a look at the Richmond Lock Right. Easy DIY install.
 
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Old Feb 7, 2010 | 07:09 AM
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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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Old Feb 7, 2010 | 09:31 AM
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Originally Posted by Lazy K
Have a look at the Richmond Lock Right. Easy DIY install.
Isn't the Aussie the same concept as the Lock right except cheaper? Or am I wrong?
 
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Old Feb 7, 2010 | 12:29 PM
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From: Orangevale
Originally Posted by BigBlueOx
Isn't the Aussie the same concept as the Lock right except cheaper? Or am I wrong?
It is the same principle; different design, but same concept. They both have a fairly easy install, for that matter any of the positive lockers do, just don't screw up your backlash. Plenty of DIY threads/walkthroughs/articles on locker setup.

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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Old Feb 7, 2010 | 01:33 PM
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Yeah I've looked into both of them and I am going with the Aussie. Mostly because the price but the feedback out weighs that of the lock right.
 
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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 01:03 PM
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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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Old Feb 8, 2010 | 06:04 PM
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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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Old Feb 11, 2010 | 09:12 AM
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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?
 
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Old Feb 11, 2010 | 10:01 AM
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also i'm pretty sure the front has more weight, therefore more traction in the front. and the front is the first thing out of the mud hole, unless you're doin it in reverse lol
 
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