Gears and Lockers BS Thread

Just got my gears in the mail today! 4.56 ftw!

 

I got in on the ECGS Group Buy, ordered 4.56 rings and pinions for front and rear and ARB lockers for both front and rear as well. FedEx tracking says all this will be delivered tomorrow, April 26th.

I still need to select one of a couple shops that specialize in differential work here in the Phoenix area.

One Question for those of you who have used trucks with Rear and Front lockers: Given that the front IFS is weaker than the rear axle, I can wire my locker solenoids so that the Front locker can only come on if the Rear is engaged. Do you think this is wise? Or should I wire them so that they are completely independent of each other?

 

IIRC the ARB solenoid is set up that the fronts can only come on after the rears are engaged. It's been a few years since I set one up though. IIRC, I had found a work around to use the front and rear independently of each other.

 

I had heard that the ARB electrical is set up that way. I have my own on-board air system and have my own switch panel for the lockers. I have it wired so that Rear and Front locker activation is completely independent right now. But I can move just one wire and make it so that the rear MUST be enabled to activate the front locker. Would there be a situation where we might want the front locked and the rear open?

 

My Gears and lockers purchased as part of the Group Buy have arrived, and one day earlier than expected.

 

I have mine set-up on the ARB harness and it is rear engaged before the front can be.

 

got my gears

 

Thanks for this info. I will wire mine same way then.

 

Thanks to Bob all the subscribers from the ECGS thread have been transferred to this one and the group buy thread was deleted

 

Mine are getting installed on Monday. $1000 to install front w/locker and rear. Includes any miscellaneous and oil.

Honestly a pretty fair price.

 

Did anyone find a good write up on how to brake in the gears? I cannot find where I saw it.

Also what oil are you guys all using?

Found Lucas 85w140 Dyno oil recommended by ECGS on another thread.

 

Found it here:

New Gear Break-In Procedure

New gear sets MUST be broken in correctly to prevent damage. Not following proper break-in procedures will lead to overloading and overheating the ring and pinion as well as breaking down and ruining the gear oil. Not following proper break-in procedures can be determined during inspection and will void the warranty.

Please follow the below guidelines to ensure a proper break-in and long life of your gears.
• Only use high quality gear oils. ECGS recommends Lucas non-synthetic 75-140 or 85-140
• On initial run, drive lightly for 15 to 20 minutes then stop to allow differential to cool completely for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Avoid towing and heavy acceleration, as well as vary speeds every 5 to 10 minutes while driving on highways.
• Drive conservatively and do not drive more than 50 miles at a time without allowing a cool cycle during the first 500 miles following installation.
• After completing initial break-in, change gear oil at 500 miles. Small metal particles are normal and gear oil will typically be black. Excessive metal in gear oil should be reviewed by a competent differential mechanic to ensure safety of internal parts.

Post gear oil change and initial break-in: Towing.
• First time towing should be limited to light load for no more than 15 miles, then allow differential to cool completely for 20 to 25 minutes.
• Repeat this procedure for first 45 miles of towing for full break-in of gears for towing vehicles.


PREMATURE OVERLOADING AND IMPROPER BREAK-IN WILL CAUSE GEAR OIL BREAKDOWN AND MAY RESULT IN RING AND PINION FAILURE VOIDING THE GEAR WARRANTY!

 

What if Lucas non-synthetic is out of the question?

 

Mine is the same.

 

It's a simple change in the wiring to get the ARB air lockers to operate independently. When I installed a set in Dave's truck at my shop that is how we set it up. Only thing I set as an override was that the compressor switch had to be on before the locker switches had any power.

 

My diffs came in today. I wish I had to time to put them in but I dont .

 

That break in period was brutal. Couldn't wait to get back to normal driving

 

Installed gears Monday, loving them! Used Valvoline full syntetic. The shop charged $300 for rear dif labor.

 

Sweet, now the painstaking break in period! Can I ask why you went with synthetic?