Eaton E-Locker
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JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 796
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From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
Eaton E-Locker
Anyone have one of these in the rear axle? If so, whats your experience with it? Do you like it? Performance? Problems? I searched but I couldnt get alot of info, everytime I found a thread where somebody mentioned one it got shot down with "get an ARB, they're the best/topnotch/worththemoney" lol. I'm getting ready for a gear install and i've pretty much looked at everything, not interested in another LSD or a Detroit, Aussie fulltime locker etc. I want a selectable locker. All you guys who have ARB's or want ARB's, I know they're supposed to be awesome and made from top notch stuff but im not really interested in running one. I've heard lots of compliments and complaints about them as well as every other selectable too, the one I like the most thus far is the Eaton E-Locker. Any input regarding this locker would be much appreciated, I wanna do this re-gearing thing once and I wanna do it right so im trying to choose parts and pieces carefully without spending too too much.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 126
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From: DuPont, WA
I dont have an eaton in my new jeep. But i had one in the 8.8 i had on my YJ. I loved it. The Eaton worked amazing. It always worked. You never had to have the air compressor spool up or have to worry about air lines. I have run ARBs as well. I HATE then. To many problems with air lines and the damn o rings inside the actual locker. I would definitly go with the eaton again. You cant go wrong with it.
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Unfortunately, I'm going to be the voice of dissention.
The Eaton E-Locker is built in 3 different designs. Pin style engagement, collar style, and 4/3 pinion collar style engagement.
The pin style engagement (Ford 8.8) is the worst design. Round pins must slide into into round holes (that are moving) to stop the side gear and lock up the diff. Over time, and sometimes it doesn't take long, the ends of the pins get rounded and engagement is nearly impossible. Rebuild kits are available but it's a pain.
The collar style engagement (Dana 44 and most others) is much better and isn't prone to failure. That said, the Dana 44 model is a 2 pinion design. The design was initially for OE use in the 8.5 GM rear axle. The 2 pinion design is very prone to pinion failure in heavy off road use, especially with large tires. Dana 60 failures have been epic. We do not recommend the 2 pinion design for any application other than very light off road use.
The 4/3 pinion design is also a collar design and is used in the Dana 30 (4 pinion) and Dana 35 (3 pinion). It is a VERY strong unit and is worthy (maybe even the best) of any application with a 30 or 35 axle.
Eaton is currently working on a new design for the Dana 44 but it could be 2 years away.
The Eaton E-Locker is built in 3 different designs. Pin style engagement, collar style, and 4/3 pinion collar style engagement.
The pin style engagement (Ford 8.8) is the worst design. Round pins must slide into into round holes (that are moving) to stop the side gear and lock up the diff. Over time, and sometimes it doesn't take long, the ends of the pins get rounded and engagement is nearly impossible. Rebuild kits are available but it's a pain.
The collar style engagement (Dana 44 and most others) is much better and isn't prone to failure. That said, the Dana 44 model is a 2 pinion design. The design was initially for OE use in the 8.5 GM rear axle. The 2 pinion design is very prone to pinion failure in heavy off road use, especially with large tires. Dana 60 failures have been epic. We do not recommend the 2 pinion design for any application other than very light off road use.
The 4/3 pinion design is also a collar design and is used in the Dana 30 (4 pinion) and Dana 35 (3 pinion). It is a VERY strong unit and is worthy (maybe even the best) of any application with a 30 or 35 axle.
Eaton is currently working on a new design for the Dana 44 but it could be 2 years away.
JK Freak
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: Cumming, GA
Unfortunately, I'm going to be the voice of dissention.
The Eaton E-Locker is built in 3 different designs. Pin style engagement, collar style, and 4/3 pinion collar style engagement.
The pin style engagement (Ford 8.8) is the worst design. Round pins must slide into into round holes (that are moving) to stop the side gear and lock up the diff. Over time, and sometimes it doesn't take long, the ends of the pins get rounded and engagement is nearly impossible. Rebuild kits are available but it's a pain.
The collar style engagement (Dana 44 and most others) is much better and isn't prone to failure. That said, the Dana 44 model is a 2 pinion design. The design was initially for OE use in the 8.5 GM rear axle. The 2 pinion design is very prone to pinion failure in heavy off road use, especially with large tires. Dana 60 failures have been epic. We do not recommend the 2 pinion design for any application other than very light off road use.
The 4/3 pinion design is also a collar design and is used in the Dana 30 (4 pinion) and Dana 35 (3 pinion). It is a VERY strong unit and is worthy (maybe even the best) of any application with a 30 or 35 axle.
