ARB Air Locker Locking Differential with Ford 8.8 Diff Cover for 31 Spline Ford 8.8 Rear Axle

Air Locker
The world's most highly regarded traction aid, an ARB Air Locker is a driver controlled locking differential originally designed to give serious 4 wheelers the traction needed to combat extreme off road terrain. When extra traction is required, the driver activates the Air Locker via a convenient dash mounted switch. Pneumatic pressure supplied by an on board air compressor engages ARB's patented locking mechanism within the Air Locker, thus preventing the wheels from turning independently. The Air Locker is deactivated by flicking a switch, returning the differential to normal.

ARB Air Locker's patented design has proved ultra dependable, even in the most arduous conditions. It's strength lies in its simplicity & minimal moving parts ensures maximum reliability. All structural components are manufactured from aerospace grades of high alloy steel, and where possible, we increase the number of differential pinion gears to distribute torque loads evenly. Many recent Air Locker designs also utilise timed gear sets to further improve strength, a design feature that has led to a second US patent on the product.

The Air Locker design process involves exhaustive testing. Computerised Finite Element Analysis (FEA) allows us to subject each Air Locker design to "virtual" off road simulations far more extreme than those encountered in real life. Destructive laboratory testing is carried out to ensure the strength of the Air Locker exceeds that of the axles or other driveline components. Environmental test cells subject prototype models to high (120ºC) and low (-24ºC) temperature running conditions, as well as harsh wheelspin engagement for cycle durations of more than 20,000 actuations. Finally, field-testing is carried out in the harshest environments imaginable.

Once the design phase is complete, Air Lockers are manufactured at our state-of-the-art facility in Melbourne, Australia. Available for both front and rear diffs, we have Air Lockers in over 100 configurations to suit a wide range of vehicles around the world.

• Provides 100% traction on demand without affecting on road drivability or driveline wear.
• Vastly improved traction means less reliance on momentum, thus reducing the likelihood of vehicle damage and environmental impact.
• Easy, convenient operation allows the user to concentrate on the terrain without leaving the comfort and safety of the driver's seat.
• Ultra durable and extremely strong - only the highest quality materials used in construction.
• Incredibly simple yet effective design that employs minimal moving parts, thereby ensuring

maximum reliability.

• Thoroughly tested and proven design & trusted and used in over 80 countries around the world.
• Front and rear Air Lockers available for most makes and models.
• 2WD applications available.
• Easy installation and maintenance & no special tools, skills or additives required.
• Air compressor also provides convenient, reliable source of air for inflating tyres, camping and leisure equipment.

Differential Cover
Fabricated from high tensile solid nodular iron that is tougher and harder than solid carbon steel, the new ARB differential cover is the ideal piece of equipment to protect your air locker and ring and pinion set up from the obstacle impacts of competition rock crawling and challenging off-road trails.

An incorporated, computer-optimized cross brace design adds over 900 foot-pounds of torsional rigidity to the entire axle assembly. The resulting increased flex strength in the housing encourages improved meshing of the ring and pinion gears and greater carrier bearing support for longer component life and overall load strength.

The low profile shape of the housing maximizes the running gear clearance around the unit and provides optimal approach and departure angles.

A unique combination dipstick and filler cap design allows for the differential oil levels to be adjusted for customized high driveline angles and allows the user to check the oil for possible water contaminations without having to drain the unit. Made from high quality rare earth magnets, both the dipstick and the drain plug are designed to collect any metal wear particles floating in the fluid.

Powder coated in red, CNC machined and then clear coated for durable finish, the ARB differential cover is the perfect way to protect your differential assembly.

Features

• High tensile solid nodular iron structure (tougher and harder than solid carbon steel) protects the differential and ring & pinion set from the obstacle impact hazards of completion rock crawling, or extreme off road trails.
• Computer optimized cross brace design adds more than 1300 Nm/deg [960 ft-lb] of torsional rigidity to the entire axle assembly. This increased flexural strength in the housing helps keep the ring & pinion gears meshing on the flat faces of the teeth, which greatly increases ring & pinion life and overall maximum load strength.
• Carrier bearing life is prolonged, especially on high output vehicles, by the improved support given to the bearing alignment.
• Low-profile shape of the outside surface helps maximize the running gear clearance around the cover.
• Maximized approach / departure angled exterior surfaces help to minimize rock / obstacle hang-ups.
• High tensile cap screws (supplied with the kit) are recessed into the cover to protect them from contact with obstacles which might damage or loosen them.
• Low profile drain plug design resists damage from obstacle contact.