Hey --

Has anyone looked on Ebay lately for a ARB Air Locker for the Dana 44? They are advertising for $580 -- which is about half of what Wild Horses and other vendors are selling them for. they say that they are the manufacturer of the part. Is anyone else skeptical? Am I missing something? I know the part would be more with shipping, but still...

Thoughts? Here is the link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/ARB-Air-Locker- ... 1284773951

Seller has 8 reviews and is located in Hong Kong. Part ships from China at $233.00. I'm not going anywhere near this thing.

Looks like 4wheelparts advertises the same locker that some Bronco parts houses sell for cheaper. I'm pretty sure there is a Bronco owner 4wheelparts store manager who could probably knock a little off that price as well. Or a phone call could be placed to said Bronco parts houses, explain that you can purchase it locally cheaper (4wheelparts actually offers free shipping on it) and see if they will knock some off the price.

That was kind of my initial thought, but seller says if we want to buy 10+/-, he will send one over for inspection first, free of charge. I was thinking at basically half price -- if it is the same thing -- it would be a great club buy.

My guess is they are Chinese knock offs.

Some things are worth paying the premium for getting the real deal.

I just bought ARB front and rear from 4wheelparts for 1k each which was 150 or so cheaper than everyone else.

Could have gotten them slightly cheaper from ebay but I didn't care to wait.

My thinking is, if it's a Chinese knockoff, ie Harbor Freight quality and it grenades your really toast. I truly believe you get what you pay for and if it's too good to be true, it probably is. I rarely shop at Harbor freight.


However, I secretly want you and others to buy and install it to see if they're any good. I feel guilty about that. But who knows? They may be good and someone has to go first.

I also don't want another Chinese product taking market away from the guy who invented it, although that's capitalism.

So I guess I'm 50:50.

Defiantly post what direction your going to take. I wish you the best.




J.E.

I wouldn't touch it. The difference between this and actual ARB is $2-300. Easily worth it.

Well, the way that the advertisement is written I thought that they were selling ARB, but now I realize that they have airbrushed out the blue ARB box that is in many of the advertisements. I guess I will pass! thanks for all the advice folks!

Don't be quick to give up on getting an ARB though. I think there are quite a few wanting to go that route. And if enough people can get together, I'm betting a deal can be had through a brick and mortar vendor.

I myself am looking to go ARB eventually. The store in Westminster has a Bronco hookup through Ernie. We could probably go that route and save some money.

I haven't placed a bulk order with ARB in a while but I can check on bulk pricing last time was for A Land rover group if we get enough shipping can be free a some times compressors will be included. I'll make a call to get costs. In the meantime lets get a bead count. Just so you guys know this would be a pass through deal.

First thing in that ad that scares the living daylights out of me is that they are the mfgr. & if you want to be a distributor for them, to let them know. ARB is pretty protecting of their territory and trademarks/patents. If you don't think for one second that they aren't of the mind to block any and all sales of an aftermarket knock off, or go after them in a legal sense, you'd be fooling yourself. I'm surprised that that listing is even up there considering all of the ARB authorized dealers there are around. I wouldn't touch that with a ten foot pole. ARBs are worth the extra $$ just for peace of mind. I'm glad I bought mine when I did, got both front & rear for less than a grand 10 years ago.