ARB Air Locker - Lockers Lockers, Limited Slips, Differentials and the sport  of Offroading. An Overview of Standard Carriers, Positraction & Limited Slips, Locking Differentials, Spools and Mini-Spools

ARB Air Locker - On-Command Lockers

With ARB Air Lockers you have the benefits of both an open differential and a spool at the flip of a switch.  The ARB Air Locker System is a pneumatic locking differential that uses a dash mounted electric switch to activate a vacuum diaphragm which engages the locker.  The ARB Air Locker uses a small charge of air from an on board air compressor that in turn activates the locker.  When activated, both axle shafts are locked together into the equivalent of a spool providing 100% equal traction to both wheels of that axle with no differential of speed between the wheels of that axle.  When the ARB Air Locker is not activated, the ARB axle differential operates as an open differential, providing the smooth, predictable handling characteristics for daily driving.  It is for this reason that ARB and the ARB Air Locker has been credited for introducing a true user friendly, on-demand, dual purpose locker to the offroad community and practical 4x4's could be built, wheeled hard on the weekend and driven daily on the commute to work.

The fact that the ARB Air Locker is only engaged when needed, means it can be installed in BOTH front and rear axles applications.  In addition the front ARB locker and rear ARB locker are each controlled with individual switches to engage/disengage them independently.  This gives more flexibility and control in situations offroad.

ARB provides a variety of 12-volt or 24-volt air compressors that can be used for not just the ARB Air Lockers but also to provide air for supply tanks to power tools or air up tires back to highway pressures after a day on the trails.  Air that supplies the ARB lockers can alternatively come from other onboard compressors so long as they provide 95 to 115 lbs. of air pressure.

When the ARB Air Locker System is purchased (ARB pump and the ARB differential), all of the parts needed are in the kit including the wiring, pneumatic fittings and components, switches, etc.

The ARB Air Locker engages in less than a second and can be engaged at any vehicle speed as long as the axle shafts are spinning at equal speeds with no differential of speed between the wheels of that axle.

The ARB Air Locker is currently available in over 100 configurations to suit a wide range of 4x4 axles applications and vehicles including AMC, Chrysler, Dana, Ford, General Motors, Hummer, Isuzu, Land Cruiser, Mitsubishi, Nissian, Range Rover, Suzuki and Toyota.

How the ARB Air Locker works:

The ARB Air Locker is an air actuated locking differential.  From inside the cab of the vehicle, a dash mounted electric switch triggers a 12-volt air solenoid to send air down a  pneumatic air line to the axle housing and into the ARB Air Locker differential.  The air travels into the differential through a specially designed seal housing.  Compressed air enters the piston chamber and actuates a piston and clutch gear, moving the gear into the locked position.  In the locked position the side gear is locked to the differential housing eliminating any differential action and providing a 100% traction lock-up between the axle shafts making it essentially a spool.

Disengaging the ARB differential is as simple as toggling the dash mounted switch again, which triggers a 12-volt air solenoid to release the air pressure.  This in turn allows the piston springs to return the pistons and clutch gear back to it's original open position.  Now the ARB differential is in a fully open carrier position.  The transition between open to locked or locked back to open occurs in only a fraction of a second.  

ARB Air Locker Installation

ARB Locker Compressor Wiring Diagrams

Differential Differences
Overview of Standard Carriers, Positraction & Limited Slips, Locking Differentials, Spools and Mini-Spools

Manufacturers description of the ARB Air Locker:

The ARB Air Locker® System is a pneumatic locking differential that is activated by a dash mounted switch. A small charge of air, from an on board compressor, activates the locker which in turn locks both axles together providing 100% traction. When not activated, the ARB® operates as an open differential and does not have any adverse effect on driving or handling.

ARB Air Locker Features

• Provides 100% traction on demand without affecting on road drivability or driveline wear

• Vastly improved traction means less reliance on momentum, which reduces the likelihood of vehicle damage and environmental impact

• Easy, convenient operation allows the user to concentrate on the terrain without leaving the comfort and safety of the driver’s seat

• Ultra durable and extremely strong - only the highest quality materials used in construction

• Incredibly simple yet effective design that employs minimal moving parts, thereby ensuring maximum reliability

• Thoroughly tested and proven design – trusted and used in over 80 countries around the world

• Front and rear Air Lockers available for most makes and models
  4WD & 2WD applications

• Easy installation and maintenance – no special tools, skills or additives required

Air Lockers in Competition

For more information on ARB Lockers See below:

ARB Corporation Ltd
42-44 Garden Street
Kilsyth VIC 3137
Australia
Tel: +61 3 9761 6622
Fax: +61 3 9761 6807
www.arbusa.com

See their Online Manual Here

ARB Air Locker Articles:

Axle Related Glossary of Terms - Terms and definitions of Axle related components.

The Truth About Air Lockers
Are They Really Too Complicated? Do They Actually Leak? We’ve Got the Lowdown Bonus: Tips for Installation, Common Problems, & How to Reseal  By Craig Perronne - 4Wheel & Off-Road

ARB Air Lockers - ARBUSA

ARB Air Locker Installation

ARB Locker Compressor Wiring Diagrams

ARB Air Locker Online Manual