Thinking About Building Locker Actuators

[k1n3k]

I've been toying with this idea for a minute. Seems Crown is no longer making them, so they're pretty much NLA. While the stock lockers don't seem to be too great, it would be awesome if there was still a source for some replacements. The compressors can be replaced with a regulator, a couple solenoids and an ARB compressor it seems, but the actuators are a problem.
Soo, I'm eyeballing the possibility of making replacement parts that are rebuildable. But, I need an old actuator that I can use to measure and figure out if the method I want to use is even viable. It will be totally different from the factory part in construction, as it will probably be billet aluminum.

So, anyone have a couple dead actuators sitting around they'd give up for science?

 

[mjonesjr84]

You can get electrically actuated air switches, air pressure regulator, and an air compressor to do the same thing. That is what we did to my nephew's TJ we put Rubicon axles under. I think we have his regulator set on 5 PSI. Then he just flips a switch to apply 12v power to the solenoid on the valve and it opens. Both front and rear are controlled independently. His goes through 2 pressure regulators for safety. The chance of both failing at the same time would be slim to none. This will keep from blowing the diaphragm out of the locker.

This is the air switch style we used (not this exact one).
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1210901563...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

[mjonesjr84]

You could also do something like this with just a pressure regulator. This wouldn't require 12v power to send air to the locker.

https://www.fleetpride.com/parts/airsource-a-c-switch-2025

 

[k1n3k]

You can get electrically actuated air switches, air pressure regulator, and an air compressor to do the same thing.

The actuators I'm looking to produce are on the opposite side of that system

 

[mjonesjr84]

The actuators I'm looking to produce are on the opposite side of that system

View attachment 659411

Ah, locker side.

 

[macleanflood]

I wonder if you could retrofit an e-locker stator to fit.

-Mac

 

[mrblaine]

I've been toying with this idea for a minute. Seems Crown is no longer making them, so they're pretty much NLA. While the stock lockers don't seem to be too great, it would be awesome if there was still a source for some replacements. The compressors can be replaced with a regulator, a couple solenoids and an ARB compressor it seems, but the actuators are a problem.
Soo, I'm eyeballing the possibility of making replacement parts that are rebuildable. But, I need an old actuator that I can use to measure and figure out if the method I want to use is even viable. It will be totally different from the factory part in construction, as it will probably be billet aluminum.

So, anyone have a couple dead actuators sitting around they'd give up for science?

No parts that aren't viable but I'm intrigued. I suspect some tinkering to mimic the ARB air piston ring is very doable. The only small hurdle I envision is how to copy or evaluate the need for the self retracting nature of the OEM bladder ring. Well, two small hurdles. The second is how to attach the mounting ears. Steel is easy, aluminum not so much.

 

[mrblaine]

I wonder if you could retrofit an e-locker stator to fit.

View attachment 659489

-Mac

How would the magnet work to push the locking clutch over?

 

[macleanflood]

How would the magnet work to push the locking clutch over?

I thought the air actuator expanded like the e-locker stator and engaged the locker. No actual experience. Both parts look remarkably similar.

-Mac

 

[mrblaine]

I thought the air actuator expanded like the e-locker stator and engaged the locker. No actual experience. Both parts look remarkably similar.

-Mac

No idea, I saw a demo a long time ago and thought the stator was a magnet that pulled the shift collar over when energized.

 

[JKP]

Well, here's the Eaton version:

 

[macleanflood]

Yeah so the e-locker basically "expands" to push together the mechanism to lock the axle.

Pretty sure the ARB and other air lockers do pretty much exactly the same thing. You fill a chamber with air which essentially expands and pushes the mechanism to lock the axle.

Or am I missing a key detail?

-Mac

 

[JKP]

Yep.

 

[jjvw]

Yeah so the e-locker basically "expands" to push together the mechanism to lock the axle.

Pretty sure the ARB and other air lockers do pretty much exactly the same thing. You fill a chamber with air which essentially expands and pushes the mechanism to lock the axle.

Or am I missing a key detail?

-Mac

Eaton expands, Rubicon squeezes

 

[JKP]

The Rubi bladder expands when inflated...

 

[Zorba]

Eaton expands, Rubicon squeezes

And Ox?

 

[jjvw]

And Ox?

don't care