ARB Locker Wiring & Plumbing

[Redline]

Are the switches, wiring and plumbing to control the ARB lockers included with the lockers, or are these a la cart items I must buy to make the lockers work?

I'm on a mission to have gears and ARB lockers installed in my 4Runner soon. I was thinking I wanted to install factory switches in the empty blanks I have in my dash to control the lockers and compressor. Three blanks next to the T-case lock button filled with these controls would be slick. I’m was also thinking of NOT buying an ARB compressor and using something different.

My plan had been to have the gear & lockers professionally installed but do the wiring and plumbing of air myself so it is 'clean' and to my satisfaction.

Now I'm thinking that trying to make a factory Toyota switch work for the lockers & wiring might be more work than I want. Surely the ARB wiring harness is set up to basically plug and play with their switches. I can probably be very happy using the ARB stuff if I install it where and how I want.

I haven't decided if I'm gong to try to install the wiring/plumbing before the lockers are installed or after. My shop says they don't care, I can do it either way.


Last choice is to have the shop do the hole thing to save time, but I’m sure I would prefer my own work when it comes to wiring and plumbing details (takes time).

Experiences please.

James

 

[kcowyo]

Are the switches, wiring and plumbing to control the ARB lockers included with the lockers, or are these a la cart items I must buy to make the lockers work?

I’m was also thinking of NOT buying an ARB compressor and using something different.

You may be each item seperately, but ARB offers a locker kit complete with new differential, rocker switch, solenoid (controlling the air supply), bulkhead fittings and the blue air hose. There are stainless air hose upgrades available.

The ARB air compressor is sold seperately from the locker kit. However the power relay and wiring harness that you will need, are included with the compressor kit, not the locker kit. The compressor kit also comes with it's own rocker switch. The wiring harness and power relay are sold seperately if you still want to go with another compressor solution than the ARB compressor.

If you chose to use OEM switches, ARB offers just the switch covers that may or may not work with your Toyota factory switches.

In a nutshell, you may order as many individual pieces for a locker upgrade as you would like, but there is a locker kit and a compressor kit available, complete with most components included.

 

[locrwln]

I used the ARB wiring, compressor and switches on my Jeep. On my 4runner I ran a different compressor and used an Eaton Air Shifter on the gear shifter to actuate the lockers.

I had way fewer problems with the ARB setup. Sometimes it is better to not try and outsmart a basic and proven setup.:sombrero:

Jack

 

[cruiseroutfit]

KC nailed it

You get enough with your lockers to run the lockers themselves, that is everything from the solenoid to the differential. I've done setups using alternative switches, including the 80 Series F/R diff lock switch. All the ARB harness needs to fire is a 12V signal to the solenoid. The ARB harness are much more complex than that as they include a dash light, ground, etc too.

Here is a modified sketch for independent locker operations, but it shows you how they are wired none the less:

From: http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/tech_ARB_Independent.html

Now my personal preference.

I am a huge fan of the plug and play - set and forget system that the ARB compressors provide. If you are considering a different compressor that has a more real world use (tires, tools, etc), I'm still a fan of getting the ARB compressor and using it just for that. You can buy the compact (nice and small) ARB compressor CKSA12 for ~$175. That as noted included the Comp switch, pressure switch, the wiring harness w/relay and the fittings. I've seen guys spend well over $100 just getting all the fittings, pressure regulators, etc. they need to run their ARB's... and their system isn't nearly as neat and tight as the ARB. So seriously consider buying the ARB setup, set it all up, mount it all out of the way and forget its there.

 

[Redline]

It sounds so easy to just provide 12v power the unit to make it work, BUT ready made wiring sound like the way to go. Not having hassles will make the install go much easier for sure and I may get to it before the lockers are installed (unless that’s a bad idea?). I would prefer to have the front and rear totally separate, allowing front only for emergencies, but that is certainly not a big deal.

The compressor is probably the biggest decision. I don't need air for tools, but I would really like to have something decent for airing tires and running the lockers. Buying ARB's compressor to get all the wiring sounds smart, either the little or maybe the newer bigger one that puts out more air. Is it enough air for 33-in tires?


FYI, I have a portable (old) Extreme Aire compressor mounted in a tool box that I have used for years, but I want something mounted to avoid having to dig out a compressor to air-up tires. I also have a couple Max Flow Compressors I bought from Costco. Just can't beat the performance of these little compressors for $50.00. Although I usually like to go high-end/quality, not cheap, I was considering mounting one of these Max Flow compressors for tires/lockers. In theory it seems clean to have only one compressor mounted, but maybe a complete, closed 'locker only' air system is better?

 

[Nullifier]

Now my personal preference.

