New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Today, the dealer finished installing the Eaton Locker I purchased from Trail Duty.... The rear Eaton locker was $845 from Trail Duty and the Dealer charged $625 to install. The locker is not hooked up to the computer so I can lock the rear diff even when I am not in Hi or Low...The direction says to slow down to 3 mph to engage locker. Also, the button to engage the locker has to be pushed in far to turn on. That it is very difficult to turn on by accident. It also lights up yellow and is very easy to see. Can't wait to try it out this weekend....:dancingbanana:

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

congrats :beerchug:

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Thanks NEOCON1.... I have been waiting awhile to do this... The dealer cost to install is identical to what other off-road shops in the area wanted to charge for the install.. The last thing I need to do now is add some 35" muds....

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

That is awesome Chas!!!!!!

So you still have the 2:XX t-case, but now you can lock....great job!

Make sure you do a "write up" so we can add to the FAQ.:jump:

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Yep, no changes to t-case... Just had locker added only... Hopefully, I won't regret it later down the line... :D

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Cool! :cool: Now when are you going wheeling with us? ;)

Did the dealer mention anything about the factory warranty? What kind of warranty comes with the Eaton?

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Congrats!!! do you know if the 4x4 controls on teh console can be switched out with one that has a locker button and have the locker hoocked up to that? Sewie already asked, but i'll ask again, how does it effect the warranty?

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

I was told they could not hook up to the 4x4 controls... Waranty wise.. I was told that the warranty shouldn't be effected. Worse case if the locker stopped working I would have to have Eaton fix and/or provide me a new locker (Only One year warranty from Eaton on Locker). Otherwise I would have to buy a new locker....But, the labor to take out and reinstall will be covered. The warrranty will continue to cover anything else that might happen to the rear diff.... Now that said... I did not get this in writing.. But, my dealer has gone out of there way to assist me with any problems I have had with the H3.... But, having the Dealer do the install makes me more comfortable if anything does go wrong down the line....

Sewie, now about wheeling.... are you coming done at the end of April for the Borrego run????? I need to make a run up your way....

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Now all I need is 35" tires and I can run with BeBe.....:excited:

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Probably not, unless I pike on the Moab trip. :( But we're putting together a run up here for the end of summer.

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Sounds good... I would like to meet up with you all....

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

:clapping: Nice uprade, way to go.

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Hey saw that myself the other day on the Trail duty website. How exactly did you get the dealer to install it? Was it simply "I have this locker, would you please put it on?" or did you have a long discussion. Thanks for the info.

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

I would get that in writing. If original dealer fixes a damaged axle no problem, he will just hide the fact he installed a locker. However, if there is any type of axle damage to the shafts, seals, ring/pinion, etc on the factory setup, and another dealer attempts to repair, the dealer will probably call WINS and ask WTF axle is this with a locker.
One of the first things a dealer does is pull up vehicle history, and seeing a locker in a non-off-road package will ring some bells. WINS will reject any repair to the axle; IT WILL NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. Everything else would be since GM would have no reason to say the locker damaged it. However, the dealer opening up the axle and installing a non-GM authorized part, voided out your warranty, the minute someone at GM finds out.
Believe me, if I was still in the field, and got a call from a dealer who said he had a strange axle with a locker installed and wanted to know if it was under warranty, i would say NO. Why should GM cover it, they didn't make it that way.
If the call just comes into WINS (GM warranty group) it will also be rejected, since the WINS people will probably call us to ask if this is normal. (Again, this is only if another dealer works on it and gets GM involved. If they don't, and talk to the installing dealer, all may be ok.)
Be careful, get the so-called warranty in writing. GM can still refuse to pay, but the dealer can then be held responsible.

Second word of caution: NEVER belileve a thing a dealer representative tells you, UNLESS it is obtained in writing. (Sorry dealership people, but it is the truth.)

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

So F5 what is your opinion on adding a locker to the Base Package? So far I have had good luck with "Accelerator-Brake-Modulation" and wondered whether the lockers had contributed to alot of the broken front-ends and such as people turn them off or on at an incorrect moment of traversing an obstacle. I mean I have a hard enough time balancing speed, power, gear ratios, and watching signals from spotters without having to remember to turn lockers on & off.:p

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Rear locker is great when needed. It it not the reason the fronts breaks. The front breaks because it is aluminum and flexes too damn much. However, from reviewing some charts, the hardening of the gears has helped.

I have no problems with people having lockers installed, I just want them to be careful and understand in some cases, warranty repairs on axle components may be refused.

