Very informant I have a frontier and have had a lot of trouble finding a locker for the front but just found one excited about putting it in very thankful for your video
Looks EXACTLY like a Lock-Rite locker I installed (rear) in my old CJ-7 many years ago. Worked AWESOME!! Definitely had a few quirks, but very liveable.
Super headful video, even 3 years later. Where did you get the gaskets for the axle shafts when you reassembled? I always have a hard time finding parts for my 1st gen x
While installing new bushings on the diff I highly suggest freezing them and using a bar of ALL-THREAD with big washers to pull em in. This makes installation a breeze compared to using a press. Also, before you remove the old bushings it again is HIGHLY suggested to use a ruler and find the center of the holes and mark that center on the frame of the bushing housing. This will help you align new bushings much quicker. I got 3 of them perfect and one was maybe a degree off. Had to think outside the box and pry/manipulate that hole just enough to get the bolt in. Absolute pain in the ass, but I got it done
@@XterraRobman YOU… ARE… A… LEGEND in my book. Seriously. I’ve done almost every upgrade I can think of so for on this 02 X and YOU are a big part of that. You deserve a damn award or something. THANK YOU x’s 1,000! Last thing I’m gonna do is install a Lokka that I’m buying 2nd hand and I think I’m done besides either pulling the motor and rebuilding it or figuring out an LS Swap with my buddy. If I do that swap I’m making a video for others just like you. I’m originally from NC too. If I was back there I’d do that East Coast thing with yall. Thanks again Rob
Great work. This is a very informative video. I have a Nissan Frontier D22 double cab pick up truck. Don't know if its the same thing as yours but I hope the same lokka assembly can work. I am looking for something to help front wheel traction for uphill climbing but I don't have manual external axle lockers, mines is automatic. Would this be a problem or affect steering when Not in 4wd? Thanks.
No worries with automatic locking hubs as long as they work and unlock properly. Even with permanently locked hubs, you would still be OK. Little bit of noise in 2wd but as long as the transfer case unlocks properly, you wont feel any steering resistance.
Great video man! Is it the same process for a Gen 2 Xterra? I have an '06 and the spider gears failed while wheeling. Need to replace asap with the Lokka.
Unfortunately not the exact same bolt for bolt. Most setups are fairly similar, so the high level concepts are about the same. Look for diff...see what bolts to it, remove those bolts, remove anything else that is in the way, and remove diff. Sounds super easy when you lay it out like that...
@@XterraRob lol yeah.. well at least I have a second vehicle to drive while I figure this out. Do you know if there is a US supplier for the Lokka by chance? I live in Canada and shipping would be better than from Aus.
Hi Rob, I have a 2010 Pathfinder and planning on ordering for both front and rear. My question is, what about when driving in 2wd how is the steering feel? Any noise when driving or turning on the hwy in 2wd?
First Gen Xterras have hubs that unlock on the front. The lokka is completely invisible. If I lock my manually locking hubs (simulate not being able to unlock them), steering is still light and normal. Slight clicks when turning sharp like in parking lots...but no steering feedback. The steering is only tight when the locked wheels are being driven by the transfer case being engaged. I cant comment on how a locked rear axle would work. I assumed during tight turns youd have to coast through them by letting off gas to let the rear axle differentiate.
Do I just need to have a pinion seal and a new diff cover gasket on hand? For some reason I’m having trouble figuring out what all seals Are involved for my Lokka install. Are there also seals on the axle shafts going to the CV axles? Sorry to bother you so much!
Diff cover gasket yes. There are two seals for the axles (1 each). 3:00 and 3:07 is where the seals go. I re used my seals there but they seaped oil after. You may have to order from nissan though. Also...have some Teflon tape to seal up the drain plug.
Random question but I figured a comment on this video has a higher chance of getting a reply. Whenever you installed the cams did you have to get a tune or do anything ecu wise to make it run right? Or are they pretty much slap them in and go with it?
No ECU tune. I had to adjust ignition timing a bit and open up the idle air control valve screw on the intake manifold to stabilize the idle...but thats all
@@XterraRob thanks. I have a 2002 Frontier that's 2wd and want to get a junkyard engine and build it up. I don't want to make any crazy power but would like a strong enough engine. I'd also like to get a posi rear end for it but can't seem to find one. It has 4.11s and it's brutal on the interstate. I'd also like to get some 3.73s or even higher just for the interstate. It's not my daily but it is something I drive often enough for it to bother me.
Normal 4wd sends power to the front axle and power to the rear axle. Both of the axles use what is called an open differential to split power to the left and right. Problem with the way those gears work is that both left and right side tires need traction. Say if the front left tire slips on loose dirt, that one tire spins fast, and the front right tire gets no power. A lokka forces the left and right tires to stay locked together so if one sides slipped, it can still send power to the opposite side. Do a search for how an open differential works and for how a diff locker works.
I would say a full day. Depends on if you have all the right tools and how fast you work. For a typical DIY job I'd wait for a weekend and start Saturday AM and save Sunday for back up if you need to grab extra tools or parts. Mine is not my daily driver, so I left mine in the garage over the course of a few weeks and just chipped away it.
For a first gen xterra that has functioning hubs that unlock properly, the lokka is 100% invisible in 2WD. The stock auto locking hubs have a tendency to get sticky and fail to unlock properly...so I like manual hubs (Warn or Mile Marker) to improve reliability with the hubs. Not a lokka problem though...just that the lokka makes a failed stock hub visible where as the open differential hides it. Not sketchy at all.
