E-Locker research

[Waytec]

I am wondering if anyone is running an Eaton E-Locker and what they think of it. I am liking the idea of the electric over an air locked because no worrying about o-rings leaking, and if I rip a wire off very easy to fix on the trail. 
I am just researching the idea and am looking for some opinions. 

[Immortal]

'bout time you came to your senses....

[JackstandJohnny]

my buddy ran it in his 8.8 aaron. he loved it. he's run ARBs and locrites. and the electric was by far the best he said.  i'd do it too if i didn't have ARBs.......... smart investment methinks buddy

[Bnine]

Ask GIS about his. Broke his D60 e locker on his second run in moab. He's been waiting over a year for parts because eaton wont do parts. He ended up buying a second locker with some competition prize money instead. Although he will still take the spare parts if they ever come out.

XJ's are a great candidate for a detroit. Dom has daily driven his for a few years with one. Because of the wheel base they are really well behaved. No wires, no air, just locker.

Something to think about.

[GiS]

Hi

Here's the deal, the E-locker is run by an electric stator, and this ring has two ears on it to prevent rotation (which would remove the wiring) ... On my locker, the ears broke allowing the stator to rotate and thus remove the wires. One ear was partially damaged when I rec'd the locker (shipping) ... So it was something I always worried about in the back of my mind.

There is also a large full-circle clip that holds the stator in place laterally. I have read about many people machining that out to a 0.100 rand and running a larger ring.

My new locker will be machined for a larger rand and I think with that extra lateral support the stator will really have no force on it.

When my locker was working...it was SWEET. I bought it because I too didnt wanna mess around with frozen and cracked airlines, leaking o-rings etc... If your locker failed (other than total explosion) ... a person could unwire a speaker or something and get them back on the trail.

Also, the D60 seem to have no support from the company...but the 8.8's, 35's etc all have service kits available for them should something break.

The best part is....if your locker breaks, you can stuff the lid from a peanut butter jar in there to act as a collar and it will be fully locked...It's been like that for about 9 months now and maybe 10 hard runs heh.

Cheers

[JENSSEN]

I have an E-locker in the Ford D44 in the front of the XJ,.. but alas I have yet to push the button , other than playing in the back alley but the install was easy!

[SwampSinger]

I'd go with the less complicated option... more gadjets ... the more chance for failure.

I had (and still having) no issue the Detroit locker... I use to drive it  daily... It makes a big bang when it unloads but that is normal. You put it in and forget about it....it needs a few oil changes now and then but that is normal for any diffs. with or without lockers.


I have heard horror stories about the the old school E-lockers (from Detroit)... I have witnessed at least 4 failures of the old design...

It has to be a better design if Joey is using it on his beast...

[Gearhead]

As with any device that has complexity engineered into it , it can fail.

That's why I'm a  Detroit locker advocate , they work well , do not fail easily ( but can ). The one in my YJ is  four years old and has never caused me any greif requiring mcgivering it back together.

Detroit all the way baby !  , I've got a Detroit tru trac in the front of  my 88 YJ , ya , not a full locker but a bit of brake gets em both digging usually , I have no regrets about buying that tru trac and it behaves predictably , no unusual driving quirks  either.

Sorry , I do not like selectable lockers.

[GiS]

Ok I'll be the devils advocate....9/10 axle shaft failures I have seen take out the entire detroit....

I wonder what the ratio would be for a selectable unit?

[Gearhead]

Ok I'll be the devils advocate....9/10 axle shaft failures I have seen take out the entire detroit....

I wonder what the ratio would be for a selectable unit?

Ouch !   

 I'm aware of that but don't often drive like the Dukes of Hazzard . I guess carying spare shafts is of little use when the locker is crushed to schrappnel.



   note to self ....... quit procrastinating and order Moser shafts for the rear.

[yyc_tbird_sc]

I wonder how they're holding up in the D35....I'd love to get a front locker, but I really want something I can turn off when it's not needed...as for the rear, I'm really leaning towards the E-Locker in the 8.8

[hps4evr]

from what i understand, eaton has revamped the Elocker within the last couple years as the old versions were breaking very easily and often. i beleive this is the same locker that hummer puts in their diffs, h2/h3. i figure if you're putting it in a 8.8, 44, 30, 35 you probably arent running huge tires or crazy power. and if a selectable locker is your future then a simple 2 wire hook-up makes more sense then a compressor, hoses, solenoids, etc, etc..
also, just for fun, maybe look at the Ox locker.
as well i am a fan of the full detroit, simple and gauranteed to work.
or maybe a spool. nothing means business like a spool;)

[Immortal]

Spool = welded... right?
I have heard that C-clip axles should not be welded... right?

[JENSSEN]

Well I have a full spool (Rear 9") and a E-locker in the D44,.. I guess if you can wait until just after the HighRiders Challenge July 2009 I can give you a full honest report, But I too read that in the last 24 Months they have been revamped,.. The Pitbulls 35 14.5 R15's managed to twist the unlocked Stock ford carrier last year so only time will tell what I can do to the E-Locker

[Waytec]

Thanks for the info. I do want a selectable locker. When I had the old ford in Ontario I welded the diff and never liked it.
I looked at the OX and I like how they work but I don't like is the price.
I am starting to think that it is going to be next winter before I will be able to do the work to it. I want to re gear and lock it at the same time and I want to go to 4:56 with 33s but to get them under the Cherokee I have to lift it another inch and hack some metal out. Plus a SYI and new drive shaft. Plus all the extras. I have a wedding to pay for and want to buy a house where I can do the work myself. 
Why can I have a very rich uncle die and leave me lots of money?