Great video. I've always been curious about ARB air lockers. It was interesting hearing Toyota's reasoning for not offering a front locker in the newly released Tacoma TRD Pro/Off-road. I don't think anyone was buying the excuse. Customers WANTED a front locker, and they didn't deliver. I totally understand and appreciate the capabilities of A-Trac and MTS, but sometimes a front locker is needed. Hopefully Toyota offers this in the future. Until then, ARB it is! :) Thanks for sharing!
I’ll bet it’s a lot of liability for Toyota. I’ve gotten myself into trouble with a front locker in less than 1/2 a second. That’s just me and my experience with where I live.
Fantastic information as always! Thanks, you answered a lot of questions I had. Love the part at 2:18 when Steve was bouncing around so hard a roll of his toilet paper dropped from high storage. Not sure why that caught my eye, it just did.
Yeah, Steve was taking a beating hitting some big rocks! Your not the only one that saw that roll of toilet paper go flying...there were a couple of other comments on it to ha ha!
Thank you so much for this comprehensive explanation. I am very new to this sport. Now I know that at this point I don't NEED the air locker. However, when I get to the point that I'm doing more challenging trails, I feel confident that the ARB air locker will be a benefit. For now, I'll stick to the "bunny trails" while I learn how to manage the abject fear of being on some weird angle in a vehicle. ;)
Been running front and rear ARBs on 13 tacoma in Vegas for years. The ARB can be used on desert roads and dirt at 50+ mph. The front is for serious obstacles only. The e locker sucks. 4L only. I have never once had an issue, and have been absolutely ridiculous places so far off grid it’s laughable.
18:30 this scene with the aired down tires is a prime example of why you need smaller wheels and bigger tire sidewall as the 4Runner here properly has. Low profile tires with large wheels greatly reduce the ability to air down to significant levels reducing traction over rocks such as this, and if people do air down with low profile off-road tires they risk damaging/bending the rim of the wheel losing all air pressure. Lockers etc would become ineffective. (Just thought I would point that out)
Fantastic footage and knowledge as always! I don't always understand the technical locker stuff (I have no experience there). But I'm ALWAYS entertained watching your Videos!!! Enjoy Summer!!!
12:04 what a great Channel. So glad I found it! What kind of drawer setup is in the 4Runner? Looks like a great setup I'd like to learn more about to do for my 3rd gen 4Runner. Thank you!
Thanks! The drawer set up is custom made by a friend of mine. You can stack them or put them in side by side. He does not make them for sale. He just made a few for some friends.
I had actuator failures on my factory e-locker. My son also had two actuator failures on his Tacoma rear locker. My brother has had zero failures. It seems to be a fairly common issue. If you google Toyota e-locker failures it will populate a bunch of actuator failure info.
Fantastic video, while pricey, I think if you plan on doing even just over the most simple off roading, lockers, rear and front certainly come in handy. Better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them...if you are a moderate to serious off roader. Can this be a system you install yourself if you have good skills or still better to have a certified shop do it? What is your take there? When I'm doing this type of work, I am on the side of surgeical clean.
Yes, they are pricey but I completely agree that it is better to have if you need it. My front locker has saved my bacon many times! It is not really a job I'd tackle yourself unless you really know differentials. Better to have a shop do it. It is one of those projects that has to be done right and that also has a lot of variable that can go wrong.
@@OverlandPNW Yeah, I have pretty decent skills, but I wouldn't call my skills advanced, I saw you had the switches in the cabin, that's a nice touch that I would not likely be good at.
Fantastic video as always. I really wish one of you had an Eton Elocker since I was looking into it. In my amature brain it looks very simple (just one button on dash and just wires to the housing). The only complain I've heard is it would disengage if I roll back and not sure if this was fixed and operate like the Toyota e-locker. True with my use I would never need a locker since I only take easy trails and my newest TRD Pro is pretty much stock other than 32.76in 285/70R17s and protection (skids & sliders) which I cannot take any hard trails. This front locker idea is "just in case" type of scenario. But as always I question my self would cheap price tag and simple unit worth it? Would it reliably work "if/when" I need it? Why I wish one of you had Eton E-locker in front and show if it had failed on you. But 100% understood you both pick ARB because its the best. Thanks for sharing this video.
Enjoyed the video. Ended up adding both front and rear ARB lockers to my Tacoma SR5. Been over a year no issues, like that I can use them in 4HI and 4LO and even in 2WD
Why Toyota didn't put the front locker into 4runner, Tacoma and FJ, is because the capacity of front diff is not enough to hold full of torque, and also for reducing the cost of front locker devise.
Great Vid. 30 plus years of repairing these ARB Airleakers has pretty much paid off my house. They also (10 + yrs back?) 'standardised' a lot of the locker centres, leading to (in a lot of cases) a much smaller set of side gears/pins etc than what was in the original and earlier ARB centres. Edit - as clean and meticulous as you do the install.... wont help with any bearing /gear material that will (not a matter of if) end up destroying either the 2 quad O'rings or the bigger actuator seal. If there's an option for fitting a TJM ProLocker , go with one of those instead. No centre 'shrinkage,' no O'rings on moving parts.
