ARB's are Finally Installed! Updated 10/20/07

Kugellager · **Posted:** Fri Apr 06, 2007 9:47 am

High Country Performance 4x4 in Englewood, CO

Anyone here ever use them? Good experiences/recommendations? Bad? Just wondering as I am in the process of deciding on front and rear traction options and have no interest or experience in installing them myself.

John
];')

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Sat Apr 07, 2007 12:58 am

John,

Call Josh at Crawler Tech 4x4, www.crawlertech4x4.com/crawlertech4x4_005.htm and tell him Marty from Rock Lizard sent you. He does some awesome work, has one of the best reputations on the CO4x4 board, and is very reasonably priced. I have no information on the company you are asking about.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

John, I also had a FANTASTIC experience at Colorado Axle and Gear.

2611 W. 64th Ave #A
Denver, CO 80221

303-286-0338

I must have called at least 7 shops, but this guy gave me the best price AND actually knew about the KJ. Most places I had to tell them what axles it had and that the front was IFS. THEN they would revise their initial estimate to crazy high prices. Also, half way through the install some issues came up in the front and he knew exactly what needed to be done. More on that below...

About that problem...the ring gear bolt holes for the TT are TOO BIG around for the stock ring gear. Most installers will install it without notifying you of this. They depend on torque and friction to keep it in place (which TT engineers have deemed to be "acceptable"). Unfortunately, over time (at least as far as CO Axle is concerned) the bolts can loosen and then there will be "slack" where the ring gear can actually move slightly back and forth on the carrier. Eventually the force of this movement can shear off the bolts and then you are SOL. The solution...there are bolt sleeves available for this very problem. If other shops do not address this potential hazard then I would not give them the time of day.

Kugellager · **Posted:** Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:23 am

Thanks guys for going the extra bit on suggesting places that can do this work. I had no ideas where to start to find someone who could do this work and do it right.

I'm still waffling back and forth about going the way Joel and Troy went with ARB/rear and TT/front or Teds direction and going all ARB...My only concern with the all ARBs is long-term reliability. I've read about leaky seals and it causing oil to creep up the air lines and other breakages. Won't have that worry with the TT. BUT...I'd love the options of having the diffs all open or all locked - especially since I have a manual tranny. It would be a bit of a challenge stepping on the brakes to get the TT to lock up while balancing the clutch and gas.

You guys did do pretty well on Chinaman Gulch with that combo. Do you always or frequently have to hit the brakes to get the TT to lock up? Does it stay locked once you are off the brakes? Joel, Troy and Ted are the three hardest KJ wheelers in CO with the same potential traction combinations I have narrowed it down to.

John
];')

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Sat Apr 07, 2007 10:53 am

I am also interested in doing my front axle. Apprehensive about how well TT really works off-road. I think Joel said steering abilities do change one you get the TT or other locker in there besides the ARB.

Hi Country is expensive when I visited them about 2 yrs ago. They do seem very knowledgeable though and didn't laugh or make fun of the KJ.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Apr 07, 2007 2:26 pm

Kugellager wrote:

Thanks guys for going the extra bit on places that can do this work. I had no ideas where to start to found someone who could do this work and do it right.

I'm still waffling back and forth about going the way Joel and Troy went with ARB/rear and TT/front or Teds direction and going all ARB...My only concern with the all ARBs is long-term reliability. I've read about leaky seals and it causing oil to creep up the air lines and other breakages. Won't have that worry with the TT. BUT...I'd love the options of having the diffs all open or all locked - especially since I have a manual tranny. It would be a bit of a challenge stepping on the breaks to get the TT to lock up while balancing the clutch and gas.

You guys did do pretty well on Chinaman Gulch with that combo. Do you always or frequently have to hit the breaks to get the TT to lock up? Does it stay locked once you are off the breaks? Joel, Troy and Ted are the three hardest KJ wheelers in CO with the same potential traction combinations I have narrowed it down to.

John
];')

When I have 1 front wheel raised yes I have to keep a little brake on to keep it "locked".When I was choosing I wieghed both the TT and ARB's +'s and -'s and choose the TT.The TT is really nice since it is automatic and is really killer on ice and snow when you have to engage 4X4 to get around,it splits the torque going to each front wheel and helps me turn better on the slippery stuff,the ARB would be a hinderence in my opinion.But since you have a manual tranny I think the ARB up front would be your best bet since playing with 3 pedals on the rocks is a real pain,in my opinion.The newer ARB's are much better than the older versions so problems with the seals seams to be way much less common.Not to make spend more money but having the manual I would go with the ARB,but again it's your choice,get what will make you happy and fits your needs the best

.

Skyjump136 · **Joined:** Tue Jul 05, 2005 6:50 pm **Posts:** 1633

The steering was only slightly changed and after a week I never noticed it again. It just snaps back to center a little faster than normal and I don't even consider that to be a bad thing. I've never used the brake trick with the TT so I can't add anything there. For it to make a difference I think you'd have to have one wheel in the air like Troy said...I'm sure that's happend, but with the ARB in the back I just keep right on going.

