Yellow, how much do locker kits on average cost? And do they take any features away? I would hate to change a great ride, for the once and awhile event (for me at least) that would call for a locker.

Also, how long does it on average take a medium to advanced mechanic to put them in on ATV's?

thanks

 

It's alot harder to steer and if the bike locks with it's wheels turned then you need the momentum to get it straigth. For mud riding it's great and you really can't tell unless you have to cut into the trees and go around a hole, then in the tight confines of the trees it's a pig to turn and get position to turn around. I talked to a couple of locker companies and they're getting back to me, one is the company that makes the lockers for Highlifter. But they might have something soon for the AC and the Suzukis'. Oh ya it takes about four to five hours and by the way the locker companies make it out to be, it's a snap. I've seen my get done and it ain't easy because you have to pull the inner cvs out of the diff. I'd leave it up to a mechanic, I'll let ya know when they contact me back!

 

Ok if anyone has a digram or a link to the front diff of a AC I think I found a man that will build a locker for us. Hes based out of Canada and would love to try, he build lockers already with 100% virgin steel, thats Canadain of course. He asked me if I had the diff out but I've yet to even purchase the bike, so I guess I'm hooped there, maybe thats just the reason to write a check for one. Everyone put there head together and maybe we can have a locker in a couple of weeks.

 

Look here for a diagram of the front differential. http://www.brownsleisureworld.com/Parts/ATV/2002/

 

Yellow Fellow, is the locker the Canadian would build going to be unlockacble or locked all the time or would it lock up on loss of traction?

 

It be locked all the time, I think Highlifter might build a locker like your talking about maybe later on, it's called a Detroit locker, but this would be kinda of short term solution.

 

Rides4fun that link is a good link but it doesn't show the inside of the diff. Do ya have any with the diff apart and inside clearly shown?

 

I am going to buy a service manual from my dealer, shortly. When I do, I'll scan in anything you want, starting with the "innerds" of the front diff.

 

There was a site ATV masters I think that had instructions on how to lock the front end of the old Suzuki front end on the 400 & 500s. It was a very simple procedure and reversable too. I think the insides are pretty much the same for the AC diff on the 02s.
I think the way to go would be to have a locker like the Detroit locker that you didn't have to worry about if it is in or not. I have seen the locker fail to lock up on the 660 more than once, it works best if it is locked before you get too deep. I wish Tractech would develope one or AC would come up with something their self. I do not want a electric button to push to do anything but start it, then I want a backup. Water and electronics do not go together the more you rely on them the bigger chance that they will fail. But that is just my opinion and I'm sticking to it.[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

 

I'm with you Mudcat. "keep it simple stupid" always worked for me. When it comes to ATV's I like mechanic solutions, the only electronic solution I want on an ATV is the Lights. Imagine being stuck out in the middle of nowhere, because your electronic gear shifter died. Or because your 2wd/4wd push button stopped working. Heck even an LCD not working (whether because of the sun or it malfunctioning) would be a pain. Also, give me a manual shifter too. Oh yeh, and my foot brake, I want that to be mechanically hooked up to the rear brake in case my hydrolic system goes out.

You know the best thing about these things. They are my opinion, plus I can buy an ATV cheaper because it has these things on it. Go figure! PS how many miles do you have on your 589's?