Rear Locker....
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Rochester, NH
Rear Locker....
I'm new to this board and pardon me if this has been beatened to death before. I just purchased a 1996 F250 crewcab, shortbox, diesel with a 3.55 rear and automatic tranny. Whoever bought the truck did not have a limited slip added at the time of purchase.
One of the things I would like to add asap is some sort of locking rearend and this truck while not an "off roader" will see a lot of snow and dirt roads where it is very easy to get stuck. I have had 5 4WD vehicles before this one so I am not new to the world of 4WD but would like to know what works and what doesn't on a truck this size.
Most of the time will see this truck on paved or dirt roads sometime pulling a medium size trailer. Snow conditions exist for up to 5 months of the year.
I'm very interesed in the ARB Airlocker. If anyone has had one installed in the New England area and can direct me to a reliable dealer it would be appreciated. Any major pros or cons to this unit other than the price?
Thanks....Bob
One of the things I would like to add asap is some sort of locking rearend and this truck while not an "off roader" will see a lot of snow and dirt roads where it is very easy to get stuck. I have had 5 4WD vehicles before this one so I am not new to the world of 4WD but would like to know what works and what doesn't on a truck this size.
Most of the time will see this truck on paved or dirt roads sometime pulling a medium size trailer. Snow conditions exist for up to 5 months of the year.
I'm very interesed in the ARB Airlocker. If anyone has had one installed in the New England area and can direct me to a reliable dealer it would be appreciated. Any major pros or cons to this unit other than the price?
Thanks....Bob
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From: Memphis, TN
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 47
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From: Rochester, NH
Rear Locker....
Steve..Thanks a lot. Know most of that as I said I'm not exactly new to 4WD just have never had a locker installer before. The electronic looks interesting. Anyone here have one done?
Bob
Bob
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Joined: Jul 2001
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Rear Locker....
I've got an ARB in my 10.25 and it's great. It has always leaked but it's something about my situation... other 10.25 owners have not had this problem.
I think the ARB or a good 'ol Detroit are the only lockers which will stand up to your oil burner's torque.
I have no input on limited slips, I think they're all garbage so I don't follow info on them anymore
I think the ARB or a good 'ol Detroit are the only lockers which will stand up to your oil burner's torque.
I have no input on limited slips, I think they're all garbage so I don't follow info on them anymore
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 47
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From: Rochester, NH
Rear Locker....
Thanks Honney..I would not bother with a LS as my 1993 E250 has one and it has never performed very well. DL or ARB is the way to go. Would like to find someone in New England who installs them...will call ARB later today. Have already called DL but have not received a call back.
Bob
Bob
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Connecticut
Rear Locker....
My ARB works fine. Ford 8.8" axle. So far, 3 years almost 30,000 miles with only one problem last month, the air line cracked at the rear axle fitting. I repaired it by cutting the air line back and reinstalling the compression fitting. It is very convenient having a manual locker. I would rather have an electric or cable driven one but when I purchased the ARB none existed to my knowledge. The Eaton Elocker, the Detroit Electrac and the Ox Trax look interesting. I want one for my front Dana 44 TTB axle. The TTB is a problem though since the cover is the axle arm and the Ox Trax and the Detroit use a special cover for the actuating forks.
As far as installing the ARB I did mine myself along with new gears. The setup is time consuming. If your not changing gears it would be much easier. You would need to set the backlash and differential bearing preload only.
Mark
As far as installing the ARB I did mine myself along with new gears. The setup is time consuming. If your not changing gears it would be much easier. You would need to set the backlash and differential bearing preload only.
Mark
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Connecticut
Rear Locker....
My ARB works fine. Ford 8.8" axle. So far 3 years, almost 30,000 miles with only one problem last month, the air line cracked at the rear axle fitting. I repaired it by cutting the air line back and reinstalling the compression fitting. It is very convenient having a manual locker. I would rather have an electric or cable driven one but when I purchased the ARB none existed to my knowledge. The Eaton Elocker, the Detroit Electrac and the Ox Trax look interesting. I want one for my front Dana 44 TTB axle. The TTB is a problem though since the cover is the axle arm and the Ox Trax and the Detroit use a special cover for the actuating forks.
As far as installing the ARB I did mine myself along with new gears. The setup is time consuming. If your not changing gears it would be much easier. You would need to set the backlash and differential bearing preload only.
Mark
As far as installing the ARB I did mine myself along with new gears. The setup is time consuming. If your not changing gears it would be much easier. You would need to set the backlash and differential bearing preload only.
Mark
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Rochester, NH
Rear Locker....
MJB...Thanks...I don't pretend to be that much of a mechanic. I did however find a good one only about an hour away. Will probably do the compressor set up myself and then he will do the rearend work.
He recommended that I use stainless steel braded lines for the air lines. He has had problems with the stock hose and fittings also. He has one of the units in his Jeep and loves it.
Bob
He recommended that I use stainless steel braded lines for the air lines. He has had problems with the stock hose and fittings also. He has one of the units in his Jeep and loves it.
Bob
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 482
Likes: 1
From: Connecticut
Rear Locker....
Do you know where to get the stainless steel lines? That sounds like a good upgrade since this is where most problems occur with the ARB. The other problem I hear of is the rubber o-rings that seal on the bearing journal.
Mark
Mark
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