Good video content guys … I have had three built Riggs with ARB, lockers, front and rear. This build on my hundred series Landcruiser I decided to go with Eaton/Harrop electronic lockers. I was hesitant because of the additional cost but I’ve been running them for about a year and a half now without issue. I only had one of my ARB’s leak error but the other two bills held together pretty well. I think that lockers have as much to do with her install and the manufacturer above all else. ARV is an excellent name brand, there are many other air lockers just like there are mini brands of E lockers. I would have to be slightly critical of comparing an ARB to just E lockers in general. There is a reason why manufacturers don’t use air lockers. I can attest that the E lockers I have on my Land Cruiser can engage at any speed that my ARBs did on my Bronco or my Jeeps. It does take about a quarter rotation of a tire to make sure that they’re engaged that’s correct where is my ARBs were most of the time a little quicker than that. I never come to it. Before I engage them, if I’m needing additional traction on the ATRAC is not up to the task then I flip the lockers on while I’m climbing the obstacle. The tires are already rotating a little bit anyway so I don’t really notice the extra quarter turn required usually. however, when you get in a situation where you have to three point turn in the middle of an obstacle while keeping the lockers engaged, the ARB’s have an advantage I think. However, I always find myself having to unlock the front, at least, in order to crank the wheels back-and-forth to make the three point turn with the ARB’s… it seems it’s kind of automatic with the lockers, making it a bit easier in that particular situation. Great video. I would love to compare that Eaton brand lockers with the Toyota OEM lockers that some of the older Land Cruisers came with or the Runners. Be curious what the design differences are.
Thanks for the comment. The Eaton/Harrop e locker is definitely a solid choice. Sounds like you have a great depth of experience. We have not been particularly lucky with the Toyota OEM lockers. The actuator on mine has failed twice. My son has a Tacoma and his just failed again. This will be the third or fourth actuator failure for his OEM locker. All prior failures were fixed by the dealership but we plan to do it ourselves this time. We will do a video on my brother's channel of the repair. My brother's OEM locker has never failed. So, his is going strong.
Great review mate, I loved my ARB air locker when we had our Nissan Patrol. It did develop an air leak after about 2 years and was installed by ARB themselves. Wasn't a huge leak air compressor would switch on for 1 second every 5 minutes or so. The locker made life easy. I don't have one in the 200 series land cruiser just the way its worked out. But would highly recommend them. Cheers Steve
Darnit, you don't give me much content to contradict on. (must be doing things correctly) If I can add anything that I don't recall you saying this time, it is know the terrain before you tackle it. Regardless of whether you have a mechanical locker or not, it is wise to decide whether to use it before you get into a sticky situation. I see a lot of people deciding on using OR aids AFTER they are in a predicament. IF that is the goal, to challenge the systems to see if they can muster you out of a bad situation, have fun with that. IF you use your systems on a as needed bases BEFORE the obstacles and or sticky situations, chances are you won't be in a sticky situation. I agree with your wise words about using a mechanical locker if one is pushing the vehicle to the extremes on a regular basis. And I like how you illustrated how the systems differ in how the A-Trac is "reactive". The visual on how it was jerking around clawing for traction was an excellent and scary take on how it works. Makes me want to NOT use it. lol I am a big believer in going AS SLOW as possible so as not to be stressing the vehicle components. And I don't carry/have even a fraction of the weight along for the ride that you do. I reckon I am a level 6 out of 10 trail tackler. Maybe 7. I don't have the extra armor you do. I don't have the more aggressive tires you do.(yet) Nor do I have a lift. For what I do, all that would be an over kill. If I see something ahead of me that might challenge my rig to the point I will be using my OR systems, I engage them ahead of time. Make sure they are operating before I need them. I am a bit surprised you said the E-locker has failed you. Would like to know more about that.
Wise words about having your traction systems engaged before you get to the problem areas! On the e-locker failures, I've had two failures. My son Sam has had two failures on his Tacoma. My Brother Steve on the other hand has had zero e-locker failures. All have been actuator related. You can google Toyota e-locker failures and a bunch of actuator failure info will populate. They do not play well with water. So, diff breathers are a good idea.
Solid review fellas. Definitely put them through their paces. We run twin TJM pro lockers and love them. But always nervous about engaging them on the run. We always try to engage them before we need them and mainly only use the rear if we can. Not always an option though. Great review 👌
My brother had a very bad motorcycle accident. He is now post multiple surgeries is starting to weight bear on his leg. We hope to have him back on the trails by the spring. I have a couple videos I want to make, but it will probably be another month or so before I get myself out.
Very informative! I wheel with a guy that has an air locker and the compressor is continually cycling. Probably a guy with gritty hands installed it! Your A-Track demonstration was eye opening. Great video!!!
Dang...all those guys with gritty hands need to stop installing air lockers ha ha! Yep, I have a friend that is experiencing the same. His compressor now recycles about every 10 seconds. We are just letting it go as a science project to see how the cycle frequency changes and how long until it fails.
There thousands of trucks running 365 days , year after year with air systems . Don’t be afraid of air lockers or an air system . It seems to work well , for the millions of trucks yes millions of trucks using air too run, brakes , trans and also diff locks , in every truck which carries everything we use and the food we eat every day . Air systems are , just about bullet proof .
ARB Air lockers have a serious design flaw. These stories just don't appear out of thin air. I've two failures on the front diff and one on the rear diff on a 1994 LC80. in my situation both the front and rear leaks were due to the copper line cracking where it is soldered to the ring. The part itself is cheap to replace, the labor involved to repair it is very expensive. Slee Offroad installed them originally and Yotamasters repaired the front one once. I repaired the rear one and then sold the LC while the front one was leaking again. It is not an installation issue, it's a design issue. Go with the Eaton/Harrop electronic lockers and you will be 1000x happier.
It's like you were reading my mind. I have a 3rd gen 4runner with a rear e-locker that I like. I was looking at a Harrop front e-locker but I'm not too keen on the sloppy engagement and disengagement as soon as the wheel goes backwards. I was just thinking maybe I should look into an ARB since running compressed air can't be too complicated if you do it properly.
It is a tough decision but disengagement when the wheel goes backward is a real consideration. Anytime you have to backup. Goodbye lockers. I've been very happy with the ARB locker so far. And as I mentioned in the video, my factory e-locker has failed twice. Regardless of which locker you go with, having lockers front and back is a game changer!
