Rubicon Air Lockers vs ARB Lockers

MLA 97TJ · 11-20-2006, 11:48 PM

I bought a complete pair of Dana 44s out of 2004 Rubicon and had them installed on my 97 TJ. The sale came complete with all disk brakes and the factory air pumps. It's my understanding that these lockers are limited slip when not locked.

I have read that I can hook these up to work in either 4L or 4H by just wiring the pumps directly to the lockers and a switch without the computer. I have also read many posts that talked about removing the Rubicon air locker and installing ARB lockers in their place. I would think that the Rubicon air locker would be just as good, if not better, than the ARB since it' a limited slip when not fully locked.

Are the ARB lockers better that the Rubicon air lockers, and if so, how come?

ONX · 11-21-2006, 12:26 AM

quite simply they are tougher and will last longer. Theres nothing wrong with the rubis setup they just arent as durable I love my ARB's

**Wheelin98TJ** · 11-21-2006, 07:13 AM

Only the rear locker is limited slip when off.

The front locker is open when unlocked.

The reason some people prefer ARBs is because they believe they are more reliable. There have been quite a few Rubi locker failures out on the trail.

Just within our wheeling group, ARB has been more reliable.

James04TJ · 11-21-2006, 06:50 PM

I have a rubi locker in the rear of my TJ and an ARB up front. No problems with either. As for wiring the pumps, just use a switch on the dash to control a regular relay to switch the compressor on and off. The compressor has a built-in pressure switch.

**Northridge4x4** · 11-21-2006, 07:05 PM

The weak part of the rubi locker is that limited slip. The arb is ALOT stronger.

David

The Mean Fish · 11-21-2006, 08:24 PM

There's a discussion over on the Rubicon owners forum about this, it was started back 2 years ago after a couple rear lockers failed during a large Rubicon owners Moab trip. Out of a couple thousand ROF members about 20 had rear locker issues as of the last time I checked, some were because of driver error and people trying to lock the locker while hard on the gas on an obstacle. Nobody really has a figure on ARB failures because ARBs are installed in a ton of different Jeeps and other brands of vehicle as well.

Of the people who have broken rear Rubicon lockers the majority of them were running much larger than stock tires.

JSBlu974X4 · 11-21-2006, 08:41 PM

i love the arb sound as well

James04TJ · 11-22-2006, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northridge4x4

The weak part of the rubi locker is that limited slip. The arb is ALOT stronger.

David

Good point. I know a few people local that have killed Rubi rear lockers. When I built my rear axle, I used a locker from the FRONT of a a Rubi and installed it in the rear. I know at least one other person local that did the same thing after a rear failure. I have no issues at all with this setup.

**spyder6** · 11-22-2006, 06:56 AM

i'll take limited slip and the possibility of failure over an open diff any day

fisher836 · 11-22-2006, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Mean Fish

There's a discussion over on the Rubicon owners forum about this, it was started back 2 years ago after a couple rear lockers failed during a large Rubicon owners Moab trip. Out of a couple thousand ROF members about 20 had rear locker issues as of the last time I checked, some were because of driver error and people trying to lock the locker while hard on the gas on an obstacle. Nobody really has a figure on ARB failures because ARBs are installed in a ton of different Jeeps and other brands of vehicle as well.

Of the people who have broken rear Rubicon lockers the majority of them were running much larger than stock tires.

This is very true. It's a sensitive subject over on ROF. Mean Fish is correct in saying that the majority of failures occured in extreme circumstances with people running much larger than stock tires. I asked this question over there because I had some money to upgrade to an arb and was told it would be a foolish upgrade. There's no reason the stock Rubicon locker, otherwise known as a njkaikfkskisfkkis(sp?) locker, won't hold up under "normal" operating conditions even with larger tires.

YCP4x4 · 11-22-2006, 07:21 AM

The way i look at it, you already have Rubi lockers installed. Wheel them till one decides to junk out on ya, then invest the money in the ARB's if you want them (this is what i plan on doing)

ytodd · 11-22-2006, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YCP4x4

The way i look at it, you already have Rubi lockers installed. Wheel them till one decides to junk out on ya, then invest the money in the ARB's if you want them (this is what i plan on doing)

Words of wisdom. I agree 100%

Upgrade when you break.

The Mean Fish · 11-22-2006, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ytodd

Words of wisdom. I agree 100%

Upgrade when you break.

Unless of course it's a D35.

James04TJ · 11-22-2006, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spyder6

i'll take limited slip and the possibility of failure over an open diff any day

Just curious why you feel the need for a LS? I have no issues with an open diff. When I need some more traction, I just flip a switch and am full spool.

MLA 97TJ · 11-23-2006, 04:01 AM

Thanks for the info everyone. If I had to buy a locker I would go with ARB. But since the Rubicon D44 axles I bought already came with factory air lockers, I wasn't planning on changing them until something breaks. I only have 33" tires and am not too crazy with the Jeep, so I'm hoping that day never comes.

Thanks again,