Aussie locker review

brooklee1000 · 11-29-2008, 06:33 AM

Aussie Locker in my rear diff--Works as advertised. Have no issues, but have noticed some changes since install.
1) Driveline windup not so bad, but shifting is stiffer in my manual transmission.
2) When on ice, the back end breaks loose real easy and tends to slide sideways, but I really need to put some weight back there, I don't think it is the fault of the locker. And a limited slip would so the same anyway. Drop her in 4wd, then no problem.
3) Tires chirp occasionally when turning, I think due to weight shift to the outside tire when the power is turning the inside one. The inside tire spins a little when it is slippery, until it catches up with the outside one. Then lock.
4) It operates nicely, but it is much louder than advertised. It is quite noticeable when going around corners and tight turns on pavement. People hear the clicking and tell me there is something wrong with my truck. I really don't care about the noise, and I tell them "Its the Locker". There is also the occasional loud POP.
5) Feeling of invincibility. Gotten stuck way worse thinking "i have locker, will not get stuck" DOH!!!

I was warned not to buy a locker by some people who have had them(not aussies though) but to weld the diff. Don't know why, the Aussie performs flawlessly on road and off. There are no funny handling characteristics other than above, and driveability has not been affected.

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toyospearo · 11-29-2008, 08:42 AM

Thats a good review!
I have one "in transit" at the moment.
I hate waiting.

fyreandwater · 12-01-2008, 09:15 PM

I agree Aussie's are a great product. I have them front and rear and no problems. My truck will go places I'm not willing to go. My trucks capabilities amaze my jeep buddies.

Matt16 · 01-12-2009, 01:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brooklee1000

Aussie Locker in my rear diff--Works as advertised. Have no issues, but have noticed some changes since install.
1) Driveline windup not so bad, but shifting is stiffer in my manual transmission.
2) When on ice, the back end breaks loose real easy and tends to slide sideways, but I really need to put some weight back there, I don't think it is the fault of the locker. And a limited slip would so the same anyway. Drop her in 4wd, then no problem.
3) Tires chirp occasionally when turning, I think due to weight shift to the outside tire when the power is turning the inside one. The inside tire spins a little when it is slippery, until it catches up with the outside one. Then lock.
4) It operates nicely, but it is much louder than advertised. It is quite noticeable when going around corners and tight turns on pavement. People hear the clicking and tell me there is something wrong with my truck. I really don't care about the noise, and I tell them "Its the Locker". There is also the occasional loud POP.
5) Feeling of invincibility. Gotten stuck way worse thinking "i have locker, will not get stuck" DOH!!!

I was warned not to buy a locker by some people who have had them(not aussies though) but to weld the diff. Don't know why, the Aussie performs flawlessly on road and off. There are no funny handling characteristics other than above, and driveability has not been affected.

Try thicker gear oil. I am using 85W140 dino oil from Canadian Tire (cheap stuff) and I honestly can't remember when i last heard the locker. The only times I know I could hear it is in a parking garage coasting around tight corner, and then its just muffled clicks. Thick synthetic oil doesn't work as well surprisingly.

I've found that when I do get stuck, its much easier to back out of than before.

I agree with your last line. I haven't noticed those "quirks" either, aside from the occasional jerking around corners if I'm being lazy.

shore.runner · 01-20-2009, 02:55 PM

Is the aussie really that much better than the lockrite?

By what I've seen the aussie for my V6 aint coming out anytime soon.

Ive read mixed about the lockright, and i would prefer an aussie but i wanted to buy one before march- ish and right now as it stands, my only option is the lockright.

mikew · 01-20-2009, 05:35 PM

I've been running these front and rear for almost five years and about half of that was as a daily driver. Took them out to regear my diffs and the back one (obviously the one seeing the most use) looked like brand new. I've been running castrol synthetic and I won't change the oil brand any time soon either. As for the noise in parking lots, I love it, makes people stop and look!!

Matt16 · 02-18-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shore.runner

Is the aussie really that much better than the lockrite?

By what I've seen the aussie for my V6 aint coming out anytime soon.

Ive read mixed about the lockright, and i would prefer an aussie but i wanted to buy one before march- ish and right now as it stands, my only option is the lockright.

Aussie Lockers won't even return my emails anymore if its asking when the V6 locker will come out. I am starting to think they scrapped the idea. I don't understand why they would have said "we've got a prototype in a truck, and they're be in production in a couple month" since like 2003. It kind of annoys me.

If you get a Lock Right, let me know, we could compare it to my Aussie. I'm not convinced they are all that much better, but I've only driven with a LR once.

ocdropzone · 02-19-2009, 12:55 AM

i have aussies front and rear in my '81. Their customer service from my standpoint was awesome. One locker turned out to have been the wrong one. They shipped the correct one out to me next day air, threw in a t-shirt and sent a prepaid shipping label to return the incorrect locker. that is good customer service in my book.

orangcrush · 08-25-2009, 03:23 PM

ive got 2 4runners... both on 35s ... but one has a sas and a 350 stuffed in it, i was thinking about gettin aussies front and back .... i am a very conservative driver crawl through most stuff not a foot to the floor guy ..... would u reccomend aussies front and back for that application ??

ted · 09-03-2009, 07:41 AM

what other noises you have aside from faint clicking when turning?

