ARB Air Lockers - Front & Rear

Having new gears installed in the axles is the perfect time to

also install some sort of traction device. Installing the new

gears requires that the axle be completely torn down. Having

gears and lockers installed at the same time saves greatly on

labor costs.



Lockers and limited slip differentials are a major topic of

discussion and differing opinions, especially in the four-wheel

drive community. Everyone has their own opinion and different

requirements based on their driving habits.



The lockers I chose were ARB air lockers. The main benefit of

them is that they can be engaged when needed and disengaged

when not needed. When the locker is disengaged the axle

operates as an open differential (power only goes to one wheel

of that axle). When the ARB is engaged, power is delivered

evenly to BOTH wheels on that axle. This means the axle will

make no compensation for cornering, while wheels on the same

axle need to spin at different rates. But, the traction gained

off-road is tremedous.



The lockers are operated by compressed air from the existing air

compressor and air storage tank. dash mounted switches

allow air to enter the axles and engage each locker

independently.

4.88 Ring & Pinion Gears

The ring and pinion gears are the main gears in each axle which

convert the rotation of the driveshafts to the axle shafts. This,

in turn, spins the tires.



The tire height and ratio of these gears are matched to each

other. They directly affect the performance of the engine. When

installing a taller tire, it is also necessary to change the ratio

of the ring and pinion gears to match the new tires.



To figure out the new gear ratio you require, you simply use an

equation. Your current tire height and gear ratio is on one side

of the equation, and the new tire height is on the other side.

31.65" ÷ 3.73 = 40.55" ÷ X

Where X is your ideal gear ratio. Ring and pinion gears only

come in certain sizes. Once the ideal ratio is determined, you'll

have to decide whether to go with the next higher gear or the

next lower gear. Or, you can choose the gear ratio which is

closest to your ideal ratio from the equation. In my case

X = 4.78. The closest gear ratio made to this number is 4.88,

which is the ratio I went with. By changing the ring and pinion

gears, you will keep the engine's RPMs in the range it was

designed for.

Mag-Hytec Rear Differential Cover

The Mag-Hytec differential cover has a number of great

features. The most important is probably the increased capacity

for oil. The more oil in the axle, the cooler the gears will run.

It also incorporates a dipstick to check the oil level in the

axle. The dipstick itself has a magnetic insert to collect any

metal fragments which may accumulate in the axle between oil

changes. In addition, the drain plug is also magnetized to keep

the oil clean. The mounting face of the cover even has a built-in,

recessed ring to accept a rubber o-ring. They are shipped with

all stainless steel hardware. These covers are made to the

finest specifications. Simply looking at the cover up close,

shows the craftmanship that went into the design and

production of these differential covers.

Hydraulic Ram-Assist Steering

Adding much larger tires creates a huge strain on the stock

power steering system. Not to mention, physically turning the

steering wheel becomes more difficult, due to the increased

contact area with the ground. The best way to deal with this is

a hydraulic ram-assist setup. The stock steering continues to

work as it was designed. The difference is, a hydraulic ram now

acts to assist the stock steering system in turning the tires.

The kit I am using replaces the stock steering box with one that

has been modified to feed a hydraulic ram. The hydraulic ram is

mounted in-line with the tie rod. This way, it applies it's power

where it is most effective in turning the tires. One end of the ram

mounts to the front differential housing. The other end requires

two tabs to be welded to the tie rod.



The addition of the hydraulic ram-assist is well worth it.

Turning the wheel is much easier now. The steering system is also

spared undue stress.