I email Powertrax two or three times a year asking for a release date on the No-Slip. This past time I recieved an email that Powertrax was purchased by Richmond Gear and that any projects that were in the works would be bumped about a year.

On a different note, the latest issue of 4Wheel&Offroad mentions a locker called Offrotec http://www.tibus-offroad.com/html/lockers.html. I did a quick search and found that they have an Xterra Application (at least their web site said they did). I'll do some more checking if it's actually for the H233B 33-spline.

They're hot on that one at the N4W board , got someone in touch with the company to get details.

Brent

Hey Brent, what's the latest on this locker stuff?

I was checking out their website and read the article in Petersons 4 wheeler. I like the vacuum operated option and it looks to be built very good.

Might be an option, instead of mounting compressors to go with the vacuum or check out the electric options.

I don't know much, the guys at N4W are more on top of it.

Brent

I just received an email back from Offrotec, and the message was short and simple. "We do not have an product for your application."

Yeah, seems they will build one if they get 30 committed orders though...
http://www.xterraownersclub.com/cgi-local/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000481

Brent

Guess I'm a little behind. I just emailed Offrotec about a locker and came here to post about it...hehe!

Well, maybe if enough people express interest they will make one. I'm mostly interested int he electric locker. Sure would be nice!

This website says they have them for the Xterra front and rear.

http://www.tibus-offroad.com/html/application.html

If 30 people will confirm that they want electric front and rear lockers, I will open a PayPal account to collect your cash. I will then go directly to the company and demand that they honor their two month promise. They will have no option as this will mean 60 orders. Approximately $1320 for electric lockers all around sounds great to me and I would spend that in a heartbeat. I would be willing to let somebody else hold the money and do the negotiating if necessary. When confronted with $39,600, they may jump on it without hesitation. Do not reply that you will do this if you don't have $1,320 to spend right now. I am serious about getting this done. All money will be returned if they can't do it. They may charge more than $660 per locker. Let me know as well how much you would be willing to spend above $660 per axle. If you only want one axle done, let me know which one. Maybe I can still get 30 of each. I want both axles done yesterday. All I've been waiting for is a company that does both with an electric locker.

They would need to prove to me that they can indeed manufacture their locker for the Nissan axle first.

Their design is just like the OX locker, and they don't work with a third member.

The front diff on the X has a cover, but I don't think there is clearance between the frame to get their cover on.

You can get yours after the first 30 of us get ours.

I got a reply from them saying the same thing about needing preorders. If it weren't the holidays and my 2nd and 3rd gear synchros weren't toast I would probably jump at the opportunity. There is a possiblity that I could get in on a deal after the first of the year though? Need to see how my Christmas bonus turns out and stuff.

Yeah, maybe after the first of the year. Got to see how much we're getting back in taxes. It'll be a tough call though, lockers or a lift and steering system. Hmmm decisions, decisions.

Yeah, I preordered the Calmini steering system. SInce I have no idea when it will actually ship I can't spend the money on something else. Ask me if it's been easy keeping that $500 around untouched for 4 months with a mod crazy Xterra parked outside...hehe! If the SS weren't on order I would almost certainly jump for the locker now. Must be patient! :rolleyes:

Has anyone tried the ARB airlocker? Also it isn't generally a good idea to run a locker in the front diff on a IFS vehicle. Puts to much stress on the CV joints.

There are at least a dozen rear ARB-equipped Xterras out there so far, and 3 or 4 dual ARB-equipped ones. None of the dual-locked ones have experienced any real problems related to its use that I recall. In fact, the catastrophic front-end failures that come to mind I'm certain were on open-diff Xterras.

Brent

I bet we start seeing it a bit when those dual locked guys start getting new t-case gears. I plan to get the LSD for the front because of that fact. Hub fuses would be a good idea for any locked front end I would think.

Good Locker usage will also help keep the front end safe.
Only engage the Locker when needed, stay straight as possible when locked, and don't hit the skinny pedal too hard.

I stand corrected. My comments were based on the general concensus here in Australia.

Just out of curiosity, what do you drive down there?
I've been looking at Nissan Patrols alot recently and noticed a few clubs down there. Basicly I'm just curious how you ended up on an Xterra board. Because they are a US only vehicle we don't have alot of members in other countries.

Just want to chime in here...

Here are my thoughts on a front air locker versus a LSD unit. I believe that the air locker is less stressful than the LSD *overall*.