I got some moderately sounding "bangs"(?), "clangs"... inconsistently .. some are right after a slow turn , foot off the gas.

during install: center pin clearance from the spacer of the locker is .008"

noise is enough to have people beside the truck to turn their heads and look where the noise came from

Stuwy123 · 09-10-2009, 08:56 PM

How's the aussie locker in a DD in the snow and ice?

ocdropzone · 09-10-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuwy123

How's the aussie locker in a DD in the snow and ice?

it the rear it exercises the same characteristics of any locked rearend (the exception being an e-locker or ARB that can be unlocked). They have a tendency to push the rear end out in turns. Go drive in an icy parking lot and just get used to it.

11-29-2008, 08:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
toyospearo Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: way way nor cal Posts: 1,583	Thats a good review! I have one "in transit" at the moment. I hate waiting. __________________ 94 Ext. cab 22re Aussied, 4.88's, SAS,ed, FLATBED, Old Man Emu rear leafs w/TG 5.5" shackles, TG sliders, LC Header, Marlin super HD clutch, 32's- Swamper TSL's- RC rims, Badland Bumper, lifted, lighted, LED'ed, Warned, alternatored (LC High ouput), Hammed, gusseted, trussed, etc, etc... My build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f152/great-w...ck-sas-164531/ My Flatbed build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f88/toyospea...-build-191787/

12-01-2008, 09:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
fyreandwater Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Durango, CO Posts: 119	I agree Aussie's are a great product. I have them front and rear and no problems. My truck will go places I'm not willing to go. My trucks capabilities amaze my jeep buddies. __________________ 1983 Toyota SR5 Short Bed 4x4 3" suspension lift, 1.5" body lift 33x12.50 Firestone Destination M/T's Front and Rear Aussie Lockers 4.88 dif gears 4.70 Crawler tcase gear Stock 22R Hedman Header Custom Bumpers, Warn Winch

01-20-2009, 02:55 PM	#5 (permalink)
shore.runner Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Nvan Canada Posts: 66	Is the aussie really that much better than the lockrite? By what I've seen the aussie for my V6 aint coming out anytime soon. Ive read mixed about the lockright, and i would prefer an aussie but i wanted to buy one before march- ish and right now as it stands, my only option is the lockright. __________________ 88 4Runner 22RE, 5Speed Swap Aisin OEM Clutch--NGK Wires-- Hella H4 e-Code Conversion -- 100/80W Xenon Blue Bulbs -- IPF 986 100W driving Lamps -- Supra AFM W/Custom 3'' Intake --Trail Gear Rear Bumper-- XMSAT W/ Alpine Deck-- LCE Header and Exhaust on its way.. 270xxxkm

02-19-2009, 12:55 AM	#8 (permalink)
ocdropzone Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: PDX, OR Posts: 4,711	i have aussies front and rear in my '81. Their customer service from my standpoint was awesome. One locker turned out to have been the wrong one. They shipped the correct one out to me next day air, threw in a t-shirt and sent a prepaid shipping label to return the incorrect locker. that is good customer service in my book. __________________ ~Robb '81 Trekker The B4Runner Build TREKKER Forum Mini FAQ/Misc Ideas Thread TRY THESE SEARCH LINKS GOOGLE FOR TOYOTA WEBSITES LINK TO ONLINE FACTORY SERVICE MANUALS Drive a real 1st Gen Wheel Responsibly, Don't Screw It Up for Others

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01-20-2009, 05:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
mikew Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1	I've been running these front and rear for almost five years and about half of that was as a daily driver. Took them out to regear my diffs and the back one (obviously the one seeing the most use) looked like brand new. I've been running castrol synthetic and I won't change the oil brand any time soon either. As for the noise in parking lots, I love it, makes people stop and look!!

08-25-2009, 03:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
orangcrush Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 1	ive got 2 4runners... both on 35s ... but one has a sas and a 350 stuffed in it, i was thinking about gettin aussies front and back .... i am a very conservative driver crawl through most stuff not a foot to the floor guy ..... would u reccomend aussies front and back for that application ??

09-03-2009, 07:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
ted Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: philippines Posts: 104	what other noises you have aside from faint clicking when turning? I got some moderately sounding "bangs"(?), "clangs"... inconsistently .. some are right after a slow turn , foot off the gas. during install: center pin clearance from the spacer of the locker is .008" noise is enough to have people beside the truck to turn their heads and look where the noise came from

09-10-2009, 08:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
Stuwy123 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Calgary, AB Posts: 177	How's the aussie locker in a DD in the snow and ice?

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