I live in PA, and I was wondering if anyone has had a rear air locker installed in their JK ... I have a Sahara and would like to give it a little more performance... I was wondering about the cost for the equipment and the installation.

 

Yes, When I re-geared the JKU, went with Grizly locker by Yukon Gear. It is a mechanical locker (clutch pack type) -- don't recall the cost .. look up on the Net.Know that the Re-gear (front and rear) was in the $2K range. BTW there is a good Off Road shop in Dover, Mt Zion Off road.

 

Thank you. I know that place.

 

I just had my rear locker in my Rubicon replaced by an ARB air locker. My Jeep was struck by lightning last year and wiped out everything from the C300 connector (by the radiator) band and INTO the rear locker. The cost to rewire and get a new OEM solenoid was quite close to the cost of just replacing everything with the ARB. There is no such thing as an ARB air locker for a Rubicon, so I needed to go with new axles too. On top of that, there was some gear chatter wear on the ring gear, so that was replaced too. They charged me 6 hours labor, so consider that a top end.

Price of locker + compressor + 5-6 hours labor (whatever they charge in your area) should get you in the ballpark. ARB often has specials on locker + compressor bundles.

 

As you live in a cold belt why don't you go with an E-Locker like Eaton or so? That way you avoid the air in the actuating lines from freezing in the winter that rends the lock feature unuseable.

 

Eaton is a great locker, but ARBs are stronger. But Eaton costs less for the parts. The bonus with an ARB is you can get a compressor that will fill your tires too.

Freezing of the air lines CAN happen, but I think the issue is overblown. This is my second ARB. My first was on my YJ, and it pretty much lived in the mountains in AZ and my ski hill shuttle. It has seen many days and nights at below zero and I never had a problem. If you search the forums, most air line freezing issues are flukes, or even non-exsistant for the majority of people. For example, I found this on Pirate4x4:

"ARB lockers are very common here in Iceland and I've never heard of any problems related to cold other then those blue lines getting cut, but you can sleeve them with some hose and they'll be OK. "

If it's good enough for Iceland, it's probably good enough for PA!

The real question is what do you want to spend? You can get a lunchbox locker and put it in yourself without having to mess with the ring and pinion. Not selectable, but there when you need it. Not so good on ice, though. Or you could go with a torsen limited slip. They perform very well in all conditions. Then there is the fully selectable type, with mechanical, electrical, or air locking. They are horrible on ice when engaged, but you don't have to engage them!