Chinese Air Locker Group Buy

*LET ME BE CLEAR*


I have ZERO interest in what you personally think about China or the characteristics of Chinese production. This is not a thread to rant about how you get what you pay for or your predictions about how a certain product will perform UNLESS you have direct personal experience with it.

With that out of the way, let me give you some background:
I have a HPD30 front and 8.8 rear- locker options are somewhat limited in the rear (also have LSD). What follows is my research into Chinese made air lockers which appear to be based from ARBs 2nd gen locker. Below I have divided my initial findings into what I believe are critical and supportive perspectives on the device. Please compare the dates of these posts as well, as I think that is helpful to make the most sense:


Critical
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/newbie-general-4x4-discussion/1063689-chinese-air-locker.html
http://www.offroadexpress.kiwi/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=30464
http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/arb-imitation-air-lockers.605682/


Support
http://www.offroadexpress.kiwi/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=16613
http://www.offroadexpress.kiwi/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=39806
http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content?topic=119345.0
http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/showthread.php?6071-chinese-locker-update
http://www.clubxterra.org/forums/archive/index.php/t-38009.html
http://marudu4x4.com/arb-air-lockers/chinese-air-locker-copy-of-rd166-arb/
http://www.xjtalk.com/showthread.php?t=5649


Other
http://www.offroadexpress.kiwi/Forums/viewtopic.php?f=37&t=11695&start=30
http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/55620-Chinese-Air-Locker
http://www.patrol4x4.com/forum/engine-drivetrain-55/chinese-air-locker-81717/
https://www.dragtimes.com/video-viewer.php?v=a8kUrWHSrQM&feature


From ARB
http://www.myswag.org/index.php?topic=19548.0


*IF* you decide this is for you, please continue!


I have contacted several Chinese manufacturers and so far the best quote I've received is $480 for the locker, compressor, switches, wiring, air lines; shipping to US $156- total $636. They currently produce 20-30 different applications but unfortunately do not cover my 8.8. When I asked if it were possible for them to do so, I was told they would need a commitment of 15 orders in order to develop the 31 spline 8.8 locker. Also, if you wanted a locker without the compressor, I was told to take off $40. They are interested and willing to give us a group discount with 10 or more units and would be between 2-5% discount or greater depending on the quantity ordered and shipping would also be reduced (at least getting into the US).


Again, this is not the thread to express your opinions about the political, economic or ethical situations with China or Chinese manufacturing processes. We have an entire forum to do that: please start your own thread.


Otherwise, feel free to post your interest, relevant questions or direct personal experiences with these products. If you wish to remain anonymous, PM me and no one else will be the wiser. I am volunteering to be the point person with this and will do what I can to help facilitate and try and meet everyone's interests.


*BOTTOM LINE*
Do your research to understand the risks as much as possible. My Jeep funds are finite as decreed by my 'accountant' and this seems to be the best compromise I can make for the kind of wheeling I do. If you find yourself in a similar situation, let's try and make this happen!

I paid 697$ for my dana 30 Yukon zip locker to my door... so 100$ less for a very questionable part with no warranty? Dosent sound like a very good deal for a "china lock"...

Now If you could get comparable ARB compressors for 40$ that may be worth doing and it can be swapped right out when it fails...lol.

What he said. Save $120 to pay the $250 install again later, bad math.

I do love when people come to an open forum, and then demand that anyone with a dissenting opinion remain silent.

Awesome sign me up for a big cup of hell ****ing no.
Go detroit or zip or grizzly. Buy once cry once. Or weld the thing.

When the damn thing explodes on a winch hill on Fordyce ill be so happy to save 100$ ....

If you can get them down to 100$ each ill take one for a hp30 and a d44 and then one more of each for trail spares

Otherwise zip locker for the marginal difference in price.

souske said:

I do love when people come to an open forum, and then demand that anyone with a dissenting opinion remain silent.

Click to expand...

