Air locker/re-gear cost

saburai

Explorer
Hi Gang,

Wondering if some one could give me a ball park figure on the cost to re-gear and add ARB lockers front and rear on my D30 8.25 99XJ.

I can search the best prices for the ARB's but what I'm really wondering is what else (axles, etc.) I should up grade or replace while doing it.

I'm a competent mechanic but I don't have the tools or experience to set up gears.
In addition to parts suggestions, what should I expect to pay for labor?

Many Thanks...
 
$740 for each air locker
$200 for each diff in labor
$100 for each diff for a master install kit
$200 for the compressor and harness

Add $300 for each diff if you want to regear and the above do not include labor and other parts necessary to install the compressor or airlines and switch.

These prices are conservative and I did not look for the best prices...just providing food for thought. ARB's ain't cheap but if you use a professional who is familiar with them, they are way worth it.
 

saburai

Explorer
Thanks

Thanks Guys!

$1000 in labor for both diffs - this would include installing the lockers and gears, correct?

How much would I save if I pulled the axles?

What other parts would you recommend I up grade or replace while I have the axles open?

As I said I'm a more than fair wrench and what ever I could do in a driveway to keep costs down is O.K. with me.


$740 for each air locker
$200 for each diff in labor
$100 for each diff for a master install kit
$200 for the compressor and harness

Add $300 for each diff if you want to regear and the above do not include labor and other parts necessary to install the compressor or airlines and switch.

These prices are conservative and I did not look for the best prices...just providing food for thought. ARB's ain't cheap but if you use a professional who is familiar with them, they are way worth it.
 

bugnout

Adventurer
I spent just under $3000 for compressor, ARB's 4:10 gears, for both front and back, Alloy axles for the back, Master rebuild kits, and labor
 

Root Moose

Expedition Leader
FWIW, I paid $300CDN for each axle in labour to swap in 4.56 gears and ARBs.

Local prices tend to be around $200-$250 for "normal" diff installs, $250-$300 for ARBs and the like that have aux hookup and such.

IIRC I paid $140CDN for each master install kit, $185CDN each for the gear sets, $600 each for ARBs (long time ago).

You will save money by dismounting the axle and brining it in to the shop. If only Danas had removable thirds like Aisin axles it would be trivial.
 

alky350

New member
Alloy axles. Any thing else?


im in the middle of doing gears and lockers in my 91 xj. going to 488's. doing ox locker in the rear and aussie in the front. its my first time doing this and its not easy :coffee: around here its 500 for labor for both axles....got quoted 740 for arb locker and 160 for the arb compressor. cant wait till this is all done so i can go wheeling :smiley_drive:

if you get a chance, check out http://www.naxja.org/forum/index.php
 

saburai

Explorer
Naxja

im in the middle of doing gears and lockers in my 91 xj. going to 488's. doing ox locker in the rear and aussie in the front. its my first time doing this and its not easy :coffee: around here its 500 for labor for both axles....got quoted 740 for arb locker and 160 for the arb compressor. cant wait till this is all done so i can go wheeling :smiley_drive:

if you get a chance, check out http://www.naxja.org/forum/index.php

Thanks!
I'm a member over there as well. Same name as here.
 

Root Moose

Expedition Leader
Alloy axles. Any thing else?

In my mind I tend to separate alloy axles from the rest of the axle build. They can be easily added at any time and for most people they aren't really needed.

That said, I have CrMo outers as comes with the WARN front hub kit and CrMo rear axles as comes with the WARN full float kit. Way over kill. As nice/cool the parts are, if I had my time over again I probably wouldn't have bothered.

Edit: Think brakes. The stock brakes on our rigs are marginal at best. Tow a couple thousand pounds of trailer behind you and it can be "interesting".
 

saburai

Explorer
thinkin'

In my mind I tend to separate alloy axles from the rest of the axle build. They can be easily added at any time and for most people they aren't really needed.

That said, I have CrMo outers as comes with the WARN front hub kit and CrMo rear axles as comes with the WARN full float kit. Way over kill. As nice/cool the parts are, if I had my time over again I probably wouldn't have bothered.

Edit: Think brakes. The stock brakes on our rigs are marginal at best. Tow a couple thousand pounds of trailer behind you and it can be "interesting".

I am thinking brakes. I was thinking about them like you think about axles ;)

Discs are on the list:costumed-smiley-007
 

Root Moose

Expedition Leader
Consider doing something with the front too. WJ knuckles or the Vanco kit seem to be the only options, at least that I'm aware of.
 

IH8RDS

Explorer
When I did the ARB's on mine I also added 4.56 gears. I did the compressor, front gear and ARB install myself. I lucked out and got a ford 8.8 axle with gears, ARB, XJ perches, Poision Spyder diff cover, more e-brake lines, trussed and the housing welded to the tubes for $800. The 8.8 already has disk brakes so that was a bonus. Also has 31 spline shafts. The downside is you have to run a spacer.

You can save money on you're 8.25 by using ZJ disk brakes. I did that when I had my 8.25 for $50 including the proportioning valve from the local pick-n-pull.
 
Last edited:

IXNAYXJ

Adventurer
Why would you spend the money on dual ARBs for an expedition type rig? Throw an Aussie or Lock-Rite in the front and call it a day. Are you really going to be doing stuff that requires dual lockers?

-----Matt-----
 

Forum statistics

Threads
189,927
Messages
2,922,300
Members
233,083
Latest member
Off Road Vagabond
Top