After talking with a number of shops in my area, I chose Right Gear in Salinas, CA to be the shop to install the rear ARB locker on my truck. Although the shop was a little over an hour away, I feel that I made the right choice.

The locker was installed on 01/12, and took approximately 4 hours. I waited at the shop while they performed the install. If you have any work done here, I suggest you bring a book or bicycle, as there is absolutely nothing but industrial and agriculture businesses in this area. I had made special arrangements with the owner Dan Williams to take some pictures to share with the rest of the Xterra crowd. - Enjoy

Before the operation

Breaking the seal

Third member with LSD off the truck

ARB Diff (Left) next to factory LSD (right)

New carrier bearings being pressed onto ARB

Tapped & threaded housing

Measuring backlash

Taking imprint – checking tooth pattern
To Be Continued.... The XOC site only allows a maximum of eight pics per post

Rear Locker install on 03 Xterra - Part II
Internal airline in place

Robert – Installer who did the deed

H233B Awaiting the RD24

Diff housing back in place

External airline in place

Testing:

I’ve been out to Hollister hills since the install, and have tested the locker on several of the obstacles there. I finally was able to make it up truck hill, which I had been unable to do before the install.

Problems:

Soon after the install I had a problem with diff fluid leaking past one of the seals and coming out through the solenoid. Right Gear ordered a new set of seals from ARB and replaced them. Since seals have been replaced, I’ve not experienced any additional problems.

Recommendation:

Buy one or two of these for your truck and have fun!

Right Gear is owned by Williams Equipment Company, which specializes in heavy duty truck component rebuilding. Here are some cool pics I snapped of the heavy-duty truck part of their operation:

Differential from 18-wheeler

Part ovens – These are used to burn off deposits and old gasket material from parts before rebuilding them.

The rebuild room
To be continued...

Rear ARB Locker install on 03 Xterra - Part III
More semi parts – I’m guessing that the unit to the left is a Transmission. Note the Spicer markings.

Commercial part cleaning room

Now I just need to get a job so I can purchase those Calmini Rock Crawler gears, Shrockworks bumper, and etc.....

Where did you buy the locker, I can not find them for sale online? What did it set you back $?

Kewl pics and write up...

Meatheat - I purchased the locker through the shop that did the install for me, locker + carrier bearings came to $750 + tax. The ARB for the H233B is fairly easy to find. Try checking Automotive Customizers ,it looks like they have pretty good prices on them.

RI Xterra - Thanks, I enjoyed doing it!

The problem that you experienced of the seal leaking oil back through the compressor seems to be a very common one. I had that problem....then an air leak with the same seal...They replaced the seals the first time....the second time ARB sent a whole new unit...Just forewarning for those about to take the plunge...watch out for this problem and address the possibility of it with your installer beforehand!

Nice pics man.... I hope to be doing that install this summer

According to ARB, this leaking is an installer error, of the o-ring onto the ARB shaft. Basically, if that o-ring twists any when being installed, it'll fail. You have to be extra-special careful in sliding it on, so it doesn't roll any. It was a PIA when I installed my ARB, but then again, it hasn't leaked in over a year and a half, so I guess being careful has it's advantages.

Don't know if this is totally true, though, as I would think the o-ring would virtually un-roll itsself back to its natural state, w/in a few minutes. So this could just be ARB's way of covering their arse... Blame it on an install error....

awesome pictures... thanks for the info!!!

Rear locker makes life a lot nicer.

I have the front locker sitting in my garage for an antique 2000.

Between the rear locker and gears, trails are much easier. I suspect that upon the front installation, life will be much like a point and shoot camera. Simply point the truck up the trail and hang on for dear life.

I installed the arb in my rear axle. If those o-rings are in anyway deformed they will leak. When I installed the slip ring I made sure the o-rings were lubed up with lots of oil and grease then slid them onto the carrier very very gently.

According to the shop that installed my locker in June 2004, ARB changed the design of the seals to make it easier for more people to do the install. They actually stated that they preferred the old design. I am not familiar with the designs, as I did not do the work myself. I am thinking that the O-ring problem was the first design and that our problems arose with the second. The shop that did mine is the one that is recommended by ARB for the install in my area and is a custom drivetrain shop that has been in business for over 25 years. The shop where these photos were taken also appears to be a very reputable and experienced business. It would appear to be more than a coincidence if the installation itself was 100% of the problem. The fact that ARB covered 100% of my work both times and replaced the unit the second time indicates to me that the sealing problem is a touchy issue.....and (credit where credit is due) excellent customer service.

How much on average are you guys paying to have the locker installed?

Nice, man! So does that mean you're ready to run the Rubicon this year?

how much did the install cost you?

so lets see, twin lockers + front & rear r&p.. gulp.. there goes a months pay...

RI Xterra / WolfmanX

The shop I went to billed me for four hours, so it came to $340 for the install. I know there are shops that are willing to do the install for a lot cheaper if you bring the 3rd member down to them, but I live in an apartment that does not allow for any automotive work.

XPLORx4 Hi Dean! We're not ready for that bad boy yet. This is our first four x, and we still need a little more experience under our belts.

My Labor was $525 for the rear end work....not including running the airline, installing the compressor, electrical work, installing the switches in the dash, or installing the quick-disconnect for the optional pump-up kit.

BUMP!!!

These pictures are tremendously helpful... would someone consider making this a sticky?

Nice. Thanks for the pics and info.!