Aussie Locker for KJ in May

moose · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:47 am

I just got off the phone with Bill Cole of Torque Masters (maker of Aussie Locker). He indicated that they will be releasing a Chrysler 8.25 version of their lunchbox locker in May 2008. After reading a lot of threads on lunchbox lockers for my front D30 in the Wrangler, Aussie was a clear winner (and should show up via UPS today

). So I just wanted to pass this on to everyone who is thinking about a lunchbox locker, in case you can wait until May.

http://www.offroadlockers.com/

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:05 pm

So whats the difference between a power-trax no-slip and this?

Is it known to be better on-road and off or something?

KJ04 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:33 pm

Need to read "Frequently asked questions" and click on the USERS testamonials on the left side of the page:http://www.offroadlockers.com/faq.php/TM71e913/d931/.html
The front is not recommended for hwy snow and ice unless you have locking hubs. Can only be used on open carriers. 2 yr. warranty with no restrictions on tire size. Sounds like it would be an improvement over the Power Trax. If the new rear for the 8:25 is in the $229.00 price range it would be very affordable to most everyone, not to mention easy do it yourself instalation.

Prospect62 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 1:20 pm

Same concept. Different brand name, slightly different design. I remember when I owned my CJ and then my YJ, the Aussie Locker was "the" locker to get. That particular brand name seems to have a great deal of positive press and reviews from many off road groups. Nothing wrong with the PowerTrax I'm sure. In what they do, both are quite similar. The Aussie locker seems to have a somewhat better design. It uses less than half the components of other lunchbox lockers, weighs less and costs less. Last time I checked (not recently), the Aussie was some $100 less than the Powertrax No-Slip.

The following is a quote from a rep from Aussie on the Pirate4x4 boards:

Powertrax/Lock Right have for many years touted their "Shear Pins". They state that their pins are designed to shear/break when the locker gets in a certain position within the case. The so called "benefit" is that the pins break and not the locker. Aussie Locker takes a different design approach and designs our locker so that if it is properly installed, the locker will not get in the position that causes pins to break, therefore "No Shear Pins" in the Aussie Locker...our pins are designed to last the life of the locker.

Lock Right has patents and has touted their "spring-within-a-spring design. The Aussie Locker uses a robust spring that does not need two to provide strength and reliability. The EZ locker uses a little "top hat" to fit in the end of their spring". Fewer parts means higher reliability. Point to the Aussie Locker.

Lock Right and EZ use a design that have holes (windows) drilled in the sides of the axle gears and cam gears. Aussie Locker engineers feel that holes create opportunities for breakage and we do not use this design and have patents pending to cover our approach. We eliminate 8 side holes in our design. The use of these holes also requires little tunnels in the gears, close to the walls of the gear, where the pin and springs fit and we do not like that for reliability.

We use a teeth depth and angles for our product that our engineers have determined to be appropriate for the noise level, smoothness and reliability of our product. Other manufacturers use their own designs.

The Aussie Locker cam angles are of our design resulting in a design that meets our product objectives.

The Aussie Locker product undergoes a special and propriatary heat treating process to ensure long life and reliability.

Aussie Locker has a 100% quality audit under electronic microscopes where we measure specification conformance to the micron level. We will leave it to other manufacturers to specify their own quality level, but we are quite confident that ours is the best in the industry.

The Aussie Locker has the best warranty in the industry, with no "get out of jail free" cards the manufacturer can pull out if you have larger than OEM tires or high horsepower.

As to the pricing, why must a lower cost product been suspect as to quality? We sell direct to the end user through our web site. Our advertising is primarily on the web vs. the costly print media used by our competitors. And we understand that most of our customers do not have a lot of cash to throw around, so why charge them a high price, just because you can?

TorqMasters Technology Inc. is not some billion dollar company where lockers are not even worthy of a mention in the annual report. We are off roaders like our customers. When was the last time anyone saw the President of Detroit Locker or Richmond Gear out on the trail with their customers?

