ARB Airlocker for 8.8

[Paul Gagnon]

I just got off the phone with ARB and the new version of the Airlocker for the 8.8" is expected to be available for October. Currently there are two protypes being tested in the 'States and two being tested in Australia. All indications from the testing indicate that the new design is a go and should hopefully be available in October. No firm date has been set yet and there is still testing that remains to be done. According to ARB this new differential is much stronger than the old design and is actually stronger than the Airlocker currently available for the 9". That is good news!

 

[Ray Lobato]

Gee Paul,
That's good and bad news. It's good that it will finally come out, but bad for me, because it will be too late for me. My truck goes into the shop for the lift on Thursday and then into the shop again for the gears and locker/LSD. I don't think it would be wise to run 35's on 3.55's.

 

[Tom Wilk]

Ray, I remember reading a month or two ago about one guy who did not have any trouble with his ARB (actually, there are probably several). That was Rick, and he drives as hard as anybody. It was pointed out then that his rear diff cover may have helped him by strengthening the pumpkin and adding some preload to the bearings. You may want to install the same cover when you get your gears and ARB.

Just a thought.

 

[mattadams]

Still grumbling and sick of yelling as I continue to wait for my check from ARB from over 3 months ago... <grumble grumble grumble>

 

[Tom Wilk]

Sorry, Matt, didn't mean to rub it in.

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hey Tom,
I thought about that and bought one from JEGS. Should be getting it this week.

 

[mattadams]

oh its all right Tom... I'm just not having a very high opinion of ARB lately... I've been spending more time trying to get this hassle straightened out then I think I should be... seems Im calling someone there about once every other day and I'm getting different stories every time... its like "just friggin cut me or send me a locker for up front and I'll quit calling!"

 

[Ray Lobato]

Hey Paul,
Who did you talk to at ARB?

 

[Paul Gagnon]

I talked to Chris. From what he said they are no longer selling the older version. So if you find one out there it is old stock.

 

[JAY]

That is true. They no longer sell the old versions, and they will not fix them anylonger either. I am still waiting for my replacement locker from the Moab trip. From what ARB has told me though, there is more than testing holding up the release. It was supposed to be out last month. They assure me it will be worth the wait, and I get another year warrenty on it (my origional warrenty was up in may). If I don't break it I don't think anybody will.