Why? Your LSD is working every minute, street driving, off road etc, it is placing a strain on the "slower" moving tire in the axle......probably not a big deal and the axle probably won't have any problems, but the strain is there none the less.

The air locker is an open diff until its engaged. An open diff is the ideal set up for minimal shaft (and related components) strain with daily use and abuse.

Off road, a LSD will spin if a tire is hanging and potentially risk a half shaft damage once the spinning tire contacts terra firma. A locked diff will not spin if air borne and therefore serves to save the half shafts (and related components).

About the only time a LSD offers less damage to the axle is in turing (assuming the air locker is locked). Of course, I would recommend unlocking the air locker before the turn!

I do think that a rear locker and a front LSD is a great set up and much better than stock. I just wanted to clairfy that for those who can throw out the $$$, dual lockers is the best and least damaging (in terms of axle wear) way to go.

Your talking Front LSD and lockers. Well then your front LSD is NOT workin every minute unless you engage 4WD! I hope you don't engage it in "street driving" as you say.

A LSD basically adds friction between the right and left tires in a single axle....it is that friction that is trying to limit free wheelspin (thus a LSD). The LSD is always working when ever the tires are turning....if in 4WD or not.

Edit: the LSD works LESS with no forces applied but the LSD is still working and placing friction within the axle (force that didn't exist before the LSD).

Free wheel hubs, the front axle is not spinning unless your hubs are locked and/or you engage the front drive shaft. - except for the cold drag. So yea I get 3 turns on the axle for every 500 feet of travel, I don't think that is going to put any stress on the componets - Might help in fact to keep the seals wet and not dry out from non use.

The front axles don't turn if the hubs are unlocked.

Very bad picture but how can something in the middle of others if not connected move at all?

[img]http://us.f1.yahoofs.com/users/97311675/bc/Xterra/Gen/shaft.jpg?bc1gTD.AxN.z4Xip[/img]

Now in your mind connect the axle shafts to the wheels (this would be when the hubs are locked) Now you have power (wheels turning) to the axle so it will spin. Or connect the drive shaft to the transfer case and again you have power to turn the shaft into the axles, but with nothing on either side to drive them, how do the axles turn?

I stand corrected.

If your gonna do it though, why waste time with the LSD? A limited slip is considered an open diff.

Aero_Steve would disagree, his Calmini front LSD sounds like it's got some serious hook-up.

Brent

Yeah, the Calmini front LSD is very tight, much tighter than the factory rear LSD. On tight turns when it slips it's like a mechanical locker. You feel it and hear it. The advantage is it will slip if needed unlike a locker. I wanted an LSD in the front to always have some advantage over an open diff and be able to use it fulltime 4wd. I'm planning for an ARB in the rear in the next couple months. But, I will probably leave the rest of my club behind with it. I've already noticed a huge difference. If one of the front wheels does not spin, I don't get spinning in the rear, which is rare, both front usually spin together instead of just one. It's not physically possible to spin one tire without spinning one on another axle.

Pardon me if this does not make sense. I've been drinking for the last 6 hours.

Too be honest I can't remember how I found this board. I do remember looking up the Xterra when I read about in 4wheeler magazine and liked what I saw. If Nissan released them here at a decent price I would consider buying one, although that seems unlikerly. At the moment I drive a normal stationwagon although I do work for a Nissan dealer.

Hmm, I didn't know you hadn't locked the rear yet Steve...

Brent

It's coming, but it's not a high priority since most of my offroad driving is with my club and we usually have a couple stock X's with us. I also have the problem that I don't know where I could get an ARB installed around here. I doubt any of the places that could set a ring and pinion have ever seen an ARB and I don't want to be first for them to try.

Good news....
Go here
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/library/weekly/aa091001a.htm

Front and Rear Locker coming soon to a dealer near you....
go here.....
http://4wheeldrive.about.com/library/weekly/aa091001a.htm

2002, 2003, 2004, ahhh, nevermind, I'll just go ARB. Thats what everyone is saying about Eaton (alot of people at least). Personally, Im gonna go with ARB in the rear since Im spending the money for the ARB Compressor next week. Its my motivator to buy the locker. Aero Steve, Im glad to hear the front LSD works good, I highly considered getting one, but then, he ran out of them. Oh well, Ill just ARB the front too this year sometime.