For those that have front lockers, how often do you actually use it?
I've wheeled with people that have front lockers. But they only use them while snow wheeling.
I'd make sure you have a good rear locker before adding anything to the front of an IFS.
Where, and how, we wheel, difficult trails or harder (improved roads simply do not need 4wd until the snow gets deep enough that you are pushing it with the front diff cover/skidplate); I use the front selectable/ARB locker on nearly every, significant, obstacle. There is some debate in our group (and among wheelers in general); whether it is better to go selectable for the front locker or to go with a Detroit (non selectable/automatic) locker.. Its a given that a front locker is necessary in our group; due to the difficulty of our preferred terrain.
My problem with automatic/non selectable lockers is that they will cause the tires to slide down hill (sideways on crowned road if/when ice is encountered in daily driving).
... by using a selectable front locker (turned off) I can usually get mostly across a slippery side hill before the vehicle starts sliding toward the cliff edge/gully/ditch/trees, in the snow/slippery... for normal dry or moderately wet conditions its not an issue.
I typically run a low strength front diff (due to it being what I have) and see no reason not to put a selectable locker in an IFS (because of IFS limited wheel travel it is likely the only good way to do the harder trails (one or more tires in the air)).
It should be noted that a good traction control system will reduce the need for lockers in most conditions.
For most of the vehicles and all terrain tires that I see here I would question the actual value/need for lockers in many cases...IMO the most successful setups are designed around the total vehicle/powertrain package with the difficulty of the likely terrain kept solidly in mind..
Enjoy!
