questions about 95+ front diffy...

[artt]

Hey, mav, really nice truck! I didn't know there're hidden winch mount made for Explorer. How did you mount the winch?

Thanks...

 

[mav]

artt,
Thanks man! Actually, no one makes a hidden winch mount. I had a guy here in San Antonio custom make one for me. When I get done with my web site, I'll have a bunch of close-up pics posted on it. The guy did a great job on it. I was actually gonna see if anyone else was interested in one. I was talking with him about the possibility of make several more for anyone who was interested... You do have to trim the bumper alittle and move the transmission cooler up 3", but other than that it just bolts on!

 

[GJarrett]

I emailed Mr Lund directly to his email addy.

C'mon people we need to FLOOD them with requests and then be willing to back it up if they deliver.

 

[Cameron]

Hey mav,

Artt beat me to it. Nice truck and I really like that hidden winch. I would very much be interested in one. The only reason I don’t have a winch now is I don’t like the looks of that big thing on my bumper. But yours looks sweet. Put my name on a contact list for when your friend decides to make more of them. If you don’t mind, how much did it cost? Also, what brand is it and what are the stats?

Thanks.

 

[Tom Wilk]

Hey, just a thought. I would like to think that the late model Ranger 4x4's use the same front diffy as the Explorer. If so, this brings to mind two things:

1. Maybe someone with a Ranger has found a way to adapt a LS to work on their front differential, or

2. We might be able to get some Ranger people to express their interest to Mr. Lund WRT a front locker.

Myself, I'd be interested in the LSD, but no front locker at this time. Maybe a couple of years down the road.

 

[artt]

Anyone...??

Since 98+ Rangers are similar to 98+ Explorer, I would think they share the same version of Dana 35 too. On Dead Link Removed, I posted a thread Dead Link Removed asking this question; hopefully someone know about this.

Jim Cole of James Duff told me via email, that, "For a new
vehicle to modify, this [Explorer] is probably one of the hardest to find parts for." Sigh...

 

[mav]

Get those emails flowing!!!

Hey guys,
I just got another email today from Tim Lund at ARB about a locker for the front of our 95+ Explorers. Everyone that owns a 95+ Explorer that wants a locker for the front needs to email Tim Lund (tlund@arbusa.com) ! The more response they get, the more likely they are to push our project through the pipe! I included his email below...

Wes,

We are aware that the Explorer is heavily used, but we have received few requests for the front Air Locker. Now that you have put out the word, we are starting to get more requests and that's exactly what we need is as many requests for the unit as you can muster. For example, the GM 14 bolt owners are hitting us hard and I have over 50 solid orders and another 100 say they want to buy when available, so there is tough competition out there for which model Air Lockers we'll build over the next year. We know that many of the Explorer folk are loyal Air Locker owners and it has nothing to do with favorites. I am sure you can understand, ARB is a corporation and the board of directors dictate which units we'll build by estimated volume of sales.

I'll keep you informed over the next few months on how things are progressing.

 

[Cameron]

I got a similar e-mail. If they know many Explorer owners use the air locker (obviously pre 96) then it would stand to reason those of us who own newer Explorer would be just as interested! I have seen this same kind of corporate response from Superlift. They said there is not enough demand from the newer Explorer owners. I pointed them to this site to prove many people would be interested. That was two years ago and I'm still waiting for my lift kit!

I just hate the idea of consumers having to beg manufactures to please let us give our hard-earned money to them!

They know we are here. They know damn well the Explorer is the number one selling SUV in the world for over 10 years in a row. They know damn well if they produce the product we would buy it. 5 will get you 10, they have no intent on making a locker for us.

Now that that's off my chest.....


Just my disgruntled 2 cents.

 

[artt]

Maybe I know how you feel, Cameron. I was quite excited when I decided I want a late model Explorer..., only to find out, after visiting this site, that the new best-selling SUV is one of the hardest trucks to find parts for; I felt like "begging" manufacturers to make them.

