Front Locker is it needed?

[Oncewaspfd]

I just purchased a 2018 4runner off road premium. I'm planning my first overlanding build. I don't do any rock crawling. I want to start with suspension lift, larger tires and new wheels. Regearing is also in the works. Do I spend the money for front lockers and a compressor or just regear the front end?

 

[billiebob]

yes !! do the lockers both ends but there are e-locker options too if you want to eliminate the air compressor expense and plumbing. If you are opening up the axles add lockers too.

I value mine more for the ability to tread lightly, go slower, eliminate wheel spin and trail, watershed degradation, and ease the wear and tear on the vehicle. Lockers let you crawl up or down slopes without losing traction.

 

[WOODY2]

No front locker, drive it and see where you want to that you couldn't then gears and or locker. Do the compressor for airing up. You will be surprised where you can go with 15 lbs in your tires.

 

[Red90]

If you need to ask then no. You do not need a front locker. If you start doing things that need one then it is the time.

 

[pugslyyy]

If you don't know whether you need a front locker, you don't. When you are going up a slope all the weight is on the rear axle so that is what is getting you up. When you are going down a slope gravity is helping you.

 

[tacollie]

On board air, good tires, and Maxtrax will get you a lot of places. No rock crawling definitely means no locker imo. Spend your money on gas.

 

[Tex68w]

I would skip the front locker for what you describe, very few need them. If you want to spend the money while you have the front diff open for a regear then that would be the time, up to you, but I'd pass.

 

[Dopesick]

Personal opinion... Locker no. Limited Slip, sure. You'll have the diff out to re-gear, do it all at once.

 

[phsycle]

No rock crawling, yet you’re getting tires big enough to justify a regear??

 

[jadmt]

On a 4runner you need a pretty good size lift to run big enough tires to need a re-gear Unless you want to do a lot of cutting.

 

[tdferrero]

No rock crawling, yet you’re getting tires big enough to justify a regear??

What he said.

 

[greg.potter]

You only need a front locker ...... when you need it. For me having a front locker is a "piece of mind" accessory. With my Jeep I It has been engaged a few times to gett unstuck, steep or low traction situations and pulling out stuck vehicles - my Jeep gets used to get me from A to B, not as a rock crawler. Is it necessary - probably not. If I was purchasing a new vehicle or was planning on re-gearing would I put a locker in again - for sure. It's a "piece of mind thing".

 

[jadmt]

Buddy bought a new 2020 4Runner and put a Falcon lift on it. It looks really good but in reality not much room for bigger tires than stock.

 

[Scott Brady]

I just purchased a 2018 4runner off road premium. I'm planning my first overlanding build. I don't do any rock crawling. I want to start with suspension lift, larger tires and new wheels. Regearing is also in the works. Do I spend the money for front lockers and a compressor or just regear the front end?

If you are not rock crawling, save the money and use it for fuel to go someplace cool. The 4Runner has a very effective traction control system, and when combined with the factory rear locker, it is an excellent performer off-road.

Use caution taking any advice on the suitability of a limited slip for the front axle. We do not recommend any traction device for the front axle that is not driver selectable due to the risk of understeer, poor line holding on side slopes, etc.

 

[jadmt]

If you are not rock crawling, save the money and use it for fuel to go someplace cool. The 4Runner has a very effective traction control system, and when combined with the factory rear locker, it is an excellent performer off-road.

Use caution taking any advice on the suitability of a limited slip for the front axle. We do not recommend any traction device for the front axle that is not driver selectable due to the risk of understeer, poor line holding on side slopes, etc.

agree 100% I have been running lockers for many years and do a lot of winter snow wheeling and no way in heck would I run a non selectable up front. I would not want it in the rocks, or slick roads either. You can do the rubicon trail without engaging front lockers.