Just bought a Aussie Locker for the truck. Anybody have any tips for the install before I tear into it?

I used this and this as references along with the supplied instructions. Take your time and keep everything clean.

Started install the locker yesterday, jacked up, wheels off, driveshaft removed, diff drained. Today I yanked the axles out, pulled the diff. and installed the locker, I'll put it all back together tomorrow, here's a few pics.


My oh so organized workspace! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />


Can just see that the axles are popped out. Gonna have to replace the drivers side brake line, twisted a whole bunch while unbolting it, must be that 20 years of grime.



Here is the locker installed, just gotta put her all back together tomorrow.
Used Zuk's write up, Thanks Zuk!. Had to use a file to get things to fit inside, would of freaked if I hadn't read Zuk's writeup before starting.

i put my aussie locker in probably 5 months ago and it's been good so far. some times when you go around a corner and it suddenly engages it sounds like your rear end has exlpoded.

good job, Buck <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Don't forget to use the existing spacers (I forget the techinical name) when reinstalling..

Thrust washers? yep, used em. Got it back together today and took it for a test drive. That first loud bang as I was backing out the driveway was a bit unnerving, but after things got all lubed up everything seems to work fine. Drove around a little bit with the windows down so I could hear the locker in action. I'll have to go out this weekend and play in the dirt. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Well, couldn't wait for the weekend to test things out, so I went out this afternoon. Works Great! Made it up one short deeply rutted hill that I've never made it up before, always just sat there spinnin the tires. Also went up one long, steep hill that I've always made it up before with lots of negotiating, this time, straight up it, first try, no slippin or sliding at all! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Here's a couple pics of me and my daughter goofin around on a log.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Well Buck it sounds like that locker works pretty well! I've been looking at the Aussie pretty close for the last little while and pondering whether or not to get one. I still have stock open diffs. It seems like a pretty cheap mod that can help out alot!

How long would you say that it took to install?

My truck is my DD and in the winter I drive in snow most of the time, I've heard that installing an automatic locking device can give negative effects while driving in snow. Does anybody have any experience or input with this ?

I thought that having any type of locker in the rear would help in climbing hills on icy roads where I am in traffic and cant just step out and lock my hubs to put it in 4X4. I ve had this happen before and been stopped at an uphill intersection that has a patch of ice over the road, when the light turns green your just crawling up the hill <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" /> spinning one rear tire getting nowhere.

I took 3 days to do mine. Someone experienced with diff's. probably could easily do it in one day, I'm sure I could have done it in a day and a half. First day all I did was drain the diff., jack up the truck and take the tires off, and the subsequent two days I only worked 4-6 hours each day on it.