Requiring a "surgical" cleanliness for an installation that is usually performed by differential shops trying to get jobs done fast, is absurd. So is making a "gray area" statement like "taking care of your lines will make them last a long time"; that doesn't include punctures due to things flinging up, temperature variations and movement making things brittle, or due to mishaps like the few you described. You've set yourself up to blame everyone who has an issue for their poor installation, and you yourself even have to carry kits around to repair your air lines which means hunting for a leak every now and then. An e-locker avoids all of this garbage and still gives you all the benefits of an ARB, and when things do go wrong there, you're not trying to troubleshoot 10 different things, it's just two or three (lines, fuse, solenoid). This sort of loyalty is blind.
I have a 4x2 Truck. is it worth it getting an e-locker Diff in the rear? I am planning to do some light trail and Camping. which one would you recommend? air lockers or e-lockers?
Tough question! I love my lockers and use them all the time but I tend to push the limits of what an overland build should be doing. So, it all really depends on how you plan to use your vehicle. If it is just light trail and camping, you may not need a locker. If you are doing any remote camping, it is nice insurance to have a locker. Mine have gotten me out of a lot of predicaments.
@@OverlandPNW Yeah i recently moved to the Philippines and I bought a new 2024 hilux G model and some areas can be remote most of the time. I'm not planning to hit hard trails but to get to some places there are 30-degree angle climbs on dirty roads. because it will be a nightmare to get help was wondering if its even worth getting a setup of conquest rear dif setup. and now I saw your video on air lockers I kinda like how you are using it... so if you were in my shoes would you do it?
@@APtS_Gh0stHunt3R oh wow...i've seen some insane off-road videos of guys in the Philippines. There must be some great trails there. Anyway, super tough question. It all depends on how mechanical you are, how available parts are, etc. If you get a locker, you want the most reliable one you can get and the most repairable one in the event that something happens. You may want to see what 4x4 shops are in the Philippines and what they are installing there. Based on the videos I've seen, there has to be some decent 4x4 support there. I'd go with the best option that a shop there can install and repair. That way you have local support/repair if needed.
As usual, high quality content, well explained, with a great amount of mechanical explanations and how can you forget making a little fun on the big brother. Thanks for posting guys.
I have a Nissan frontier sv and i have no locker i think im gonna pull the trigger and get a arb locker for the rear. Thanks for the video it made me feel better about the reliability. On all the forums I've been on the main complaint was reliability and you answered my questions thanks!!
Definitely front lockers help with those kinds of terrain and camera don’t do it justice. Lockers in the autobahn sounds fun and dumb at the same time 🤣
I had nothing but issues on a built Dynatrac 60 with an ARB I had made for a Ranger. My 1997 F-350 is now stuffed with OX lockers. I wish they could make an OX Locker for the Toyota rear drop out design, and the front. It’s a push cable, with nothing to fail. If the cable fails, you can use a bolt to push the shift fork in the locked position. I wouldn’t install any other type of locker than an OX locker if the axle type is supported. Dana 60 front/ Ford Sterling 10.25/10.50. I also have 2 4Runners, 2020, and 2021 both ORP’s.
I agree with all your points, however equating A-track and MTS is not quite fair. MTS is significantly better than A-track, and that's why you see the former on all the "off-road" versions of Toyotas instead of the later.
Completely agree. A-Trac's intended design purpose was to get you going from a dead stop when you are stuck. MTS is for moving over obstacles. It is a better option for most off-road applications.
The rear e-locker in my '19 ranger works very quickly and reliably and does not require me to stop, but I do treat it like i need to, or like it's a hub-locker. It's an m220 diff. I've been debating on an ARB or e-lock for the m190 up front. The Ford traction system is ok. It'll get you out of more "normal" kinds of "stuck", but it's no locker, and it's not as good as the Toyota's... It's gonna be a DIY labor of love, and I'm not sure if I trust myself more routing wires around spinning diff gears inside the case or a small copper air tube. It's a tough decision.
In this video you call the Toyota system an 'e-locker'. I don't own a toyota, so I don't know if this is what toyota calls it, or if it's just what you're calling it. The only company I know of that makes an e-locker is Eaton, and it works exactly like an ARB, but it's electric rather than air. At @18:04 you state how the A-Track ,MTS and traction control systems work, thus, if both tires are not pulling exactly the same, it is not a locker. So calling it an e-locker is a misnomer.
The Toyota 4Runner options include A-trac, MTS and also a rear locking differential. The rear locker is an electronically controlled locker. You are correct about the Eaton ELocker (no dash in their nomenclature). In the video, most of the time I'm using the generic term "e-locker" to refer to commercial lockers that use electro-magnets to provide full lock-up or specifically to the Toyota factory locker. Granted, perhaps it is not the most exact way to reference things but just another example of a brand name becoming a generic word.
As always your videos are superb! Well explained with actual video documentation of what’s being explained. I really hope we cross paths wheelin’. Saludos! 🍻
@@OverlandPNW absolutely! we are waiting for a couple of trails to open to go over the differences between 31”s, 33”s and 37”s. As always thanks for the support. Cheers jefe!
Thanks for the review! Love this channel. My question is if you have a rear plus center lock do you really need the front locker? The 4Runner has a center diff locks when you switch to 4LO
The 4Runner does not have a true locking center diff. It uses a Torsen center differential that alters the torque split based on tire slippage. For practical purposes, it seems to bias a 60/40 split back to front. In real world driving, the front locker has made a big difference. It would not be needed for casual off-roading. But for tougher trails, it is a nice option to have.
