I have been reading about the lockers people have on their Xterras. I saw that ARB makes an Air Locker for the rear of the Xterra, one that is selectable in the sense that you can turn it off when driving around town, and of course on when you hit the pavement. My questions are just out of curiosity right now since I refuse to make any major changes until the X is paid off. :-) But that is next summer so I am starting to make a list of mods I want to do.

1) How much would one of these complete systems cost? I mean the locker itself, the air compressor, and installation (have a guess?)
2) Where in Northern California could you have someone do a professional install of one of these systems? Central 4hell? 4WheelParts?
3) How reliable are these systems. What I mean is I know their strength off road is terrific, but when having it disengaged for commuting to work during the week, has anyone heard how they hold up to that type of use?

They're great offroad and on.

Depending on who you buy the locker and air compressor from, you're looking at about $200 for the compressor and $600 or so for the locker.

If you install the compressor and switches yourself, you'll save a bundle.

Installation of the locker into your pumpkin will cost in the neighborhood of $300.

As for performance, the ARB is just like an open diff on the highway, so you really don't even know it's there. When engaged/locked however, there's no mistake that you've got extra traction.

Based on what I've seen of your previous posts, current truck modifications, and the difficulty of the excursions you've been through so far, I would suggest that you upgrade other areas of your truck before getting serious about installing a locking differential. A locker is quite expensive and is rarely used, compared to upgrades such as a lift, agressive tires, skid plates, bumper, or rocker panel protection.

Plus, the saying goes like this: "A locker only allows you to get stuck 50 feet further than without." Basically, a locker gets you in, a winch gets you out. I installed a winch in my truck long before getting the locker, merely because getting stuck is far more frequent than needing a locker.

Thanks for the info. Is there any special maintenance you have to perform on the rear locker once it is installed?

Other than regular gear oil changes, no maintenance to the locker is required. The air compressor housing and filter may need occasional cleaning, and you might need to separate the small air tank from the pump once in a while to allow any accumulated moisture to drain, but that's about it. To date, I've had no maintenance issues with my locker, and it's been installed for over 2 years/40,000 miles.

The only thing I've noticed is that when disengaging the locker, a small amount of gear oil sprays out the release solenoid, but according to what I've read, that's not uncommon, and could be partially related to a less-than-perfect installation.

Thanks I have a better handle on what to expect. The mods I have on my X right now are 31" BFG All-terrains, Calmini Quick disconnects (which I use frequently) , and the Calmini high flow exhaust and K&N FIPK combo. I have actually been going on a number of off road trips just have not been able to make it out with the group do to timing, and most of the xcursions are to places that seem to require overnight stays (Barney Riley and going up Highway 4 for example). I usually go out with either my friend who has an Xterra or my Uncle who just bought a Jeep. We have done Pardoes (up to the rock garden), Barker Pass , Blackwood Canyon trail, rails by Stampede Lake, Genoa Peak, some trails by Bishop off of 395, and have plans to try and go up by the Sierra Buttes and Gold Lake hopefully before the first snow..............nothing scary yet but it has been wetting my appitite to go to the next level. I hope that when my life gets a little less hectic here in the next year I can make some trips next summer with the group.

So from what I gather from your post is don't spend the $1000 on a locker first. Perhaps go for mods in this order?

1) Rock Sliderz (rocker protection)
2) Winch Bumper (approach angle)
3)Winch
4) Lift
5) rear bumper (departure angle and underneith clearance)
6) locker

Another question on the locker is how is their performance in snow?

I guess my only other question would be on the lift. I have seen a number of products from Calmini that provide 1.5" of lift in the rear (add a leaf or shackles), but have not seen a way other than cranking up the torsion bars to get that matching 1.5" in the front. Is there another way out there to get the 1.5" of lift rather than cranking the torsion bars to their limit?

There should be many places/trails you can go through w/o a locker. I don't have one, but I haven't found a trail that requires me to have a locker, yet... Well, Deer Valley is the most difficult trail I've done, though. :p Huey survived Moab w/o his locker, too.

I have 1) through 4) on your list on mine. I'm not really putting 5) on anywhere on my list; I just haven't found the necessity for it, yet. What I do have on my list is "full lenght skid plates" before 6) locker.

If...actually...when you crank your t-bars, you should already be saving some to purchase the steering system. Unfortunately, it is guaranteed that your stock center link will wear out fairly fast.