We set out to design a product that met "our" own traction requirements and we have successfully done so.

Here's a link to that thread (good discussion):
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179701

Hope this helps. If I ever get a traction aid for my KJ, it's going to be an Aussie.

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 7:46 pm

This might actually be my answer

But if I get rid of my TT i'd have to find a stock carrier... damnit.

Edit: I am actually pretty excited about this

InCommando · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:09 pm

Excellent news. My net surfing has also shown that the Aussie is considered the best drop-in locker by a good bit.

DaveKJ02 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 8:49 pm

BeepBeepJeepJeep wrote:

But if I get rid of my TT i'd have to find a stock carrier... damnit.

I have one you can have for free.

BeepBeepJeepJeep · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:13 pm

DaveKJ02 wrote:

BeepBeepJeepJeep wrote:

But if I get rid of my TT i'd have to find a stock carrier... damnit.

I have one you can have for free.

You are the man then... I'll pay shipping!

Albert · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 9:45 pm

Ok.....I'm interested too. I was thinking of a TT due to road manners (I know it's not a locker) ..........but now wondering about an Aussie Locker.......so I wonder how the on road manners really are???

Where's Troy for his opinion...........hey tjkj......where are you???

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:04 pm

Albert wrote:

Ok.....I'm interested too. I was thinking of a TT due to road manners (I know it's not a locker) ..........but now wondering about an Aussie Locker.......so I wonder how the on road manners really are???

Where's Troy for his opinion...........hey tjkj......where are you???

I have zero love for lunch box lockers.

In my opinion any locker or LSD that replaces the whole carrier is 1000% better then any lunch box locker.Better yet just get a spool or if your that cheap just lincoln lock it(jsut a bad as a lunch box locker but about darn near free).

moose · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:22 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

Albert wrote:

Ok.....I'm interested too. I was thinking of a TT due to road manners (I know it's not a locker) ..........but now wondering about an Aussie Locker.......so I wonder how the on road manners really are???

Where's Troy for his opinion...........hey tjkj......where are you???

I have zero love for lunch box lockers.

In my opinion any locker or LSD that replaces the whole carrier is 1000% better then any lunch box locker.Better yet just get a spool or if your that cheap just lincoln lock it(jsut a bad as a lunch box locker but about darn near free).

[vent]
OK, that's a great macho offroad answer. Now, how about something realistic for the average Joe. The guy who isn't going to do a SFA and put 37's on it. Sorry. I've just heard this type of anser once too often. For the guy with a DD and a budget, a lunchbox locker is really the only way to go after an LSD. Lincon Lock and spools are just plain stupid for a DD and you know it.
[/vent]

Sorry man. I don't mean any disrespect. It's just that most of us don't live in the front range and have a chance to build our jeep like you guys. ARB's are great, if you have a G to drop. But for me, $250 for the Aussie means I can still buy $750 worth of stuff from RL with that G :wink:

(not that I've got an extra G floating around. I was lucky she let me drop the $250). For what it's worth, I do agree for a non-DD wrangler that your going to use off road though

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 10:30 pm

Quote:

[vent]
OK, that's a great macho offroad answer. Now, how about something realistic for the average Joe. The guy who isn't going to do a SFA and put 37's on it. Sorry. I've just heard this type of anser once too often. For the guy with a DD and a budget, a lunchbox locker is really the only way to go after an LSD. Lincon Lock and spools are just plain stupid for a DD and you know it.
[/vent]

I was responding to this ?,nothing to do about you or any other person...........

Quote:

Where's Troy for his opinion...........hey tjkj......where are you???

And that is my opinion.Not ment as anything else but my opinion on a certian product.

Oh Lincoln lockers and spools are really not as bad as you think in a D/D.

