Electric Lockers??

What is the general opinion of the electric lockers, either ECTED or ELocker?

I'm looking at an OX for the rear, but got to wondering about the quality/performance/reliability of the electrics.

 

The thing that has turned me away from them is what I keep reading. Apparently they do not unlock at the time you hit the button, they need to have the torque or tension removed from the locking pins in order to get them to unlock. This can be done by going backwards.

 

he is 100% correct... i have alot of experience with toyota elockers and thats the way they work. if you want a selectable locker ARB hands down. i run detroits F/R

 

Why ARB? I'm also in the market. I think I'm narrowed down to the OX and the ECTED. The Auburn seems like a lot of diff for the money, in comparison to the OX, and you also have to spring for the cable with the OX. I don't think I like the idea of a pneumatic system controlling the diff. Seems like a lot that could go wrong, and otherwise making my very uncomplicated machine very complicated. I guess I'm just undecided between the ECTED and OX based on price alone, but again, could you elaborate on why ARB?

I have PowerLoks f/r. Have a full Detroit going in at time of D30 swap, and am looking at swapping to a selectable in the rear now.

 

I installed an OX in the rear of my CJ and love it... I looked at electric, air and Detroit. I am saving now for another OX in front.

 

I think it is because for a while Ox was not well known for building a quality product. This was when Ox was in and out of business. Now they are stable and making a good product. Unfortunitly the stigma is still with them.

 

The ECTED is basically a clutch plate style limited slip. The Locking mechanism is a ball/cam arrangement that applies more pressure to the plates. I would think that after mileage accumulates, the clutch plates will wear and so will the unit's ability to lock.

 

ARBs are nice IF you have the coin. Figure the locker, air comp, and then install it'll be over $1k.
ARBs are not bullet proof thought they are dern close. Open diff then with a flick of a switch full locker.
The two big issues, not real big ones mind ya, are air lines can break, and relays/switchs go bad.
Other than that.

 

I wish I could give better info, but have installed just not run them.
I installed the Eaton E-locker front and rear.
was very easy, have locked when wanted, unlock when wanted, no cables or air, look COOL on dash! They were suggested by the local axel shop when I was looking at OX and ARB.
He said the older ones had some problems but the new ones were great. He said thats about all he installs now days! Time will tell thats for sure!

I had a lock-rite in the back and just the D25 open front. Worked fine untill the rollpin fell out or sheared in the lock-rite letting the big pin slip and grind on the gears. We didn't know what was wrong so we un did the back hubs and then the front D25 lasted 2 seconds and stripped the spider gear (just one) all the teeth broke off. (wish I'd had a tow bar) so tow back to trailer and went home.

I had a D-30 sitting on the shop floor (over 1 year) just waiting for the time to switch out the D-25. (seems now I have time).
So, I installed the lockers, switched out the front axels and i'm working on the dual master brake upgrade (Have been places I'd hate to think of brake problems).

Long story short I have them just not run them!!
CAM

 

This is true of any selectable locker. The tension must be removed from the locking mechanism before they will unlock, whether the switch is off or not. That's why OX redesigned their cable system so it is now spring loaded so when there is tension on the locking mechanism you can still unlock the shifter. Then when the tension is released they will unlock.....
Don't necessarily have to back up though. Nickmil