LOKKA Differential Locker

[Fastatv]

I did a search on this site and didn't come up with anything on the LOKKA brand. Its much less expensive than most all the others ( seen it for $220 ) and has a three year warranty. Anyone had any experiences with this particular brand? I would appreciate hearing from you if you have. As early as this week, I plan on buying a rear diff locker and installing. Thanks! :drool:

 

[Barry2]

This site may give you more info on it
LOKKA - Automatic Differential Locker

 

[caveman]

Acording to their site, they are a rebranded ausie locker. If so then it should be a good one.

 

[Fastatv]

Thanks guys. I looked at the site and yes, was once known as the "Aussie". I think that's what I will purchase....and save some bucks. Thanks again for your help!

 

[Fastatv]

Thanks for the info and site. LOKKA does have a locker for the AMC20 open diff. It's $220, shipped, I am purchasing one today. After I get it and install, I'll post on here about the installation and how it performs.

 

[wm69]

Definitely post results please. I need lockers for the front of all 3 CJ's.

 

[Fastatv]

I finally received the LOKKA locker. Looks just like the Aussie. Took about a week to get here, and has very detailed instructions that came with it. I took a picture of it but I don't know how to post it on here. Anyway, it was $220 shipped! I am going to install it this week, and I'll post my results on here....and hopefully all will be good!

 

[rockinreel]

You can buy three of those for the price I spent on one of my lockers. I can't fathom how a company can build a locker and sell it for $220 and actually make any money off of it.

 

[wm69]

Saw this yesterday, which while it's ONE report, still would concern me.

Lokka differentials? - JeepForum.com

Spartan is supposed to be a bit beefier version of the same thing, and can be had for about the same price last time I checked.

Fastatv, hope your install goes better. Aussie was supposedly a really good product, so maybe the thread above was a misinstall or something.

 

[Fastatv]

When we spend money, on a bit of an unknown, one always wonders. When it didn't show up the day it was supposed to, found that it had been lost in shipment. I contacted LOKKA about it, they said they would ship me another one. Was pretty good of them. Anyway, rcvd the "lost" one in a couple of days. On the Jeep Link that someone provided me indicated that Pins had sheared....hmmm, may not have had it shimmed correctly. Anyway, I get back on here as soon as I install it. I searched ebay and other places....best I could find on an Aussie was $279 plus shipping. And the Sparton was about $329 plus shipping. Hope I did the right thing here.

 

[wm69]

Baseline 4x4 quoted my $279 shipped on a Dana 30 Spartan a couple months ago. Don't know if that price is still good though.

I've seen several people suggest upgrading to hardened cross pins in some of these lockers, and if Lokka is indeed the Aussie locker I would guess that either it was installed incorrectly or the crosspins should have been upgraded. What concerns me is the reported lack of customer service, and I've always wondered why if I buy a NEW locker, it doesn't already come with upgraded crosspins if they are a known weak spot......

 

[Fastatv]

Good point. I will send LOKKA an email and find out if the pins provided are of the upgraded, hardened versions. I'll let you know.

 

[Fastatv]

Definitely post results please. I need lockers for the front of all 3 CJ's.

I installed the LOKKA locker, instructions were good, better than I expected. Anyway, I'm thinking its a two or three hour job, but myself and one of my AMC buds drank us a few beers and drug the installation out a bit. Off road tested it, up hills in forward, and in reverse, hard lefts and hard rights, while hammering the old 360. The LOKKA performed flawlessly. Also got brave and went to the black top.....hammered again....a few times in a straight line...both wheels spun a tiny bit, and what a launch! Drove it on some curvy roads ( black top ), again worked great! When turning hard left or right, at slow speeds, I'm talking 5 or 6 mph, you can hear the ratcheting noise, but just barely. At 45 mph on the road, on normal curves, I dont hear a thing. I guess time will tell in regards to the quality, but I'm very pleased with the LOKKA, and especially for $220....shipped.
Fastatv....aka...Rick

 

[Fastatv]

Baseline 4x4 quoted my $279 shipped on a Dana 30 Spartan a couple months ago. Don't know if that price is still good though.

I've seen several people suggest upgrading to hardened cross pins in some of these lockers, and if Lokka is indeed the Aussie locker I would guess that either it was installed incorrectly or the crosspins should have been upgraded. What concerns me is the reported lack of customer service, and I've always wondered why if I buy a NEW locker, it doesn't already come with upgraded crosspins if they are a known weak spot......

