I guess I wouldnt know till I had driven daily, with lockright, or spool in the rear.  I second the ARB problems, one of my buddies had a wrangler with arb lockers, he had leaks, sometimes there wouldnt be a leak at all, but still wouldn't lock.

I will most likely get lockrights in front and rear, before any other mod. IMO based on most places I go and will go, i could benefit from that more that tires or lift, after lockers will be spoa and tires. nothing crazy, till I get a new car. mine was totaled by an uninsured motorist. Sammi is my DD for awhile.

LISTEN PEOPLE make sure no matter what insurance you have, in the list of coverage, you have uninsured and UNDERinsured motorist coverage. nothing like loosing a $7000 car, and having nothing but the money you have in the bank to get a replacement. I am 28 years old and for the first time in my life, had to ask my dad for money.  But it got me a sammi. lol

Keep in mind, if you're not sure if you want a spool or lockrite... do the lead trick. It's a virtually-free $$$ version of the spool that'll last at least 6 months. That should be more than enough time to decide if you love or hate it. If love = buy the $110 spool. If hate = buy the $250 lockrite.

Keep in mind, if you're not sure if you want a spool or lockrite... do the lead trick. It's a virtually-free $$$ version of the spool that'll last at least 6 months. That should be more than enough time to decide if you love or hate it. If love = buy the $110 spool. If hate = buy the $250 lockrite.

Agreed the welded (or leaded) spiders is a good cheap way to "test" the spool.  But...it can destroy the side gears (even if you only fill the teeth on the spiders, it tends to chip the side gear teeth).  This may not matter because they are replaced with the spool; but you will need to buy new side gears then if you go with the lock-rite.  AND good rear side gears are useful to keep in your parts bin because most of the Samurai front axle upgrades require that the stock 22 spline front side gears be swapped out with a set of 26 spline rear axle side gears.  If you have the good set you pulled from your rear axle when you installed the mini-spool, then the front axle/lock-rite upgrade is cheaper and easier.  

Another option to consider; you can buy the lock-rite now and install it in the rear axle.  A few months down the road, you can buy a set of new front axleshafts and a mini-spool.  Take the rear 3rd member with the lock-rite already installed and put it in your front axle with the new axleshafts.  Install the new mini-spool in the front 3rd member and install that in your rear axle.  Ta-da!  Front and rear lockers and upgraded front axles...you only need to set up each 3rd member one time this way.

I have a 1998 4 door 2wd Tracker and I am thinking of getting a Lockright for the rear for light off-roading is a 90% daily driver..   I mainly want it for getting to fishing/ kayaking spots.  The worst that I would probably deal with is mud or loose sand.  I have  235 AT tires and have done very well, so far but I am scared of going out on a fishing trip and getting stuck alone.

For a 90% daily driver you might want to look at spending a bit extra and getting the Limited Slip rear end instead of going with a lock right. 

Man, all this talk about leaking ARB air lines makes me wonder how good a mechanic the installer was. I've had mine going on 3 years now, and my Tracker has been in all kinds of situations, rocks, mud, deep sand, loamy dirt, freezing ice block filled water holes, and lots of Jersey swamp water. NEVER once had a leak in any airline or fitting. Careful, proper installation, coupled with good common sense routing of the airlines, as well as using some kind of protection on the exposed airlines , I just use that plastic wiring harness wrap over the majority of the airline, and a heat sheild covering where it's close to anything hot, will keep your airlines working properly without leaks.  ARB also has an accessory trail side airline repair kit for those times when damage has occured to the lines or fittings. It comes with all the line and fittings needed to reline a diff ir two. $25. I've had mine in my trail spares since I've had my lockers in. I take it out and look at it once in awhile, brush off the dust.

what about these lockers Trail Tough is selling on a special right now? 
http://www.trailtough.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=240&category_id=46&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=53
I didn't know Detroit made Suzuki lockers.  What are they and how do they compare to a LockRight and such?

They are pretty much identical to a lock rites.
Same operation and function just a different name.


Amilla

Anyone feel like offering up an opinion?   How do you feel about a spool for a 2 wheel drive F-150?  Mostly driven on street, and will likely never see any slow speed off roading or rock crawling.  It will be used to tow the Tracker, and for high speed wheeling.

I can't afford a selectable locker.  I want something strong and predictable.  Tire wear isn't a concern.   I can always upgrade axles and other weak points in the drivetrain that are subject to failure under the stress of having both wheels locked together.

If it is a street vehicle I wouldn't bother with a locker at all.  If you get stuck pulling the Tracker just get out and use the Suzuki to pull it out. 

What you say is true, but I have to get rid of the rubbish open diff in my 2wd pickup truck.   I have a couple options....I'm just deciding what to do next.   The Tracker is starting to fall apart, but if I focus my attention on it instead of worrying about the truck...I think I can get the Tracker back to it's former glory in no time at all.    Anyway.....I will end up putting some sort of locker or posi in the truck.   Probably a posi or some other form of limited slip, as it will see a lot of street.   The Tracker will end up getting lockers for extreme wheeling.   


BTW, props on an awesomely informative, much needed thread.    /thumbs up