Posted on by SteeevO

Lock’n It Up – Update on 2nd Gen Nissan Lockers

Now that the M226 (D44 Variant) diff found in the Titan, and 2nd Generation Xterras and Frontiers (manual trans and O/R ver. only) has a locker option from ARB, we are on to new projects and lockers for more Nissan differentials. Next up for the Nissan croud is the C200K rear-end (Xterra and Frontier non-OR w/ Autotrans) & the Titan Front (M205) and yours truely is staying ontop of whats going on at ARB.

The latest news from ARB is that they are in the early development stages for both the C200K and the M205 lockers. the C200K locker was a big debate until it was recently realized that the new Suzuki Equator uses the same C200K as the Xterras and Frontiers, which now gives the C200K locker project a higher priority than it originally had. Chances are that we will see the C200K locker before the M205 locker, and with a Very Rough time estimate we’re looking at having one of these lockers available before the end of 2009, and if we’re really lucky, we’ll have both before the close of 2009.

The only real debatable question that we have now is, wheather or not ARB should make a locker for the R180 (xterra & frontier front differential). There is a major concern about the strength of the R180 housing. No doubt the ARB locker will hold up fine but are xterra and frontier owners willing to accept the high failure rate of other R180 axle components while using a locker and larger tires? In Australia, Both stock and locker equiped R200 differentials found in the earlier trucks have been known to actually split the differential housing right in half, which means even worse news for the R180 being that it’s smaller and weaker. Also, with the fact that “Titan-Swaps” (putting a Titan front diff into an X or Frontier) are becomming more and more popular, will offering a Titan front locker satisfy the Xterra and Frontier community?

Leave a comment here in the blog to let us and ARB know what you think.

55 Replies to “Lock’n It Up – Update on 2nd Gen Nissan Lockers”

  1. Pingback: ARB working on more air lockers - Nissan Frontier / Navara Forum

  2. the arb carrier may help with some of the breaking issues on the front differential due to the weak spider gears , but not all frontiers and xterra can do the titan front diff swap because of gearing issues .
    the titan front diff has a lowest possible gear ratio of 3.36 where as the frontier and xterra has 3.69 , so there would be more possible sales with frontier /xterra front locker than just a titan diff locker

  3. you would have to re-gear rear to match the titan 3.36 on most xterra’s as theycome with 3.13 gear ratio or re-gear rear from 3.69 to 3.36 to match titan gear ratio

  6. im in for the rear locker option i would love to see this made as well as a stronger front differential… keep up the good work ARB!!!!

  7. Im in Australia and i just did a C200 swap so i could get an air locker, My D22 Navara(frontier) came with the 180. There is about to be an auto locker released for the 180…but given the weakness of the 180 and even tho the C200 is supposedly weak aswell (havent heard of any breaking) id rather have the slightly bigger diff.

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  10. I am definitely onboard for the C200 locker! I would like to see a locker for the M205 for the guys that have done the titan swap. However, I believe that ARB could and would still turn a profit off of a locker for the R180 stock X diff. With the V8 Pathy shafts becoming hard to get a hold of and getting worse by the day, the titan swap is going to become harder to do. Even the titan diff has its downfalls. I would more than happily take the risk of blowing up my front, LOCKED, diff! Score another one for ARB…

  11. I have a 2005 Frontier and have upgraded the front diff to the M205. I will be looking forward to adding a locker in the front.

  12. I would love to be able to get a locker for my C200, and would do that today if it was available. As for the front diff, I would be willing to swap to the Titan diff to get it locked, but as others have already stated gearing is also an issue, with larger tires 3.69 is minimal gearing, 4.11 would be ideal. So until there are more gearing options for us, I’d probably lock the rear and wait.

  13. I’d be very interested in the front locker for the Titan diff. I honestly think the front R180 couldn’t handle it, so locking the Titan diff would be a little safer. Personally I would regear to match the front if I went this route. I guess another option is to work on getting gear sets made for the M205 so that people could swap the front differential, get a locker, and gear accordingly to match their current ratio.

