ARB Air Lockers - Explained

ARB Air Lockers Explained - How they work
Have you ever wondered what's inside an ARB Air Locker or how they work? Follow along with Tech Tim in the Northridge4x4 DIY garage as he shows you how the Air Locker works and how simple they really are.
Is the Air Locker the top shelf of locking differentials for your off-road (and on-road) vehicles? No other driver operated locker has the reputation or pedigree that the ARB Air Locker has. They've been around for decades and have a wider range of applications available than any other locker out there.
The ARB Air Locker is very similar to a factory-style open differential and that’s what makes them so cool. They have side gears and spider gears just like the OE open differential, and when “OFF” they are an open differential, just like the factory open differential. Now if you’d like to learn more about what a differential is, we dropped a link below to a cool old vid from 1937 which explains more.
JL/JT/Bronco Air Locker - RD245:
www.northridge4x4.com/part/lo...
Full ARB Product Line: www.northridge4x4.com/pages/arb
Want to know more about how an open differential works? Check out the really cool video from 1937 - “Around the Corner”: • Around The Corner - Ho...
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Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:40 Air Locker vs OE Diff
4:08 How it works
6:00 A true investment
6:45 Outro
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[@DinkAround]

I love a good Air locker, but I struggle that for $70 more I get an E locker and the install is a breeze. I feel like ARB needs to make a cost reduction if they want to stay in the game. Edit: I purchased the E-Locker. Ended up having to buy $150 in addition bearings and shims that the ARB would have come with had I purchased the ARB. ARB is the winner for supplying everything you need. Its over $200 in savings to buy the ARB for anyone looking.

[@sisyphusofmorons]

Putting a front ARB locker in the front of my heavy rig made all the difference in going over rocks/logs and seriously twisted trails, turning that non driven wheel or wedge basically into a powered wheel to get over obstacles. I think mine is from 2001 and and took it apart a few years ago and still looks good inside. Can't wait to get another one in the rear of the rig.

[@CompassCustomCreations]

I'm totally new to this, thanks for the clear explanation.

[@northridgenation]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nealesmith1873]

Great explanations!

[@250gtskyline5]

crystal clear explanation....... I was watching everywhere why there is an air tube going into the axle.... now it makes sense the mechanism does not rotate

[@northridgenation]

Glad it helped!

[@JS-sh3nq]

Excellent explanation of how things work, thank you so much

[@northridgenation]

Glad it was helpful!

[@sanddrifterjb]

Tim is a true off-road legend 🏁

[@northridgenation]

Funny, that's what Tim says about you Joe!

[@sanddrifterjb]

@@northridgenation Thank you for the kind words. 🇲🇽🏁

[@mistergreen2]

The ARB unit does not automatically release if there is any kind of load on the side gear. The return springs are quite lite so you have to come to a stop if you are turning or spinning the wheels for the unlock to happen. Otherwise it's a great system.

[@northridgenation]

You typically don't have to stop, just take your foot off the throttle and relax the steering to release the bind. ARB could add in stronger springs to help disengage the locker, but then you'd need to run higher pressures to overcome the the springs to lock it in.

[@hebdomatical]

green: Quote: "The ARB unit does not automatically release if there is any kind of load on the side gear. The return springs are quite lite so you have to come to a stop if you are turning or spinning the wheels for the unlock to happen. Otherwise it's a great system." If my understanding is correct, this is the same for any other locker as well. They must be unloaded to reliably disengage.

[@saeedenkan4566]

Thank u ,

[@robbennett]

If you drive a disco, look at the ashcroft locker. It's an overbuilt more reliable version of the arb air locker.

[@WilliamVG]

Ashcroft lockers available for us Northern Canadians:)?

[@40lowgear]

Great video, Tim. I've been running ARBs for decades in my Toyotas. I had leaking issues with them before (leaking inside the pumpkin) and actually broke gears inside the locker and concluded that it was due to a bent axle housing. Toyota stock housings aren't the strongest. Once I swapped in a Diamond Axle all leaking issues went away and I had a feeling I relieved stress on the locker overall. My question; are ARBs super picky about the straightness of the housings? IOW- how far off center must a housing be at the flanges to start to cause ARB leak issues, etc.? Is there an easy trick to checking the straightness of an axle housing at home.

[@northridgenation]

All differentials can fail inside a bent housing. The easiest way is to set a couple carpenter squares on either side of the housing on the housing flanges, then measure between them. Do this at around the clock, so measure 12:00 & 6:00, 1:00 & 7:00, 2:00 & 8:00 etc. all the way around. You should be less the 1/8" all the way around.

