Another Aussie Locker Review

mrmatson · 11-12-2008, 12:16 PM

Well I finally broke in and bought an Aussie Locker for my 93 pickup. The install was pretty easy, took me about 8hrs from the time I jacked the truck up to the time I drove it home.

I'd always heard Aussies were quieter than other auto lockers but I was surprised how quiet it actually is, even in low speed high traction situations (read parking lot) I couldn't hear it at all, mind you the exhaust on my truck is pretty loud so that may have played a role but even so I'm impressed at the lack of noise.

As for on road manners I can't really notice any difference, of course I usually drive like a granny on the street so I wasn't really pushing any traction limits there.

Off Road it is completely amazing. I'd heard again and again the virtues of having a locker, but I have to admit I was a little skeptical that it would be that much better with just a rear locker. Trust me, the difference in traction is staggering. It's well worth every penny of $284 and 8hrs of your life.

I would highly recommend an Aussie Locker to anyone and everyone who has ever found themselves wanting to go just a little further down the trail.

Here's some poser shots I took with my phone while cruising around the other day at Gordy's Hill. I wouldn't have gotten half as far as I did without the locker.

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scuba · 11-12-2008, 12:23 PM

Dude, Im still debating selectable vs. non.
I Have as well heard great things about the aussie.

Im thinking of asking for the locker for christmas but still trying to decide which one....

Glad your lovin it..
And nice looking truck, Also looks like some nice terrain.

Keep trucking dude.

a4runnerfreak · 11-12-2008, 12:49 PM

If Aussie would only make a locker for those of us with the v6, I would have bought 1 long time ago. I'll be saving up for the Toyota e-locker, after I finish paying my truck off

Matt16 · 11-12-2008, 12:51 PM

Good review. I'll link your to my writeup.

904_runner · 11-12-2008, 01:02 PM

I waited for an aussie FOR MONTHS. Finally gave up and bought a lockright. I have no complaints about it.

Matt16 · 11-12-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 904_runner

I waited for an aussie FOR MONTHS. Finally gave up and bought a lockright. I have no complaints about it.

I don't know what's with that. I've emailed repeatedly and I keep getting "it will be ready in a month or so." If I were running a business and had trouble getting a product on the market, I'd just say "we don't know". It would be a lot less frustrating for people.

904_runner · 11-12-2008, 01:35 PM

Yup, it sure would. I went through the same thing for a few months and kept reading stories of people hearing the same thing but longer than i was. SO i gave up.

From what i talked with the guys about, they seem pretty cool company though. Idk, maybe they were told that they couldn't tell people that it won't be ready. Who knows.

ovrrdrive · 11-12-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 904_runner

I waited for an aussie FOR MONTHS. Finally gave up and bought a lockright. I have no complaints about it.

That's the reason I have a Lockright too...

No matter though. I recommend an Aussie first based on reputation then a Lockright second. I haven't had any problems at all with it. It's one of my favorite parts of the truck.

904_runner · 11-12-2008, 02:19 PM

Same here, i love how most things are so much more effortless than with open front and rear. I already want a front locker too!

Alex 400 · 11-12-2008, 03:06 PM

I am saving for an ARB. But that will be quite a ways down the road i think. I have other things that I want to money towards.

mrmatson · 11-12-2008, 03:18 PM

I was thinking about an ARB for a while but after driving the truck with the Aussie in it I'm glad I didn't bother spending the money at least on the rear, I could see the advantages of a front selectable but for the rear it just doesn't makes sense to me.

904_runner · 11-12-2008, 03:25 PM

Yea. So many people say the rear auto lockers are unbearable. BUt what i have experienced and heard. I hardly ever know the locker is back there and neither do my passengers.

IT was worth every penny, IMO

scuba · 11-12-2008, 03:26 PM

Im think im going to just get an aussie for xmas then, leaves more room for more shiny truck parts

904_runner · 11-12-2008, 03:28 PM

Does chrome get you home??? Nope, but an aussie might!

toyNG · 11-12-2008, 03:42 PM

An aussie is up next on my mods list. This review makes me want it even more!

904_runner · 11-12-2008, 03:51 PM

http://gearinstalls.com/aussielocker.htm

theres a link for anybody wanted to see what is involved in the install of an aussie locker.

scuba · 11-12-2008, 04:00 PM

Doesnt look terribly hard, seems almost like my hub rebuild.
Sweet...
If I get what I want for christmas, theres going to be a wheeling trip soon after

Junkers88 · 11-12-2008, 04:08 PM

Gordy's hill huh? Man I'd love to try that trail but don't know how far I'd get with my little 31's.

Glad you like the locker, I know I love mine and the one time I got to go out and use it was with Jeeps West out of Gallup and I was really impressed with how far I got. If I'd have had the lift on at the same time I would have gotten farther.... stupid ledge.........