  14. FOCUS ON THE TITAN FRONT DIFF, YES I KNOW ABOUT REGEARING, BUT WHEN MY FRONT BREAKS IM UPGRADING. WHY WOULD I WANT TO GO BACK WITH A WEAKER 1 AND SPEND MORE MONEY FOR A LOCKER ON IT? I MODIFY WHAT I BREAK, AND BREAK WHAT I WANT TO MODIFY……
    INSANITY….DOING WHAT YOUVE ALWAYS DONE, AND EXPECTING A DIFFERENT RESULT

  15. Titan Front (M205)
    I have a 2005 Xterra Off Road with the M205, and I can’t wait for my front locker, where do I sign the waiting list!!!
    Thanks ARB & SteeevO

  16. This is awesome news! Looks like I need to start tracking down an M205. A titan swap is a must!

  17. The M205 will include the titan guys, and they are usually much more enthusiastic about aftermarket support then frontiers (historically). I would say skip the R180a, and go for M205

  18. This is in the news that avid Xterra owners who off-road their trucks have been waiting for! You have heard our cries and responded triumphantly! Boo-ya!

  19. Awesome! finally a locking option for the c200, thanks for not making us change rear axles to get a locking rear end! Keep us updated.

  21. Titan front diffs (M205) are also on the V8 Pathfinders and all Armadas. Huge potentials there. I’d say, skip the R180 altogether and focus on the M205, C200, and R230 (Armada and V8 Pathfinder rear). I have visited ARB in WA and they keep saying the R180 is too small and too weak.

  22. I think that getting a locker for the c200 is great. I’m looking forward to it. Id also rather have a locker for my r180 front diff. Id rather put a locker in there to just get the strength and probably not really even use it. If i am going to go through the trouble of putting a titan front diff in my X, Ill just go all the way and SAS the X.

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  27. Rear locker!!! Awesome!! Im in!

    Once you guys see the demand for these lockers on the C200 maybe you could collaborate with a company that makes gears for the C200 also. That along with the M205 and everybody could start the titan swap (if they can find pathy half shafts)

  28. I am in for a rear locker for a C200. Not sure I need locker for front, some type of truetrac device would be nice for the front.

  29. I’d be game for a rear locker for the C200! I would also like to have the titan front (M205) with matching gears for the C200. Either an option to regear the rear or front. This is great news that we are finally making some headway on this!

  30. ARBs best bet would be to design a locker for M205 Titan front differential. There are more vehicles equipped with the unit and with so many Frontier/Xterra owners swapping in the M205, it just makes sense to make an M205 locker since there will be more demand.

  32. It sure would be nice to see an air locker for the 2nd gen C200 rear end. If you build it, I WILL buy one!!!! Please?!?!?!?!

  35. I would love to get a locker for my Titan’s front diff… that would be a GREAT upgrade. Ran into a couple spots this weekend that would have been helped by that!

  38. Count me in on the M205 Locker.
    I’m in the process of looking for a M205 right now even though my R180 is holding up.

    Can’t wait till the end of the Year

    Thanks again ARB

  39. Pingback: Aussie lockers for 200,180,205...maybe. - Nissan Frontier / Navara Forum

  41. would for sure buy air lockers for my front and rear on my 05 front 4×4 6spd so all my jeep buddies cant say sh!t

  42. Can’t wait to get one c200 locker if available. Count me in on getting one when available!

  43. As I’m no doubt eventually going the M205 front diff swap on my x, and having a locker for the C200 will save me changing out the rear!
    Just get some lower gear ratios for both (3:77 to 4:10 range would be awesome) of the forementioned diffs and we’ll be set!
    Then I’ll want a front locker too!

  46. I would buy the locker for the stock front now if it were available. I had one in the front of my jeep ( Dana 30 ) and loved it. I didn’t lock the thing when I left the house !! I only used it when needed and didn’t try to over power it either.( the Dana 30 was weak also)

  47. Are the C200k lockers out yet? Are we ever going to see them? I want one for my 2005 Nissan Frontier LE 4×4 automatic if they ever come out. Thanks. -Todd

  51. I would have a front locker for my 2010 Frontier, but i don’t want purchase another diff case and pathfinder shaft… I have the RD149 and it’s stronger than original… The front diff make by ARB would be stronger than original too ?? I’m waiting for order it !

  52. If I could get a locker from the front of my Xterra I’d be all over it. If this was for the R180 or for the Titan swap I’d jump on it. Regearing is not an issue for AT OR versions of the xterra however as many people with add larger tires they will likely look at a regear for both the front and rear and go for 4.10s There is a long anticipated release of these gears and a check on thenewx.org will give you the latest on this – I believe they are out now but not 100% certain.

  53. David,
    I have Been working very close with superior on this whole re-gear project.
    The gears are now available for the M205 in 4.10 and 4.56 ratios.

  54. Any one know if the font r180 (3.13 rear ration) from the Xterra crown and pinion gear will swap into the R180 rear differential case of the early Z-cars?

    Thanks

    Dayton

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