Quick ?s about the Aussie Locker

[heathmo]

I got my Aussie in a while back and haven't yet had a chance to install it. Just wondering if there were any issues for anyone that has installed one or a similar lunchbox locker?

I've heard both sides to put the locker up front or in the back, honestly I really think the back would be better since those tires are pretty much meant to go in a straight line most of the time anyways. But also because isn't it the 96 or 97 up used a live front axle and even though it's not engaged through the transfer case I would think that would cause some steering issues. Just my thoughts, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Last question, with this traction I should be able to make it up the same hill that a 95 Dakota with limited slip can make it up right? Can't let my brother beat me this year. Hopefully this year I'll be able to get the BFG T/A KOs as well, that ought to put us pretty even.

 

[Cozmik]

Hey, I have an Aussie in the back. Pretty easy install. One thing though, they say in the instructions for the Ford 8.8 to leave the wheels on. Don't. You need to take them off to push the axels in to remove the C-clips. Other than that, very straight forward.

Also, which Aussie did you buy? The one for the Ford 8.8 won't fit the Dana 35 and vice versa. You will also want to do the brown wire mod no matter which axel you install a locker in. I found that while cornering after the locker was installed, my 4x4 kept engaging. BWM fixed that.

Good luck and happy wheeling!!!

P.S- After my Aussie was in my 3 friends with LS GM's had trouble keeping up, and that was with them on BFG A/T's and me on Good Year Wrangler RT/S's. Love my locker.

 

[heathmo]

Awesome

Yeah I knew which one to get, I got it for the 8.8 in the rear, that was my plan, there's another guy on the forums here, I think he's from Pella, IA or somewhere around that area. He had mentioned that he had his locker in the rear w/ 32" tires on a Sport like mine and lucky him his came stock w/ 4.10s. Said that's the way to go if you've got to deal with snow in the winter. As much as I'd love to lock both the front and rear it's gotta be streetable. Most of my driving is in town city, but I do hit the highways once in a while. I think more or less the locker will be more for light off-roading for fun, and probably a lot of winter work. Last winter here was pretty horrendous.

She's coming together little by little. Wish it had the stock 4.10s so that's another project on down the line, at least I'm only towing maybe 1500lbs. Gotta get the new leaf springs, transmission cooler, bigger tires, trailer hitch, grille guard, winch, all that good stuff yet. I do have a buddy who races his ex flexfuel Ranger (dropped a 4.6L V8 in). And he said he knows gears all too well, he's had to rebuild his rear end once a year since he's been racing it, He's got the 7.5 rear end. Anyways, thanks for the input. I'm just hoping to not run into any issues, all clearances check out and all that. Thanks again.

 

[kert0307]

Its a pretty straight forward install if you follow the directions. I have the powertrax one, but they all install the same. The c-clips are a pain, mine snapped in ok, but I know it would be a PITA to get them out if I brake something.

If you need a place to do it, I can help you out with it if you want to drive to Pella. also, if you get it done by the 23rd, check out this thread.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=217945

 

[Cozmik]

I've read posts from a bunch of guys that have Aussie's up front. Great off road, not so good in the snow seems to be the general concensus. I really wanted a front locker, but as a daily driver in the great white north I decided to do without. That is until there is a selectable front locker for our trucks.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

I don't have any lockers installed myself, I understand the potential problem with lockers up front. What I don't understand, is that front lockers should be no problem at all if you have your hubs disengaging the wheels so the front differential does not turn.

A front locker should never bother you in the city if you disconnect your front hubs.

So I Don't understand the problem with front lockers.

 

[kert0307]

Because 2nd and third gen explorers don't have manual hubs

 

[heathmo]

Exactly

That's what I was trying to get at, our hubs don't disengage. Gotta love the live front axle. I've heard of getting a kit to convert to manual hubs, but honestly I like to just be able to turn the knob and have 4wd, granted I have to shut my truck off now to do so due to the BWM.

Thanks for the offer Kert. I'll probably take it out to my brother's place and give it a crack. If I find we can't figure it out I'll PM ya. Haven't checked out the thread you posted yet, but if it's an offroad event I'll definitely try to make it out. Be a good test of how well it does with just some minor mods.

Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Because 2nd and third gen explorers don't have manual hubs

Oh, ok. I know that my 3gen didnt have manual hubs. BUt I thought the 2 gen had em from the factory, okay.

Dang, I wish there was some sort of way to convert to manual hubs, either by buying new hubs or just putting on a different knuckle that has manual hubs.

Do you think it is possible to put switch out our knuckles with another truck's that had unlocking hubs?

 

[73stallion]

i have an aussie in the front of my '73 bronco. it's the first locker i've had, and i can already tell just from the hill climb and beach run i've done it'll take me more places than i want to go. i'm still open in the rear and will probably stay that way. i did the install on mine and it was easy.