Matt16 · 11-12-2008, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 904_runner

Yea. So many people say the rear auto lockers are unbearable. BUt what i have experienced and heard. I hardly ever know the locker is back there and neither do my passengers.

IT was worth every penny, IMO

I could drive anyone around for a day and they wouldn't know that the truck was any different with the exception of a parking garage with lots of echos. Now, if they drove it, they might notice it, but its easy to adapt your driving style to suit.

Junkers88 · 11-12-2008, 05:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt16

I could drive anyone around for a day and they wouldn't know that the truck was any different with the exception of a parking garage with lots of echos. Now, if they drove it, they might notice it, but its easy to adapt your driving style to suit.

Matt do you still get the "lurching" once in a while when engine braking around a sharp corner? I do and the passenger always gets this "what the heck is wrong with this POS?" look on their face.

Oh and to agree with the noise thing even with the stock exhaust and the windows down I can hardly hear it.

904_runner · 11-12-2008, 05:18 PM

Mine will occasionally do the lurching around sharp turns. but it only happens in parking lots where you are going pretty slow.

ovrrdrive · 11-12-2008, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuba

Im think im going to just get an aussie for xmas then, leaves more room for more shiny truck parts

Do yourself a favor then, order it NOW!

I was in too big of a hurry to wait. For the wheeling I do the Lockright is fine anyway.

Jay351 · 11-12-2008, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 904_runner

Mine will occasionally do the lurching around sharp turns. but it only happens in parking lots where you are going pretty slow.

Yeah, I get it too.. But sometimes it gets bad! The suspension and driveline start to twist... fun times

I just usually just press the clutch... no problemo!

Lama glama · 11-12-2008, 09:03 PM

I just emailed Aussie today and got a reply back saying "We are expecting to see our V6 model in the USA either in December or early January." From what gets said on here, though, I think I'll believe it when I see it.

904_runner · 11-12-2008, 09:05 PM

That would be best. i found a thread on pirate where they started saying that back in 2004

11-12-2008, 12:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WHEELIN BIG BEAR Posts: 6,968	Dude, Im still debating selectable vs. non. I Have as well heard great things about the aussie. Im thinking of asking for the locker for christmas but still trying to decide which one.... Glad your lovin it.. And nice looking truck, Also looks like some nice terrain. Keep trucking dude. __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

11-12-2008, 01:02 PM	#5 (permalink)
904_runner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chico, California Posts: 3,782	I waited for an aussie FOR MONTHS. Finally gave up and bought a lockright. I have no complaints about it. __________________ Mike 1990 4runner: 3.4 swapped, 5-speed, sas'd, Rear leaf swap, Locked, 5.29's, 39.5" iroks on Beadlocks, Armor'd Longfields, Duals coming soon: My build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f152/904_run...thread-158746/ http://www.treadlightly.org/ http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ery/index.html

11-12-2008, 01:35 PM	#7 (permalink)
904_runner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chico, California Posts: 3,782	Yup, it sure would. I went through the same thing for a few months and kept reading stories of people hearing the same thing but longer than i was. SO i gave up. From what i talked with the guys about, they seem pretty cool company though. Idk, maybe they were told that they couldn't tell people that it won't be ready. Who knows. __________________ Mike 1990 4runner: 3.4 swapped, 5-speed, sas'd, Rear leaf swap, Locked, 5.29's, 39.5" iroks on Beadlocks, Armor'd Longfields, Duals coming soon: My build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f152/904_run...thread-158746/ http://www.treadlightly.org/ http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ery/index.html

11-12-2008, 02:19 PM	#9 (permalink)
904_runner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chico, California Posts: 3,782	Same here, i love how most things are so much more effortless than with open front and rear. I already want a front locker too! __________________ Mike 1990 4runner: 3.4 swapped, 5-speed, sas'd, Rear leaf swap, Locked, 5.29's, 39.5" iroks on Beadlocks, Armor'd Longfields, Duals coming soon: My build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f152/904_run...thread-158746/ http://www.treadlightly.org/ http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ery/index.html

11-12-2008, 03:18 PM	#11 (permalink)
mrmatson Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Socorro, NM Posts: 106	I was thinking about an ARB for a while but after driving the truck with the Aussie in it I'm glad I didn't bother spending the money at least on the rear, I could see the advantages of a front selectable but for the rear it just doesn't makes sense to me. __________________ 1993 Toyota Pickup - 22RE, 5spd, 4.88s, Total Chaos Gen 2 Caddy Kit, FOA 10in travel coilovers up front, skyjacker leafs and 5.5in shackes, ProComp ES9000 shocks in rear, 1in body lift, 33/12.50R15 ProComp Xtreme Mud Terrains on 15x8 black steelies. AUSSIE LOCKER!!! 2003 Kawasaki Ninja 500R - FOGbones, custom fender eliminator, flush mount front turn signals

