ARB VS Opposite lock

[Lewy]

Just like to see what do people prefer? Me I really like the OL bull bars over ARB any day! They look so much nicer.. I also got the best deal from OL spring wood. They ended up a shit load cheaper than ARB.. And the Elocker well what can I say what a magnificent locker I will never go back to a Air locker again..

Anyway here is a pick of my GU next to a mates GU. Same model 4wd. Both bars are winch bars both are the top of the range bar from each place..

Cheers Lewy

[teno45]

Thats not the top of the line arb bar. That looks like a combination I think they call it. Theres the deluxe and then Sahara on top of that.

[Lewy]

When I was at ARB they said that this is the top of the range bar for a 2003 GU and that I could not get the sahara one for my model.

[MudRunnerTD]

Yep, i'm with Teno, The ARB deluxe bar has the integrated driving light pack and looks Awesome.

Sorry the OL bar is a Copy and likely a Chinese copy to boot. You may even find that is it s rebranded Powerfull4x4 bar.

I have done the tour of the ARB factory in Kilsyth in Victoria. If i was going to pay for the best, the ARB is without a doubt the toughest and best looking bar on the market. Individually hand made in a factory in Victoria for the World Market.

OL can NOT make that claim.

[Lewy]

Yep, i'm with Teno, The ARB deluxe bar has the integrated driving light pack and looks Awesome.

Sorry the OL bar is a Copy and likely a Chinese copy to boot. You may even find that is it s rebranded Powerfull4x4 bar.

I have done the tour of the ARB factory in Kilsyth in Victoria. If i was going to pay for the best, the ARB is without a doubt the toughest and best looking bar on the market. Individually hand made in a factory in Victoria for the World Market.

OL can NOT make that claim.


All good points.. I was always concerned that the bar was imported (witch I was not happy about) But I still think it looks so much nicer than the ARB one.. Also When I was at ARB they said they do not make the Sahara bar for my model GU... The toughest bar most likly but far from the best looking IMO

[MudRunnerTD]

http://www.arb.com.au/assets/thumbs/?img=/media/products/3917030.jpg&w=310&q=81

Look better with hoops but i cant find a copy of a pic on their site with the hoops, All the pics are on a late model for marketing but they certainly Do list that it suits flares.

ARB Bullbars for a GU Patrol (http://www.arb.com.au/products/arb-protection-equipment/bull-bars/sahara-bars/3917130/)


********EDIT

That sucks a bit Lewy, i searched the site another way and your ARB dealer is right i think?? ARB do the bar you have and the bar i posted a pic of but they do not list the Deluxe bar with side hoops and the driving lights?? WTF. That is very disappointing.

[Lewy]

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forums/

Look better with hoops but i cant find a copy of a pic on their site with the hoops, All the pics are on a late model for marketing but they certainly Do list that it suits flares.

ARB Bullbars for a GU Patrol (http://www.arb.com.au/products/arb-protection-equipment/bull-bars/sahara-bars/3917130/)

Absolutely that dose look great and is what I like the nice loops. Iv never liked the square look of the arb bar.. But again ARB told us more than once that they couldn't do it for my 4wd :-(

[taslucas]

i know nothing of the build quality etc but judging by looks alone id have to say the OL looks heaps better. I like the round centre hoop and the side hoops. Getting a mate to make a custom one like that but with a bigger and thicker bottom bar.

[satyx]

Build quaility seems very good. A friend has one and we cant fault it. Im happy enough that i have one on order for my GU, it looks nice, is different enough to stand out a little from the pack, was a good price and seems to be just as tough as any other bar on the market.

[teno45]

Ah, didnt realise you meant specifically for your model, sorry mate.

Just had a look at my ARB Pricelist and looks like your right!

Just got the called today, my ARB Deluxe bar has arrived! 2 weeks into apparently a 2month waiting list! Got to be happy with that!

I dont like the sahara bars at all. Im not overly sure which design I like between the two loops (ie: your OL bar) or the single loop/two straps (ie: ARB combination/deluxe bars). But dont like the fog lights on the OL bar at all. I didnt like the OL bar really, the deluxe just looks better in my opinion.

Will have to throw up a photo in the next few days once I get it on!

[megatexture]

ye im not a fan of the sahara bar also but think arb are over priced so wouldnt care how there bars look

[nissannewby]

Im very keen to hear more about the air locker vs e-locker scenario i think it would be quite interesting to hear of peoples pros and cons eg. Air locker tried tested been around for ages, e-locker no airlines or extra acc such as compressor to run or play up and easier to repair broken wire in bush than busted airline.

[Lewy]

Well When I had air lockers I had nothing but trouble with it not disengaging when I turned it off!! Know biggie for the rear but when I'm going up a big incline or over a heap of rocks in a creek crossing and I needed my steering back and it doesn't let go (with out stopping and rolling back) I found this very annoying!!.. Also always had oil leaking back through the lines.. Again ARB told me this is all normal and didn't want to fix it.. Also you don't need to wait for the air to pressure up.. With the Elocker as soon as you hit the switch your locked and as soon as you turn it off its off!!!

