80 series buyers question
- Thread starter Zatara
- Start date
Not an issue.
I have had two with lockers and my current one does not.
I think that you will be surprised at how well an unlocked 80 does.
I enjoyed the capability of my double locked rigs, but didn't find too many situations at my build level that required the front locker--It was nice to have but not needed.
These trucks are all at least 14 years old. You WILL have to spend time maintaining the locker actuators--Not a huge deal, but it is one more thing to deal with. I purposefully chose my current rig without lockers for that reason--I didn't have any issues with my previous rigs, but wanted to avoid that headache 5 years from now.
I don't know what your plans are, but regearing with locked axles is much more difficult and expensive than with unlocked--with this comes the issue of twisting the rear shaft when you run 37 inch tires or bigger (some have done it on 35s too) The unlocked axles are not any stronger, it is just that when the rear shaft breaks on the locked axles, it twists the splines by the locker and is then impossible to remove without cutting open the housing with a torch. (may be irrelevant depending on your plans)
I run an aussie locker in the rear of mine--the full time 4wd makes the aussie unoticable during daily driving, even when wet and snowy. It is also cheap and has a great warranty. If you need the front locked, an auto locker is out of the question, so you are pretty much stuck with getting an ARB. You may be able to run a truetrac up front, but that is an unverified rumor.
So, I would focus on finding the rig that has the least miles, best maintenance history, lowest cost and is in the best shape. Lockers only come into play if you find identical trucks and one has lockers.
Hope this helps.
Dan
I have had two with lockers and my current one does not.
I think that you will be surprised at how well an unlocked 80 does.
I enjoyed the capability of my double locked rigs, but didn't find too many situations at my build level that required the front locker--It was nice to have but not needed.
These trucks are all at least 14 years old. You WILL have to spend time maintaining the locker actuators--Not a huge deal, but it is one more thing to deal with. I purposefully chose my current rig without lockers for that reason--I didn't have any issues with my previous rigs, but wanted to avoid that headache 5 years from now.
I don't know what your plans are, but regearing with locked axles is much more difficult and expensive than with unlocked--with this comes the issue of twisting the rear shaft when you run 37 inch tires or bigger (some have done it on 35s too) The unlocked axles are not any stronger, it is just that when the rear shaft breaks on the locked axles, it twists the splines by the locker and is then impossible to remove without cutting open the housing with a torch. (may be irrelevant depending on your plans)
I run an aussie locker in the rear of mine--the full time 4wd makes the aussie unoticable during daily driving, even when wet and snowy. It is also cheap and has a great warranty. If you need the front locked, an auto locker is out of the question, so you are pretty much stuck with getting an ARB. You may be able to run a truetrac up front, but that is an unverified rumor.
So, I would focus on finding the rig that has the least miles, best maintenance history, lowest cost and is in the best shape. Lockers only come into play if you find identical trucks and one has lockers.
Hope this helps.
Dan
Last edited:
I installed my aussie locker in less than two hours. It is ridiculously easy.
There are a lot of unlocked 80s that have done the trails at Moab. It just takes a little more careful driving.
upcruiser
Perpetual Transient
I concurr with Andrew, I have run a bunch of the trails in Moab and anything 3+ or less is a piece of cake with just an OME lift and 33's. I think it mostly to do with how well they articulate and keep the rubber on the ground. I have honestly have had very few times where I really felt I needed a locker and in those cases I just pulled winch line and took it easy on the drivetrain anyway. I don't go out of my way though to find tough trails or the hardest lines.
Last edited:
Not an issue per say unless you intend to sell it back short term. A 80 with lockers will be easier to sell and fetch a better price.
MoGas
Central Scrutinizer
I have an Aussie in the back of mine, too.....In it's box in a drawer....I haven't gotten around to installing it yet. Maybe when the weather breaks.
I was concerned about having an auto locker with the snow and ice we get here in the winter. Does it want to push straight while turning on icy or snow packed roads? Does the rear end want to come around on icy or snow packed corners? Will it make the ABS act funky?
I have had a rear lock right before and experienced poor manners on road in the winter. Granted, it was in a '79 Jeep CJ7 with a 304 V8 and a manual. I really had to drive the rig and stay on top of it. Essentially, I had to expect it to do certain things. Even on dry pavement, the rig would want to jump around during power transitions. It is not an apples to apples comparison, though, the 93 cruiser is a whole different beast with the automatic and greater length, width and far greater weight.
Dave
When it gets icy around here I intentionally try to get it to do weird stuff....I consistently fail. I will get a hard clunk in a parking lot once in a blue moon, and I can hear it ratcheting if I really really listen for it.
It really is almost as if it isn't there. I trust my wife to drive around on ice with it and she doesn't have any problems handling it. The active front axle makes all the difference in the world with handling and the VC smooths things out the rest of the way. You should install it, you will not regret it.
Cheers!
Dan
Torquey
Adventurer
I have an Aussie locker in the rear and it has been great. Unless you are in some really big off camber situations constantly or deep mud, a front locker is not "needed" in the 80s.
I installed the rear because once I was in a situation where the front right and rear left tires were in the air (barely though - 80s have excellent articulation) and I had to back up a few inches and bump the obsticle four or five times before getting traction. I have been very happy with the Aussie and hardly notice it.
I installed the rear because once I was in a situation where the front right and rear left tires were in the air (barely though - 80s have excellent articulation) and I had to back up a few inches and bump the obsticle four or five times before getting traction. I have been very happy with the Aussie and hardly notice it.
I have a little over 7k on my aussie. It still gets bad mileage, but it is designed to be just as easy on the drivetrain as the factory spiders.
I agree that prices should go down soon.
toylandcruiser
Expedition Leader
I'm pretty sure a locker will not change mpg.
MoGas
Central Scrutinizer
It is relative, though.
With your newly installed locker, you will go wheeling more. Wheeling mileage sucks.
:safari-rig:
Dave
toylandcruiser
Expedition Leader
That is true.