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

F5fstop.... your right about dealers saying one thing and then doing another... Hopefully I won't ever have to find out to soon.... Also, you are right.. If I took it to another dealer, they probably would charge me for any work done to the rear diff since the locker was added. The service rep did explain that to me...So you are right.. Unless I take it back to my dealer for service, I would probably have to pay out of my pocket to have it fixed.... Also to answer the question from ETD, the dealer had no problem with installing the locker even though I bought it from trail duty... Anyway, I wanted the locker and at some point I would of added it anyway....I currently have 30,000 miles and that was done in just a little over one year.... So by next March I'll have around 60,000 miles and my warranty is up at 50,000....

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

You misunderstood. I did not mean to imply that engaging a rear locker would directly lead to stress to and fracture of the front end. I was asking whether mis-engaging the rear-locker resulting in loss of control i.e. while coming into or out of a turn during downhill/off a rock situation could result in the stress to the front end and carnage. In other words, has any of the Base H3 broken tie rods and such?

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

ETD... I broke my tie rod abot a month ago while attemping a rock waterfall.... This was prior to having the locker...

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

:crying: :mad:
Damn. Too bad. I guess I'll do the count down at Moab till mine breaks. It didn't seem that hard ;) to change 'em on the trail at Katemcy last year...

As far as the locker, though, I am calling my dealer tomorrow to see if they can put one in. Did your dealer supply the needed bearings to install it or did you get that as well. thanks for the info.

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

ETD, the dealer provided the new carrier bearings... had them in stock...

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

It's here at the Dealer. Will get installed with ReadyLift Front leveler (too bad the Cognito/Bilstein Shocks aren't available at this time as well:mad:). Can't wait :p.

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

ETD, I had the Readylift put on the H3 over a month ago... I have had no issues with the product...

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Ok. Tomorrow the Dragon will go in for the leveler and the locker. A little L&L :excited:

Can't wait to see how she'll climb this week-end.

:dancingbanana::dancingbanana::dancingbanana:

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Hi guys, Please need help!!!!, I also seen the elocker on trailduty, I was under the impression that rear diff on my h3 hummer was a 10 bolt 7.5" and not a 8.5" Did the dealer have to do anything special to fit the Eaton Locker. I want to buy this locker but I want to be sure it fits.

Thanks

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

rear axle is gm 8.0 10 bolt 8" ring 28 spline c-clip axles
front is gm 7.2 reverse cut 10 bolt cover.(p.o.s)
i am looking for gears for mine. hard to find

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

No the dealer didn't have to anything special to make the locker fit.. The Eaton Locker I ordered from Trail Duty had everything required to hook it up... I even had them locate the on/off button for the locker where one of the factory light buttons would go... Very clean... If you need a picture let me know....

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Got it back from the dealership today levelled and locked :D .
Will try some climbs tomorrow to see how it works.
Here's what I was charged (don't know whether it was reasonable or whether I got takened to the cleaners :p )

Part# Part QTY List Sell Total
009418390 Bearing 2 114.84 76.08 152.16
089021677 Gear Lubr 35 29.72 23.72 71.16
011509086 Strap-tie 125 2.64 1 12
NPN 19659-1 E-locker 1 1295 760.95 760.95
Labor 405

Interesting that they put the button on the auto-shifter console and not use one of the buttons available under the radio. But the yellow button does look cool next to the shifter.

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

ETD, Congrats......:beerchug:

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Don't mean to highjack just got a question on the readylift, you say no issues, did you have the dealer install/ I assume that it would correct any/ all related potential issues with cranking the tortion bar? I am thinking of having the dealer put them on when I take delivery on mine.

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Yes, had dealer installed it. They were nice enough not to add the labor of that to the labor for installing the locker. BTW, went to the local playground and tested the locker and level. A word of caution on the installation of the lockers. It took longer than the 4 hours that was promised me by ~ 72 hours!! So far so good. Boy those climbs are easier :) . Might lose my driving skills using dem lockers in MOAB;) .

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

How do you like the ride with the level kit? Any noticeable changes to ride quality, dipping when braking and cornering?

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Hey ChasH3 thanks for the info:

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Can't say yet. Was out of town, again. Will let you know once I have driven it a while.

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Is there an upgrade path for the front alum diff after the rig is out of warranty?

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

A lot of people here are hoping to upgrade the aluminum case to the cast iron one from the 08 alpha. The gears are different, but any good shop could set up your old gears in the new case.

I wonder ... since it's all GM, it might not void your warranty either. But if you let a dealership do the work, you'll at least get their standard 1-year on parts.

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

No noticeable change in ride quality. No dipping when braking and cornering around town. (Drove it for a few weeks then went to have realignment.)

Re: New Eaton Locker added to Base H3
 

Hey ChasH3, as I think about it a little more, do we disengage traction control when engaging the rear locker to climb and such?