ARB has been challenging conventional thinking on off road equipment
designs for over 30 years, and the ARB Air Locker has been a success
from the very beginning. Created to provide 100% traction on demand,
without sacrificing any of your vehicle’s highway driving performance,
ARB Air Lockers employ a 12 volt air compressor designed to activate
(and deactivate) a solid and durable locking mechanism inside the
differential. This gives you the traction you need, when you need it, all
at the flick of a switch, all within the safety and comfort of the driver’s
seat.

The advantage of the ARB Air Locker lies in the pneumatically operated
locking system inside the differential. When activated, the Air Locker
prevents the differential gears from rotating and therefore prevents the
axle shafts from turning independently of each other. With both wheels
tied directly to the rotation of the ring gear the vehicle maintains
maximum possible traction at all times. When unlocked, it operates just
like conventional "open" differentials.

In addition to providing outright improvements to a 4x4’s off road
capabilities, the Air Locker offers significant environmental benefits.
When approaching difficult terrain, less reliance is put on momentum.
An Air Locker equipped truck can be driven in a slower, safer and more
controlled manner as a result of vastly improved traction. This style of
driving greatly reduces the likelihood of incurring vehicle damage and
lessens the environmental impact as well.