Good reason to get a diff locker!

[2000UZJ]

A rear locker was an option for the 98 LC, you might find a third member at a junk yard, it's a pretty easy job to remove and replace a LC third.



IMHO this is not an optional upgrade, just plan on doing it before you do any real off road trips.

I just got one front tire in the air and when it came down the shock load broke the diff.

true on the optional part, but for extra insurance. I'd rather spend the money and upgrade it rather than blow it and have to deal with the grief. That's just me.


"Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it"
^ forgot who said that...

 

[rusty_tlc]

true on the optional part, but for extra insurance. I'd rather spend the money and upgrade it rather than blow it and have to deal with the grief. That's just me.


"Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it"
^ forgot who said that...

Two different things (actually I don't think a front locker was ever an option on the 100 series in the US)

The front diff, IMHO, should be an ARB, period.

The rear diff could be either factory or ARB, I've never heard of anybody breaking a factory 100 rear diff.

The factory rear w/locker would probably be a cheaper option. A rebuild would cost ~$200 for a master install kit and ~$300 for a gear shop to set the diff up. Unless you want to roll the dice and use the factory diff as is which would probably work out. A good gear shop will probably check the backlash and bearings etc. for an hour or so of shop time and tell you if anything needs to be fixed.

The ARB would cost the same as a re-build for the used diff. plus the cost of the locker itself and associated pump, controls etc..

 

[2000UZJ]

Two different things (actually I don't think a front locker was ever an option on the 100 series in the US)

The front diff, IMHO, should be an ARB, period.

The rear diff could be either factory or ARB, I've never heard of anybody breaking a factory 100 rear diff.

The factory rear w/locker would probably be a cheaper option. A rebuild would cost ~$200 for a master install kit and ~$300 for a gear shop to set the diff up. Unless you want to roll the dice and use the factory diff as is which would probably work out. A good gear shop will probably check the backlash and bearings etc. for an hour or so of shop time and tell you if anything needs to be fixed.

The ARB would cost the same as a re-build for the used diff. plus the cost of the locker itself and associated pump, controls etc..

Front locker, no such option in the US.
Rear locker, yup. As you stated.

I was saying for the ease of mind, that would be the first thing I would upgrade, rather than blowing it on the trail and having to deal with that. Seems easier to upgrade before you grenade it. But then again, it's all depending on how you wheel.

 

[Antichrist]

Personally I'd go with a winch before lockers. Lockers enable you to get stuck in even worse places. After all...
"Four wheel drive allows you to get stuck in places even more inaccessible."

Of course this depends on where you off-road. If there's no place to anchor then lockers might make more sense if you don't/can't use a ground anchor.

 

[bunduguy]

Are you sure you didn't set up this whole situation just to get the boss to sign off on the upgrade? Sounds like your problems could have been solved with a highlift in a few minutes.:coffeedrink:

Actually. a high lift could have solved it. Problem......no hi-lift on the vehicle! Bottle jack could have worked, except for my being just off a river bed that had experienced excessive flooding, so not much debris (traction material) to be found nearby.
Don't tell her about the setup! It was supposed to be a secret:sombrero:

 

[rusty_tlc]

...
"Four wheel drive allows you to get stuck in places even more inaccessible."

...

I've heard this line before, to me it doesn't hold water.

Not understanding your vehicles limits and your own limits gets you stuck in more inaccessible places. It really has nothing to do with how your truck is or isn't equipped.

I'm not trying to be rude, just applying logic.

 

[rusty_tlc]

Front locker, no such option in the US.
Rear locker, yup. As you stated.

I was saying for the ease of mind, that would be the first thing I would upgrade, rather than blowing it on the trail and having to deal with that. Seems easier to upgrade before you grenade it. But then again, it's all depending on how you wheel.

I agree, ARB front locker should just be something you budget when you buy a 100. (That said it takes about 20 minutes and a hand full of tools to get the truck rolling in 2WD when you do break. If you own a 100 with the OEM planetary gears you should make sure you know how and have the right tools in the truck to do this.)

From my experience I don't think you would even have to wheel to break the front diff. Just transitioning from icy to dry pavement could do it.