I sent LOKKA an email about the pins, haven't heard from them. Will send another.

 

[Fastatv]

LOKKA stated that all parts of the locker are made from hardened steel alloy, which would include the pins. I tested the diff again on black top, moving slowly, hard left and right turns, and punching the throttle. All I can say is it grabs and goes, haven't seen any problems at all. Completely changes this old jeep. I can now go in two wheel drive in places I couldn't before...the exact same places but of course, conditions may not have been exactly the same....wet/dampness and so on but, I have to say, its the best upgrade I done thus far....now my buds are doing the same, and they will also be going with the LOKKA brand.

 

[wm69]

Good to know! Thanks for the writeup.

I'm have an LSD to go in the back of one Jeep (truetrac) and have a Powertrax no slip to go in the back of the other, but I was going to go Spartan for the front in both Jeeps. Might have to try the Lokka instead.

 

[Fastatv]

Just another quik follow up. I have put the LOKKA thru about everything I can think of, and it still works perfectly. This will be my last update unless I experience a problem of some sort.

 

[perzaklie]

Re: LOKKA Differential Locker - my experience

I have been running Powertrax Lock Right in both front and rear of my 1977 CJ5 for several years. Recently, the rear sheared three of the pins. Upon further examination, I discovered I had not put the correct thrust washers to obtain the proper clearance. My bad! So, I contacted them about repair parts and it turned out that new pins, springs and the clutch hubs were more than a complete new Lokka. I ordered the Lokka, two days later it was shipped from Australia on Wednesday and arrived way out here in the boonies of Arkansas on Friday! Incredible shipping service. However, the pins and springs were missing! I contacted them via email and it took another week to get them. So I was down for two weeks total. I installed the unit, being careful to maintain proper clearances per their instructions and it works beautifully. I am very pleased. It is quieter than the Lock Right I replaced. Now a surprise was in order. About a week later, I get an invoice from TNT Express for $35.50 Customs Clearance Fees! I was NOT expecting that. The U.S. Customs duty was $5.50 and they charged me $30.00 for submitting the paper work to Customs and paying the $5.50 Customs Duty fee. So, be prepared to get an additional invoice. This brought the total cost to $255.50. I have not heard back from Lokka about why this extra charge nor why they did not notify me in advance that I would be responsible for Customs charges by TNT Express. FYI

 

[Fastatv]

Re: LOKKA Differential Locker - my experience

I have been running Powertrax Lock Right in both front and rear of my 1977 CJ5 for several years. Recently, the rear sheared three of the pins. Upon further examination, I discovered I had not put the correct thrust washers to obtain the proper clearance. My bad! So, I contacted them about repair parts and it turned out that new pins, springs and the clutch hubs were more than a complete new Lokka. I ordered the Lokka, two days later it was shipped from Australia on Wednesday and arrived way out here in the boonies of Arkansas on Friday! Incredible shipping service. However, the pins and springs were missing! I contacted them via email and it took another week to get them. So I was down for two weeks total. I installed the unit, being careful to maintain proper clearances per their instructions and it works beautifully. I am very pleased. It is quieter than the Lock Right I replaced. Now a surprise was in order. About a week later, I get an invoice from TNT Express for $35.50 Customs Clearance Fees! I was NOT expecting that. The U.S. Customs duty was $5.50 and they charged me $30.00 for submitting the paper work to Customs and paying the $5.50 Customs Duty fee. So, be prepared to get an additional invoice. This brought the total cost to $255.50. I have not heard back from Lokka about why this extra charge nor why they did not notify me in advance that I would be responsible for Customs charges by TNT Express. FYI

Glad you like the LOKKA. Mine still works flawlessly. I was told the price I had paid was for shipping, and the LOKKA, $220 total. I never have rcvd another invoice and I really don't expect to. The process may have changed, or you have been charged something that LOKKA was supposed to pay for. You might continue to pursue with them.....IF you were quoted $220 shipped...as I was, then total should be $220....in my book any way.

 

[gert]

looks like the Lokka might be the manufacturer for Detroit ez locker that I had in my AMC20 which was a lot of fun easy to install and locked really well Detroit EZ Locker - Info and Reviews of Lockers, Limited Slips, Differentials