Selectable for Dana44.. Electric-locker or Air-locker?

[dustybronco]

The Eaton E-locker is a great unit. However there are a couple of problems. first it gets confused with the detroit electrac which was a POS (no offense steve) that is why Eaton dropped it. next like some body already mentioned Eaton is a huge company and they don't care about their customers so the E-locker is never in stock. I have installed 9 E-lockers total and everytime they perform and satisfy but they always get delivered three to four weeks after promised. that will piss off everyone.

 

[krunchytaco]

I have an Eaton E-Locker in my d44 and I'm not so sure I like it!First trip out I thought it was working but after looking @ some video of it,the pass. side wheel wasnt spinning!Second trip out it worked intermittently! I need to look at the hubs and check the ground wire before I bash it!
If I could do it over again...It would be an ARB for shore!!

 

[Steve]

The Eaton E-locker is a great unit. However there are a couple of problems. first it gets confused with the detroit electrac which was a POS (no offense steve) that is why Eaton dropped it.

No offense taken, I didn't make it. I've been fortunate as mine has worked great for the several years it's been in (it was one of their first ones sold.)

I'm not convinced, however, that Eaton dropped the Electrac because it's a POS. I believe they dropped it because they didn't want any competition with their E-Locker. And yeah, their customer service sucks compared to Tractech's before Eaton bought them.

If/when I need to replace the Electrac I'll install an ARB - no question there.

 

[ChrisinWV]

Well I over analyze everything, just ask Bill, and I vote for arb's front and rear.
I have had to wait and work and save for a long time to be able to go this route, but I don't think I will ever be sorry.....
Good call on the switches Drew, it takes one more possible failure out of the loop and those pneumatic switches are dead reliable and easy to change if they do fail. I have some other ideas for these air switches and actuators for my rig, auto steps and such....I even considered it for the triple stick....
I suppose it stems from my time in manufacturing that I like pneumatic systems so much, but for reliability and simplicity, they can't be beat.
No electric needed at all if you use a co2 setup (Which I will likely run even though I will likely have an on board ac pump as well..)just for it's simplicity.
I also need the open/open feature of the arb's because of the snowy winter road conditions we have here. posi's and icy hills are not a good combination, and I don't even think I would ever consider a detroit.
Good luck with whatever you choose, and remember a careful thoughtful install of either choice will go a long way to ensure your good experience.
whew....

 

[welndmn]

I have run ARB's for the last 10 years, and love them.
But I would like to try the detriot Electric locker, seems like a solid design.

I personally don't like OX. I just don't want to pull a cable or shift a knob. I am the kind of person, that does not turn the front locker on until I need it, and I may not be able to shift a cable fast enough when i need it.

 

[reynard101]

It's too bad the Ox doesn't offer a locker for the 9" as well.

 

[Madgyver]

I have run ARB's for the last 10 years, and love them.
But I would like to try the detriot Electric locker, seems like a solid design.

I personally don't like OX. I just don't want to pull a cable or shift a knob. I am the kind of person, that does not turn the front locker on until I need it, and I may not be able to shift a cable fast enough when i need it.

So with an air locker it's a push button kind of deal, One that powers an electric solenoid to let air get to the device?
Or is it an on-off valve that you operate manually?

Seems like it could go both ways..

 

[bmc69]

So with an air locker it's a push button kind of deal, One that powers an electric solenoid to let air get to the device?
Or is it an on-off valve that you operate manually?

Seems like it could go both ways..

Its a simple 3-way valve, Mad. 'On' connects P to device. 'Off' connects device to atmosphere (i.e. vents the pressure off of the ARB piston actuator). As has been discussed, can be 12V pneumatic solenoid..or manual valve. I have yet to have one of the ARB solenoid valves fail on me..nor do I personally know anyone that has. But of course they can.

 

[ChrisinWV]

Nothing is ever that simple when your rig breaks is it???

 

[Projp]

One vote ARB.

 

[bmc69]

Nothing is ever that simple when your rig breaks is it???

My rig never breaks.

 

[Madgyver]

My rig never breaks.

Tell me how is your D44 set-up.....

I've been running it stock till something breaks. Didn't put a locker in because of the stock axles and its pushing 37"s.

