Just so you know, the Detroit soft locker isn't a "lunchbox" locker it is basically a heavy-duty replacement carrier. It will require professional setup to get the preload/backlash done right, but even with installation will be cheaper than the ARB before install/labor.

Plus it will always behave like the ARB would when activated, even with a rear tire in the air. The lunchbox style would require you to finesse the brakes to try to get the locker to transmit power to the tire on the ground.

So there is a 3rd choice.

 

i plan on gettin ARB. it will give you OBA. kill 2 birds with 1 mod.

 

I already have on board air... well removeable air, But it sits on a board, so I guess it's on board air! I have been looking into the Detroit SoftLocker (DET187SL-61B) and found it for the lowest price of $435 so far. 4WheelParts.com has it for $50 higher. Sounds like the best option so far though.

 

EJ--the softlocker is by far the best mod I have done. I paid a total of $650. with new bearings and had a friend install for $100.00

You will be amazed by how many places you can go with a locked 2wd and the right tires.

 

three letters for ya...



ARB RD23 is $639 and the compressor is $199 (+ shipping) from Alex @ PORC http://www.performanceoffroadcenter.com/

 

WOW!! porc really does have good prices---> Free Detroit Lockers

*edit* Now the link says $449 for the locker
Maybe those guys below will get a discount or something for ordering when it said $0

 

wow, how long has it been like that?

...do you think they'd honor it if you order one for free???

 

btt, look at the link Rob posted

 

Well i just ordered one..paid $30 shipping. Lets see if i get it

 

ok i did it too, i didnt want to be the only one in case something happens... haha

 

Well, if you want...but really, an ARB Compressor Takes FOREVER to fill tires...You will be sitting there long after everyone else is gone...Just get a powertank...you'll thank yourself 100x over when you're done filling long before everyone else...

 

Just wondering what you need a locker for...

As you posted in your thread about sliders:

It costs a fair chunk of change to have a locker installed on a vehicle that doesn't get wheeled...

 

I think there is a MAJOR difference between wheelin/off-roading and rock crawling. I would like to attack the trails, not rocks. I off-road for sight seeing purposes... not to see if my truck can climb a rock. When I climb something, I want to make sure there is something to see when I get there. Not go, yup, climbed that rcok (lets see... I only broke this, scratched that, etc.) I want to be able to take pictures of something I may never see again. Mine is more for adventure/exploring purposes... not to just do it.

 

Erik-

While I really like your current rig, I have to ask the question: Have you considered removing your mods, selling your 2WD, and buying a 4WD with a locker and putting your mods on it? Sorry if this has been asked before, but I am curious.

I can see the direction you are headed (you are going to want more and more, trust us), therefore I am wondering if you should just skip all the trouble and steps and get a 3rd gen with the options you want now (and are going to want in the future).

Again, just food for thought. I am sure it had crossed your mind. What do you think?

 

yup... been there, done that, got the payment book to prove it...

i started w/ a 99 2wd limited, then got a 99 4wd to resell (it didn't have a sunroof but it was a killer deal), then eventually got my 99 4wd. i wouldn't dream of ever going back.

sell the 2wd as stock and put all your junk on a 4wd. if you get one w/ a locker, it will have 4.30's (std w/ the locker) and will be MUCH cheaper in the long run rather than modding your 2WD, realizing in about a year that you really need a 4WD to get where you want to go, then having to do it anyway...

 

I think my wife would kill me. I actually was looking at 2 4Runners when I bought this one. The other was a 98 4wd in Anthricite (love that color). However, it didn't have leather seats or a sunroof. It also had slightly more mileage. 2 options which were CRUCIAL for me. We have a 13 year old (12 at the time) who is a slob, spills everything. We also were planning on having a baby (which is now only 7 days away - if not sooner), so cloth seats weren't an option when we thought about it. So I bought the 4x2 one because it was 99% what I wanted... all but the 4x4 and I could really care about that at the time. Also, I never thought I'd take it off road. I always knew I wanted it to LOOK like a 4x4, but wouldn't take it wheelin' because it would be too "clean" to put in harms way offroad and (possibly) damage. Oh well... hind sight is 20/20 right? If I could go back and do it again, I would... but I can't and I've already invested too much money into this one (my wife's words, not mine!). We talked and said that one day in the next couple of years, I would buy a beater truck or jeep (sorry guys, they rock for wheelin' too!) and fix it up for wheelin'. That way it's not the daily driver and if it gets busted or scrathed, no skin off our backs.

 

ahhh, but all the mods you've done to "spend money on it" can be reversed and then used on the 4wd.

look at it this way: shop it around and buy a 4WD with a zero down payment loan that's EXACTLY what you want. once that happens, swap everything over between the two and then list the 2WD for sale in the paper and on autotrader.com. after it sells, then you can take the equity you have left over and get a beater commuter car and then not only do you have a 4WD w/ all your mods, but then it's not necessarily your daily driver and you don't have to worry as much about beating on it.

i was in your shoes about 3 years ago to the day. i had jumped the gun on a 2WD, thinking that i'd never go offroad much, then as the addiction grew, i realized (late) that i wanted something more that a 2WD wouldn't give me. i then followed the afore-mentioned program for my addiction and look where i am today! Now doesn't that look like FUN?!???!??!?!

 

sorry to say this man, but im right behind andy (im andy also). i was in the same boat 1.5 years ago. very nice 2wd for sale down the street from me in perfect condition; i had seen it the day she drove it off the lot to her house....well i figured i wouldnt wheel much and the 4wd wasnt really key....well it was. took the 2wd places it shouldnt have, got it stuck, decided to sell and get a 4wd which im MUCH happier with. join the andys and sell ur 2wd and get a 4wd, itll be more fun, i PROMISE.
knowing you can pop outa this is a good feeling:

 

Maybe a little while down the road. But not now. Not with a baby 5 days away. Besides, you guys aren't taking into consideration the money it will cost to transfer the mods from the 2wd to the 4wd. Still have to pay for all of that labor! Yeah the parts are paid for, but the labor will be huge! Especially on the lifts.

 

i'm the same way, recently bought a 98 4wd and am in the process of swapping over mods in order to sell 99 2wd stock. just do as much (if not all) the labor yourself and it will basically be a free swap.