What front lunchbox locker should I get?

First off, I can't afford a ARB or retrofit electric locker for the front. I agree they would be the better way to go. I've read for hours on different opinions and experiences with front lunchbox lockers in various vehicles and can say pretty certainly that I know what to expect. I DO have manual hubs installed before that comes up.

Now with that said, what lunchbox should I get? 7.5 front diff, 4.10 gears. I was pretty dead set on Aussie but being from Canada the exchange is killer. Looking on Ebay a Aussie will cost me about 420 whereas a Spartan is 335 (shipping not included on either). Aussie seems to have a lot more users out there for Toyota's because they have been around longer. I like that they have been tired and tested. I cannot find a whole lot of info on Spartan's in our 7.5 diffs.

One thing that is making me now consider Spartan besides the cost is they seem to be easier to install. It says no thrust washers needed, easy install spring, etc. I consider myself mechanically inclined, have always done all my own work for many years, but I have zero experience when it comes to playing with gears just because I haven't had to before. I was under the impression that with any lunchbox locker it was as simple as just pulling the spider gears and dropping this thing in. There's very little info on 7.5 installs online but from the little I have seen with the Aussie it looks like you have to pull the ring gear, make sure the locker is within specified tolerances, etc. I assume once you pull the ring gear that the backlash and stuff has to be reset on that as well, though I'm not certain.

At the end of the day I'm sure I can figure out how to install either but I want something that I can rely on. Is the battlefield tested Aussie worth the extra money? Or has Spartan now been around long enough that I can hear some better reviews about it? Also if anyone has links or videos of installs for the 7.5 diff it would be appreciated.

 

Hmmmm, I've only installed a couple aussie lockers into Land Cruisers, but removing the ring gear was not involved in the installation. Really not difficult... Just follow the simple instructions and you should be fine.

 

Again excuse me for my limited knowledge on the subject but I believe It had something to do with being able to get a pin out that holds in the spider gears? Can't get it out without removing the ring gear? Again I'm just going off what very little install info I've seen so I could be totally wrong.

 

Oh I see what you're saying. I've never put the lunchbox lockers in Tacomas, I was just saying in the cruisers it wasn't necessary. The way you explain that pin and ring gear, I could see that being an issue.... That sucks, bummer. Otherwise install would be easy peasy.

 

I didn't even know Spartan had a front locker available for these trucks.

If you have manual hubs, then there's nothing to worry about. When I had IFS, I ran a lock right in my front diff for many years without a single issue; so I can only speak about that type of locker (which is similar to the aussie design).

It can be a royal pain in the arse to install it. It is just so much frickin' grunt work to do it man. I would strongly encourage you to have a friend help you. Removing the front diff is a pain in itself, and heavy, and it is just easier with an extra pair of hands to wiggle the diff around during removal/installation.

Yes, you have to remove the ring gear and check for tolerances after the install. I would STRONGLY advise you to have an impact wrench. The ring gear bolts are tight (they are meant to of course). Make sure to use red lock right when you put them back in.

Go to gearinstalls.com for the best tech info on toyota gear/locker installs in the world.

 

Here you go
https://youtu.be/mPop8fMODFo

If everything goes back the way it came off the backlash shouldn't need to be reset.



If this isnt a dedicated trail rig i DO NOT recommend a front lunchbox even with manual hubs. problem is is that in 4x4 there always drive line binding. that binding is enough to keep the locker engaged pretty much all the time. Makes for a sketchy ride in snowy conditions.

Keep saving for a selectable locker or even a truetrac.

 

Awsome. Thanks for the video. I watched most of it and feel much more comfortable with what I can expect. I will be referring back to it when the time comes.

As long as I punch he ring gear and carrier it seems like nothing should change if it's placed back the same like you said. With the aussie from my understanding I have to replace the top and bottom thrust washers. Now my question is he measured the backlash before and after. Before was 10 inch/lbs and after he said was 15-20. It changed but I assume thats still in spec? How would you adjust that backlash if it were out of spec?

In regards to the locker it is my daily driver but I spend more than half my time off the road as I do on. I'm also in very snowy/icey conditions 5-6 months of the year. I realize there's some strong opinions about it but that's the route im taking. I'm never going to drive on the snowy roads with both hubs locked. I'm going to put a switch on my ADD as well so I can lock/unlock the passenger side from inside the cab. If I really don't like it than I will remove it simple as that. My buddy works at a slavage yard so he's looking for a spare 4.10 diff for me now. I'm hoping to get that and install my locker in it so that it will be as simple as just swaping diffs and minimize truck down time.

 

^ X's 10,000 ( ARB air or the newly engineered E locker design )

Save the pennies and do it right. JMO

 

Little feed back on the spartan,
I have one in the front of my sa 84 Toyota and really like it.

With that being said, the truck is locked f&r. In deep snow it is great. On snow & ice covered road it sucks.

 

Thanks for the feedback! I've got the installation part of it covered so now I'm hoping to hear more about what brand people recommend the most. They are all made basically the same way, can I expect one to be of much better quality than the other?

 

Powertrax lock-rite is another option you haven't mentioned.

Like you said there pretty much the same in function and quality. choose the cheapest or best warranty.

 

I know about the lock right but I've heard of a lot more failures with those units (not all Toyota related). Maybe it's because they are the most popular units out there and thus more reported failures. They also are the most expensive from what I'm seeing on Ebay.

 

Probably just because its the most popular. my no-slip has worked flawlessly for years.

Heres where i got mine.

http://www.rocky-road.com/powertrax.html

 

Loving my spartan rear. i would also twin stick the tcase so you can turn offroad.

 

Thanks for the spartan imput.

Turning will be easy via in cab switch to dissconnect the passenger cv.

 

My buddy found me a 4.10 front diff. Locker install will be much more comfortable in the comfort of my house with no truck downtime.

 

I also have an aussie up front (fj60 axle so apples to oranges comparison) and the spartan is in the rear. The aussie looks like the lockrites i used to blow up in my jeep days, with small pins and same general construction. The spartan has some huge pins, easier install, and it comes with a new hardened center pin. I got the aussie dirt cheap used so thats why im using it, or i would have gotten the spartan for the front as well. Look on rockauto for the spartan locker, they were running a sale and were way cheaper than any of the offroad vendors that i looked at.

 

Awsome! Thanks for the feedback. I order from RockAuto often and never even thought of looking there. Looks like the Spartan would be $450 CAD shipped. I think I could get it for under $400 on ebay providing I don't get hit with duty charges.

I'mstill up in the air and shopping around on brands. like I said I was pretty dead set on Aussie but Spartan does look like it has some advantages. If you google locker failures every brand seems to have them.

 

Found something interesting while doing a little more reading today. I always thought Spartan was made by Yukon but it's actually made by USA Standard. Supposedly this is Yukon's product line that does not meet the high quality required by Yukon. Spartan lockers are assembled in the USA but not made there.

 

Not sure I completely agree with this. I have had a front ARB, Detroit, TrueTrac on different rigs. With manual hubs and the Detroit if I was on snowy roads with compact snow and ice I would just lock one of my hubs. Never had an issue, unless I locked in my other hub.