Although I didn't experience the "promised-Trailmaster-98+ Explorer-liftkit-rollercoaster", I can plot you a curve graph on the excitment level as I read the thread http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=17099 (shock->disbelief->excitment->anticipation->anticipation->anticipation->anger->depression->acceptance) ARB happens to have monopoly of this market, so I guess this is how things will be... Atleast I, think of ARB air-locker as THE locker to have. But many owners here, especially after Matt Adams broke his in Moab, are unhappy w/ the air compressor/hose, seals/o-ring, etc...

Hey, didn't someone mentioned Ox Trax? http://www.oxtrax.com/ According to the site, a locker for Dana 35 is "expected later this year". Maybe we can get them to make locker for "the other version" of Dana 35. I already sent them an e-mail asking this question.

mailto:oxtrax@drivetraindirect.com

 

[artt]

BTW, on Ox Trax' site, I think "later this year" actually means "early 2001". You can contact them via mailto:oxtrax@mindspring.com or their distributor mailto:oxtrax@drivetraindirect.com

 

[artt]

I think I got the same reply as most of you guys did. Ox Trax said the IFS Dana 35 is "on the list to be made" but not until 2002. Sounds promising though...

 

[mav]

artt,
Here's what I found out from Tim Lund regarding the front diffs on the '95+ Explorers, '98+ Rangers, and the newer Durangos and Dakotas. We need to find a Durango/Dakota offroad site and make some posts...

Wes,

I have had both apart and though they look to use the same parts in general, there is a difference. The Ford uses Cir-clips and the Dodge uses C-clips to retain their stub axles. If we build this Air Locker we would probably build it to suit both.

-----Original Message-----
From: Wesley Ulmer [mailto:wulmer@satx.rr.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 30, 2001 12:50 PM
To: Tim Lund
Subject: Re: Fw: Enquiry from New Website

Thanks for keeping me informed Tim! I've been trying to drum up as much support as possible for this project. Do you know if the 98+ Rangers and the Durangos and Dakotas have the same front differential?

Thanks again,
Wes
(210) 885-7057

 

[WellsLaw]

sent my email to lund today -- hey maybe something will come of it.

is anyone interested in explaining to me the following things:

1. If I am correct, a limted slip differential allows each wheel (on an axle) to spin at its own pace -- but limits wheel spin more than our differentials do now??? And a LOCKER locks both wheel to get totally equal power.

2. Assuming the above is correct: can you run your rear differential LOCKED all the time even on the road. I assume that b/c the front wheels turn you could NOT do that in the front, but what about the back.

3. Do airlockers allow you to engage and disengage the locker at will?? do they make air lockers for the front and rear or only front or what.

any information and any additional information would be great and helpful as I am truly interested so I can get into and BACK OUT OF the mud down here in Florida.

I searched and found this thread -- if you want to point me to one that answers these basic quaetions I would appreicate that as well.

thanks

bobby


p.s. and one last thing -- is the '97 4x4 sport limited slip or open differential in the front/rear??? is an open differential when one tire only spins ... limited slip "limits" that, lockers eliminate slip altogether ??? right???

[Edited by WellsLaw on 02-02-2001 at 01:01 PM]

 

[artt]

Thanks again, mav. I don't know how much ARB will take account of the written support from potential customers... I'm guessing we have to wait atleast a year for anything to become available......if anything will be available of course.



Hey, WellsLaw. I'm sure someone else w/ experience can answer your questions better than I; do some more search keywords. Base on what I know:

A limited slip diff, if spin for long enough period, will still, well--slip. I think many people out there with LSD (not ON LSD) press the brake a little when the diff begin to slip; this engages the clutch and as they ease on the brake and throttle up, it's off they go. I'm still learning more about limited-slip btw. Hummers w/o ABS traction-control also use this technique of brake+throttle.

The rpms of rear wheels are different too during turns. Do a search on Detroit and Powertrax lockers; there're people who live w/ auto-locker in their rear axle, on or off road.