I got a 5th gen sr5. All I got is my 4low, 4high and atrac. I've been able to get out of most situations with it. I want a elocker or air locker. This video is very informative
u really explain what locker is. many user just dont or over estimate de functionality of locker. is a good video of knowledge for all offroader who intend to install and use locker savely n have fun. cheers mike.
Thanks! The slide out drawers were custom made by a friend of mine. The mat is from Amazon. If you search Bamboo Bath Mat 19.7inch X 27.6 you will find it. Cheers!
Thanks for this great video. I am considering a front locker but also concerned it might cause breaking CVs. Have you had any issues with that and/ any thoughts? Thanks again.
We have not had any CV failures. You do need to drive always with a level of awareness regarding how much stress you are putting on the CVs. Especially if you have front lockers on and a lot of pressure distributed to just one side. You also want to avoid that classic CV killer of having a high speed spinning wheel that has lifted on the ground come slapping down to earth for a hard sudden stop. But...sounds like you know that already. All things considered, we've been very happy with the front lockers. Big game changer!
@@OverlandPNW great, good to know. Did you also consider an auto locker? It’s ratcheting capabilities could make it easier to steer compared to a selectable locker, and would not require actuation. Maybe not great on paved surfaces with snow tho. Thanks for any thoughts on that.
@@johnbennett4362I’ve had experience with this. Front lunchbox lockers don’t unlock very offensive in the front. I will never install another automatic locker in a front end application. All it did was get me into trouble more often than not. This was on a Ford Ranger Dana 35 TTB.
Great video. I've always been curious about ARB air lockers. It was interesting hearing Toyota's reasoning for not offering a front locker in the newly released Tacoma TRD Pro/Off-road. I don't think anyone was buying the excuse. Customers WANTED a front locker, and they didn't deliver. I totally understand and appreciate the capabilities of A-Trac and MTS, but sometimes a front locker is needed. Hopefully Toyota offers this in the future. Until then, ARB it is! :) Thanks for sharing!
Yes, it was a huge miss not add a front locker to the new Tacoma. I'd love to see it on the new 4Runner but think it will likely follow suit. Thanks!
I’ll bet it’s a lot of liability for Toyota. I’ve gotten myself into trouble with a front locker in less than 1/2 a second. That’s just me and my experience with where I live.
Yeah I'd be willing to bet a lot of people would be popping cv's and the occasional ring/pinion's with a front locker. @@JAMESWUERTELE
Fantastic information as always! Thanks, you answered a lot of questions I had. Love the part at 2:18 when Steve was bouncing around so hard a roll of his toilet paper dropped from high storage. Not sure why that caught my eye, it just did.
Yeah, Steve was taking a beating hitting some big rocks! Your not the only one that saw that roll of toilet paper go flying...there were a couple of other comments on it to ha ha!
Wow! This was a great video. Solid information. I believe your information to be spot-on.
People can learn a lot from this video!
Big thanks for that comment!
Thank you so much for this comprehensive explanation. I am very new to this sport. Now I know that at this point I don't NEED the air locker. However, when I get to the point that I'm doing more challenging trails, I feel confident that the ARB air locker will be a benefit. For now, I'll stick to the "bunny trails" while I learn how to manage the abject fear of being on some weird angle in a vehicle. ;)
I'm not sure that abject fear ever fully goes away ha ha! Thanks for watching!
Been running front and rear ARBs on 13 tacoma in Vegas for years. The ARB can be used on desert roads and dirt at 50+ mph. The front is for serious obstacles only. The e locker sucks. 4L only. I have never once had an issue, and have been absolutely ridiculous places so far off grid it’s laughable.
@@truthseeker8123 Great comment from actual experience. Thanks!
Cleanliness is always a good thing with o-rings. Great info in this video. You guys have all the fun! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Thanks Nate!
18:30 this scene with the aired down tires is a prime example of why you need smaller wheels and bigger tire sidewall as the 4Runner here properly has. Low profile tires with large wheels greatly reduce the ability to air down to significant levels reducing traction over rocks such as this, and if people do air down with low profile off-road tires they risk damaging/bending the rim of the wheel losing all air pressure. Lockers etc would become ineffective. (Just thought I would point that out)
Great point and well said!
@@OverlandPNW Thanks, I edited it a little for some extra clarity.
Taller tires also give a smoother ride.
@@edbeck8925 Indeed
Fantastic footage and knowledge as always! I don't always understand the technical locker stuff (I have no experience there). But I'm ALWAYS entertained watching your Videos!!!
Enjoy Summer!!!
Thanks for the comment! I always enjoy your videos as well!
12:04 what a great Channel. So glad I found it!
What kind of drawer setup is in the 4Runner? Looks like a great setup I'd like to learn more about to do for my 3rd gen 4Runner. Thank you!
Thanks! The drawer set up is custom made by a friend of mine. You can stack them or put them in side by side. He does not make them for sale. He just made a few for some friends.
12:37 - What'd you call me!? :o
I love the camera view at 1:14!
That 12:37 comment got a good laugh out of me!
We just entered Washington state coming from Alaska:) these trails are so beautiful
Great trip you are having!
I always looked forward to your videos. You have not posted a video in about 8 months. I hope everything is ok with you and your brother.
We are working on a new video now. Thanks for checking in!
You guys put out the best 4-Runner information. Video's are well done and love the chest rig. Keep up the good work!😀
Thanks Brian! The chest rig will be handy for spotters communicating with drivers. Thanks for the comment!
The great locker debate continued! Hard to argue against an ARB air locker.
Well said...it truly is the great locker debate ha ha!
@@OverlandPNW At the end of it, I'm just happy to have at least 1 locker, even if it is an e-locker
Excellent explanation video.
Congratulations
Thanks man!
Heck Yeah! Another great one guy’s!
Thanks man!!
BTW I’m going to use that knife mounting location!