11-12-2008, 03:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
904_runner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chico, California Posts: 3,782	Yea. So many people say the rear auto lockers are unbearable. BUt what i have experienced and heard. I hardly ever know the locker is back there and neither do my passengers. IT was worth every penny, IMO __________________ Mike 1990 4runner: 3.4 swapped, 5-speed, sas'd, Rear leaf swap, Locked, 5.29's, 39.5" iroks on Beadlocks, Armor'd Longfields, Duals coming soon: My build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f152/904_run...thread-158746/ http://www.treadlightly.org/ http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ery/index.html

11-12-2008, 03:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WHEELIN BIG BEAR Posts: 6,968	Im think im going to just get an aussie for xmas then, leaves more room for more shiny truck parts __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

11-12-2008, 03:28 PM	#14 (permalink)
904_runner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chico, California Posts: 3,782	Does chrome get you home??? Nope, but an aussie might! __________________ Mike 1990 4runner: 3.4 swapped, 5-speed, sas'd, Rear leaf swap, Locked, 5.29's, 39.5" iroks on Beadlocks, Armor'd Longfields, Duals coming soon: My build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f152/904_run...thread-158746/ http://www.treadlightly.org/ http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ery/index.html

11-12-2008, 03:42 PM	#15 (permalink)
toyNG Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Redlands, CA Posts: 563	An aussie is up next on my mods list. This review makes me want it even more! __________________ 1986 pickup 4x4 SR5, 5-spd, 33x10.5 BFG KM1 muds, 2" body lift, front and rear lockrights, 4.88s, 4.7 t-case with Dave'z twin stick, BudBuilt crossmember with 1" drivetrain lift, Downey grille guard and skid plate, TG sliders Still needed: rear bumper (Marlin, TG, or Dave'z)

11-12-2008, 03:51 PM	#16 (permalink)
904_runner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chico, California Posts: 3,782	http://gearinstalls.com/aussielocker.htm theres a link for anybody wanted to see what is involved in the install of an aussie locker. __________________ Mike 1990 4runner: 3.4 swapped, 5-speed, sas'd, Rear leaf swap, Locked, 5.29's, 39.5" iroks on Beadlocks, Armor'd Longfields, Duals coming soon: My build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f152/904_run...thread-158746/ http://www.treadlightly.org/ http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ery/index.html

11-12-2008, 04:00 PM	#17 (permalink)
scuba Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: WHEELIN BIG BEAR Posts: 6,968	Doesnt look terribly hard, seems almost like my hub rebuild. Sweet... If I get what I want for christmas, theres going to be a wheeling trip soon after __________________ Screw you guys I'm goin to TTORA Mods, please be mature and leave my sig alone, thanks. No, I will not be your friend.

11-12-2008, 04:08 PM	#18 (permalink)
Junkers88 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Albuquerque NM Posts: 2,776	Gordy's hill huh? Man I'd love to try that trail but don't know how far I'd get with my little 31's. Glad you like the locker, I know I love mine and the one time I got to go out and use it was with Jeeps West out of Gallup and I was really impressed with how far I got. If I'd have had the lift on at the same time I would have gotten farther.... stupid ledge......... __________________ RB4R Life Member. 1989 SR5 4runner. Tread Wright 31/10.50/15's. 4.56 thirds, an Aussie in the @$$, Budbuilt plate, Marlin Crawler front, modified MC rear, Supra MAF conversion, ZUK coils in the rear and 4crawler BJ's in the front, LCE header.

11-12-2008, 05:18 PM	#21 (permalink)
904_runner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chico, California Posts: 3,782	Mine will occasionally do the lurching around sharp turns. but it only happens in parking lots where you are going pretty slow. __________________ Mike 1990 4runner: 3.4 swapped, 5-speed, sas'd, Rear leaf swap, Locked, 5.29's, 39.5" iroks on Beadlocks, Armor'd Longfields, Duals coming soon: My build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f152/904_run...thread-158746/ http://www.treadlightly.org/ http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ery/index.html

11-12-2008, 09:03 PM	#24 (permalink)
Lama glama Registered User Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: College Place, WA Posts: 58	I just emailed Aussie today and got a reply back saying "We are expecting to see our V6 model in the USA either in December or early January." From what gets said on here, though, I think I'll believe it when I see it. __________________ Brian 1991 Ext cab 4x4 3.0 5spd 3.4 swap in the works!!!

11-12-2008, 09:05 PM	#25 (permalink)
904_runner Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Chico, California Posts: 3,782	That would be best. i found a thread on pirate where they started saying that back in 2004 __________________ Mike 1990 4runner: 3.4 swapped, 5-speed, sas'd, Rear leaf swap, Locked, 5.29's, 39.5" iroks on Beadlocks, Armor'd Longfields, Duals coming soon: My build thread http://www.yotatech.com/f152/904_run...thread-158746/ http://www.treadlightly.org/ http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...ery/index.html

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