KikensJeep · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 12:31 pm

well if youre still looking for a review of High Country those guys are great

I had to go back to KY for 3 weeks to help my mom cope with my grandma's death and my wife decided to get my ARB, Lift, and Winch installed while I was gone, they did it all for 1600 that included an alignment I also bought the winch from them so part of that 1600 is the cost of the winch.

after about 3 miles down the road after picking up my jeep the fan decided to die, I took it back to them and they troubleshot the problem and installed the fan at no charge ( I did have to pick up and buy the fan) but that is exceptional service

also they have worked on KJ's and didnt give me any flack for wheelin a KJ

Kugellager · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:22 pm

Thanks for the review. I was still looking for more info on them and others.

I have front and rear ARB on order and will have them soon for installation.

John
];')

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:53 pm

Rear ARB? When did they start making rear bumpers?

I visited them a few weeks after I bought my KJ (Sep 04) and asked them about mods and they came up with a price tag of $3600 for ARB lockers, lift, bumper, and winch. Purchase them and install. Nobody laughed or made fun of my KJ back then.

Kugellager · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:54 pm

Front and rear Lockers

John
];')

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 1:58 pm

Oooooooooh! You are gonna be one Bad_ss KJ!

Kugellager · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 2:02 pm

Basically it all came down to a choice between a TT in front and ARB in back or ARB all around. Because of the manual transmission I chose the ARB for both. With the TT - trying to manipulate the gas, break and clutch pedals all at the same time would be too much and unsafe IMO. It has been a challenge to get the clutch and gas coordinated at times as it is when going over some obstacles. Imagine trying to do that and then somehow tap the breaks (for front TT) to get an LSD to lockup at the same time.

John
];')

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 2:15 pm

I'm debating on an ARB in the rear. The Trac Lock just isn't enough.

I am already planning on an ARB for the front sometime this summer.....or go with the Ected.

The tough decision is I can only get one thing this year ARB Locker for rear or a Canon Digital Rebel XT.

Leaning towards the camera since I do have an LSD in the rear and will have a full locker for the front.

Have you gone and visited High Country and talked to them? You should also check with Marty's friend.

Kugellager · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 2:19 pm

I plan to do all that once my ARBs all come in so that when I do shop around for pricing it will be fresh in the minds of the people I talk to. It's the busy season and they are back ordered at the moment.

John
];')

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 2:27 pm

I would regear too while they are in there. Labor for install isn't real cheap, and doing it twice would be a waste. Save up for lower gears (not sure what you have with the standard), and get them installed on the ARBs at the same time. :wink:

Kugellager · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2007 2:47 pm

The standard gear ratio with the manual is 3.55 giving me a crawl ration of 43:1 in first gear. I have been pretty happy with that and how it handles in the mountains and on the trails. Many times when I am in line with everyone on the trail I have to shift to 3rd or 4th gear as it is, so that I either roll downhill fast enough or don't slow the line down - or get rear-ended by one of you auto-tranny guys. I don't plan on doing any towing either. I got the front ARB for thsi ratio which pretty much locks me into the 3.55 ratio as 3.73 and up use a different part # (a different carrier is my guess). Anyway...I'd like to keep the 3.55 for highway mileage - even more so with the gas prices as they are. Acceleration in its current configuration is fine for me.

At some point in the future I'd like to swap the transfer case for a Rock Trac and upgrade the driveshafts anyway.

John
];')

Kugellager · **Posted:** Sun Oct 07, 2007 9:54 pm

Well I am Scheduled for October 15th at Crawler Tech to FINALLY get my ARB's installed. They should be in and working by the end of that week. I have been very much a lurker this season with the prep and selling on my and my fiances houses. And now we are under contract for OUR new house. Work to do on it before we move in too....been one of those summers. To get to the point of an install I slowly worked on the electrical and air system in between house projects. I built my own air supply system. Anyone know where I can get a check valve to put inline to the system? I am having a challenge finding one.

Hopefully I get one chance to do a run before the snows but considering this weekend it appears the snows have begun a run is unlikely. I will really attempt to make the Christmas party...but I can't be sure. At least I will have lockers for next year!

@Marty, Josh seem to be a good guy and seems interested to work on a Liberty. His price is very reasonable...

John
];')

Rush345 · **Posted:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 12:19 am

Being we are in the same neck of the wood (Lakewood, CO) You might check out
Lakewood Five Star
1135 South Union
Lakewood, Colorado 80228
303-716-3005
O.T. is the owner.
Tell him David Rush sent you.
I've use his services for years first on my 95 Dodge Dakota and now my 02 Liberty Sport. He is not the cheapest in town but he has alway taken care of me . In fact a couple of months back I received a notice telling me of the LBJ recall, Five Star had done this last year right after I bought the Jeep from Medved. When I got this notice he said go ahead and take it in. But if this was a dealership fishing expidition take their quote and bring it to him and double check for me. After the LBJ's were replaced I went right to him he took a look and said get new tires and get an alignment but a couple of minor seaping Leaks don't worry about it and save my money. Except for the repair houses that are L.O.S.T. members you don't hear this happening often. I've been doing business with him for over 5 years he kept my Dakota running when it should have been put out of it's misery

Hope this info is useful.
David

Green Renegade · **Posted:** Mon Oct 08, 2007 12:53 am

your KJ is an '05, doesn't that mean you have ESP? Wouldn't that engage the trutrac for you? Then again, the more I wheel my '06 the less I feel lockers are even necessery, that ESP is amazing.

ARB's are Finally Installed! Updated 10/20/07

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