@@sanjuan4942 Yeah, that's a handy spot for a quick access knife.
You guys probably get ARB Air Lockers cheaper in the USA than what we get them for down here in Australia.
I'm not sure about the pricing difference.
Great information. Thanks for the video
Thanks for all the consistent support! Much appreciated!
Thank you from KSA.
If they make it for Yotas...Ox locker where its at
I have one in the front but I always stop before turning it on. Im too poor to break an axle shaft 🥲
That's a good practice!
What kind of failure did you have with the factory rear?
I had actuator failures on my factory e-locker. My son also had two actuator failures on his Tacoma rear locker. My brother has had zero failures. It seems to be a fairly common issue. If you google Toyota e-locker failures it will populate a bunch of actuator failure info.
why the hell are you driving through the brush? Stay on the road
Front locker = snapped front drive shaft.
Fantastic video, while pricey, I think if you plan on doing even just over the most simple off roading, lockers, rear and front certainly come in handy. Better to have them and not need them than need them and not have them...if you are a moderate to serious off roader. Can this be a system you install yourself if you have good skills or still better to have a certified shop do it? What is your take there? When I'm doing this type of work, I am on the side of surgeical clean.
Yes, they are pricey but I completely agree that it is better to have if you need it. My front locker has saved my bacon many times! It is not really a job I'd tackle yourself unless you really know differentials. Better to have a shop do it. It is one of those projects that has to be done right and that also has a lot of variable that can go wrong.
@@OverlandPNW Yeah, I have pretty decent skills, but I wouldn't call my skills advanced, I saw you had the switches in the cabin, that's a nice touch that I would not likely be good at.
Unliked and unsubscribed for not telling me the name of this trail 🖕
Fantastic video as always. I really wish one of you had an Eton Elocker since I was looking into it. In my amature brain it looks very simple (just one button on dash and just wires to the housing). The only complain I've heard is it would disengage if I roll back and not sure if this was fixed and operate like the Toyota e-locker. True with my use I would never need a locker since I only take easy trails and my newest TRD Pro is pretty much stock other than 32.76in 285/70R17s and protection (skids & sliders) which I cannot take any hard trails. This front locker idea is "just in case" type of scenario. But as always I question my self would cheap price tag and simple unit worth it? Would it reliably work "if/when" I need it? Why I wish one of you had Eton E-locker in front and show if it had failed on you. But 100% understood you both pick ARB because its the best. Thanks for sharing this video.
Wish I knew a little more about the Eton elocker but sadly I don't. Lots of good lockers out there with lots of good reasons to pick them.
Enjoyed the video. Ended up adding both front and rear ARB lockers to my Tacoma SR5. Been over a year no issues, like that I can use them in 4HI and 4LO and even in 2WD
Nice! Twin ARB Air Lockers....That's legit!
Why Toyota didn't put the front locker into 4runner, Tacoma and FJ, is because the capacity of front diff is not enough to hold full of torque, and also for reducing the cost of front locker devise.
I call b.s
Great Vid. 30 plus years of repairing these ARB Airleakers has pretty much paid off my house. They also (10 + yrs back?) 'standardised' a lot of the locker centres, leading to (in a lot of cases) a much smaller set of side gears/pins etc than what was in the original and earlier ARB centres.
Edit - as clean and meticulous as you do the install.... wont help with any bearing /gear material that will (not a matter of if) end up destroying either the 2 quad O'rings or the bigger actuator seal. If there's an option for fitting a TJM ProLocker , go with one of those instead. No centre 'shrinkage,' no O'rings on moving parts.
Good video content guys … I have had three built Riggs with ARB, lockers, front and rear. This build on my hundred series Landcruiser I decided to go with Eaton/Harrop electronic lockers. I was hesitant because of the additional cost but I’ve been running them for about a year and a half now without issue. I only had one of my ARB’s leak error but the other two bills held together pretty well. I think that lockers have as much to do with her install and the manufacturer above all else. ARV is an excellent name brand, there are many other air lockers just like there are mini brands of E lockers. I would have to be slightly critical of comparing an ARB to just E lockers in general. There is a reason why manufacturers don’t use air lockers. I can attest that the E lockers I have on my Land Cruiser can engage at any speed that my ARBs did on my Bronco or my Jeeps. It does take about a quarter rotation of a tire to make sure that they’re engaged that’s correct where is my ARBs were most of the time a little quicker than that. I never come to it. Before I engage them, if I’m needing additional traction on the ATRAC is not up to the task then I flip the lockers on while I’m climbing the obstacle. The tires are already rotating a little bit anyway so I don’t really notice the extra quarter turn required usually. however, when you get in a situation where you have to three point turn in the middle of an obstacle while keeping the lockers engaged, the ARB’s have an advantage I think. However, I always find myself having to unlock the front, at least, in order to crank the wheels back-and-forth to make the three point turn with the ARB’s… it seems it’s kind of automatic with the lockers, making it a bit easier in that particular situation. Great video. I would love to compare that Eaton brand lockers with the Toyota OEM lockers that some of the older Land Cruisers came with or the Runners. Be curious what the design differences are.
Thanks for the comment. The Eaton/Harrop e locker is definitely a solid choice. Sounds like you have a great depth of experience. We have not been particularly lucky with the Toyota OEM lockers. The actuator on mine has failed twice. My son has a Tacoma and his just failed again. This will be the third or fourth actuator failure for his OEM locker. All prior failures were fixed by the dealership but we plan to do it ourselves this time. We will do a video on my brother's channel of the repair. My brother's OEM locker has never failed. So, his is going strong.
This is exactly the level of detail I look for in videos. Thanks!
