ARB Air Locker... Any Thoughts

[JeepXJClassic]

hey guys, im 16 and ive been working on my jeep since before i had my license, its a 2000 Jeep cherokee classic, i have the rubicon 4.5 inch lift and 32 inch tires, i do like to go wheelin alot so im looking for something that will help me go to the next level offroad. i was thinking about more lift but then id need driveshaft gears etc... so i decide on an ARB air locker instead of a detroit or ez locker because i do use my jeep onroad as well as offroad, just wondering how much its gonna set me back and if anyone has it installed in the rear let me know how it performs and if you would recommend it, thanks

[Duche79]

I don't personaly run an ARB. I have alot of friends that do though. They all like them very much. I'm all about the Detroit Locker. Their as strong as they come, and their allways there. No worrys about air lines or the compressor. I'd only consider running an ARB in the front. I've ran Detroits in the back of my Daily driver and have no problems. I'm from Michigan so we get the snow, ice and all of that good stuff. An ARB is going to run you about $600-650+compressor:$200 and then you need it installed unless you or a friend can do it.

[JeepXJClassic]

yeah i was thinking about a detroit locker because i want some money left to put in some engine mods and skid plates, for now im just getting a rear locker but i was concerned about bad driving manners, but for 250 plus install i guess the detroit locker is alot better deal, what kind of drivin errors do you have if any

[JeepXJClassic]

anybody? :(

[Static-XJ]

I'd go with an EZLocker, Lock-Rite or No-Slip up front. When you're in 2WD (like on the street) the locker will be invisible. The bigest benefit of these three is that they instal in your existing carrier, saving the cost for the gear setup. If you want get a 2WD low shift fork to make turning in low gear easy.

[JeepXJClassic]

:confused: wha? haha, i understand a front locker will be invisible in 2wd on the road but what does a 2wd low kit do?

[Static-XJ]

Originally posted by JeepXJClassic:
:confused: wha? haha, i understand a front locker will be invisible in 2wd on the road but what does a 2wd low kit do?With a front locker you will have to make plenty of multi point turns when in 4WD. And in trail situations many of these will be made in low range. With a 2WD low shift fork you get one more t-case position, 2WD low. It's 2WD with the t-case low range engaged. ANd shifting from 4low to 2 low can be done on the fly (like going from 2hi to 4hi). So when you reach a tight turn in a trail you pull your XJ out of 4low, and into 2low and make that easy tight turn.

[Jeepin Jason]

Originally posted by Static-XJ:
With a front locker you will have to make plenty of multi point turns when in 4WD. And in trail situations many of these will be made in low range. With a 2WD low shift fork you get one more t-case position, 2WD low. It's 2WD with the t-case low range engaged. ANd shifting from 4low to 2 low can be done on the fly (like going from 2hi to 4hi). So when you reach a tight turn in a trail you pull your XJ out of 4low, and into 2low and make that easy tight turn.Correct. A 2LO kit allows you to shift btwn 4LO and 2LO, essentially letting you "turn off" the front end while still being in low range. I installed a 2LO kit in BigRed back when I had a front Detroit.

Also, FYI: a Detroit will run you about $450 plus install.

I run a Detroit in the back of BigRed, and IMHO, if you can afford it, definitely go for a selectable locker in the rear. Detroits are great because they're bulletproof, and there's no other stuff to go with them (ie: switches, levers, cables, airlines, compressors, etc)... HOWEVER, automatic lockers do have their quirks on the road. It's not "bad" by any means, but it does take some getting used to, and it is annoying at times.

Rusty's offroad has some good prices on ARB stuff if you decide to go that route.

[JeepXJClassic]

thanks for the help guys, i figure all i need at this point is a powertrax no slip locker so ill get some good trail pics up once i get that installed