Posted by MoparNorm on Saturday, December 24, 2005 at 10:16AM :
I was too ill to post when Dan started the thread below, but I wanted to add my 22 cents worth.
I've run ARB's front a rear in several vehicles for over 14 years, here are my observations:
One part failure in all that time, no damage other than the non-esential part, the air locker operation was not effected and ARB backed up the part and labor to replace it.
ARB's are solid, quiet and dependable. A limited slip or porportional locker such as a Detroit or Lock-rite does not compare. There are no clutches, spring packs or gimics used to engage, just hit the switch and you are locked solid. When you activate the switch, air flows into a manifold collar, this diverts multiple blasts of air which push and hold a sliding collar over the axle ends. The only better option would be to weld that collar in place, it is silent and positive. When you need to steer the front or free up the axle for specific conditions, such as ice, you turn the switch off and silently and instantly the collar slides back into it's resting place on only one axle end and the function returns to an open diff.
Does the price include the ARB Switches and ARB Air Compressor mounting Kit?
You guys wooried about the 6v switch may have a concern, but others looking into only a simple air switch are missing the point or advantage of the ARB system, which is; since you already need air, utilize that air for other purposes, ie: tire inflation, air tools etc.
I replaced the ARB air compressor in my kit and installed a Thomas Air/Pacific Scientific 1/2 HP compressor, available in 6-12-24v models (at the time I bought mine), it is the same unit that is the Humvee OEM on-board compressor, except that the Humvee's use a 1/3 HP unit. Along with a 2 gallon tank, it works well to run impact wrenches, air tools, Gordons Nailer....= ) and it has enough juice to simultaneously air up four, 33 x 12.50 x 16.5 tires in approx. 5 mins. total time, from 10 lbs to 35 lbs.
I noticed that one post mentioned damage while spinning the wheels, you do have to be stopped or at slow speed to engage, but you can disengage at speed. You will rarely slip a tire again using ARB's front and rear, you can drive at 3 mph over nearly any obstacle, in nearly any terrain.
The price, while expensive, is not that much more than the ARB list price for a gm or ferd install, which runs from $650 to $850, depending upon the retailer.
I think it is great that Dan has gone to the trouble to investigate this and anyone who doesn't at least look into this is missing out on the best, bar none, off-road differential locking system available. Detroit, and others are decades behind in technology and performance compared to the ARB.
MN
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