New air locker

[Mick Bowers 457]

I had new rear air diff locker installed on my Land Cruiser 200 at “AZ Differential by Nate.”  This will add a REAR diff locker plus the factory CENTER diff lock.
I had front and rear E-lockers on my FJ and JL.  The JL’s e-lockers were an ongoing problem.  I’m hoping that this (air locker) is more reliable.
I understand that I can engage it under load and there is no lag when engaging or disengaging. 
Toyota recommends that their advanced traction control will control front wheel spin and maintain full steering function.  
l’m not sure when I’ll need it, but “it can’t hurt.” 

Edited April 19, 2025 by Mick Bowers

[Cypher 19]

Great mod to the 200! Also great to see another 200 series here on ORP. I have a 2020 200. Seeing that you have had the locker for a a bit now, what are your thoughts on it?

[Mick Bowers 457]

I run it from a single ARB compressor that already had a manifold on it. (I also added a twin ARB compressor for faster air ups.) 

I like how quickly it engages and disengages. No lag. I’ve used it several times on the trail. Last week on Broken Arrow for a steep shelf that had loose sand and this past Saturday on New River Trail to help on a rocky obstacle climbing an exposed area. It did well for both. 
Note:   When we aired up it was well over 100 degrees. People’s compressors were over heating and shutting down. My twin ARB got my tires done, but when I hooked up to my friend’s 37’s because his compressor had stopped.  My ARB twin stopped. I guess it was too hot also because it was working again the next morning. 
I’m telling you this because I then tried the single ARB  compressor for the Locker (it has an air chuck) with one hose. It stopped too.  It should have not been that hot. , It has not started working again. I’m hoping it’s a fuse. I’ll find out today or tomorrow. My concern is, that when they hooked it to the Locker switch they may have fused it differently. 
Bottom line:  I had the Eaton Elocker in the FJ and it was fine but not  as immediate as the air locker. The E-locker also only uses one knock out for the switch. The air uses a second one for the compressor.                                

 

 

[theksmith 5,778]

2 hours ago, Mick Bowers said:

I run it from a single ARB compressor that already had a manifold on it. (I also added a twin ARB compressor for faster air ups.) 

I like how quickly it engages and disengages. No lag. I’ve used it several times on the trail. Last week on Broken Arrow for a steep shelf that had loose sand and this past Saturday on New River Trail to help on a rocky obstacle climbing an exposed area. It did well for both. 
Note:   When we aired up it was well over 100 degrees. People’s compressors were over heating and shutting down. My twin ARB got my tires done, but when I hooked up to my friend’s 37’s because his compressor had stopped.  My ARB twin stopped. I guess it was too hot also because it was working again the next morning. 
I’m telling you this because I then tried the single ARB  compressor for the Locker (it has an air chuck) with one hose. It stopped too.  It should have not been that hot. , It has not started working again. I’m hoping it’s a fuse. I’ll find out today or tomorrow. My concern is, that when they hooked it to the Locker switch they may have fused it differently. 
Bottom line:  I had the Eaton Elocker in the FJ and it was fine but not  as immediate as the air locker. The E-locker also only uses one knock out for the switch. The air uses a second one for the compressor.                                

 

 

 

probably just the fuse on that single ARB, though it is possible to lock up the piston at high temps. there should be an inline MAXI blade fuse inside a black rubber housing near the battery (if the installers used the supplied ARB harness). if you do get it running again, be sure it still holds pressure - the reed valve in the head can also distort under high temp.

 

FYI - ARB rates that 12v Classic Twin compressor for 100% duty cycle, but i can't find anywhere that they specify at what ambient temperature. i think yours is mounted in the engine bay, so it was getting heat-soaked beforehand as well as the accumulating heat from compressing the 100+ degree ambient air. of course hotter air is thinner, therefore it also had to run slightly longer than usual just to fill the same volume. despite ARB's duty cycle claim, in those conditions i'd guess you need to let it rest 15 to 20 minutes after inflating 4 tires before using it again.

 

Edited August 4, 2025 by theksmith

[Mick Bowers 457]

Thanks for the info. It’s new to me.  It took the twin 6-7 hours to reset. I think that by adding the lines to the battery, the switch and the locker there may be multiple fuses. The one on the pump itself was something I didn’t know. I’ll factor that in as I work on it. 
 