Great review mate, I loved my ARB air locker when we had our Nissan Patrol. It did develop an air leak after about 2 years and was installed by ARB themselves. Wasn't a huge leak air compressor would switch on for 1 second every 5 minutes or so. The locker made life easy. I don't have one in the 200 series land cruiser just the way its worked out. But would highly recommend them. Cheers Steve
Thanks for the info on the air leak. Good to know. Loved seeing the high country in you last video!
Darnit, you don't give me much content to contradict on. (must be doing things correctly) If I can add anything that I don't recall you saying this time, it is know the terrain before you tackle it. Regardless of whether you have a mechanical locker or not, it is wise to decide whether to use it before you get into a sticky situation. I see a lot of people deciding on using OR aids AFTER they are in a predicament. IF that is the goal, to challenge the systems to see if they can muster you out of a bad situation, have fun with that. IF you use your systems on a as needed bases BEFORE the obstacles and or sticky situations, chances are you won't be in a sticky situation. I agree with your wise words about using a mechanical locker if one is pushing the vehicle to the extremes on a regular basis. And I like how you illustrated how the systems differ in how the A-Trac is "reactive". The visual on how it was jerking around clawing for traction was an excellent and scary take on how it works. Makes me want to NOT use it. lol I am a big believer in going AS SLOW as possible so as not to be stressing the vehicle components. And I don't carry/have even a fraction of the weight along for the ride that you do. I reckon I am a level 6 out of 10 trail tackler. Maybe 7. I don't have the extra armor you do. I don't have the more aggressive tires you do.(yet) Nor do I have a lift. For what I do, all that would be an over kill. If I see something ahead of me that might challenge my rig to the point I will be using my OR systems, I engage them ahead of time. Make sure they are operating before I need them. I am a bit surprised you said the E-locker has failed you. Would like to know more about that.
Wise words about having your traction systems engaged before you get to the problem areas! On the e-locker failures, I've had two failures. My son Sam has had two failures on his Tacoma. My Brother Steve on the other hand has had zero e-locker failures. All have been actuator related. You can google Toyota e-locker failures and a bunch of actuator failure info will populate. They do not play well with water. So, diff breathers are a good idea.
Solid review fellas. Definitely put them through their paces.
We run twin TJM pro lockers and love them. But always nervous about engaging them on the run.
We always try to engage them before we need them and mainly only use the rear if we can. Not always an option though.
Great review 👌
The TMJ Pro is a great locker! Thanks for watching. I'm catching up on your videos. The Exmouth Coast video is next on my list.
Best channel I've found that details off-roading 4Runners. Great content.
Thanks! Truly appreciate that comment!
This is a Toyota e locker. Ford, you can engage while rolling In 2wd.
That's a good feature.
Arb says that because they don’t sell ring and pinion gears. If you chip a tooth or break gears they will say that your gear set it a week point
That's a tough looking track. Those rocks can easily puncture a tire!
Any new videos in the works? Both you and your brother have seemed to have gone dark on UA-cam.
My brother had a very bad motorcycle accident. He is now post multiple surgeries is starting to weight bear on his leg. We hope to have him back on the trails by the spring. I have a couple videos I want to make, but it will probably be another month or so before I get myself out.
@@OverlandPNW Ah, I was afraid it was because of something like that. Give him my best wishes for a speedy recovery.
@@OverlandPNWI hope he has a good recovery, that’s awful. I ride sport bikes for the last 21 years and know the dangers. I hope he’s ok.
Arb is the locker if u want to be keep the trial for future generations
Very informative! I wheel with a guy that has an air locker and the compressor is continually cycling. Probably a guy with gritty hands installed it! Your A-Track demonstration was eye opening. Great video!!!
Dang...all those guys with gritty hands need to stop installing air lockers ha ha! Yep, I have a friend that is experiencing the same. His compressor now recycles about every 10 seconds. We are just letting it go as a science project to see how the cycle frequency changes and how long until it fails.
Great video! Love my ARB front locker as well
Thank you! I watched your 2024 Tacoma Review a few days ago and thought it was great!
@@OverlandPNW I appreciate it man!
They do, why I went with eaton.
There thousands of trucks running 365 days , year after year with air systems . Don’t be afraid of air lockers or an air system . It seems to work well , for the millions of trucks yes millions of trucks using air too run, brakes , trans and also diff locks , in every truck which carries everything we use and the food we eat every day . Air systems are , just about bullet proof .
Well said!
ARB Air lockers have a serious design flaw. These stories just don't appear out of thin air. I've two failures on the front diff and one on the rear diff on a 1994 LC80. in my situation both the front and rear leaks were due to the copper line cracking where it is soldered to the ring. The part itself is cheap to replace, the labor involved to repair it is very expensive. Slee Offroad installed them originally and Yotamasters repaired the front one once. I repaired the rear one and then sold the LC while the front one was leaking again. It is not an installation issue, it's a design issue. Go with the Eaton/Harrop electronic lockers and you will be 1000x happier.
Good input. Thanks.
It's like you were reading my mind. I have a 3rd gen 4runner with a rear e-locker that I like. I was looking at a Harrop front e-locker but I'm not too keen on the sloppy engagement and disengagement as soon as the wheel goes backwards. I was just thinking maybe I should look into an ARB since running compressed air can't be too complicated if you do it properly.
It is a tough decision but disengagement when the wheel goes backward is a real consideration. Anytime you have to backup. Goodbye lockers. I've been very happy with the ARB locker so far. And as I mentioned in the video, my factory e-locker has failed twice. Regardless of which locker you go with, having lockers front and back is a game changer!
Hi guys! Good information about locks and good recommendations. Nice4x4 shots and dron shots. Good to see your rig in action. Subscribed!!🎉
Thank you for subscribing! We enjoy your channel!
Very interesting! Nice places! Greetings from Palma de Mallorca!
