Posted by MoparNorm on Saturday, March 03, 2007 at 18:59:30 :
In Reply to: Take a look posted by Jerry in Idaho on Saturday, March 03, 2007 at 17:55:22 :
...that someone without any prior experience with lockers thought he knew enough to write about ARB's when he doesn't have ANY experience with one....like I said, I've run these for 19 years, no issues.
ARB compressors, I don't run one. The are too small to use for air tools and probably too small to keep a reservoir tank filled, I have a 2 gallon auxiliary tank. The ARB compressor is are not 100% service rated so they may well burn out with long frequent use, at least the earlier models. I use a 2/3 HP Pacific Scientific compressor, it's a larger version of the 1/2 HP compressor found on the H1. It will "set" a tire bead if you have to replace a tire on the trail, it will run an air impact.
O-rings: There have been a few issues with oil ring failures. These are caused by assembling the unit "dry" without proper lube on the ring, or by pinching the ring during installation. These are installer errors, not the fault of the ARB.
Air Line failures: Most if not all are the results of installer error, plastic air lines should not be run next to the exhaust pipe or muffler (like I should have to even write that?, but then again a "lady" won $8 million because she didn't know that hot coffee was hot....) When you install your air lines, run them in places that allow for chassis movement when off-road, do not locate them next to heat sources or use clamps with sharp edges, I reiterate, THEY ARE PLASTIC!
ARB does have a new and improved air line kit that is braided stainless, it looks great and is very durable. I have not run these yet, but if anyone wants to buy me a set, I'll install them and write a very nice article about you!
In short, Detroit's are nice but ARB's are better. There are now low psi lockers that work on the ARB principal but only use 2-3 psi and there are some very promising electric lockers also. None of which are offered in units that fit any of the vintage Dodge Trucks.
Finally, the guy that wrote the article was really gullible to "let" a counter guy talk him into a spur of the moment decision, do your homework before you buy and don't follow the advice of a confused newbie...
MN
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