[@nestorcinotti1457]

For earlier ARB carrier models, can you enlarge the carrier ring gear holes with a hand drill or do you require a bench drill? cheers

[@northridgenation]

You could do it by hand if you were spot on, but it is easiest to them them out on a drill press or mill.

[@jonkanner]

I have a 2021 ram 1500 love it only have 4x2. Plan on getting a bigger boat. The ram should have no problem getting the boat and trailer out of water. But as a precaution should I be at a ramp with lots of algae this looks like the fix to get me out safely when I need extra traction? What do you think?

[@northridgenation]

The ARB Air Locker is a great addition to any rig that may see low traction scenarios. Fully locker when on and completely off when it is off, so no weird handling or tire wear associated with other traction aiding devices.

[@BlindDude]

I have an older ARB that I finally got installed. ITs when they used to be 699.99 if any of you remember that.. So I need 70-150psi still?

[@northridgenation]

Tech Tim Was working at ARB back in the dinosaur days when you could buy one for $500.00. He says that although many of them will lock in reliably at pressures in the 70 psi range, you really want a minimum of 100 psi and that 150 really is the sweet spot. Don't go above 150 psi if you are running ARB solenoids.

[@durrtybuck8949]

My girlfriend has a 2021 4Runner SR5. It doesn’t come with the factory E Locker like you see on the TRD models. My question is can we install these air lockers on here rig? And is it possible to install ARB air lockers in the front and rear axles?

[@northridgenation]

Yes, you can add Air Lockers to your 2021 4Runner front and rear. Front ARB Air Locker could be the RD111 or RD121 depending on gear ratio. Rear ARB Air Locker should be the RD193.

[@jamessilver2713]

Great video, but I now have a question. You mentioned open diffential several times. Is there an ARB limited slip air locker? Guessing too many components then, but still curious.

[@northridgenation]

No, full open or fully locked, no in between.

[@shdkdell]

Hey, I am completely a newbie to this and I have a query that, For how much miles do there air lockers or generally after market differential lockers last? BTW Great content brother! thanks

[@northridgenation]

Properly set-up and maintained, the ARB Air Lockers will last for many years. We've seen rigs come in with 10 year old Air Lockers that are still running strong.

[@benjacksonlee2865]

I understand how the locker works in principle, but how is it actuated. So you just turn on the compressor or is their an external switch that had to be mounted?

[@northridgenation]

There is an electric switch that controls an electric over air solenoid. Hit the switch, it tells the solenoid to open, sending air down to the air locker. Turn it off, the solenoid closes and the air in the line vents out.

[@JayP7676]

I recently bought a 2022 Nissan Frontier base model 4x2 and want to do all the mods myself instead of factory. I was wondering if this ARB air locker will work for my truck. “Nissan Frontier Air Locker by ARB, Rear M226 (D44), 2022 (D41)” . I’m not quite sure if all new 2022 frontier have the M226 transmission?

[@northridgenation]

You'll need to know what rear axle you have to answer that. Check for the BOM on the axle tube. It'll be a small series of digits stamped into the axle tube. It'll be obscured by the paint, so you might need to do some searching.

[@hardtop123]

if you fit it yourself, you wont get a 5 year warranty....just a heads up

[@humorss]

Tbh my mind is still blown how 2 o-rings is enough to seal the 80 psi air channels over a rotating diff against oil and debris. I just can't seem to understand how the o-ring wouldn't wear out quickly with that much rotation rubbing on it. and if there is a oil leak is the locker ruined? can I clean under the actuator steel plate?

[@northridgenation]

Yep, if you keep your diff oil clean, those o-rings will last years. We've seen them of 10-15 years before needing to replace them. No, the oil can't hurt anything in the Air Locker. Yes, you can clean the seal housing.

[@99martz]

My question is for the locker to work does the air compressor need to be on and running the entire time the locker is engaged or no

[@davidkay7389]

Yes the air compressor will be on, but not running all the time. It will engage and then periodically top off the load when the required pressure drops

[@northridgenation]

Yes, as @davidkay7389 says, you do want to have the compressor on at all times. The Air Locker does not consume air to stay locked, it deadheads or uses the air pressure to hold it locked. However, if you have any leaks in the system, the air could bleed off and if it bleeds low enough, the locker could unlock. Many people use CO2 tanks and regulate the pressure down to 100 to 150 psi (max!) to lock in their Air Locker. That works great too.

[@spikesforge9000]

I just acquired a toyota tacoma 4x4 do they offer military discount as I'm 100 percent disabled and on a tight budget as just the parts and air compressor is just over 4 grand

[@northridgenation]

Call 866-601-5340 or email: sales@northridge4x4 and talk to our sales staff, let them know you are a vet and they'll check if there are any discounts.

