Rear Diff and Actuator

[HauptRenate]

Hi there y'all
Not sure how to progress.
Need some advice.
I'm seriously considering getting my non-working rear diff sorted as I want to get it 'fixed' before I go off and do any more surveying and offroading (having just returning from spending several weeks doing survey work in Sedgemoor area in Somerset where I was 'green laning' every day, twice a day).
I'm off into NW Wales in October and want to know that I can stick on mi 4 MUD tyres and use Rear Diff as I might well need it in Autumn/Winter.
There's an ARBRD33 available for mi 80 at a cool £800.40 from Devon4x4 but not sure whether I need a brand new unit, just the actuator, or can just have the unit 'reconditioned', 'serviced' or whatever is done to it to get it to work again?
I reckon that maybe I get this sorted before I go.
Should I have the entire unit taken out and given a thorough once over before I do any of the replacement bits thingy?
I'm thinking that it might just be an actuator thing since it seems to be an issue with 80 series but I'm no expert.
I know the Rear Diff has never worked, although the Central and Front do work.
What do you reckon I should do? (Sensible answers please
Cheers
Renate

 

[Andrew Prince]

or have the entire unit taken off and given a thorough once over before I do any of the replacement bits thingy?

At least have a stab at getting the actuator back to life. Although it may have rotted beyond any point of recovery if it's been out of action for so long.
The ARB Air Locker is a good bit of kit, but quite pricey and requires some specialist fitment, plus the installation of a compressed air system. I would think that a new actuator is probably cheaper, although by no means cheap...

Good luck!

 

[HauptRenate]

Hi there Andrew, Yes I'm going to have the actuator taken off first, as I think this is where the problem might lie, and then go from here.
I can't believe I've had l'Beast this long without having that sorted out! 11 years and counting!
The ARB RD bumpf doesn't disclose whether its the Air locker version that came out a few years ago, my guess is that it isn't, and is just a bog-standard version for an 80 Series.
I guess, at the end of the day, if I'm 'serious' about using the rear diff than its time I got it sorted!
Cheers
Renate

 

[Chris]

Did ARB make anything other than an air locker?

Chris

 

[HauptRenate]

Er, No idea Chris...
U saying they don't?
Well just goes to show....
Renate

 

[Chris]

Well I don't think so. That's their speciality. There are Detroit lockers and all sorts of other things but I think that ARB only made one system for the 80 - but I'm no guru on that. But air lockers are their thing.

Damn good but expensive. The carrier set is £650 at least and then a pump plus fitting etc etc. Whereas a locker motor is circa £400 and ten mins with a spanner.

Chris

 

[HauptRenate]

Ok chris I'll stick with the actuator then instead...
R

 

[Andrew Prince]

Yip, I'm with Chris - ARB locker = Air Locker.

 

[Rob]

Well its £400 from our parts guy, not your main dealer

 

[Brett]

Renate,

I think the other guys were possibly being diplomatic & assumed you knew the difference between an ARB & factory locker?

Currently you have the factory locker which comprises a locking differential (inside the axle housing) & an electronic actuator (probably broken) slapped on the side of the diff housing.

The ARB diff lock is a complete replacement differential, if purchased you would have to remove your factory differential & actuator, swap over the diff gears from the factory unit to the ARB, new carrier bearings, drill the axle housing to insert the airline, install the air compressor with all associated air line, solenoid & dash switches. The ARB centre is not compatible with the Toyota actuation system.

You'll probably find there's nothing wrong with your factory differential & it is just the actuator or wiring/switch at fault. If it's the actuator, it's probably unlikely you'll be able to revive it on a 91 vintage truck, that's 20 years of road salt to contend with!

A new actuator from Ian, or a good secondhand one will hopefully be the solution for you.

 

[HauptRenate]

Yeah, yeah Brett, I know about stuff like this.
I kinda sussed the rest out yesterday.... DOH! (joke, of course I knew!)
One of those "Of course, you a*****e" said da little voice in ma head.
Yeah, yeah, if this were the case I'd be the laffing stock of the landcruiser crowd now wouldn't I?
Years ago I traipsed over to a landrover event and checked out the ARB Air locker, something I couldn't afford then (not that I can really afford it now either) and came to the conclusion, "okay, when I'm rich and famous..." It would have been a toy of mine, now its essential I get the diff sorted once and for all.
So the actuator is to come off in a couple of weeks when I've got some spare time and then it begins...
Cheers
R