Front lockers

[netrogue]

I was wondering if anyone had any input on either the Eaton vs. ARB?

I have a '03 H2 with the air suspension.

 

[Zach]

I have the Eaton front locker. I have only used it a few times since installing it last year. It got me out of a tough spot in snow where the H3 I was with probably wouldn't have been able to pull me uphill

 

[WarMongur]

The "few times" is only because he forgets to turn it on most of the time :roll:

 

[alrock]

Not sure how many of our H2 owners have installed front lockers. I don't have any lockers in my H3 and I've weighed the installation many times. I would like to go the ARB route in part because of the addition of the compressor that can be used for other applications, including airing up. However, it is more $ up front.

I think most go with Eaton for the simplicity of it and the lower installation cost. I have not heard of one being more durable than the other, and both serve their purpose as designed.

RuggedH2 has a front locker in his H2 and Timgco may be able to offer some input as well. And we know Skippy is a big ARB fan but I think his garage also doubles as an ARB showroom

 

[netrogue]

I'm leaning towards the eaton since it is a close match to the rear locker. Just have heard mixed reports of being able to run an ARB locker off the stock air ride that my H2 has.

 

[Paladine71]

I have front and rear eaton elockers. I use the rear most of the time because I hear that the IFS and front lockers are dangerous together unless the wheels are straight. I think Bebe and Recon told me that a while back. I have used it to pull myself out of a bad mud pit without issue. I already have a compressor, so didn't need another one. I have heard that the ARB air lines can have leak issues and can freeze too. Don't know for sure.

 

[netrogue]

Thanks for the input. I think I will go with the Eatons. Any recommendation on a good place to order?

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

I plan to someday add Auburns to the H1. But if i did own an H2, I would probably go with the eatons. Not sure where to get some but I am sure someone will chime in and give their Recomendations

 

[SummitUp]

I also have the Eaton front locker. It's very important that you wire the front locker into the rear locker circuit so that it is impossible to activate the front locker unless the rear locker is activated first.
You don't want to accidentally activate the front locker while driving on the highway at 60 mph (a bad thing! :whaa.

Read <This Thread> which discusses the actual wiring, including <some pics> I posted there.

 

[alrock]

Thanks Frank! I forgot you had added a front locker to your H2.

 

[WarMongur]

http://stores.ebay.com/IWE-Rear-Ends-Only?_trksid=p4340.l2563

I know several people including myself have purchased their lockers through this place on ebay. They seem to have good prices and great products.

 

[netrogue]

That is great info. Thanks!

 

[Gaza]

Im running ARB air lockers front and rear in my SUT ....I love them!..but if i had to do it over again i think I would have just gotten the Eaton locker for the front . I only say that b/c i had a hard time finding somebody that ,after reading the install instructions, was confident enought to install them...and luckily for me i got a great deal on my ARB stuff b/c my install bill wasnt cheap. You're right about the lines , you do need to run them threw some braided tube lines and away from heat ..but once you do that they are amazing ..strong as heck. They do have one downfall though , happened once during a winter trail run where it was damn cold and we had been driving for some time so vehicle was hot and we stopped for a bit and my air lines must have build up some moisture inside and froze up on me ..had no lockers rest of the day till i got it in the shop and thawed out , then was fine again. I did save myself a little money also since i figured we were doing the lockers might as well change the gears to 4.88's ..which was the best thing i ever did...oh and yes i do have to say it is nice having the on board air to air the tires back up after a day on the trails and the ARB stuff is pretty nice stuff

 

[HUMMER INVESTMENTS]

Very informal thread here! Please post up how it goes once you get started:corn:

 

[mudbug]

I'm runnin a eaton front locker. It helped me out of a few situations and also it eases the mind on the obsticales that I am not sure about. I had the guys at 4wheelparts install a smaller switch over by the rear windsheild wiper switch to make it look more clean. I wished I would have had them wire it to the rear locker like summitup mentioned cause the wife drove the H2 to work and she couldn't figure out how to turn something on and I was afraid she would have activated the locker.

 

[netrogue]

What is a reasonable install fee? I plan to do the wiring of the switch before hand.