Actually, I'd put 4 ahead of 3. Clearance is better. I agree with Akio that 5 isn't really necessary. I also agree with him that you'll want to beef up your steering system (i.e. "4.5) Steering Upgrade") after the lift.

Again, unless you are frequently finding yourself unable to progress forward because you've got 2 tires in the air, a locker may not be that beneficial to you. I assume hat you have limited finances to build up your truck.... All of your items listed above will amount to nearly $3500, so naturally you need to space out the mods as you increase your experience.

edit: I don't know much about locker performance in snow, because I tend to avoid 'wheeling in the white stuff, but here's a google search for more ideas.

BTW, one mod not listed is t-case gears. If you have an automatic, I would put close to last on your list, but if you have a 5-speed, I would put it at #5ish, it just makes life sooooo much easier on your clutch and gives you a ton more control.

Thanks for your opinions guys their a lot of help. After digesting what you have said I think I would be better served saving my money for a spring purchase of a bull bar of some sort (I like the TJM T17 and Calmini' bumper) and some rock sliderz. The looks like with shipping will set me back $1100.

After that a lift looks like it might be in order. But as of today I like a more mild lift like the add a leaf. Does beefing up the steering assemble like with the Calmini system provide you any lift in the front?

If your purpose of all those upgrades is to enjoy running 4x4 trails, then, I'd go for...

1. rocker protection
2. susp. lift
3. steering system (together w/ susp. lift or right after)
4. skid plates
.
.
winch, locker, gear, etc...

I think the rocker pannels are the (almost) easiest to damage, and then, adding suspension lift gives you more clearence to farther.

Having a winch looks very cool , but I doubt that you want to be on a trail that requires a winch often when you don't have much ground clearence to go through, yet. :rolleyes: (Needing a winch on a trail is likely to mean that you are on a very rocky trail rather than muddy...well, maybe snow in NorCal.) Good tires and clearence will take you to most of the places you want to go....just like Andy has been.

Ryan,

My sliders, the ones that were made in Texas that some of us locals did a group buy on way back, may soon become available. The fact of the matter is that I >may< have to sell my truck due to the financial crunch - read: extended lack of employment - and since I still have the stock steprails sitting in the garage, I would probably sell the sliders separately and put the steprails back on. I guess I'd probably sell the "Thor Mod" deflector, too, since I also still have the OEM deflector. Hehe.

Anyhow, this is NOT fully decided, so don't get excited yet. Besides, you may not like the Texas sliders in the first place. I will probably be making up my mind in the next month or so.

-jeff

P.S. Anyone interested in Spiderman comic books - Web, Spectacular, and Amazing...none of the new stuff?

Are you serious?!? ...You don't want to call back the company in TX even just to get a contract job?

Considering what I found out last week, I don't think they could afford to have me come out there. They lost the bid on the biggest contract they have, representing 28% of their total sample load. They're appealing the decision, but they're screwed if they don't win.

Hey Jeff

Sorry to hear about your job situation. Working for the state I have been hearing the layoff rumors and I have already taken a 5% cut in pay so I know a little of what your feeling. Trying to hand in there like you.

I may be interested in your sliderz (depending on the cost, condition, and style of course). I am just trying to remember what the "Texas" sliderz look like? Do you know where a picture of them is? Let me know what you decide to do?

Ok.....here is what I got after reading and getting educated from you guys. My buy list for summer 2004 is as follows:

1. Rock Sliders
2. Calmini AAL (approx 1.5" lift).........$150.....I figure this will not only help with towing my uncles boat but give me the small amount of lift I'm looking for better off roading
3. Crank the torsion bars a bit for about an 1" of lift in front (to hopefully avoid camber problems) and then get an alignment...........$75 for the alignment
4. If tax return is good to me, the maybe a TJM T17 steel bumper for better approach angle and possible winch in the future should I want to take it to that level.

My only last two questions would be, with the add a leaf would I need to get new shocks like Bilstein 5100s to cover the extra 1.5" of lift? And lastly, for those of you who have cranked your torsion bars for a lift up front, have you experienced any of the camber problems I have hear about

Thanks for your input

I would recommend longer shocks in the rear when you do the lift though you really don't need them. It's just that the longer shocks will allow for a bit more travel in back and the stockers are crap. The bilsteins are awsome, but if you have a bit more cash get the Rancho 9000X.

About the alignment issues. Just don't go too high (be sure to leave atleast 1/2" between the upper bump stop and upper a-arm), and it should align fine.