[dan&tamspatrol]

how much do the elockers go for and are they easy to install

[dan&tamspatrol]

i find out bout the fitting just cant find a price

[nissannewby]

Price is somewhat similar to an air locker i believe

[growler2058]

Ive been ARB disgruntled due to poor customer service and attitude and to a rusty from brand new bar a mate got then had replaced to find exactly the same issue!!! BUT i just scored a prize pack from 4WDTV containing ARB products now I think theyre great hahahahahhahaha

[dan&tamspatrol]

cheers mate

[megatexture]

i beleave the elocker is more expensive(purchase price)on its own but once u get the airlocker then also the compressor it then works out more.not sure about install cost but its not just the locker its the compressor also for the air locker so id be thinking it would cost more then just a switch

id go the elocker over air, i can fix electrical but id be screwd if i riped a air line somehow i doubt if ductape/ zipties can fix that

[Lewy]

i beleave the elocker is more expensive(purchase price)on its own but once u get the airlocker then also the compressor it then works out more.not sure about install cost but its not just the locker its the compressor also for the air locker so id be thinking it would cost more then just a switch

id go the elocker over air, i can fix electrical but id be screwd if i riped a air line somehow i doubt if ductape/ zipties can fix that

We had this happen to us at LCMP When my misses drove over a stick and it came up and ripped the rear air line off.. We ended up using fencing wire that we twisted around the line till it held LOL But again this is another issue that you will not get from a Elocker.. The price of the Elocker fitted worked out only a little cheaper than the Air but I think your better off with the E :-) People always say "but you get a air compressor witch you can pump up a tyres with" hahahahaha Yer if you don't mined waiting for EVER for it to pump up LOL

[growler2058]

:hijacked::offtopic: Seems weve switched over to the locker debate Id go and did an auto locker in particular the LoKKa brand from 4wd systems the best bang for buck ive spent on my old girl. I know I can hear it now, "But you cant turn it off" . Correct however when you turn the thing disengages so your steering is near normal then power on and your locked again gotta be mighty quick on an air or elec switch for the same result "But but but what about if your going up a hill and it throws you into a tree or ledge??" Well same thing will happen to you with any other locker thats engaged, and lets face it if youre giving it enuff mumbo to throw violently you must be in a situation where ya need to have it locked! Anyway just chucking it out there that look at all option no need to go with the flow weather its bar work lockers or any other goodies ya thinking of fitting OK rant over :wink: :oops:

[dan&tamspatrol]

how far do u have to turn before it disengages tho

[nissannewby]

not far as soon as one wheel is spinning faster than the other it will unlock

[dan&tamspatrol]

so in theory turning corners on say a wet road it could lock in and make it hard to turn

[growler2058]

how far do u have to turn before it disengages tho

Its almost instantaneous, however if you are going real hard you need to lean off the loud pedal a smidgeon of a second. Auto lockers of the past were a harsh beast to tame but the newer gen are a lot more user friendly. You can still do damage to your rig as with any traction aid that gets you further up the track, and im not saying other style air etc arent good, they most definately are, the comp guys use them they must be. But bang for buck ($400 fitted myself $800 fitted by others) they cant be beaten, ive flogged mine like a borrowed horse and its not let me down (yet). Just saying theres cheaper and imho just as good other options which leave $'s in your pocket to spend on other things ;-)

[nissannewby]

so in theory turning corners on say a wet road it could lock in and make it hard to turn The only way this could happen is if you were in 4wd with hubs locked in and you had already lost traction with the front wheels and were still powering on while turning otherwise in normal 2wd and 4wd driving conditions a front auto locker will disengage as soon as the 2 front wheels are at different speeds hope this helps.

[dan&tamspatrol]

cheers thought locker still worked in 2wd still new to all this

[growler2058]

cheers thought locker still worked in 2wd still new to all this

There is absolutely no difference in feel or control when in 2wd and hubs free. If youre in 2wd and have the hubs locked you can hear a clicking as the locker overides during a turn, if that makes sense.

[dan&tamspatrol]

yea makes sense sorta

[growler2058]

yea makes sense sorta

When youre in two wheel drive there is no "drive to the front wheels, they are just spinning over like a commodore lets say.
When you lock your hubs the front axles are now "joined to each other" easy way of saying it, but your normal centre on the front is an open wheeled diff (not LSD) so they will still spin independantly (still in 2wd) Now with a locker you are locking those axles together in 2wd with hubs engaged, but the auto locker (LoKKa Brand) unlocks through the turning circle hence the click click as the locking cam,lug, thingyamajig overides. When youre in four wheel drive you now have drive two both axles evenly, until you turn. However if you are heavily on the loud pedal it wont unlock when you turn your steering (inertia keeps it locked hence the need sometimes to back off a bit) Basically the LoKKA is always locked until you turn your wheels, there are little springs that push the components outward keeping it locked, until you turn then the natural difference in rotation ie outside wheel has a larger turning circle than the inside wheel forces the locker to unlock or over ride the machanism. Im sure that s clear as mud to you now hahahahahahhahaha bout the best i can explain without piccies. If you have a look here http://www.4wdsystems.com.au/index.php?id=66 may better explain

[dan&tamspatrol]

crystal clear thanks mate

[nissannewby]

Your gonna wear your key board out growler lol. Lets get back on topic does anyone have any other experiences comparing arb products to those products from OL

[Tonks]

G'Day Lewy,
Would you be able to tell what winch you have on your OL Bar,
Cheers Tonks.

[Lewy]

G'Day Lewy,
Would you be able to tell what winch you have on your OL Bar,
Cheers Tonks.

Sure no problem :-) Its the Avenger 9.5 with synthetic rope.. Its the one that won the 4wd monthly best overall winch comparison...
Also from OL

Cheers Lewy

[teno45]

and its on and finished! Im happy with it!!!

http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz171/teno45/2012-04-21174105.jpg