BTW I’ve been wondering; have you folks ever considered allowing members to bring new or or pretty new off road or camping gear to the Gala to sell, swap or give away free. 
I know that I have a lot of redundant gear that  other folks  could use.  If they could get it for a token amount or free. I can’t even begin to guess how much stuff you have!  🥴

Just a thought,

[theksmith 5,778]

1 minute ago, Mick Bowers said:

Thanks for the info. It’s new to me.  It took the twin 6-7 hours to reset. I think that by adding the lines to the battery, the switch and the locker there may be multiple fuses. The one on the pump itself was something I didn’t know. I’ll factor that in as I work on it. 
 

BTW I’ve been wondering; have you folks ever considered allowing members to bring new or or pretty new off road or camping gear to the Gala to sell, swap or give away free. 
I know that I have a lot of redundant gear that  other folks  could use.  If they could get it for a token amount or free. I can’t even begin to guess how much stuff you have!  🥴

Just a thought,

 

good idea - people have indeed brought parts and stuff they wanted to give away before - i'll mention it in the Gala thread!

[Stacey and Scott 1,404]

10 hours ago, theksmith said:

 

probably just the fuse on that single ARB, though it is possible to lock up the piston at high temps. there should be an inline MAXI blade fuse inside a black rubber housing near the battery (if the installers used the supplied ARB harness). if you do get it running again, be sure it still holds pressure - the reed valve in the head can also distort under high temp.

 

FYI - ARB rates that 12v Classic Twin compressor for 100% duty cycle, but i can't find anywhere that they specify at what ambient temperature. i think yours is mounted in the engine bay, so it was getting heat-soaked beforehand as well as the accumulating heat from compressing the 100+ degree ambient air. of course hotter air is thinner, therefore it also had to run slightly longer than usual just to fill the same volume. despite ARB's duty cycle claim, in those conditions i'd guess you need to let it rest 15 to 20 minutes after inflating 4 tires before using it again.

 

I always felt under hood installation was asking for heat trouble. Found that the twin ARB fits perfectly in the well in the back of the Jeep, just had to remove the plastic liner that's in there. Never had an issue in the desert or in Sub-Zero that we get in the winters here. Minimal noise and clean climate controlled cabin air. Just an option to consider.

[Mick Bowers 457]

Hey Scott,

I had a twin in the back of an FJ and a JL, but not behind the plastic. It was really loud.

We’re OR right now, With our sons and daughter  Im turning 80 this week 😧; so the crew is gathering up here on the Willamette river.

The ORP folks still talk about you guys when we’re together. (In a good way)  Hope you’re both doing well.  
When I get back I’ll get after that compressor. 

Mick 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

when I get back I

[Stacey and Scott 1,404]

Happy birthday Sir!.

 Good to hear we left a positive vibe with the gang. We miss running with you guys, it was truly a family. Still reminisce through post and pics.

 We're doing great, absolutely loving mountain life.

 Stacey just landed a job at the local hospital running on their ambulance as well as rolling on our departments, I'm neck deep running on fires. Moved into being the primary engineer, years of talking to Machines matains value.

 I used some anti vibration pads to mount the compressor to minimize sound. You can hear it purr but it's not bad at all. Removing the plastic liner in the wet well gives you just enough room the close the hatch, bonus is it gives you a place to coil up the hose and plenty of room for a manifold for the lockers. I'll dig around to see if I have any pics of the install before I decked it. The wiring that came with it reached the firewall running on the passenger side putting the inline fuses along side the seat for easy access if needed. I mounted a power distribution block behind the glove box to bring heavy power inside the cab. Used a rough country four switch piler panel to run a relay for power on/off then the remaining three run the compressor, water tank pump and the winch circuit.

 Enjoy your time with your family. We'll talk later.

 

 Scott and Stacey

Knew I had a pic! FYI, I did have to take the muffler off it's mounts to be able to tighten up the fasteners.

[Mick Bowers 457]

Thanks Scott 

when we get back I’ll get after that small compressor. I may well move it inside if it’s gonna be finicky about temps in the engine bay. So is Stacy and EMT or Paramedic? 
I didn’t ( or remember) getting old ya know. Got an excuse now🥴

BTW Ball has not Ben able to sell or lease the building. I understudy now that t they bought it to get the Red Bull business 

 

Great to hear all is well. We have 118F here. 😅
Mick 

Edited August 11, 2025 by Mick Bowers