ARB locker on TRD Sport Experience/Opinions?

So i LOVE my TRD Sport, but i wish i had the Off Road edition i was thinking of selling mine and buying one but i realized the color coded bumpers are only on the sport and the off road edition has a lot of chrome that im just not a big fan of, i thought maybe i could just buy the color coded bumpers etc and swap them over but its starting to get costly which made me wonder if just installing and ARB Locker would be a cheaper idea? has anyone installed one or had any experience with it how long have you had one installed and how reliable has it been.

 

Are you 2wd or 4x?

Love my ARB. Had it for over a year now. Has not failed me yet although I have heard air leaks can arise. Its also not computer ECU controlled so I can activate it whenever. The OR you have to do the “grey wire” mod in order to activate the locker out of 4 lo.

Do remember that if you’re going to do a locker, it’s a great opportunity to do that re gear you’ve always wanted and if you’re 4x then you have to re gear front/rear so keep that in mind.

 

4X4

 

honestly never thought about re gearing, i should probably look more into that 1st

 

I re-geared to 4.10s with a Detroit TrueTrac and love the new setup. (6speedMT). Just perfect for the type of 4Wheeling I do and lower cost than full locker. Also keeps the on-road manners of the sport.

 

The ARB differential case is a much stronger design than that of the stock Toyota case and as mentioned above can be engaged whenever you feel like it. My rear axle is a little different than yours but the installation process will be similar and I have some photos if you are interested. Air leaks aren't a major problem as long as the locker is installed properly and lines properly routed.

 

I have a trutrac awaiting install. After riding in a friends truck he has one I can say it's vastly more capable than mine because of that one thing. I like the idea of it just cause it's on all the time. I will also be ordering a front locker from lokka it's less than 400 shipped. I've read a bunch of good reviews on it also. Both of those your still ahead of a air locker or electric.
http://www.lokka.com/

 

Wow, i have never seen a pure mechanical system like that, i do like the idea of installed once and just forget about it, only a couple things concern me. 1 wont this create a lot of fine shavings with the teeth grinding a little more especially if you get it for the front diff, and 2 those teeth look very thin almost like there ain't much to grab onto? i do like that they beveled them though, nothing like hearing gears grind lol

 

I don't believe so always engaged but when in 2wd operates like a open diff. However the front drive shift is always spinning may impact mileage some.

 

If you find the need now is a great opportunity to do it. Contact East Cost Gear Supply and they’ll set you up right!

It really depends on what type of driving/wheeling you do and how much weight you carry on a normal basis. (Bumpers, skids, sliders, etc.)

Personally, I wouldn’t go with an auto locker on a daily driver. They will be night and day when wheeling but will suck for road driving. The air/e-lockers are selectable and the best option IMO. They are also the most expensive.

 

That is a really interesting option.

 

I’m ordered it this morning will be at least a month before I get it installed. The trutrac will be in later this month I’ll let ya know the difference between the evolution of the diff setups.

 

Are you putting the Lokka in the front? Would be interested in feedback from and auto locker in the front. It would be ideal since you still have a switch to control the 4x but wouldn’t have constant power to the front diff.

 

Yep that’s the one. Ya no power to it so still operates as a open diff in 2WD only drawback from what I’ve read on other applications is the front driveshaft will rotate so that may impact mileage a little but not worried about that.

 

That looks very similar to a Loc-Rite. What's nice is you don't have to reset up your gears like an ARB or Detroit.

 

Yep it is. For the price of air or a elocker I got both diffs covered.

 

Well, I’ve got the 2016 Sport with many mods. I did do the 4.88’s and included a rear ARB locker - all via ECGS. After additional off-roading I’ve purchased a front ARB to be installed August 1st.
Really wonderful additions to the Sport and will soon have even better control of the front wheels.
The regearing to 4.88 and the two ARB lockers are unbeatable.

 

That’s good sheet. There is a local member in my area doing the same can’t wait to see what his rig can do.

 

I would not put an automatic locker in the front diff of an IFS rig...that's asking for trouble from what I've read on the matter. Broken CVs galore at minimum. Should spend the money on a selectable one, put the auto locker in the rear if you must.

Auto lockers are nothing new, they've been around for a hundred years (or close to it). Powertrax, Detroit and Lockrite have been making them for decades.

 

not sure i would worry about the gearing as it looks like your truck is running stock size tires. I would do a selectable locker for a daily driver truck. Have had the auto lockers many times before and i feel they just suck in a DD. Wont even think about them anymore. i just go with ARB and be done with it.