E Locker Guard?

[Nitetrain04]

I'm considering purchasing an e locker guard from Sky Manufacturing here in Oregon. My skids and rear diff are pretty banged up and I'm thinking about protecting the rear locker actuator, as they are pretty pricey.
Is anybody running an e locker guard?
Has anyone damaged their e locker actuator offroad?
Thanks!

 

[1911]

I run one that I got from Inchworm Gear on my FJC. Haven't banged it yet that I can tell, but it's cheap insurance for peace of mind. I have known a couple of guys that banged up their actuator motor.

 

[Wainiha]

I have one from Marlin. I'm on the fence as to how good it is. It bolts to the e-locker bolts so any real weight would still break the actuator off the mount.

What about this?

 

[SIZZLE]

I've never had a locker guarg and have never made contact with the actuator. Seems like a no brainer though if you're banging around in the rocks a lot.

 

[robert]

I've got a Marlin on mine; the truck doesn't get wheeled hard in rocks but I figured it was cheap insurance for an expensive part. Even if it just deflects a limb or other road/trail debris it pays for itself.

I think it was $39 when I ordered mine.
http://www.marlincrawler.com/axle/front-axle-parts/front-axle-armor/electric-locker-motor-guard

 

[RacecarGuy]

I have an Inchworm e-locker guard. Mostly for loose stuff like branches.

 

[robert]

I have one from Marlin. I'm on the fence as to how good it is. It bolts to the e-locker bolts so any real weight would still break the actuator off the mount.

What about this?

Who made that guard? It's very clean looking.

 

[cdrewferd]

I believe that's a BudBuilt skid. It protects the bottom of the center section, as well as the locker.

 

[01tundra]

I have one from Marlin. I'm on the fence as to how good it is. It bolts to the e-locker bolts so any real weight would still break the actuator off the mount.

What about this?

I've never been a real fan of these contraptions, in my experience it ends up being the first thing you get hung up on.

A simple e-locker actuator guard will provide adequate protection from a small rock or stick flying up and striking it.

I have seen differential housing abused for decades, relentless beating on rocks, etc.....I've never seen one fail in person yet. You'd have to be doing some amazingly crazy stuff to damage the center section housing. You can (and I have) worked the yoke and U-joint on rocks before, but it never did any real damage.

To me, it's just more unnecessary added weight in the name of "feeling" more protected.

 

[Wainiha]

There was also some discussion about whether that design would catch debris at the front and get into the U-joint.

 

[robert]

Don't get me wrong, I have no need for one, just curious who made it since I've seen that picture before. I do believe it was inchworm based on the color since they've used that on other projects.