ARB Locker for the R180

[Ron ap Rhys]

Not that there aren't roughly 1 brazillion threads about this, but I didn't see anything on here in my 3.2 second scan of the forum.

ARB has released a front locker for the R180. Couple of points that I've gathered from a multitude of threads:

• This is pretty cool that we're getting a new product.
• R180 diffs are known for grenading when pushed too hard. This appears to be primarily due to too much skinny pedal with one wheel spinning the other not. When that next wheel gets very sudden traction, the spider gears disintegrate.
• This can directly lead to the actual housing breaking apart. Appears to be due to the little bits of the spider gears getting wedged between the main gears and the housing. Since the housing's aluminum, it gives first.
• There are some schools of thought floating around, but since the ARB unit will be significantly stronger (they always are), they're less likely to break. This means the housing should stand up to the additional stress. Also, since both wheels would be spinning if you're locked, that may also help relieve some of the sudden stresses.
• Front lockers tend to be used less than rear ones - so if you're smart and use the locker only when appropriate and crawl vs bang over obstacles you should be fine.
• They're available in gearing from 3.54 and down. This may mean that OR 6spd models are out of luck. Trying to determine that now.
• Linkalicious

 

[ryandavenport]

This is awesome. I think I'm going to take my chances and get a scratch off later. If I win, I'm getting fully locked.

 

[Ron ap Rhys]

I was aiming to do some suspension stuff first - probably the PRG advanced lift or the like. After that going for bumpers front and rear. This, however, might delay the bumpers a bit.

 

[Ron ap Rhys]

And it does appear that they've got a version for the OR 6spd with the 3.69 gears. Here's the note I got back from ARB:

Hi Ron-
We do have a low speed version of this new locker which is the RD180 for 3.69 gearing and up. We haven't brought this in yet as we were unsure about the number of trucks in the US that may have gotten the lower gearing like yours potentially has. We can get them though.

Best Regards,
Mitch Carter
Tech Dept.
Air Locker, Inc.
425-264-1391
720 SW 34th St.
Renton, WA 98057
mitchc@arbusa.com
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[NOXIOUS007]

This is awesome. I think I'm going to take my chances and get a scratch off later. If I win, I'm getting fully locked.

What do you mean by "scratch off"?

 

[idratherbe]

What do you mean by "scratch off"?

Lottery ticket, sometimes referred to as either scratch ticket or scratch off depending where in the country you live. Like soda or pop

 

[Ron ap Rhys]

New update: Apparently they've gotten more than one person requesting the 3.69 geared version, so they've decided to bring that into the States. No word on when, though.

 

[TomsRedX]

This has just increased the potential for me doing a titan swap and getting the extended axle shafts from PRG for the R180. I plan to stay with 33's so I won't have to re-gear. Wonder whats going to be the weak point after installing a locker.

 

[Maxterra]

Quite interested in this, especially since it removes the current weak link (spider gears) out of the equation.
Pretty sure I want to keep the stock track width now, so I believe I wil be doing this mod after I do the C200 rear first (soon I hope).

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

I'm confused, this replaces the rear spider gears? And do you have to have air compressor to lock it? or is it just a direct replacement?

 

[dhyde79]

• There are some schools of thought floating around, but since the ARB unit will be significantly stronger (they always are), they're less likely to break. This means the housing should stand up to the additional stress. Also, since both wheels would be spinning if you're locked, that may also help relieve some of the sudden stresses.
• Front lockers tend to be used less than rear ones - so if you're smart and use the locker only when appropriate and crawl vs bang over obstacles you should be fine.

well, the theory I've seen that makes the most sense is that there is no sudden stress from 3-wheeling the front, since the front tires will both be moving at the same rate, so no tire running faster than the others then touching, the front that's on the ground and the one that's in the air move at the same speed, so, there's little to no difference between when it's on the ground or in the air.

as far as front locker being used less than the rear, I'm not so sure about that, everyone that I've talked to says you should be running your front locker more than the rear, since your front will do a great job of pulling the whole vehicle up/through obstacles... I actually plan on running my front locker WAY more than my rear while out wheeling, but, that's just me, for what I wheel, it'll do me way more good.

This has just increased the potential for me doing a titan swap and getting the extended axle shafts from PRG for the R180. I plan to stay with 33's so I won't have to re-gear. Wonder whats going to be the weak point after installing a locker.

no, this deletes your need for a titan swap, this locker doesn't fit the front for a titan, in fact, ARB says they don't make any locker for a titan at all.

Quite interested in this, especially since it removes the current weak link (spider gears) out of the equation.
Pretty sure I want to keep the stock track width now, so I believe I wil be doing this mod after I do the C200 rear first (soon I hope).

exactly my thought, I'm after one in a heartbeat!

I'm confused, this replaces the rear spider gears? And do you have to have air compressor to lock it? or is it just a direct replacement?

no, this replaces the entire FRONT differential, you pop the old out, the old ring gear onto this locker, and then get it reinstalled and DONE... and yes, you need an air compressor to lock it.

 

[TomsRedX]

dhyde79, I can use the Titan uca's and lca's to gain track width and suspension travel and keep the R180 with the locker. PRG makes extended axle shafts for the increased width. You just have to take the cv joints apart and replace the stock axle shafts with the PRG ones.

 

[dhyde79]

ahh nice idea....so, with that though, how much more travel do you get from it, and at what cost?

what I'm wondering is do you gain a significant enough improvement that it'd be worth the added cost over just doing spacers?

(not dogging on your plan, genuinely curious)

 

[TomsRedX]

The amount of gained travel and cost depends on the parts installed. Stock Titan upper and lower control arms can be had for around $350- $400. Cheaper from a jy. Extended axle shafts are $400. So yeah it can be expensive but it all depends on what you want your X to do. For what I would like to do it would be around $2500 for all new stuff, not counting the locker.

Guys with the swap say the on road ride is much better also.

Sleeper00 has 11" of travel with his setup, and I have seen it in action. Pretty awesome.

 

[granitex]

as far as front locker being used less than the rear, I'm not so sure about that, everyone that I've talked to says you should be running your front locker more than the rear, since your front will do a great job of pulling the whole vehicle up/through obstacles... I actually plan on running my front locker WAY more than my rear while out wheeling, but, that's just me, for what I wheel, it'll do me way more good.




no, this replaces the entire FRONT differential, you pop the old out, the old ring gear onto this locker, and then get it reinstalled and DONE... and yes, you need an air compressor to lock it.

Not exactly true, it replaces the carrier in the diff, not the diff itself.

I Use my rear locker a lot more than my front. turning with a locked front diff can get kind of challenging at times. It wants to push straight on instead of actually turning.

 

[dhyde79]

well ok, yes, it replaces the carrier, as well as all of the contents...