Right? :dunce:

whitexj98 said:

I paid 697$ for my dana 30 Yukon zip locker to my door... so 100$ less for a very questionable part with no warranty? Dosent sound like a very good deal for a "china lock"...

Now If you could get comparable ARB compressors for 40$ that may be worth doing and it can be swapped right out when it fails...lol.

Click to expand...

cal said:

What he said. Save $120 to pay the $250 install again later, bad math.

Click to expand...

These are legitimate points and the zip was on my short list. My main issue is that Yukon doesn't make one for the 8.8 so I'd be stuck with a compressor/OBA and an ARB in the rear.

souske said:

I do love when people come to an open forum, and then demand that anyone with a dissenting opinion remain silent.

Click to expand...

My apologies for not catering to your preferred style of discussion. I clearly stated in my post that while this thread was not intended to allocate its resources to that conversation, you are quite welcome to start your own thread and I will contribute what I can.

Nearly every thread I researched inevitably devolved into some juvenile pissing contest based solely on conjecture and ignorant claims of superiority/inferiority based on stereotypical "evidence" at worst and hearsay at best.

Don't we deserve a better class of wheelers?

Luke95 said:

Awesome sign me up for a big cup of hell ****ing no.
Go detroit or zip or grizzly. Buy once cry once. Or weld the thing.

Click to expand...

Fair enough- For me, I'm interested in going selectable (with it's accompanying tears) and there is no zip yet for the 8.8.

blondejoncherokee said:

When the damn thing explodes on a winch hill on Fordyce ill be so happy to save 100$ ....

If you can get them down to 100$ each ill take one for a hp30 and a d44 and then one more of each for trail spares

Otherwise zip locker for the marginal difference in price.

Click to expand...

Again see above

This was the response I was reluctantly anticipating. Has anyone bothered to read the links I posted? Or, dare I ask, researched themselves prior to posting their eloquent thoughts?

Also if anyone here has used one, I'd love to get your opinion(s).

Eaton has elocker's for 31 spline 8.8's for $100 more....
I'd go that route before, well you know.....

Edit, found em from jegs for $699 too

After reading the first pages of two of the threads you posted as 'critical', it does not seem worth it to me. Bad reviews, people having to get parts machined to fit correctly, compressors only lasting a year, what's the appeal here?

I deal with a shitload of chinese knock-offs in my work.

I would not want those kind of problems in my dif.

Mod Tech.?

Shouldn't this be in a chat forum?

Jbh97009 said:

Eaton has elocker's for 31 spline 8.8's for $100 more....
I'd go that route before, well you know.....

Edit, found em from jegs for $699 too

Click to expand...

From what I've read, the elocker for the 8.8 uses an inferior locking pin mechanism/design that wears and fails very quickly. From what I can find, that problem seems pretty well documented. If I recall correctly, Eaton is aware of the problem and was reportedly working on a redesign. Can anyone confirm or correct me?

Lurch said:

After reading the first pages of two of the threads you posted as 'critical', it does not seem worth it to me. Bad reviews, people having to get parts machined to fit correctly, compressors only lasting a year, what's the appeal here?

Click to expand...

So I take it you're not interested in even considering the successful experiences with the locker by not bothering to read that section, much less the critical threads in full. Every locker has instances in which they work and don't work- ARB, OX, detroit, eaton et al. I have no problems if it doesn't seem worth it to you, but to base a decision on only a partial perusal of critical sources appears foolish to me.

The appeal for me is to get two selectable air lockers w/compressor and install gear for around $1k. They are based on a tried/true design 2nd gen ARB. It seems as though there were some questions of machine quality at the early stages of production, however if you continue to read and research it appears that the manufacturers improved their process per consumer demand. I tried to emphasize the dates of the postings as a way to gauge the development of the product, just like any other US/japan/euro manufacturing process. Of course the source data is anecdotal, as I have not been able to find more objective info. Certainly willing to include it if you have access!

rockclimber said:

I deal with a shitload of chinese knock-offs in my work.