ARB http://www.arbusa.com/ makes air-lockers; you can find application chart on the site. And yes, you can engage them at will (not WITH will). The mechanic will install the locker and run an air hose from the diff to the dashboard. When you need to engage the locker, you blow real hard on the hose to lock it. Now some had told me that they installed an air compressor, about $200, on-board and engage the locker w/ dashboard-mount switches. That sounds pretty stupid--what if the air compressor fails? Check out this article by Bill Burke Dead Link Removed

 

[mav]

WellsLaw,
The answers to your questions are in this pdf Dead Link Removed. It's a 6.8mb file, so you might not want to try downloading it unless you have a cable modem or DSL. It explains how differentials work, and why you want a locker. I've got a Powertrax No-Slip locker in my rear diff. ARB makes air lockers for the front and back of many vehicles. Unfortunately, they only make one for our rear diff and NOT our front diff. The 95+ Exploder has a hybrid Dana 30/35 diff. Because the diff case and carrier are nonstandard sizes, none of the lockers that fit a Dana 35 will fit in our Dana 30/35. A Powertrax is good for your rear diff, but you don't want a fulltime locker in front if it's your daily driver. Lockers in the front can cause bad understeer, especially in poor weather conditions. The ARB is ideal for the front, because with a press of a button the onboard air compressor pushs the locking mechanism into place (inside your front diff). Check out their web site at http://www.arb.com.au/arb_air locker.htm. Hope this answers all your questions...

 

[WellsLaw]

Originally posted by mav
Hope this answers all your questions...

Mav:

Only three more questions:

1. Does anyone make a LSD for the '97+ front?
2. Is stock front/rear LSD or open?
3. So, with a locker in the rear I would have true 3WD, yes?

Thanks,

Bobby

 

[GJarrett]

Originally posted by WellsLaw

1. Does anyone make a LSD for the '97+ front?
2. Is stock front/rear LSD or open?
3. So, with a locker in the rear I would have true 3WD, yes?

1. No. No one makes anything at all for our front. That is why we are trying so hard to convince ARB to make one.

2. Front is open; rear is open unless you purchased the tow package which comes with a LSD. Check your door tag for your axle code. If it has a D in front of the axle code number (ie; "D2") your Explorer came from the factory equipped with a TracLoc LSD.

3. Yes.

Hope all that helped.

 

[WellsLaw]

yes, and thank you gerald ...

 

[Maxxim_Hacks]

I just sent off my email to Tim tonight... and if all goes well and we get a great enough following, we may actually get what we have been creming over for the past 5 years. Finally our outcry for off-road justice has been heard!!!

Everyone, get them emails sent because if it makes it to the public, I'm sold and will trek my @$$ to the sand dunes of bumbf*ck Egypt to buy one, maybe even two; that would be great, ARB's front and rear!!! Oh my god, my heart is racing...

And if you do sent that email to Tim, remember to back it up with a purchase when it makes it out here.

 

[97 Eddie Bauer v8]

I emailed them...but

I E-mailed both USA and Austrailia. I got a responce back from USA, none to date from Austrailia. The message reads as follows:

-----Original Message-----
From: BlownMustangGT@aol.com [mailto:BlownMustangGT@aol.com]
Sent: Saturday, February 24, 2001 7:38 AM
To: sales@arb.com.au; sales@arbusa.com
Subject: ARB Air locker for the front diffy of 95+ explorers?


hello,

I've heard word on www.4x4central.com that you are producing a LOCKER for a
95+ Explorer front differential. May I look forward to hearing the news
that
they are out in the near future, and when they are to purchase one?

Thanks!
Christopher


Christopher,
We are not currently producing a diff for the front of the newer Explorers.
We may in the future, but do not currently have anything on the drawing
board.
Thank you for your interest.


Best Regards,
Marc Bowers
ARB Technical Department
ARB-USA
mbowers@arbusa.com
www.ARB.COM.AU
PH: 888-4ARB-USA
PH: 206-264-1669
FAX: 206-264-1670
20 S. Spokane St.
Seattle, Wa. 98134
M-F 8:00-4:00 Pac. Standard Time.



-----Original Message-----
From: Ken Sneed
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2001 8:57 AM
To: Marc Bowers
Subject: FW: ARB Air locker for the front diffy of 95+ explorers?





Best regards,
Ken Sneed
ARB USA
1-888-4ARBUSA