ARB Diff locker and Bull Bar

John Harden · 01-23-2007, 01:06 PM

I just received the latest ARB catalogue in the mail and noticed it mentions a locker for the Titan, though it is a little ambiguous. I e-mailed ARB last night and this is the response I received from the Technology Supervisor:

"John, currently we do not build a locker for the Titan, I do however, expect development to occur this year. I can tell you that a Bullbar is in development right now and should be available this spring. Thank you for your inquiry."

My guess is this is a rear locker (versus a front) and if it is anything like ARB's other products it will be of the highest quality and extremely strong and reliable.

So, for those of us unwilling to give up our E-Locker for a TrueTrac because we need a locker for offroading, there is at least some hope out there. My diff was replaced recently by Nissan and with luck, it'll hold out till ARB comes out with their unit.

That's also good news regarding the Bull Bar. I think 4X4Parts must have a pre-production version as I believe this is what they have on their project truck, though I may be wrong.

I'll continue to follow up on this and let you folks know what I learn.

Regards,

John

f00dstamps · 01-23-2007, 02:03 PM

that's some good information, John. thanks.

**vipzach** · 01-23-2007, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Harden

So, for those of us unwilling to give up our E-Locker for a TrueTrac because we need a locker for offroading, there is at least some hope out there. My diff was replaced recently by Nissan and with luck, it'll hold out till ARB comes out with their unit.

Sorry, I don't mean to sound dumb about these, but I am. I don't understand the difference between E-locker and truetrac. I thought they both would make both rear tires spin, the only difference being that the E-Locker was an electronic switch.

I am asking because I don't have the E-Locker option on my 04 King cab Titan SE. I have been thinking about getting the truetrac. I am not really into offroad, but I will be pulling a 3000lb boat this summer. I wanted the trutrac to help with some of semi slick and steep ramps we use sometimes.

Is there something else I should get instead of Trutrac?

John Harden · 01-23-2007, 03:31 PM

The TrueTrac is a limited slip differential that through the use of helical gears transfers most of the torque to the wheel with the most traction. This helps alleviate the situation where one tire is in the air and just spins while the tire on the ground with traction just sits there.

The factory E-Locker goes one step further and actually uses a gear to lock up the rear end. For most offroading situations a locker is preferable. Desert prerunning would be an exception as the TrueTrac and 2WD would be the preferred choice. Most pre-runners are 2WD since at those speeds and conditions, 4WD and the accompanying weight are really no benefit.

In my opinion, the TrueTrac would be an upgrade to your stock rear end as far as strength, but your truck is not having problems with rear ends going out. Most failures have been on 4X4's with the E-Locker option. Given this, my advice would be to stick with stock until such time as you feel you need the increased capabilities of the TrueTrac, or you have a failure.

That's my .02 anyway.

Regards,

John

**vipzach** · 01-23-2007, 04:06 PM

I have seen many people at the docks with their one rear tire spinning and struggling to pull the boat out of the water. I don't want to be one of those people. We have used my wife's xploder with 4x4 for the last 3 years and never had problems with it. That is why I wanted the trutrac, I don't want to be sitting there with a wheel spinning,looking like a dork!!

bestatchess · 01-23-2007, 04:31 PM

Truetrac would take care of the one wheel spin problem. One nice thing about Truetrac is that it is automatic in its operation, requires no user action (or even thought). The ideal world would be the Electrac, which operates as a Truetrac, but also provides a switched full-locking function, but of course they don't make that for the Titan, although they do have one for a Dana 44.

http://broncograveyard.com/bronco/i-..._92_and_up.htm

John Harden · 04-08-2007, 03:28 PM

Update on this. ARB's website now indicates that a Salisbury, 32 spline, 10 bolt RG Air Locker for our ear end is in development and due out mid to late 07.

They also say TBD on a locker for the front.

Folks, our Titans are off road monsters as they come stock. Install a good suspension lift, ARB front and rear air lockers and we're darn near unstoppable with our combination of torque, weight distribution and our great transmission and transfer case.

This is great news!!! I'll keep you updated as I learn more.

Regards,

John

Yellomantis · 04-08-2007, 03:36 PM

If they are building a locker for the front, I hope they are replacing the diff housing at the same time.... That aluminum housing has to go. I wouldn't even consider putting a locker in the aluminum housing....

John Harden · 04-08-2007, 04:10 PM

No, it won't come with a replacement housing. None of the aftermarket lockers replace the housing.

I don't think the housing is the problem people are having with their front differentials. Housings don't just come apart without an internal or external force being applied.

From what I understand, the housings that have cracked open have done so because the internal gears grenaded.

Externally, mine is covered with a 3/16" thick, heavy duty skid plate that came with my lift kit, so I'm not worried there.

Regards,

John

Yellomantis · 04-08-2007, 04:42 PM

I'm just concerned about the aluminum casting. The front housings have come apart independently as well. Mostly from pulling in reverse though. Still, a nodular iron center section would stand up to the stress better than a complete cast aluminum housing...