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Fri Feb 29, 2008 11:32 pm

I agree full replacement carrier lockers are better, but that is why they cost more. On the XJ forum I frequent, many have been using Aussies for a long time and for the price, they have a great reputation with Cherokee guys. The quality, customer service, and warranty are reported to be top notch. I personally wouldn't hesitate to run one if a full carrier replacement was out of the budget.

fdems · **Posted:** Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:40 am

Rock Lizard wrote:

I agree full replacement carrier lockers are better, but that is why they cost more. On the XJ forum I frequent, many have been using Aussies for a long time and for the price, they have a great reputation with Cherokee guys. The quality, customer service, and warranty are reported to be top notch. I personally wouldn't hesitate to run one if a full carrier replacement was out of the budget.

I'll take the info from Marty and like it!!!

Rock Lizard · **Posted:** Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:43 am

fdems wrote:

Rock Lizard wrote:

I agree full replacement carrier lockers are better, but that is why they cost more. On the XJ forum I frequent, many have been using Aussies for a long time and for the price, they have a great reputation with Cherokee guys. The quality, customer service, and warranty are reported to be top notch. I personally wouldn't hesitate to run one if a full carrier replacement was out of the budget.

I'll take the info from Marty and like it!!!

Troy knows a lot more about vehicles than I do, so don't discredit what he has to say, but I'm addressing moose's post about not everyone being made of money and need a good quality option for less. :wink:

dieselenthusiast · **Posted:** Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:45 am

Rock Lizard wrote:

I agree full replacement carrier lockers are better, but that is why they cost more. On the XJ forum I frequent, many have been using Aussies for a long time and for the price, they have a great reputation with Cherokee guys. The quality, customer service, and warranty are reported to be top notch. I personally wouldn't hesitate to run one if a full carrier replacement was out of the budget.

What is the price comparsion between the full carrier replacement lockers vs. Aussies lunch box lockers for the KJ?

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:51 am

About $300-$500 and then add the install labor.

dloc_jeep_KJ · **Posted:** Sat Mar 01, 2008 12:54 am

tjkj2002 wrote:

Quote:

[vent]
OK, that's a great macho offroad answer. Now, how about something realistic for the average Joe. The guy who isn't going to do a SFA and put 37's on it. Sorry. I've just heard this type of anser once too often. For the guy with a DD and a budget, a lunchbox locker is really the only way to go after an LSD. Lincon Lock and spools are just plain stupid for a DD and you know it.
[/vent]

I was responding to this ?,nothing to do about you or any other person...........

Quote:

Where's Troy for his opinion...........hey tjkj......where are you???

And that is my opinion.Not ment as anything else but my opinion on a certian product.

Oh Lincoln lockers and spools are really not as bad as you think in a D/D.

yeah but is it really smart to lincoln lock or spool a KJ? are the axle shafts strong enough? i wouldnt think so. this would also wear the tires really quick on a DD. yeah its cheap but might not be the best idea for a KJ. not saying it is a bad idea for a trail rig on a budget.
question though would replacing the axle shafts with yukon shafts make it strong enough for this type of locker? if u used ur KJ for mostly wheeling and had another DD? just a thought still not saying its even close to the best thing to do or that i would ever do it to my KJ.

fdems · **Posted:** Sat Mar 01, 2008 1:01 am

Rock Lizard wrote:

fdems wrote:

Rock Lizard wrote:

I agree full replacement carrier lockers are better, but that is why they cost more. On the XJ forum I frequent, many have been using Aussies for a long time and for the price, they have a great reputation with Cherokee guys. The quality, customer service, and warranty are reported to be top notch. I personally wouldn't hesitate to run one if a full carrier replacement was out of the budget.

I'll take the info from Marty and like it!!!

Troy knows a lot more about vehicles than I do, so don't discredit what he has to say, but I'm addressing moose's post about not everyone being made of money and need a good quality option for less. :wink:

Without a doubt I respect TJKJ's opinion but I liked yours to. In fact I just read some of TJ's posts on another thread and it's got me thinking about researching more so I don't pay for it later.Take care!!!

InCommando · **Posted:** Sat Mar 01, 2008 3:49 am

This may be too good to be true:
http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t ... sie+locker

Aussie Locker for KJ in May

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