Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives Locking Differentials Comparison ?

I am planning on putting a selectable locker in the rear axle of my 2000 GMC 2500. The only brands the dealer in town and I can find that will work is the Eaton electric locker and the ARB air locker. Does anyone have an opinion on them and if one is better then the other. The ARB is about $100 more then the Eaton.

I have no experience with the Eaton, but I had an ARB on one of my trucks years ago. I liked the fact that is was an open diff until you selected the diff lock. It always worked reliably without any issues.

The ARB's are ridiculously field proven. I think the Eaton's are supposed to be good, but I don't have the background to really say. Probably you can't go too wrong with either, but you should really get on a truck forum for your specific vehicle and see if there is comment. For a 3/4 Ton there may not be enough people going your route to comment, but to get the best info that's what you'd need.

As an example of other factors that could be involved (installation differences) here is a thread for the exact same question on 4th generation 4Runners...

http://www.toyota120.com/forum/showthread.php?p=54078

Do you currently have an Eaton G80 locking diff from the factory that you're changing to electric?

No. The dealer was hoping I had something like that, but I don't from what he can find out.

I'd ask the dealer for a copy of the build sheet to make sure. if a Z71 I believe they did come with the G80. If not I'd go ARB all the way. As a bonus you also get onboard air

He asked me if I had "G80" as one of the numbers listed in my glove box, but I don't. It isn't a Z71.

On board air is one reason I am leaning the ARB way. I just have no experiance in this area.

G80 is the rpo for the eaton locking diff. Can be ordered as an option or it comes as part of a package like z71 or the tow package.

If you go with the ARB isn't the compressor good for other stuff besides locking the differential, like airing up tires and stuff? Seems I read something about that somewhere.

I've never owned either so no comment on which is better.

That's what I understand too.

It can be used to air tires bit it's awful slow, especially for big tires. Despite that I'd still go with the ARB

I've read for that reason many choose a different compressor than ARB's. Could just install a storage tank.

My opinion is that a tank would be great if you could find a good place for a reasonably sized one... Probably not as difficult on a truck as on a smaller jeep. I personally use a 10lb co2 tank, it will run tools, air up tires and could run a locker too

How much volume/pressure do you need to shift an ARB? Would one of those inexpensive 12v compressors be adequate? Do you have to maintain pressure from the compressor or can you just engage it and forget it?
I've never looked into these details of setting one up.

Yes, it needs air pressure to keep it engaged.

No. You want a no-[bleep], continuous duty compressor.

Yep, something that can handle a long duty cycle

I have ARB's front and rear in my 2002 Super Duty. I would recommend not using an air compressor and going with a C02 tank to supply the air. The small air compressors have a poor duty cycle and will overheat when ask to inflate tires and they are very slow. With a C02 tank you can also inflate tires and it is portable, so you can take it from on vehicle to another if needed. Any welding supply or beverage company can fill the tanks for a modest cost.

Check out a company call Power Tank. You will thank me!

I have the Eaton in my front axle on my F350. Have had no issues to date and it works. I don't use it just driving around but rather for specific cases where the added traction is needed. I also upgraded the factory ls in the rear.
I chose not to go with the ARB due to a few concerns. The duty cycle of the compressor is lacking so going to a better compressor would be warranted. (Considered a mounted tank.) The friends that have used ARB's have had issues with cracking air lines. They were seemingly no better than Eatons.
If you are mostly wanting traction in a non-towing rig I'd put a Detroit Locker in the back. They are bullet proof. Will wear tires a little more but don't break. My current project truck will have one in the rear and an OX locker in front.

For those who have ARB lockers, did you have to buy the tank separate? The mechanic I am working with said he was told buy the distributer he had to choose a tank at an additional cost. 3 different sizes with only the most expensive (over $600) being the only recommended one for airing up tires.