Garbage , mine failed and they are not reliable.
Funny. . . I'm replacing an air leak on a ARB. . . Its in the carrier though. there's another O-ring around the gear that slides over.
Gottcha. I have not heard a lot on those o-rings leaking.
fantastic video! thank you
Big thanks for that comment! Love your channel!
So great content share! Are you any plan for product review? we are glad to send you our 140w RGB LED Light .🤩
Thanks so much for the in-depth and useful info and the great footage!
I have a different setup my truck flexes so I put lockers in the front axle but here in America have reel trucks
A front locker is a great way to go!
E locker will always be the best 😂😂😂
Requiring a "surgical" cleanliness for an installation that is usually performed by differential shops trying to get jobs done fast, is absurd. So is making a "gray area" statement like "taking care of your lines will make them last a long time"; that doesn't include punctures due to things flinging up, temperature variations and movement making things brittle, or due to mishaps like the few you described.
You've set yourself up to blame everyone who has an issue for their poor installation, and you yourself even have to carry kits around to repair your air lines which means hunting for a leak every now and then. An e-locker avoids all of this garbage and still gives you all the benefits of an ARB, and when things do go wrong there, you're not trying to troubleshoot 10 different things, it's just two or three (lines, fuse, solenoid).
This sort of loyalty is blind.
Absolutely love this comment!
When I had my ARB in a Dynatrac 60, I took the extra time to shove all the airline through 7/8 fuel hose front to back. Never had any air line issues
Just traded my tacoma in on a 21 offroad. Super excited to start modding it out. Great channel.
Nice! That 21 Offroad will be a great platform to mod out!
I have a 4x2 Truck. is it worth it getting an e-locker Diff in the rear? I am planning to do some light trail and Camping. which one would you recommend? air lockers or e-lockers?
Tough question! I love my lockers and use them all the time but I tend to push the limits of what an overland build should be doing. So, it all really depends on how you plan to use your vehicle. If it is just light trail and camping, you may not need a locker. If you are doing any remote camping, it is nice insurance to have a locker. Mine have gotten me out of a lot of predicaments.
@@OverlandPNW Yeah i recently moved to the Philippines and I bought a new 2024 hilux G model and some areas can be remote most of the time. I'm not planning to hit hard trails but to get to some places there are 30-degree angle climbs on dirty roads. because it will be a nightmare to get help was wondering if its even worth getting a setup of conquest rear dif setup. and now I saw your video on air lockers I kinda like how you are using it... so if you were in my shoes would you do it?
@@APtS_Gh0stHunt3R oh wow...i've seen some insane off-road videos of guys in the Philippines. There must be some great trails there. Anyway, super tough question. It all depends on how mechanical you are, how available parts are, etc. If you get a locker, you want the most reliable one you can get and the most repairable one in the event that something happens. You may want to see what 4x4 shops are in the Philippines and what they are installing there. Based on the videos I've seen, there has to be some decent 4x4 support there. I'd go with the best option that a shop there can install and repair. That way you have local support/repair if needed.
As usual, high quality content, well explained, with a great amount of mechanical explanations and how can you forget making a little fun on the big brother. Thanks for posting guys.
Thanks for the kind words!
I have a Nissan frontier sv and i have no locker i think im gonna pull the trigger and get a arb locker for the rear. Thanks for the video it made me feel better about the reliability. On all the forums I've been on the main complaint was reliability and you answered my questions thanks!!
Any product or modifications that work as intended 90 percent of the time... Is well worth the money and the effort!
Definitely front lockers help with those kinds of terrain and camera don’t do it justice. Lockers in the autobahn sounds fun and dumb at the same time 🤣
Fun and dumb at the same time....that would be a great name for a channel ha ha! It would make millions for sure.
Sir, what is the name of this trail in Oregon? And thank you for what you do. Liked and subscribed.
Really enjoyed this video. I feel obligated to highlight the part where you climbed past the corpse of a wrecked rig on your way up the hill haha.
Great info and exactly what I wanted to know. I’m going to add lockers to the gx by the end of the year:). Thanks for the video!
You will love the ARB lockers! Cheers!
I had nothing but issues on a built Dynatrac 60 with an ARB I had made for a Ranger. My 1997 F-350 is now stuffed with OX lockers. I wish they could make an OX Locker for the Toyota rear drop out design, and the front. It’s a push cable, with nothing to fail.
If the cable fails, you can use a bolt to push the shift fork in the locked position. I wouldn’t install any other type of locker than an OX locker if the axle type is supported. Dana 60 front/ Ford Sterling 10.25/10.50. I also have 2 4Runners, 2020, and 2021 both ORP’s.
Good info. Thanks for the input!
I agree with all your points, however equating A-track and MTS is not quite fair. MTS is significantly better than A-track, and that's why you see the former on all the "off-road" versions of Toyotas instead of the later.
Completely agree. A-Trac's intended design purpose was to get you going from a dead stop when you are stuck. MTS is for moving over obstacles. It is a better option for most off-road applications.
The rear e-locker in my '19 ranger works very quickly and reliably and does not require me to stop, but I do treat it like i need to, or like it's a hub-locker. It's an m220 diff. I've been debating on an ARB or e-lock for the m190 up front. The Ford traction system is ok. It'll get you out of more "normal" kinds of "stuck", but it's no locker, and it's not as good as the Toyota's... It's gonna be a DIY labor of love, and I'm not sure if I trust myself more routing wires around spinning diff gears inside the case or a small copper air tube. It's a tough decision.
Agreed...when it comes to locker choice, it is a touch decision.
Awesome review on the Arb Lockers. Definitely considering one in the future and awesome chest rig. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks and very nice Bluetti power station you got!
Great video! Thank you.
Big thanks for that comment!
