ARB Air Locker Versus Eaton ELocker (Watch Before You Buy!) | Inside Line

Selectable lockers truly give you the best of both worlds, but they are not without faults. When it comes to aftermarket selectable lockers, two of the most popular are the ARB Air Locker and the Eaton ELocker. Each works as an open differential when not engaged and a spool when you turn it on. We've had good and bad experiences with both. In this video, we will showcase some of the Pros and Cons of each locker and go over the failures we've experienced.

00:00 ARB Air Locker Vs Eaton ELocker4
00:16 Jeep Gladiator Dynatrac ProRock XD60 axles
00:38 Eaton ELocker problems
01:32 How the Eaton ELocker4 Works
03:31 ARB Air Locker Pros, Cons, and Install
05:44 Air Locker wiring and plumbing
07:59 Jeep Wrangler JK, JL, and Gladiator Electric Lockers
09:02 Ultimate Dana 60 Eaton ELocker
09:21 Wrap Up

[StormbornJKU]

I’ve had Eaton E lockers for my JKU for almost 5 years now. I’ve had 1 failure and it was an electromagnetic plate, just wouldn’t engage, idk if it wasn’t getting current or what. Eaton sent me out a replacement plate free of charge, I took things apart and replaced it in 5 minutes. Super easy fix. That was nearly 2 years ago and haven’t had another issue since. I’ve been very happy with mine, and fortunate I suppose.

[beam]

Had ARB in a Suzuki for 7 years. Got a leak at the airline once. Maybe something pinched in under the body. Found and just taped it, good to go again. No sealings failed. Now i have a JK and factory lockers, which are going to be swapped out for ARB the day, they fail. And they will fail. Only a matter of time. Biggest pro for Airlockers: they open quicker and they open when they fail. Biggest concern about factory lockers: they fail engaged. Seen this happen at a couple of times. It is possible to continue a trip without lockers.
Also from my experience: you are sure if the airlocker is engaged when the compressor is quiet. You hear it working.

[danielchivdjian]

Good choice I’ve been using Arb 15 years never had a issue. The only thing I replace the seals twice.👍

[jpk]

72 sand hollow trails on my ARB running 42s. Hasn't skipped a beat, unlike my 1 trail eaton 🤣

[jthor]

I hope the ARB air locker will better serve you. You make a great point regarding the cons of an air locker and by the end the day I would rather deal with a clogged or leaking air line than broken gears inside the differential. Good luck and I can't wait to watch your next video.

[Nanan]

I had two piston seals fail on the ARB on my TJ, they would last about 20k miles then the seal would rip out. From my experience with industrial hydraulics my guess is that the seals are creating a dry zone that makes the seal have high friction which eventually rips it out.
As far as the eaton failure, the gear looks like they went to MIM manufacturing so it is significantly weaker than a forged piece that I believe they used to use, mim is significantly cheaper than forging.

[JPXOR]

I was very happy to see the little tidbit about the UD60 eaton lockers when I watched this video.. I just put the first 40 miles on my UD60s with E lockers lol!

[aracer]

i have a Eaton e locker in my front dana 60 has been perfect for a few years, rear 14bolt only arb was making lockers back in the day so that's what I run and absolutely no issues there either. if i had to do it over id go arb both ends though that way you can carry just a couple spare parts like a solenoid and maybe a few feet of air line that would be able to be used if either end had any issues.

[Doviruses.existbaileyonodysee]

i have no clue regarding these kinds of things, but since seing the ox locker stiff via yt, i have wanted to tinker with the air locking products and see if diff fluid and a hydraulic lever could engage the diff in place of air + compressor. 🤪

[rubiconwheeler]

The OEM locker in my JK refused to unlock. Pulled it apart, cleaned and inspected everything, put it back together, and it worked perfectly again - until I went offroad and put some torque through it; it seized right up again. Took it to a reputable shop, who pulled it apart, cleaned and inspected everything, put it back together, and it worked perfectly again - until I went offroad and put some torque through it, and sure enough it seized up again. Then I took it to WFO Concepts, who made sure the housing was straight, cleaned and inspected everything. They found that the bevel on the ends of the aftermarket Revolution axle shafts was slightly longer than OEM shafts. After recontouring the bevel, they put it all back together and the locker worked flawlessly again. It's amazing how such a small difference in the combination of parts can lead to such frustrating troubleshooting. My JT with OEM everything has been 100% reliable so far with 37's. If I ever have axle problems, I dread the day I have to upgrade and go back to worrying about aftermarket parts compatibility and reliability. ARB makes the strongest diff locks, but I don't know ANYONE with ARBs who hasn't had problems with air leaks. I blew up the rear ARB in my Geo Tracker years ago, and after replacing all the busted parts it was still never the same.

[jamesmeadrs]

I am thinking more and more about a auto locker by Torque Masters after reading about all the issues with E lockers and air lockers!

[marcochavanne]

I’ve heard the Eaton e-locker disengages when you put it in reverse, so if you quickly go from drive to reverse and visa versa like you are about to bump up a ledge, it may not be fully engaged so you can spin the teeth if you are giving it the beans.

I have seen both air lockers and e lockers fail on the trail. The most common one I’ve seen is the copper tube breaking off at the disc inside the diff and sticking solenoids on the e lockers.

Seems there is no perfect solution but both still add a tremendous amount of capability when they do work.

[GoProHeroVideos]

so strange, ive known more people have issues with air lockers. Ive had my e lockers since 2013 and they have never failed once and still wheel the rig hard.

[wobblysauce]

9:08 That looks like the Harrop setup with the Ramp locking and auto disengaging on roll back takes up to 1/2 a wheel turn to engage, which can lead to crashing the gears and wearing out that way.

[elliotkane]

Great video, very balanced. I've definitely heard some bad reviews of Eatons E-lockers on live axle vehicles - always the rear. Maybe its a matter of use.

Here in Australia ARB points out how their E-Lockers are made in Australia. I'm wondering if the ones you have in America are made in AU also, also the compressors are 'assembled' here but I wonder if the ones in America are just 'assembled' wherever they're made (China)?

[ClancR]

You think smaller tires would make a difference? I have 35s on my Tacoma and was planning on an Eaton front locker whenever I got around to regearing. Pretty sure on the IFS it'd break a CV axle before the locker anyway.

[DavoWright]

I exchanged emails with Dynatrac a few months ago and asked them what E- Locker I could get in a rear Elite ProRock HD 80 for a Jeep JT Gladiator. They told me the only option for an e-locker in that axle was the "Auburn Ected-Max E Locker".  

I live in the Western Mountains of MT and in my experience ARB Airlocks are not very reliable when altitude and freezing temperatures 6 months out of the year need to be contended with. Something in the air system always seems to be down: compressor, seal, line cracked, solenoid.... Just my experience and I wish it wasn't the case. I'm not certain but I'm assuming it has something to do with the cold, salt on the roads and the large temperature swings that we get at altitude. Does anyone have any experience with Auburn Ected-Max E-lockers?

[itonylee]

for most of occasionally weekend off road Jeep owner, a e-locker is a better choice. The ARB locker itself may not have problem, but the air leak or pump failures are common...either way means no lock / luck

[ryanj]

Thanks mate for the vid and nice gladiator! I have a arb air locker in my my jk, performs great however i am starting to get diff oil coming up my air line when releasing the pressure after a few obstacles on the trails, i suspect as the diff gets hotter, it creates more pressure pushing oil up and I've done some sort of seal....A pain i'll have to live with for the moment, cheers

[stephenpatton]

The engagement teath on that Eaton simply don't appear substantial enough. That is a big truck, bro.