[@Jeeptalkshow]

6lbs of force vs 800lbs? Does this mean that the axles can come unlocked in a high torque situation? I would think that 6lbs of force would be easy to overcome.

[@northridgenation]

We haven't heard it being an issue, but it is clear which one we'd rather have.

[@hardtop123]

No, once locked with air pressure, they STAY locked until air pressure is released....the air only moves the locking ring, nothing else. axle torque cannot unlock the centre, unlike some other types of locking diffs which can. axle torque is a radial load imposed on the centre, not the sliding action of the locking ring

[@thunderbear0]

Can it work on 2nd gen isuzu dmax 2019?

[@northridgenation]

ARB Air Lockers for the 2019 Isuzu D-Max should be: RD203 Front IFS RD261 Rear axle Email our sales team to get a set ordered: [e-mail] Give them your vehicle information and have them double-check the application.

[@casey197930]

Locking force is really a silly comparison. Example: It takes nearly zero pounds to lock a pin in a receive hitch. Awesome video regardless!

[@Venom-nk8nd]

🇵🇬 thanks

[@anthonymurphy2540]

sounds good but how do you find someone that knows how to install it?

[@northridgenation]

Where are you located?

[@anthonymurphy2540]

@@northridgenation dallas

[@anthonymurphy2540]

Building a sweet 2006 tundra.

[@samhanks1594]

Reputation for blown seals

[@israelrodriguez6986]

What if you have a 2wd, does it help any lol

[@northridgenation]

Yes, especially in a 2wd where you don't have the extra traction of a second drive axle.

[@joelsdobermans45]

When do think we can air lock the Rubicon ?

[@northridgenation]

You can add Air Lockers to a Rubicon, but you have to change the axle shafts due to the Rubicon lockers having a weird center pin alignment. Now that's not bad, because you can step up to the bigger 35 spline shafts for more strength.

[@joelsdobermans45]

Any chance of getting contract info of someone who can help walk me through all that I will need

[@northridgenation]

@@joelsdobermans45 Give us a call at 866-601-5340 or drop us an email at [e-mail]. Tell us what year and model and they can get you all set-up.

[@MountainMan677]

Do you have to regear a gladiator to install a locker?

[@northridgenation]

You do not have to regear the Gladiator to install a locker. Though, it is a good time to do it because you have it almost all the way apart to install the locker.

[@JasonBourne-qs2ng]

"This is the only seal in the locker" - proceeds to show another rotating seal that's part of the locker. More seriously though, that rotating seal is a wear item and is bound to release more air over time, no matter what you do. That coupled with the fact that you'll have long hoses that are attached to your heavily articulating suspension means you'll be chasing leaks, be it from the fittings, the hoses, the solenoid, or the seals. I'd kill for an e-locker to be available for my Currie 9"; at least with that there's only the solenoid that can go bad. As other folks mentioned, it's silly to compare locking forces here. Once locked, the gears take all the force radially, and the only thing the axial locking force does, or any pin locking force in an e-locker does, is ensure a good mesh all the time. Not saying more force is a bad thing, but comparing the numbers is like comparing your waistband to the equity in your stock portfolio. It's illogical.

[@northridgenation]

Way to mis-quote.... That's the only seal INSIDE the Air Locker. The two o-rings are outside the locker and do not rotate. The air journal rotates inside the o-rings, just like your pinion and axle shafts rotate inside their seals. Keep the diff oil clean and in good shape and those o-rings will last years in a properly set-up axle. Comparing locking forces is quite relevant. With the annular lock of the ARB clutch gear, the locking mechanism has very little load trying to unlock it, where some other locking differentials have to handle the radial load that is trying to force the locking gears apart. As far as a locking pin, due to their shape, a round pin in a slightly larger round hole, the actual surface area of the pin that is engaged or locked is small.

[@clayz1]

there it is again: apologizing for getting a little technical. Like high school is the high limit for off roaders. right?

[@northridgenation]

We have to throttle Tech Tim back or he goes total gearhead! LoL!

[@JeremyMN]

🤔Installing Air Lockers... Would That Disable The 4WD Auto Functions?🤔 The Diff goes from LOCKED to OPEN Correct?.. Opposed To LOCKED To Limited Slip 4WD Auto?🤔

[@northridgenation]

Correct the ARB Air Locker goes from locked to fully open.

[@pppidsn647]

Unlike the internal o-ring which is not moving most of the time, the outside o-ring is always rotating. Will this cause air leakage over time? Just like axle seal or crankshaft seal will eventually leak over time. Thank you very much.

[@northridgenation]

That is the high-wear seal, but just like an axle seal or crankshaft seal... IF it is installed correctly and you keep your diff oil clean and free of contaminants, those o-rings will last many years. We've seen some go over 10 years before needing replacement.