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Lokka R160 locker interest. Need 50 guys $300 a piece


86hatchback
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So been talking to Lokka lockers out of Australia, sounds like they used to makbe the Aussie locker before production moved state side. They are willing to put into production if we can get 50 people to sign on. Quoting right around $300 a piece. Hadn’t seen any new info from the Aussie locker thread so thought I’d start a new one. Figure we could start a list here and see if there was enough interest.

 

Thanks,

Matt

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Interested. Probably not high on my budget, but could be a rare opportunity for a legit locker.

 

FWIW, I'd be looking at EJ-style axles, specifically for my '04 Outback

 

 

 

I'm interested in a helical LSD for the R160, but if pressed, I'll just swap in an R180.

 

Helical r160s exist. This is about true lockers.

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I would pay $300 for one that was made and I could see a test of.  Heck, I'd buy 2

 

However, I don't see 50 people throwing down $300 (or $600) a piece for a prototype run and then having it not fit or not work or someone walks away with $15,000 of our money.

Edited by Gloyale
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I’d probably “sign on”. And maybe for 2 as well.

 

How reliable - what’s the track record on their last builds?

 

So they know what they’re doing? (I’ve never heard of them so I’m not trying to be a dork)

 

EA or EJ and what style?

 

What does “sign on” mean?

 

Pay in full up front? Partial? Non-refundable?

 

The estimate is likely a low side (meaning it won’t be cheaper) - if it ends up at $600 are we still on the hook?

 

How much is shipping? usually want a third party shipper who then distributes - that’s not always simple and probably needs to be someone everyone can trust?

 

What’s the lead time because these kind of projects typically get stretched out. for me personally it won’t matter but most consumers won’t want to wait, they may not have the car when it’s all said and done if it takes awhile. What then?

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I'll probably grab one or two, but this locker option is not going to help broken diff stub shafts or blown DOJs.

 

It will if it's the newer style with solid stubs going into diff rather than hollow.

 

DOJs.....meh......never had a problem except hyperextension.  Get yer travel limits (i.e. bumpstops, shock length) correct and the newer OB/LEG/FOR DOJ with the male stubs will be fine.  Rear outer RCVs almost never have an issue except torn boots.

 

Snapped entirely axle shafts......well......still a problem.

 

But I wheel with Toyota's, Jeeps, and Fords and they all have things that break too.  Subaru is infinitely easier to repair on trail if you bring parts.  I've dropped jaws by swapping a stub axle in 20 mins with one 1/4 drive socket wrench and a punch.

 

Get the company to provide some real time estimates, and a recipt for payment recieved describing what and when they will deliver me a product, and I will drop the $......Gotta be legit paper trail though.

Edited by Gloyale
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Lincon locker $3

 

yes.  Fine for all out wheeler machines. Still annoying to pll axle for road driving.  And I will never be convinced that driving with welded diff and axles in is "OK".  Needless stress on drivetrain and actually could be detrimental to emergency steering i.e. swerve for deer or other.

 

Not useful for people who drive on pavement a lot.  And might just want a locker now and then on a rough road.

 

like I said I am highly interested, just want a paper trail and assurance that I will actually get a product or a refund.

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So I emailed RJ.

 

Ok so proposed the idea to the forum and they had some questions:

 

Is any payment necessary before a prototype is built and tested. If so partial/full and if things didn’t work would it be refundable? Also would receipts be provided?

 

Would the $300 estimate stay in that ball park not double once things are rolling?

 

Also how much would shipping be once produced?

 

How far out from confirmation to product would you anticipate?

 

Basically nobody state side has heard of your product so they are a little apprehensive about what might come. I’m sure more questions will come in as more people hear about it.

 

Thanks,

Matt

 

He replied:

 

Hi Matt,

We have been selling product there since 2002/3.

We used to make the Aussie Locker product and ship in their packaging for them (which we had printed here), until end of 2012. Their good reputation is based on our product!

 

The cost to make 1 unit is just prohibative.

Writing the programs, making the jigging, buying the tooling etc - going through the deign and developement process, 50 units is what is needed to cover the costs.

 

From that point on, for less popular models, we can do smaller batches.

 

$300 is a shipped price. Max would be $330.

Its probably a 60 to 90 day process.

Would need to see interest, then would go back with a pre-sale offer and take deposits, just like we do with a "Group Buy" for clubs etc.

 

kind regards

RJ

 

So any more questions I can throw his way that you guys might have let me know.

