Decisions: E-Locker or Air Locker?

[Zorba]

We put an Ox locker with an electronic activation on my wife's JK and love it too. I like the screw on JIC everything breaks locker activator but dislike the cable coming out of the middle of the cover.

Its good to actually hear from somebody who has actually installed/used an Ox sometime in the last 100 years instead of the FUD usually heard here. I'm leaning heavily that direction if I ever install a locker in the rear.

 

[srimes]

For about 1/4 of an axle rotation. You can't tell it happens, or even use that for any effective movement.

OK not a problem then. I read it as reverting to an open diff in reverse.

 

[macleanflood]

Its good to actually hear from somebody who has actually installed/used an Ox sometime in the last 100 years instead of the FUD usually heard here. I'm leaning heavily that direction if I ever install a locker in the rear.

It's survived all the torture me and my wife have thrown at it. Including having a 12 JK bent around it and it being moved to a 13. Lots of snow wheeling.

I'm just afraid when we really get into the rocks she'll scrape that cable right off the back of the diff cover.

-Mac

 

[TJX02]

Personally, I see that as being the worst way to go about lockers. Why install ~$1,000 air set up just for one locker? I’d keep them the same front and back.

I agree that I wouldn't mix and match electric with an air locker.

Got it, will keep them the same.

 

[GPK03X]

You can still have a compressor.
Just don't tell your e-locker.

My e-lockers don’t care that I have on board air.

 

[TJX02]

My e-lockers don’t care that I have on board air.

I worry that my e-lockers may not be as progressive as yours

 

[TJX02]

I'm glad I started this thread because I did not get the memo that e-lockers and air lockers should not be mixed. This, it turns out, seems to be the clincher in my decision. I am 99% sure I will go with air lockers . Also, air just seems like a more natural choice

 

[tworley]

The additional on top of the locker to run air isn't $1000 though. If you are just setting up a compressor for the air lockers it's maybe $300 for the cheapest compressor complete with wiring.

Damn--those have gotten expensive! I dont exactly remember what I paid for my small ckma12 compressor but it certainly wasn't $300

 

[WV Native]

I’ve used:

ARB air locker
Eaton E-Locker
OX cable Locker

Now that Eaton has a 4 pinion elocker it would be my pick of the litter. Just my humble opinion.

 

[GPK03X]

I'm glad I started this thread because I did not get the memo that e-lockers and air lockers should not be mixed. This, it turns out, seems to be the clincher in my decision. I am 99% sure I will go with air lockers . Also, air just seems like a more natural choice

I guess air is more natural, it’s been around a lot longer than electricity

 

[Jerry Bransford]

I’ve used:

ARB air locker
Eaton E-Locker
OX cable Locker

Now that Eaton has a 4 pinion elocker it would be my pick of the litter. Just my humble opinion.

Mine too if my Rubicon's air lockers ever crap out.

 

[Longwhitejeep]

Damn--those have gotten expensive! I dont exactly remember what I paid for my small ckma12 compressor but it certainly wasn't $300

Yeah the ckma12 is what I have. It was just over 300. I think the base model, smallest one is around 250 now. These are the times we live in now I guess. Out of stock or out of money.

Big reason why I went with arb's among other things. Found NIB 30 spline and 35 spline lockers locally with matching chromo shafts for less than what lockers cost new by a decent margin.

 

[Bud125]

I'm glad I started this thread because I did not get the memo that e-lockers and air lockers should not be mixed. This, it turns out, seems to be the clincher in my decision. I am 99% sure I will go with air lockers . Also, air just seems like a more natural choice

I have both, stock Rubicon rear air locker died so I replaced it with an e-locker. The front stock air locker is still working fine so no plans to change it until it has a problem. The e-locker does seem to be more instantaneous to lock while the front is a bit more finicky. I also have OBA, no fights yet between any of these systems!

 

[Lou]

I read on Facebook that air lockers hit way harder. I am not sure what that means but if you want that locker to hit hard, go with air.

 

[bbaldwin237]

have you seen this video?



Maybe it will help...

I felt like I was already pretty knowledgeable on different traction devices, but this video was awesome! I watched it a couple weeks ago and it was so thorough and professional. I do remember that there was one thing he said that I think was a little misleading or not 100% accurate, but I can't remember what it was.

Definitely a great video for anyone though

 

[Westtown Willy]

I had air lockers installed in 2017 mainly because at the time they seemed to be the most recommended by far over all rivals. That no longer seems to be the case. Regardless, they did what they were supposed to do for the few years I used them, but I've since retired from the sport so the lockers have been relegated to unused parts still affixed to my TJ without a purpose.

They may as a result seek therapy, perhaps one day having the courage to transition to, & identify as, a really good set of brakes, cause that's possible, right?

 

[RubiconLJ]

Having run Slickrock trail last weekend in my JK w/ARBS, I remembered how much better I like the E-lockers in my LJ. Got frustrated at one point when the front wouldn't unlock in a tight spot.

 

[AMS417]

Its good to actually hear from somebody who has actually installed/used an Ox sometime in the last 100 years instead of the FUD usually heard here. I'm leaning heavily that direction if I ever install a locker in the rear.

A friend who builds a lot of Midwest rigs is big on Ox with air activation using a manual air switch with a small CO2 bottle. Its pretty robust and easy to install. I like the locker design but no support for 14 bolt. When they make one, I will buy it.