I know this is probably a stupid question,,, but I dont know the answer....
On the lockers, I see where you can buy the locker or buy the locker with couplers. Whats the difference in the locker without the coupler vs. locker with coupler?
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I believe with lock-rite/detroit style lockers for Sidekicks, you can opt to use your exisiting side gears (couplers) or opt for them to be supplied.  

I also believe that it is widely acknowledged that the lockers that supply sidegears are known to fail more often then ones that use your stock sidegears.  (has to do with shimming the new ones improperly)

I believe with lock-rite/detroit style lockers for Sidekicks, you can opt to use your exisiting side gears (couplers) or opt for them to be supplied.  

I also believe that it is widely acknowledged that the lockers that supply sidegears are known to fail more often then ones that use your stock sidegears.  (has to do with shimming the new ones improperly)

Thanks for the schooling.....  

Well, I probably should have quantified my statement above.
This is all 3rd party information to me.  
The only lock-rite I bought, I used my own side gears and it worked great.  

The failure information I have recieved has been compiled from various sources including some of the vendors who support this forum.  

Ya Nate,s right. You want to reuse your side gears if they are in good cond. The locker will allow more ratcheting with your stock side gears.


 Kevin

I have heard the same thing.

nice thing is the one that works the best is the cheaper one!   I have had both. I had the one with couplers in a samurai and it worked ok but tended to grab alot on the road. I then had one without (and have another one in my sidekick now) and still get the ratcheting (this is a given) but no more grabbing going down the hiway.

Went with the lockrite with out couplers works great.
Free shipping and 175.50 from central4wd.com for the sammy.
think it's about 230 for sidekick.

Went with Toyota electric lockers in the front and rear and also went with leaf springs up front, pulled the engine last week and dropped in a Vortec V6 with a 700R4 Transmission. Now I'm looking for a bad ass transfer case mean while..... I still have Crabzuki and I might steal parts  like the Calmini swing away bumper off it and the Hawk Strictly Suzuki ARB front winch bumper off of it for my Rag Top that I'm building up. I'd get new ones from Calmini but don't want to go to hell and back to get them........i.e.: the sales pitch I get from the sales department - "Oh yeah, we have the parts in stock and ready for shipment." *Only later to find that they have been back ordered for another, I don't know six months or so... been lied to once too many times  from Calmini that I can't rely on them for parts anymore weather they really do have them or not.* Even was told I'd get a T-Shirt and Windshield Sticker from them since I was a good customer and still I haven't seen that yet, so I'm not holding my breath.  ( been screwed once too many times there. ) I might check in with Jim Shrock in Houston and see if he has something I can use..... Until then I'll keep you guy's posted and will post photo's of the work progress when I get a new camera as the old one is on the friz.


**** SIDE NOTE ****  This is to  Steve Kramer it may or may not be to your knowledge that your sales department is f-ing up future sales or business with people by giving out FALSE information or even lying to the customers about what is in stock, that your losing out on reliable buyers and are having to work harder finding new ones. Also take note do not ship any t-shirts or windshield stickers out to me as I have moved to a new location.


One last piece of advice to all members wanting parts or searching for parts - Deal with Rick & Cindy Hawkins over at Hawk Strictly Suzuki they'll treat you right and are honest with you... Rick and Cindy treat you like family and will work hard for your business past & future.

Please excuse the language (tone) used in the post above I was venting. After a heated discussion with the sales staff at Calmini I had to vent off some steam...

No need to appologize if you ask me. I ordered a ton of stuff from them and was told everything was ready to ship and it would be here in 2 weeks......3 weeks later they tell me still waiting for struts and wouldnt ship the rest of my stuff to me until the struts got there. If they say they are in and ready to go, dont screw around for 3 weeks without letting the customer know, its just bad business if ya ask me. I could have had all the engine stuff and BL in while waiting for the struts..