questions about my upcoming build

Dain Bramage · Dec 21, 2006

hopefully in the next couple months my truck will be going under the knife, getting a fancy straight axle, gears, lift and tires. but before i start, i have some questions about a couple things.

first, how to lock it up. i was thinking about an electric locker on the front axle, but my dad was wondering how e-lockers react to water.

as for the back axle, i was thinking about just putting a posi-trac in, but when i related that idea to a co-worker at monroe foreign auto (i dont know if anybody knows duane, but he has a nice '80 toy, and a '95 taco), he said to also put a locker in it. do i need to do that?

thanks in advance!

Money Mark · Dec 22, 2006

posi - no

locker - yes

If you can afford an e-locker, you can afford the better alternative.....an ARB. Do the ARB's front and rear and never look back.

My .02

KarlVP · Dec 22, 2006

Why not an e-locker?

What's harder to fix on the trail... an Airline or a few wires? Plus one of the e-lockers is a Limited slip when the power is disengaged. Don't know if it is the eaton e-locker or auburn electrac or whatever it's called, never really cared.

Plus as an added bonus, if you blow up your differential, the electromagnet will hold the chunks out of the way while you limp home.

Dain Bramage · Dec 22, 2006

What's harder to fix on the trail... an Airline or a few wires?

yea, thats the reason i am gonna go with e-lockers. so, negative on the posi? how come?

pokey · Dec 22, 2006

beacause a "posi" or powerlock or limited slip is not a true locker. If you get crossed up and have a tire in the air only the tire in the air will spin unless you step on the brake:booo: a true locker will send equal power to both wheels and keep you moving. This can be cured by shimming the posi tight but that makes them wear faster. the upside of the posi type unit is its more streetable than a gear type locker.

KarlVP · Dec 22, 2006

A factory positraction unit is far less superior to providing maximum traction in low traction situations.

Lockers keep the wheels spinning no matter what. Even if a tire is in the air.

Dain Bramage · Dec 22, 2006

ok. i thought posi distributed the power evenly, but also allowed a slip action.

is there any issue with submerging an e-locker?

now a battery question: i am thinking about getting an optima redtop battery, and someone suggested i get a blue top marine battery over a red/yellow top. my original plan was a red top to run my engine and most of my accessories, and later add a second battery (deep-cycle yellow top) to run my winch and some lights. now, the question: why a marine battery?

KarlVP · Dec 22, 2006

The red yellow combination is the way to do it.

However, optimas QC has really gone down. I hear the new Exide batteries are all the rage. That or interstate.

As for the submerging of a e-locker. As long as all your seals and such are good, you can submerge your axles up to the breather hose.

crash2 · Dec 22, 2006

Been runing ARB's since 94' only had 2 air line failures---one was my own fault :;

Dain Bramage · Dec 22, 2006

also, i dont have OBA, so ARBs are out.

winch wise: rope or cable? rope is obviously lighter, and if it breaks, you can at least tie it, but i would think that it also has a greater danger of fraying/being cut.

crash2 · Dec 22, 2006

FordFrk06 said:
also, i dont have OBA, so ARBs are out.

winch wise: rope or cable? rope is obviously lighter, and if it breaks, you can at least tie it, but i would think that it also has a greater danger of fraying/being cut.

Went rope like 3 years ago. Will never ever go back to cable

stompinjab1 · Dec 22, 2006

Cable is for watchin TV rope is the only way to go. It is lighter, stronger and much safer.

KarlVP · Dec 22, 2006

You really opened a can of worms with that rope/cable debate.

IMHO Rope is for competition, cable is for trails.

crash2 · Dec 22, 2006

stompinjab1 said:
much safer.

Thats a mis-conception. If used properly yes it is. You can't just toss it around like you couple cable/against rocks/ground ect....

crash2 · Dec 22, 2006

KarlVP said:
You really opened a can of worms with that rope/cable debate.

IMHO Rope is for competition, cable is for trails.

I used to think the same thing and was a non believer....

stompinjab1 · Dec 22, 2006

crash said:
Thats a mis-conception. If used properly yes it is. You can't just toss it around like you couple cable/against rocks/ground ect....

Well I know I dont have to wear gloves when I handle rope. Also when rope brakes it falls not come back and take out a body part, grill or window IMO those two things make me feel safer

PORTER · Dec 22, 2006

crash said:
I used to think the same thing and was a non believer....

I was at the same point as you were crash, and will never go back to cable. If handled properly is a better all around setup. Its just hard for people to accept rope is stronger than steel.:corn:

TreeClimber · Dec 22, 2006

FordFrk06 said:
is there any issue with submerging an e-locker?

I ran a Detroit Electrac which is a limited slip/fully locked unit. I NEVER had an issue with water. The actuator is a fully sealed unit. This was in a D44 rear. When I upgraded to a D60 rear, I went with the Detroit Locker instead, as it was less expensive, simpler (and I like to Keep It Simple Stupid), and I found one new, but not installed on the board for cheap.

Dain Bramage · Dec 26, 2006

k, sounds like i am gonna be using rope.

now, an axle question: i heard that the front axle out of an 85 toy is the strongest compared to earlier toyota axles. is this right, or does it matter? the SAS kit i am probably gonna get comes with a part to strengthen the axle, so i dont know if that puts them all on about even ground or what.