In this video you call the Toyota system an 'e-locker'. I don't own a toyota, so I don't know if this is what toyota calls it, or if it's just what you're calling it. The only company I know of that makes an e-locker is Eaton, and it works exactly like an ARB, but it's electric rather than air.
At @18:04 you state how the A-Track ,MTS and traction control systems work, thus, if both tires are not pulling exactly the same, it is not a locker. So calling it an e-locker is a misnomer.
The Toyota 4Runner options include A-trac, MTS and also a rear locking differential. The rear locker is an electronically controlled locker. You are correct about the Eaton ELocker (no dash in their nomenclature). In the video, most of the time I'm using the generic term "e-locker" to refer to commercial lockers that use electro-magnets to provide full lock-up or specifically to the Toyota factory locker. Granted, perhaps it is not the most exact way to reference things but just another example of a brand name becoming a generic word.
Detroit locker for the win. . .
The are a good choice as well.
It’s also only Toyota and Chevy E lockers that suck
As always your videos are superb! Well explained with actual video documentation of what’s being explained. I really hope we cross paths wheelin’. Saludos! 🍻
Thanks! Your last walk around video was great! Love those Tacomas! Saludos!
@@OverlandPNW absolutely! we are waiting for a couple of trails to open to go over the differences between 31”s, 33”s and 37”s. As always thanks for the support. Cheers jefe!
Thank you for this information! I really appreciate it!
Thanks for the review! Love this channel. My question is if you have a rear plus center lock do you really need the front locker? The 4Runner has a center diff locks when you switch to 4LO
The 4Runner does not have a true locking center diff. It uses a Torsen center differential that alters the torque split based on tire slippage. For practical purposes, it seems to bias a 60/40 split back to front. In real world driving, the front locker has made a big difference. It would not be needed for casual off-roading. But for tougher trails, it is a nice option to have.
I have 95 bronco with ARB
Front and rear for 10 years with no problems and it has hundred thousand miles on ARB
Great feedback! I love hearing stories like that!
I got a 5th gen sr5. All I got is my 4low, 4high and atrac. I've been able to get out of most situations with it. I want a elocker or air locker. This video is very informative
Yes, a locker would be a nice add to your SR5! Thanks for the comment!
Thank you! Great Review and Great editing.
Great video with excellent timing for my build as I decide which front and rear lockers to add to my 1st Gen Sequoia when I regear. Thanks
Awesome! Let me know what you go with. Lots of choices and good reasons for each.
Thanks for the sub on my channel! Your 4runner is so sweet and your channel is awesome. Inspiring 🤙🏻
Thanks for checking my channel out as well. That broken axle video of yours was crazy. That trail was legit!
u really explain what locker is. many user just dont or over estimate de functionality of locker. is a good video of knowledge for all offroader who intend to install and use locker savely n have fun. cheers mike.
Thank you for the nice comment!
Great topic! Whose slide out storage and roll on mat on top of drawer? Love the channel! Thanks!
Thanks! The slide out drawers were custom made by a friend of mine. The mat is from Amazon. If you search Bamboo Bath Mat 19.7inch X 27.6 you will find it. Cheers!
I think we should change your name to Doctor 4Runner. Great info, great production, great fun.
Thank you professor!
Hi guys another great video.
Thanks so much for the effort you guys put in.
Cheers
Craig from Australia
Out There Touring
Thanks for watching! Those hardkorr lights in your last video looked handy!
@@OverlandPNW
Hi, I watch and learn a lot from your videos.
Thanks heaps
@@ottouring Thanks for the kind words! I enjoy your videos as well! Cheers!
Which trail systems where you running they looked like some great trails to check out.
These were random trails out by Bend that my buddy runs.
4x4 trail not a jeep trail
I don't own a Toyota, but I appreciate the knowledge you've shared in this video! Thanks!
I appreciate that!
Good work and informative
Thanks God my front ARB been running strong for 5 years now
Great to hear! Very cool truck you have!
@@OverlandPNW thanks. Lately i wanted it a 5th gen 4runner, love the new body style
TKs Great Content ...... may need one.I'm an Overlander Tundra modifed
Thanks! A locker in your Tundra would be a game changer!!
Always enjoy watching your videos. Very informative,
I appreciate that!
Great video, well explained.
Thanks for this great video. I am considering a front locker but also concerned it might cause breaking CVs. Have you had any issues with that and/ any thoughts? Thanks again.
We have not had any CV failures. You do need to drive always with a level of awareness regarding how much stress you are putting on the CVs. Especially if you have front lockers on and a lot of pressure distributed to just one side. You also want to avoid that classic CV killer of having a high speed spinning wheel that has lifted on the ground come slapping down to earth for a hard sudden stop. But...sounds like you know that already. All things considered, we've been very happy with the front lockers. Big game changer!
@@OverlandPNW great, good to know. Did you also consider an auto locker? It’s ratcheting capabilities could make it easier to steer compared to a selectable locker, and would not require actuation. Maybe not great on paved surfaces with snow tho. Thanks for any thoughts on that.
@@johnbennett4362I’ve had experience with this. Front lunchbox lockers don’t unlock very offensive in the front. I will never install another automatic locker in a front end application. All it did was get me into trouble more often than not. This was on a Ford Ranger Dana 35 TTB.
What drawer system do you have in the white 4runner?
It is a custom drawer system that a friend built.
Using arb locker for a long time Never failed
Awesome and glad to hear that !
Excellent review and information.
Thank you kindly!
Excellent great information
Thanks Will !
Love the channel! And love the Toyotas!
Thank so much! Your mechanic skills are impressive! That gearbox will be better than new!
@@OverlandPNW haha thanks, I’m not a mechanic it’s all self taught
Awesome video, thanks for the review!!
Thanks for watching!