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I for one would NEVER deal with those thieves again. 4 yrs ago paid $399 thru PayPal to "SuperBenefitParty.com", Lokka's PayPal address for a R180 lunchbox locker to fit a 1986 Nissan 200SX open diff. They requested pics, drawings, dimensions & finally my carrier with internals. Had to ship my stuff thru Parcel Monkey for best rate to Australia.

 

NEVER saw anything from it. Their response time & follow-up for emails was terrible.

 

Be forewarned - I was burned for the money because length of time for transaction exceeded PayPal's overseas policies.

And had to find another 200sx diff which aren't easily found at the self-serve yards anymore.

F''k Lokka!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Yeah that would leave a bad taste for me too, do you remember who you coresponded with?

As I recall it was someone with initials instead of a name like that RJ, JT or some such. I may have saved the emails on my desktop - can't recall right now & I'm on my laptop hundreds of miles from home in Baker City OR as I type this.

Another fact: I repeatedly requested a refund by email & then by letter when things went sour.

NOTHING!

I suspect the salesmen use initials to hide just as others use usernames on the forums to protect themselves.

Google 'Super Benefit Party Ltd' & see what you get Matt.

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The welded rear breakes stuff for sure if driven on pavement but the selectable lockers like a detroit locker would put alot more stress on every part in the entire system when that locker engages the the shock load will instantly distroy your diff a electric locker would be ok but cost way to much then theres the carriers that lock one side whitch is ok if the entire housing is made to take the load but that would cost a arm and a leg too so that leaves the bearing locker but our carriers arent made for that and i dought would last very long like that and i still wounder about that design

Then theres the phantom grip lockers probably our best bet but they wont lock completely and is more of a dirt cheap lsd than a locker as its just 2 pieces of metel rubbing together to create friction but not a true locker and wont last long and the metal shavings would probably eat your bearings personaly i have 3 diffs one open one welded and a lsd and i swap them around as needed i think the lsd in these rigs works realy well i just dont want to burn it up its not a heavy use kinda thing if i know im gona need a locked rear end i drop the welded diff in and role

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As I recall it was someone with initials instead of a name like that RJ, JT or some such. I may have saved the emails on my desktop - can't recall right now & I'm on my laptop hundreds of miles from home in Baker City OR as I type this.

Another fact: I repeatedly requested a refund by email & then by letter when things went sour.

NOTHING!

I suspect the salesmen use initials to hide just as others use usernames on the forums to protect themselves.

Google 'Super Benefit Party Ltd' & see what you get Matt.

The guy I have been talking to goes by RJ. After you mentioned all this I looked more closely at the web site and there is no phone number no address, or even an actual email address. Plus the reviews I looked up for lokka was for 4wd systems lokka and their site looks very similar to the lokka.com but they have actual contact info. So I’m taking your word for it that proceeding would be unwise. I googled super Benifit party Ltd all it came up with was a company that sells insurance. I’m not sure that’s where you where trying to steer me? Edited by 86hatchback
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I'd rather not log onto my PayPal account to search history while I'm on the road like this. That acct was on a yahoo address that I since closed because of all the trouble yahoo accts getting hacked in 2014 & later. IIRC that super benefit was out of taiwan or hong kong for Lokka.

 

When I get home I'll see if I can find more info for you Matt.

 

I think I'd rather deal with the makers of Spartan lockers.

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what if this locker would destroy more then it would help ? anyone tried one yet ? so its just would work in theory. it must be tested in real life first. people only buy teslas in front these days lol

yes you’d want some faith in the product and many people would stand back and watch first but this was a discussion (so it was thought) about companies that already make diffs - modified diff chunks and diff mods are common enough it’s not an unknown abyss being discussed. Edited by idosubaru
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I’m good with whoever will make one, and not rip people off!

Found some stuff for Lokka Matt.

 

"You sent a payment of

$396.00 USD to Super Benefit Pty Ltd ATF the Gear to Goannawhere Trust

 

(isales@lokka.com)"

 

After re-reading my emails, actual start of all this slow-motion email ripoff started in late 2014 & ended in April 2016 when they wouldn't respond any longer. The main character I dealt with by email was going by "JD", the "boss" never got involved with the whole thing.

 

Gear to Goannawhere:

https://www.4wdsystems.com.au/

https://www.4wdsystems.com.au/index.php?id=125

http://abncheck.com.au/abn/30991504889

http://www.statsinfinity.com/domain/rGTxW5qAzpGTwjeiZY2hxQ.._info.html

 

Looks like things changed in 2014 then again in 2016, so somewhere in between all these changes they dropped the ball & never followed up on my order at all.

I'll just have to get $400 satisfaction dissing them at any opportunity on here, Pirate4x4, Ih8mud, etc.  :angry:

 

 

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