Honest opinions on the Grizzly locker?

[legendaryandrew]

I'm getting the rear pinion bearing replaced on my burb in a week or so, and Randys Ring and Pinion said it would only be the cost of parts to add a locker (no extra labor), and I had planned to add a traction device anyway, so now I need to decide what to get. Originally I was going to get a truetrac (not locker, I know), but the guy on the at Randys suggested a Grizzly. I don't like the idea of an auto locker, as I hear they can be a pain on the street, but it's cheaper than the truetrac, and has a killer warranty. And it's a real locker. What do you guys suggest? It's not a DD, so some noise is fine, and I don't want an ARB.

 

[driller]

Guy lied to you. There will be extra labor to change the carrier. Bearings wil have to be installed and ring gear will have to be moved over.

 

[legendaryandrew]

I may have misstated in my first post, but it's not just a pinion bearing, replacing all the bearings in the differential

 

[PNWINFERNOPRO]

I worked for Randy's previously. It is a great locker. Definitely recommend.

 

[leelikesbikes]

i think the auto lockers behave a lot better on long wheelbase rigs. i wouldnt want one on a pavement driven tj, but i had one( detroit) in an ex cab taco and it was a daily driver. i didnt think the street manners were bad at all. some will say its sketchy on icy roads, but it is way more predictable than an open diff imo becasue you know both back tires are always gonna slide on the ice and you just power through vs an open diff sometimes one will spin, but if both tires have equal traction they both spin.

 

[ujoint]

I love mine!

 

[jscusmcvet]

I have never had a grizzly, but I would dismiss any worries about the behavior of an auto locker on the road, even in the ice and snow. I just put a lock right in the rear of my Burb... It is invisible on the road. This past weekend our southern end of SuperStorm Jonas left us with a couple days of mostly ice with some snow. Barely had to engage 4wd... the locked rear on the long wheelbase, heavy rig like a suburban is the way to go. You won't regret it. Save the trutrac or the front.

 

[tgreening]

I run mechanicals front and rear in my CJ. The key to those on road in slick conditions is never forget you are DRIVING, and not just along for the ride with your cell phone. As long as you understand how they behave, don't forget that and don't get complacent behind the wheel, you're good to go. I'll take mechanicals every time over anything electric, air, or cable.

The occasional "BANG" out of the rear end can be a bit unnerving at times though.

 

[legendaryandrew]

Awesome guys, thanks for the feedback! It's exactly what I needed, and it's the route I'm going. Setting up my appointment for mid next week! I'll come back and leave my review after some usage.

 

[amgvr4]

I have a buddy with a mega cab dodge and he likes his grizzly locker. I think it is hard to beat the cost vs a selectable locker for sure.

 

[82fb]

Not sure how much Randy's is quoting for changing the bearings, or adding a locker, but I would simply find a low mileage junkyard axle with the g80 in it. I have one in my 2001 8.1 burb and it works great. $3-400 bucks at a full service junkyard, or less if you find someone parting something out on craigslist or in a pick n pull.

 

[legendaryandrew]

That'd be an option, but timing is critical, we close on a new house in 3 weeks, and I need the truck done before the move, and my time will be occupied by packing lol. Plus, it's a truck I'll have for many years to come, I like new and known when it comes to driveline.