I would not want those kind of problems in my dif.

Click to expand...

THESE are the kinds of comments I was hoping to avoid. It would be one thing if you actually purchased a Chinese air locker and shared your personal experience with it, but to equate your vague "chinese knock-offs at work" with all Chinese produced goods does not seem productive in this conversation. There are good factories and poor factories in China, just like any other nation. To assume that everything that comes from China is the same piss poor quality of goods you use at your employment is both ignorant and embarrassing.

People aren't trying to be rude, they're trying to save you from making what could be an expensive gamble. You're trying to save a little in the short run for something that may cost you more in the long run. You seem pretty committed to Chinese lockers. Why not order and run the D30 locker and report back? If it holds up well then maybe you can convince others and bring them over to your side.

DansGreyMj said:

People aren't trying to be rude, they're trying to save you from making what could be an expensive gamble. You're trying to save a little in the short run for something that may cost you more in the long run. You seem pretty committed to Chinese lockers. Why not order and run the D30 locker and report back? If it holds up well then maybe you can convince others and bring them over to your side.

Click to expand...

I appreciate the perspective and it's one that is not lost on me. I concede 100% that this is a gamble and what I attempted to share was the data I found that led me to this decision. Granted my situation is not the same as everyone else. For me, this XJ is a hobby (among many others I have) which as nearly everyone knows can get very expensive. I don't rely on it as a DD but I'm in no situation or interest to trailer it anywhere, so it will need to get me where I play and back. It's not necessarily an issue of saving the money to buy brand name equipment. We make a very modest living, are frugal and could certainly make that work. The issue is spending that sum of money on a part for a toy for occasional use when alternatives are available. The family budget compromise does not accept front/rear ARBs/OXs; but could manage this Chinese option or some other combination yet to be determined.

Your suggestion is valid and maybe I should bite the bullet and just order one to try it out. The problem with performing the experiment alone is that I shoulder the larger overall bill and logistical headache with multiple regears, higher initial prices and dealing with the hassle of an overseas transaction. With the available interest shown so far i.e. none, there are lots of other options to consider. I suppose it's my own fault assuming that when presented with some information on a controversial topic, people could set aside their biases and take a fresh approach. This CLEARLY shows how often I get on the internet...

I could be wrong, in that I don't know 100% if they did anything with the 8.8 locker or not, but I do know they redesigned some (if not all) of the lockers, and the e locker is supposed to be much better than it once was.

I know your not wanting to hear it, but it's the truth, do what you want but the carrier/locker in the rear is not a wise place to save a few bucks. Either go full locker or no locker. I personally consider it very close to using a Chinese knock off transfer case, or crankshaft or something like that.

Jbh97009 said:

I could be wrong, in that I don't know 100% if they did anything with the 8.8 locker or not, but I do know they redesigned some (if not all) of the lockers, and the e locker is supposed to be much better than it once was.

I know your not wanting to hear it, but it's the truth, do what you want but the carrier/locker in the rear is not a wise place to save a few bucks. Either go full locker or no locker. I personally consider it very close to using a Chinese knock off transfer case, or crankshaft or something like that.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I suppose I'll need to do some more current research about the e-lockers. Maybe a zip in the front, e-locker in rear...

None of this was about what I wanted to hear, it just is what it is. My goal was not to persuade anyone, I do know better than that. It was primarily to present an option that may not have been well known. For those who felt like it could work for them, I wanted to be available and a resource to go down this road. So far as there is no interest, there is no road

When every penny counts, why not go with something well proven with a warranty? This sounds penny wise and pound foolish.

Typically people spend $500-800 in setup costs..

Saving $100 on a full case locker sounds scary, When it fails, its another $250-400 for one axle..

I'd run a chinese air locker.. if they were under $200

I know damn well i wouldnt want to be one of the first 15 to try out a first gen chinese locker