I am a huge fan of the plug and play - set and forget system that the ARB compressors provide. If you are considering a different compressor that has a more real world use (tires, tools, etc), I'm still a fan of getting the ARB compressor and using it just for that. You can buy the compact (nice and small) ARB compressor CKSA12 for ~$175. That as noted included the Comp switch, pressure switch, the wiring harness w/relay and the fittings. I've seen guys spend well over $100 just getting all the fittings, pressure regulators, etc. they need to run their ARB's... and their system isn't nearly as neat and tight as the ARB. So seriously consider buying the ARB setup, set it all up, mount it all out of the way and forget its there.

if i knew then what i know now that is what i would have done. i am runnimg a viair with a tank and had an issue with my ap guage line. I did not have any extra tank plugs to bypass the guage and as a result was leaking air so fast the system would not actuate my lockers. plus I spent alot of money getting all the extra fittings as you pointed out.

 

[pray4surf]

I hear you on doing the work ('cept the locker and gear work) yourself. I'd hate to see how a 'shop' would have decided to kluge it together.

It is a time consuming process, but rewarding when complete

I did use the ARB-supplied switch and airline from solenoid to 3rd member, but everything else I supplied myself.

Here is my OBA writeup

A collection of my OBA pics

I'll be happy to answer any questions...

Rick

 

[oldcj5guy]

I am using a dana 44 and dana 60 with arb's, and using my Powertank type setup to operate them. Works great. If you haven't bought your lockers yet, send me a pm and i'll give you a source. You will have to join a free forum, but I paid 695 each for my set for the above axles.

 

[Redline]

Thanks for all of your input and experiences guys!

I have decided to not 'reinvent the wheel' and will use the ARB stuff. You guys, vendors and my installer all said, the ARB stuff works and it's a clean way to do the installation.

I have decided to try ARB's newer, larger compressor, the CKMA12, with its included wiring and switch. I'm hoping that it will not only actuate the lockers but might be adequate for airing-up tires too. The CMKA12 puts out 2.65 CFM free-flow and 2.18 with a load. I think this is just a little bit less than the MV50/Maxflow, which I find adequate for my 255s?

I will also likely pay my shop to do the plumbing and wiring that I was thinking of doing myself. They are only going to charge me a couple hours labor for this portion of the install, though the owner said it will take them about 4-hours (doing it right). I will be around for much of the install to take pictures and notes for future articles so I will have input where/how the switches and compressor are installed. My goal is to put the three ARB switches (Compressor, Rear, Front) in the three stock blanks I have to the left of my steering column, next to my T-case/center diff lock button. The compressor will go in one of the spaces I have in the engine bay.

 

[p1michaud]

Locker wiring and plumbing.

I have decided to not 'reinvent the wheel' and will use the ARB stuff. You guys, vendors and my installer all said, the ARB stuff works and it's a clean way to do the installation.

Wise decision once again. My vote was going to be go the ARB route for ease of installation and having something that just works period.

I've got a compact compressor with all the wiring and you really can't go wrong. :shakin:

 

[Redline]

Thank P

The only area where I'm a little uncertain is the compressor. The compact one would be perfect for the lockers and might be a better choice if the larger one turns out to be totally inadequate (SLOW) for airing tires.

Wise decision once again. My vote was going to be go the ARB route for ease of installation and having something that just works period.

I've got a compact compressor with all the wiring and you really can't go wrong. :shakin:

 

[madizell]

In my experience, the ARB pump is only good for charging the locker, and won't do tires well enough to count. Worse than slow, it is a light duty pump and can't take the heat and abuse of airing tires. If you intend to mount an on board air system that will operate while driving, you can readily plumb the air system to run to lockers by running through a pressure regulator to limit pressure to around 90psi. Or, if you can live with that pressure for the whole system, plumb the locker pressure rail and one tire hose tap, and you are good to go. I have both on board air and the ARB pump plumbed together, so that either will run the lockers, but use the OBA system primarily.

 

[IH8RDS]

I bought the large ARB compressor and lockers. Everything I needed was included. No extra parts where required. I doubt I will ever use the compressor for anything but the lockers. I use Co2 for everything else.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

In my experience, the ARB pump is only good for charging the locker, and won't do tires well enough to count...

Are your comments aimed towards the new ARB compressors? Over double the output of the RDCKA model. While the RDCKA was slow, its done the job for me countless times, at one time filling 12 tires after our CO2 bottles froze Though I will agree, the RDCKA was OK at best for airing up tires... that makes the new compressor double OK

 

[kcowyo]

I've never added the 'T' fitting to use my ARB compressor for airing up tires. The few people I know who do use their compressor for their tires mention hit or miss performance.

I have the MV50 as well and I use that for the tires and my airbags. It seems redundant to have two compressors but there is some small peace of mind there. Hopefully by only using the ARB for the locker, it will always be ready to go.

Fortunately there have been no issues with any components of my ARB system in the last 5 years and 80Kish miles. It has required such little maintenance over the years, that I should probably give the whole thing a checking over...