Now one of my axle u-joints is about to sheer apart and I can't go wheeling until I fix it. And I definately need a locker up front. Since I drive it all over the place a selectable is best.

 

[bmc69]

Tell me how is your D44 set-up.....

I've been running it stock till something breaks. Didn't put a locker in because of the stock axles and its pushing 37"s.

Now one of my axle u-joints is about to sheer apart and I can't go wheeling until I fix it. And I definately need a locker up front. Since I drive it all over the place a selectable is best.

'78 HP D44..narrowed 5" (to use all standard length EB axles) and box-trussed. Yukon axles and Superjoints. ARB and 4.88 Sierra gears. Oz-408 turning 39.5 IROKS through that thing..and have broken nothing yet since I started wheeling it in early 2004. Yet.;D

I'm running the ARB solenoid control valve off of my York OBA system.

 

[dirtwheels]

Arb

I have been using an ARB air locker in my Bronco for 15 years, with excellent results; with original compressor. It's hard to beat something that has proven it's self this long.

 

[Madgyver]

'78 HP D44..narrowed 5" (to use all standard length EB axles) and box-trussed. Yukon axles and Superjoints. ARB and 4.88 Sierra gears. Oz-408 turning 39.5 IROKS through that thing..and have broken nothing yet since I started wheeling it in early 2004. Yet.;D

I'm running the ARB solenoid control valve off of my York OBA system.

30 or 33 spline axles?

What degree c-bushings and type radius arms?

Did you have to rotate the knuckles for caster?

And where did you remove the 5"?
2 1/2" inches on both sides or 5" on the passenger side?

I not sure what the differences in axle length is between the EB D44 and the FS HP D44.
I thought it was 6".

I take it that the solenoid is mounted high in the engine compartment, right?
I know you play in the mud and I do too, I would be worried about submerging that thing....

Thanks for answering my questions,
madgyver

BTW. I'm still trying to find out push rod length for the Clevor....

 

[bmc69]

Uh..I think we're getting a little bit off topic Mad..but hey!..its your thread.;D

30 or 33 spline axles? 30

What degree c-bushings and type radius arms? 7-degree bushings with 14" extended arms that have approx 2 degrees built in to them.

Did you have to rotate the knuckles for caster? Nope.

And where did you remove the 5"?
2 1/2" inches on both sides or 5" on the passenger side?

zactly 5.1" taken out of pass side tube, makes EB inners fit perfect both sides. The outers will depend on which hardware you uses..mine are the 9.72" outers for the F-250 spindle/brake/knuckles I'm running. 9.72" for F-150 5-lug stuf too.

I not sure what the differences in axle length is between the EB D44 and the FS HP D44.
I thought it was 6".

See above.

I take it that the solenoid is mounted high in the engine compartment, right?
I know you play in the mud and I do too, I would be worried about submerging that thing....

Mine is mounted right on my air tank..which is sitting on top of my pass side front fender well. However, solenoids don't much care about submergence either, as long as the connection is watertight.

Thanks for answering my questions,
madgyver

Yr more than welcome
Bill
BTW. I'm still trying to find out push rod length for the Clevor....

Buy/borrow a pushrod length checker.

 

[SecondChance]

I run an ARB never an issue.

LOVE IT

 

[Madgyver]

Order is in for an ARB....;D

Next question.. Should I go with the air toggle valve or electric solenoid?

I have access to a 1/2" NPT electric solenoid @24V left over from a job.
Is it too big for the application?

 

[bmc69]

Order is in for an ARB....;D

Next question.. Should I go with the air toggle valve or electric solenoid?

I have access to a 1/2" NPT electric solenoid @24V left over from a job.
Is it too big for the application?

Way bigger than it needs be..and is it a 3-way? 35W coil?..not going to be happy with 12V on it I'm guesing.

 

[scsm76]

Watch the amount of air pressure you run to the ARB, every one I saw that had problems was due to too much air pressure. Just install a regulator before the ARB switches if you have a normal on board air system. If you use CO2 you can even get dual pressure reg. right at the tank. This is what we put on a friends Toyota for CO2:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Taprite-Dual-Ou...hZ005QQcategoryZ38172QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem
Its kind of big but he needed a tank regulator any way.
A simple in line adjustable regulator works well too.