Arb front locker?

Anyone here running ARB front locker on a IFS? If so, have you had any problems with the cv shafts breaking with it locked off-road? About to order some for the rear and maybe the front. I have the 7.5” clamshell ifs front with manual hubs.

 

Just dont be stupid ...works great. Have used it a few times. The rear arb usually does the job. Love having the front, just in case

 

Why not try tjm prolocker?

 

Works great. Have used mine a lot in the rocks. Just turn it on when needed and off right after.

 

@Prayn4surf has one up front IIRC

Just have to be careful when using it and you should be fine. If you're running huge heavy tires it makes it more of a risk but if you're on stock size or 33s you should be okay.

Having a selective locker up front is key with IFS suspension....auto lockers (Spartan, Detrioit, Lockrite, etc.) are attractive because they're cheap but they are much more risky on an IFS drivetrain.

 

I have a harrop, but same same, dont leave it on n turn too much at all, just use it when needed and you will love it! Auto lockers arent the best thing to do imo.

 

I've been running mine for about 4 years (~40K miles) with no ADD axle troubles. I use it sparingly tho, only engage it to clear the obstacle and little or no turning. Takes huge effort to turn anyway. Tells you something right there.

 

Thanks for the replies. I’ve never had a locker before. I’m only running 265/75/16. Being the stock cv axle shafts are the weak link I wasn’t sure if I’d regret putting it in the front and snapping axle shafts. Thanks again.

 

Id put one in the back first or both if your opening your diffs up. A rear locker gets you places. A rear locker doesnt have to be used as sparingly and I use mine quite often. I do the same as @Digiratus and only use my front on certain obstacles that require it and no turning really. It is super hard to turn while locked in the front and doing a lot of that will snap a cv id imagine. Better a cv than your gears though.

 

Cool... I’m doing both.

 

You will be super happy with that decision!

 

I’m on the same boat. I’m gonna regear soon and am debating getting a front locker. I have the rear e-locker and use it frequently.

 

I regeared last summer. Didn’t have the funds for lockers then and really didn’t think I needed them. Been doing more more off roading since and have realized I do need them. I did the gears myself so not looking forward to pulling everything apart again. But kinda excited about it too. Probably order both locker in the next couple weeks and put them in when I got time and looking for a project.

 

For sure.
One thing about a front locker is I’d lose some fitness from less rock stacking.

I’m gonna do the ECGS 3rd member and do the work myself as well. I’m only gonna do it once so I might as well put in a locker. Or put the money toward other things. Still undecided.

Most likely what will happen is I’ll put the order together and say F’ it at the least second and get it.

 

If you are going to open up the front clamshell anyway, it makes no sense to not put an ARB in there. Most places that do it don't charge any additional labor to install the ARB either.

Another factor for me was the locker actually makes the weak 7.5" front diff stronger by replacing the spider gears.

 

I might be wrong but if you're changing the stock carrier with an ARB you should only have to set the backlash again. The pinion depth shouldn't change, so it shouldn't be too bad.

 

That’s what I’m understanding also. Pinion shims was a major PITA!

 

Yeah, ECGS doesn't charge anymore for shipping the third member and I'm doing the rest of the work myself. Still need to mount the compressor, run the hose, run the wires, mount and install the switches.

The Locker plus ARB compressor, manifold and switches should run a bit more than $1200. I could use that for all kinds of other things. I do wheel a bit here and there. I'm just not sure I wheel enough to warrant that much money.

Another advantage is having a nice mounted compressor. I have CO2 tank plus a back up compressor now, but having it mounted to the truck and not having to refill CO2 would be nice.

 

ARB / thread over. do it..

 

There are many schools of thought that range from "open diffs are more likely to cause CV breakage because of spinning wheels" to "lockers cause more breakage because of the added traction (i.e. stress) on the drivetrain" to everywhere in between.

As others have said, in this thread and others, IFS lockers CAN work great. I've heard of enough people that put a locker in and start breaking shit to give me pause, however.

Your weak points will be the CVs, so carry spares - maybe practice replacing them at home with your "trail tools"... Probably a good idea to carry a spare CV locked or not, though...

I think an LSD is a great compromise, might be worth looking into one...