Okay... I'd really like to get some rear lockers for my 88 Samurai on order soon. In reading around the choices I have are:

Detroit E-Z Lockers  $200   High failure rate
Welded Diffs            Free    Um - not really shure if this is a limited slip, or full locker... the free pricetag peaks my curiosity, but I somehow doubt it's a good solution.
Lockrite                    $200  Seems to have good reviews as far as reliability, but complaints about noise, tire wear, breaking other driveline components, and problems driving in wet conditions make me nervous.
ARB Lockers             $1000 And, don't say they're just $700 'cause I'll need a pump and air lines too. Seems to be the "best" solution - everyone that has one loves it.

Anything else out there?

I'm going to say it now - spending $1000 for rear lockers sounds just CRAZY to me. $1000 can upgrade a LOT of other things on my Sami.

Who has Lockrites? How do you like them? Are they limited slip? Are they really that noisy / unsafe in wet weather (I just don't understand how somthing that's supposed to HELP you with traction... actually harms you on the road)?


~J~

hey
I have had a lockrite for about 8 months now they are noisey on the road when turning and can make the occasional bang when it slips a little
but for off road it kicks ass

If I were going to do it again I would

Dustin

I had on in my kick fot years and it worked fine. It , and my detroit would occasionally shear off a locator pin when I snapped an axle, but they were easy enough to fix (I had to take it all apart any way to get all the shavings out).

Zig

You have at least one more option

Minispool - $109 Fully locked like a welded diff, but you don't have to weld and it's removable, and I think stronger.  Trailtough has one as do others http://trailtough.com/lockers.htm

What is your Sami used for?  Is it a DD or primarily a toy?

MINI-SPOOL


They work fine on the street, just chirp a little around corners.. and wear out your tires a little..

I hate Lock-rites.. noisy, and unpredictable on the street.. yukko..


Mini Spool rocks   


ARB is the best answer though


and you are driving me crazy calling it "Rear lockers"    one Locker per Axle... lol...  I am easily annoyed.. HAHA.. ignore me...



Lock rites are NOT limited slip.  A limited slip works on a clutch principle.. it's NOT a locker. It does just what it's name says it does...  allows LIMITED slip in the differential.



Do you understand how an "open Differential" works? and why they are needed? If not, you should do some research, so you will better understand how this is all related.

Dangerous on wet or ice or snow, because BOTH rear wheels will turn on ice, and will put you into a spin more easily, especially around a corner, as one wheel HAS to slip or slide. If you don't understand the "why" here.. You should look up "differential" on the internet and get a basic understanding of the system. If you do this, you will understand how each different kind of traction aid works, it's drawbacks and strengths.

Hello,

I have a Lockright with 33x12.50 on my tracker,Have had no problems!!! It has unlocked 3 or 4 times...It was a little tricky at first but now I'm used to it.Quaddawg,I would hate to run a spool on the street that is very hard on axle splines.If you don't street much then go with the spool,If you drive over 100 miles a week stick with the lockright.I'll put my pics up for you.

Just my $.02

Interesting how it uses the side gears.  All the lock-rights I've had in Dana diffs came with new side gears.

I am definately doing a lock-right when money permits.

lock-right's come both with or without sidegears for suzukis.  The consensus is that the OEM sidegears are stonger plus the new sidegears cost extra.

Yeah - I know ARB is the best - but again, I'm not spending $1000 on lockers - no way. I'll spend $200 and use the other $800 to armor my baby.

My Samurai is 80% summertime daily driver. 20% offroad / camping / fun. I drive the Celica more in the winter.

I'll poke around on the net and see if I can learn some more about how lockers work - though - I thought lockright wasn't always fully locked... which is why it's good for street? The loud bangs usually only happen in tight turns right? How noisy is Lockright during daily driving?

~J~

Spend the extra $200 and put lockers front and rear. 

I ran with a Detroit EZ up front. It never did unlock quite right, and it kept breaking itself.  After the second time when it stranded me up in the hills in 2wd I said screw it and picked up an ARB.

Since I run a trail only rig, I went with the mini spool and couldn't be happier.  But the other zuki's in the club and my brother run the dual Lockright setup and don't have any problems.  When I drive his Sammy, it takes me a little while to get used to the small clanks on take-off, but other then that it is fine.

Going to avoid them up front 'till I do the 1.6L conversion w/ power steering.

How loud is the clanking? Is it only during take off / sharp turns?

~J~

i am just out of town right now, but when i get back my kick is just getting the rear welded. it is just a trail rig. when the sas goes in, it will get welded as well.
 

I have a Lock-Rite in the rear and I love it.  No problems.  Nominal noise.  I just bought one for the front.

  I've run a lockrite in the rear on my Sidekick and never had any problems with it.  Ya get used to the noise and the way it drives.  My husband has run a rear lockrite in his Samurai for several years and has had no trouble.  He's broken a couple of rear axle shafts, but the lockrite has been flawless.

I never thought of the clanking as loud, it was just a little different when taking off then my Zuki with the min-spool.  I didn't even feel it when driving around town though.