Eaton is currently working on a new design for the Dana 44 but it could be 2 years away.
The Eaton E-Locker is built in 3 different designs. Pin style engagement, collar style, and 4/3 pinion collar style engagement.
The pin style engagement (Ford 8.8) is the worst design. Round pins must slide into into round holes (that are moving) to stop the side gear and lock up the diff. Over time, and sometimes it doesn't take long, the ends of the pins get rounded and engagement is nearly impossible. Rebuild kits are available but it's a pain.
The collar style engagement (Dana 44 and most others) is much better and isn't prone to failure. That said, the Dana 44 model is a 2 pinion design. The design was initially for OE use in the 8.5 GM rear axle. The 2 pinion design is very prone to pinion failure in heavy off road use, especially with large tires. Dana 60 failures have been epic. We do not recommend the 2 pinion design for any application other than very light off road use.
The 4/3 pinion design is also a collar design and is used in the Dana 30 (4 pinion) and Dana 35 (3 pinion). It is a VERY strong unit and is worthy (maybe even the best) of any application with a 30 or 35 axle.
Eaton is currently working on a new design for the Dana 44 but it could be 2 years away.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjfj76OBec4
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 796
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From: Halifax, Nova Scotia
The collar style engagement (Dana 44 and most others) is much better and isn't prone to failure. That said, the Dana 44 model is a 2 pinion design. The design was initially for OE use in the 8.5 GM rear axle. The 2 pinion design is very prone to pinion failure in heavy off road use, especially with large tires. Dana 60 failures have been epic. We do not recommend the 2 pinion design for any application other than very light off road use.
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Unfortunately, I'm going to be the voice of dissention.
The Eaton E-Locker is built in 3 different designs. Pin style engagement, collar style, and 4/3 pinion collar style engagement.
The pin style engagement (Ford 8.8) is the worst design. Round pins must slide into into round holes (that are moving) to stop the side gear and lock up the diff. Over time, and sometimes it doesn't take long, the ends of the pins get rounded and engagement is nearly impossible. Rebuild kits are available but it's a pain.
The collar style engagement (Dana 44 and most others) is much better and isn't prone to failure. That said, the Dana 44 model is a 2 pinion design. The design was initially for OE use in the 8.5 GM rear axle. The 2 pinion design is very prone to pinion failure in heavy off road use, especially with large tires. Dana 60 failures have been epic. We do not recommend the 2 pinion design for any application other than very light off road use.
The 4/3 pinion design is also a collar design and is used in the Dana 30 (4 pinion) and Dana 35 (3 pinion). It is a VERY strong unit and is worthy (maybe even the best) of any application with a 30 or 35 axle.
Eaton is currently working on a new design for the Dana 44 but it could be 2 years away.
The Eaton E-Locker is built in 3 different designs. Pin style engagement, collar style, and 4/3 pinion collar style engagement.
The pin style engagement (Ford 8.8) is the worst design. Round pins must slide into into round holes (that are moving) to stop the side gear and lock up the diff. Over time, and sometimes it doesn't take long, the ends of the pins get rounded and engagement is nearly impossible. Rebuild kits are available but it's a pain.
The collar style engagement (Dana 44 and most others) is much better and isn't prone to failure. That said, the Dana 44 model is a 2 pinion design. The design was initially for OE use in the 8.5 GM rear axle. The 2 pinion design is very prone to pinion failure in heavy off road use, especially with large tires. Dana 60 failures have been epic. We do not recommend the 2 pinion design for any application other than very light off road use.
The 4/3 pinion design is also a collar design and is used in the Dana 30 (4 pinion) and Dana 35 (3 pinion). It is a VERY strong unit and is worthy (maybe even the best) of any application with a 30 or 35 axle.
Eaton is currently working on a new design for the Dana 44 but it could be 2 years away.
David
JK Freak
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 513
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From: delaware (north)
well theres ox lockers!
they are cable operated, come with heavy duty diff covers, and have 4 spiders.
pricy tho
i have my front installed now and it does work quite well
getting my rear installed friday
they are cable operated, come with heavy duty diff covers, and have 4 spiders.
pricy tho
i have my front installed now and it does work quite well
getting my rear installed friday
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Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Huntington Beach, CA
Thats why i'm leaning towards getting one of these, im not going to be rock crawling or doing anything that would fall under heavy offroad use. I like to play around on the trails and get full of mud once in a while, nothing even remotely serious. The biggest tires im going to be running are what I have now which are 33's. Are there any other types of selectables out there that you would recommend other than ARB?