Lokka Automatic Front Locker Group Buy?

[LesterB]

Just gauging interest before sending an email. An Xterra forum mentioned a discounted price of $299 shipped, several years ago. I hope we may receive a similar price.

[Touchdown]

If you email them and start asking questions and seem like you're interested, they'll offer the $299 to you!

[LesterB]

So you're saying try for 175? 😁

[flat6symphony]

Wish they had one for the rear then I would be in. A locked rear is more helpful than a locked front, Right?

[LesterB]

Depends on who you ask. Lokka would have us believe the front more useful, most say the rear. With an automatic locker like these, I'd prefer the front, as it is disengaged entirely when in 2wd and auto lockers are known to catch when you'd prefer they not, on road. Lokka says these do not, but for the rear I would go with an air locker. For the 4.0 stock rear diff these do not exist. Sort of. I think docwatson(?) is checking whether the locker from ARB for the c200 rear will work in ours, but plans for early next year to test.

[flat6symphony]

So steering in 4wd is limited of course. When I take a U-turn on sand its fine but must be taken wider than normal. Say I have a front lokka, when I take the U-turn in sand and the lokka engages, how will my differential hold up to that?

[docwatson]

From what I have read, the spider gears are the weak link in the R180. Since the Lokka replaces the spiders, it SHOULD hold up. Also, the Lokka will unlock without throttle input. So as long as you aren't gassing it holding the steering wheel hard over, again I think minimal effect. The steering is going to want to straighten out so you will be fighting it in a U-turn in 4wd.

Just try to give more space when turning around (I understand this isn't always possible) and limit throttle input through turns.

So Lester is right, I am going to try an ARB as late as Feb of next year. If you want to try an auto locker in the rear, you could try the C200K Powertrax. Since we already know the spline count and diameter are identical odds are it will work. Again we are in the R&D phase here, but I think this could certainly be great for those who do/plan to take their R51's off road.

[Touchdown]

I should have some real-world input for this shortly. I have the Lokka and should be getting it installed soon!

Also there are E-Locker and Air Locker options for the rear that would make more sense than an auto locker.

[docwatson]

I should have some real-world input for this shortly. I have the Lokka and should be getting it installed soon!

Also there are E-Locker and Air Locker options for the rear that would make more sense than an auto locker.

Is that last sentence a question or a statement? I haven't been able to find any locker for the rear of the V6 R51 hence the ARB testing and research. Do you know of one that works already?

[LesterB]

Strangely, Lokka does not want to give me a price. They've asked what price it may take to get 20 buyers. Any suggestions? There seems to be little interest, what might it take to create this interest? The standard price is $377 shipped. What would make this group buy appealing, 30% off, perhaps 50%? Should we lowball and allow them to counter?

[docwatson]

Did Lokka get back to with a price? Or are you still debating an offer?

Also, I emailed Aussie Locker about developing an auto locker for the R180 and R200. They at least replied and seem interested in some R&D, although they are finishing work on the H233B 33 spline before other Nissan projects.

So if you are willing to wait, but it could be awhile.

[LesterB]

Lokka is slow to respond, so we have nothing but time!

[LesterB]

The forums for most R180A vehicles are posted with the group buy. We are close to ten people interested, which is the last number Lokka used in a group buy for $299. About a two week time period sound reasonable? Anyone here interested? It is the most cost effective off road modification one can make.

[LesterB]

Lokka has confirmed 299 at ten people, and at twenty will drop the price to 259. I've asked about including the locker for the R200 on the older Frontier and XTerra and am awaiting a reply, but they've done it before. There's just no other way to get such an improvement in off road performance so cheaply. I'm kind of surprised they agreed to the price for twenty! Let your friends with Nissan 4x4s know!

[Thupertrooper]

what are the pros and cons of the lokka
compared to the other lockers
installation more difficult then arb?
how many people we go interested because im interested