When your transfer case is in 2 wheel drive, no torque is going into the differential from the transfer case. When your hubs are unlocked, your tires are free spinning around the axle, so no torque can be applied backwards through the tires into the axles and differential. The Lokka itself is obviously still inside...and it is still "locked" in that the front left and front right axles are locked together. Its just that none of the other shafts are being driven by anything, so the entire front driveline is stationary. The Lokka itself isn't disengaged by lack of torque...its just that the lack of torque means nothing is spinning. Probably worth a video explanation since I get asked this a lot.
@@XterraRob So just be clear our trucks don't have a locker for the rear anyway, if you have a 33 spline open diff, it doesn't exist? So I hear. My 02 has a open diff in the rear, but all the lockers Are for 31 spline. So the Lokkaa is my only option anyway.
This is very off topic hope you can help me. I replaced my timing belt and after i put everything together my xterra started right up however is misfiring like crazy and the gas odor is brutal. Any suggestions?
How careful were you with the timing belt placement? Did you count the individual teeth of the belt to get the marks lined up perfectly? I did mine and was off by 1 tooth on the crank sprocket and had similar behavior. Not a fun answer though...
Ive had my Lokka since 2014. No issues at all with it...but I do recommend manual locking hubs (Warn, Mile Marker, etc) if you have the option. They are just more reliable at unlocking properly compared to stock auto locking hubs.
@@XterraRob ya the one I got has auto locking. I don't understand the science behind it but if that's what is recommended. Do you get snow at all I'm in Minnesota
I did a snow driving review thats earlier in my timeline...maybe 6 years ago. I get snow 1 or 2 times per year so not much. Lokka is good for off road traction ... And does great in snow if there is actual snow on the roads to make it very slippery. If it is patchy with lots of relatively clear pavement, the steering gets very heavy when the tires are on pavement...so I dont use 4wd in snow at all unless the roads are covered. If you only use 4 wheel drive for snow or weather related travel, regular 4wd with a non locked diff is best. If you take your truck on trails, rocks, and mud, then the lokka helps a ton, and does good enough in snow. Thats my opinion at least. As for locking hubs...the stock hubs are all old and have issues with unlocking fully in my experience with 3 different sets of stockers. With a non locked differential, you would never know just due to the way the differential works. But when you add the lokka, you are likely going to get clunky noises from your hubs when they keep trying to engage. Manually locking hubs are less convenient but more reliable. Note that this isn't an issue with the lokka itself....just that the lokka can make an underlying hub issue visible where a non locked diff can hide it.
Correct ... Plain old open differential. With the rear solid axle, no sway bar, extended shocks, and lift shackles, I got plenty of flex to keep the axle planted. With both tires on the ground, lockers are less important. I do have a locker in the front which helps the independent front suspension a bit since that doesn't flex as well.
ARB is the only one as far as I know. Only budget locker is the Lokka for the front. Anything else in the rear requires axle shaft swaps to match up the spline count.
Xterra Rob, Hard to Find any information on Older Nissans??....My Problem, I have a 1990 Xterra that runs Great, V-6, standard...Old, but pretty solid...My Front Left(Drivers) Lower A-Frame Mount, Rotted Away from the Frame, or the Cross Member Mount....I Need Dimensions of the Distance Between the Bolts, that Hold A-Frame mounts, to the Frame...I Have to Fabricate a New Cross Member, but Without These Dimensions, I Am Lost.....Could You Possibly email Me, or Point Me In the Right Direction??....ANYThing,Is Greatly Appreciated!!
Xterras were first built in 1999/2000...is that what you meant? On my channel page I have an email address listed on the "about" page. Send me some photos / diagram of what you need and I'll see what I can do
Like to a solid axle swap? Nah...that involves full on custom fabrication and suspension geometry and costs anywhere from 4,000 to 10,000 dollars as opposed to 400 for a Lokka.
Lokka.com. it comes from Australia. Be aware that it comes with a $40 bill for customs that isn't mentioned on their website. The fee doesnt go to them though...its a customs fee for the courior that brings it into the US and pre-paid the US governments customs fee.
Yes. I think a 40 dollar customs fee. Thats what it was when I bought mine several years ago. It went to a company called TNT logistics or something like that.
hey Rob, thanks for all of your videos and board posts/write-ups. Which model Lokka did you install? I believe all first gen Xterras are 33 spline (4.636:1 gearing) H233B for the front differential.
H233B is for rear axle. Lokka isnt available for the rear. I just went to Lokka website and entered 2004 Nissan Xterra v6 engine. I think it said WD22 or something like that. But their website drop down filters got me the right parts.
Has anyone ordered a lokka recently. I ordered one a few months ago but never showed up. I wonder if i should order another?? Anyone know of a reliable supplier?
You order from Lokka.com? I would contact their customer support and see what they say. They were responsive to me several years ago when I had a question.
@@XterraRob yes ordered from their website directly and got 1 email back that confirmed the order. Waited 2 months and never got the part. Emailed multiple times and never got an answer or email.
Check your spam filters on your email account, maybe the response got filtered out. Otherwise, dispute the transaction with your bank/card if you got charged for it...and try again. I have never seen them available elsewhere that fit our spline shafts.
@@XterraRob yup i did that and got the money back. Just ordered another today lets see if i get this one. I could not find another lunchbox locker from anyone other than lokka. Thanks for the videos on the xterra very detailed and to the point. Nice rig also.