 

[Cozmik]

but honestly I like to just be able to turn the knob and have 4wd, granted I have to shut my truck off now to do so due to the BWM.
.

Why do you need to turn off your truck to use 4x4? I did the BWM on my '98 and everything works just fine. Switch on, I have the Auto 4x4, switch off I have 2 wheel drive. All with the power turned on.

 

[kert0307]

If he cut the wire before the computer he would need to turn off the truck. If you cut the wire under the seat you don't have to shut it down.

 

[Cozmik]

I did mine in the dash behind the stereo as per the sticky. Mine works just fine. Does that mean I did it before the computer?

 

[heathmo]

Learned something new

Wish I would have known that one ahead of time. So since I put in my BWM behind the radio I have to shut it off, but if I would have run it under the seat I wouldn't have had to? That would've been pretty sweet. Oh well, doesn't bother me too much, I've only had to use it a few times this summer, once getting stuck backing my brother's boat up into our campsite and once pulling it up our crappy boat ramp here in Davenport.

As to the question about switching to manual hubs, I have no clue myself, but if you're planning on doing serious off-roading, you probably may as well do a SAS and I would imagine then you could get manual hubs.

I suppose along that line, I have another question, what about putting a limited slip up front? How would that affect a live front axle Explorer. I know it's nowhere near the capabilities of having it locked, but again I need a streetable truck. I figured if I were to do it, I'd get the Detroit TrueTrac. I've heard among limited slip it's one of the best, since it doesn't use clutch packs.

 

[brianjwilson]

There is no limited slip in production for the explorer front differential.
The front locker will have absolutely no effect in 2 wheel drive. You don't need to disconnect the (non-existent) hubs. If there is no torque applied, no locking. I can't tell mine is there until I engage 4x4.

The rear is still the way to go though, imo. Install a rear locker and disconnect the swaybars, it will pretty much go wherever you point it.

If you really wanted to (don't recommend it) you could install knuckles from a 98-00.5 ford ranger 4x4. You need the halfshafts, knuckles, bearings, etc. AVM makes manual hubs for the 98-00.5 rangers. They work okay, but are known for just falling off under stress (just because of the design). I had them on my ranger. The live-axle is stronger, but it takes more work if you break a cv joint offroad, since you can't just unlock the hub and drive it home.

 

[Hitchhikingmike]

Really, so a locker installed in the front differential has no chance of locking up in city on road driving while in 2wd on explorers with non locking hubs because lockers engage because of torque?

So I thought the only possible way to have a locking front differential on pavement would be to have disengaging hubs, but this is not true now as long as you are in 2wd.

I though lockers engaged when there was a massive amount of slippage on one wheel.

Now I understand they always engage regardless of slippage and because of torque.

Does this also mean that a lockers + towing heavy trailers are not good combinations?

 

[heathmo]

Thanks

I always wanted to have my locker in the back anyways. I've just heard that a front one is no good in the snow. Best to have it in the rear. And I've dealt with enough winters around here that I would imagine I can figure out the rear end. I already likes to slide side to side even with the open diff. But more often than not what I usually hit are spots that ice formed because the pavement is uneven and the trucks can't hit all the spots. And that's no fun at all when you've got one tire only stuck on the ice (happened in my 88 Caprice Classic). Anyways, that's good knowledge to have. I happened to look online after I wrote that and you're right, no Dana 35 truetrac.

As for the question about the locker and towing, probably not the best option, most people opt for limited slip in that situation, but personally I figure if you make sure to follow the same type driving that you do when you have a locker you will most likely still be engaging the locker, but hopefully not putting too much stress on your axle. I've heard it can be a great help for getting up the slick ramps though. I've asked that question b4 myself and most of the forum members have said that you should be just fine.

 

[kert0307]

I usually drive like a granny when I tow things, so I don't notice it too much. If you are on gravel or dirt the inner tire will always spin when towing though if you are going slow.

 

[HahnsB2]

Really, so a locker installed in the front differential has no chance of locking up in city on road driving while in 2wd on explorers with non locking hubs because lockers engage because of torque?

So I thought the only possible way to have a locking front differential on pavement would be to have disengaging hubs, but this is not true now as long as you are in 2wd.

I though lockers engaged when there was a massive amount of slippage on one wheel.

Now I understand they always engage regardless of slippage and because of torque.

Does this also mean that a lockers + towing heavy trailers are not good combinations?

Automatic lockers engage by pressure from the crosspin driving the drivers outwards into the couplers, when in 2wd there is no pressure from the driveshaft up front so the locker is free to unlock when it needs to. I havn't had my rig in snow since the front locker, but I'll tell you the rear is awesome in the snow, drives totally normal in 4wd, and 2wd is fine if you're carefull.

 

[heathmo]

Going in 2morrow

I bought the Ford High Performance Blue Grease that I used on the drive-shaft, I'm wondering if that would be a good grease to use in the differential while assembling the locker? Or should I just go buy some axle grease?