locker LC vs a non-locker LC

[Stormhammer]

So, I'm a lurker.

I've been hunting for an LC and I was wondering just HOW beneficial lockers really are - from what I understand, unless you're doing some serious rock crawling, you don't HAVE to have them.

I ask because I found a very nice LC for a great price, loaded - just no lockers. Anything that has lockers seems to be over 200k in mileage, and actually costs more

I don't expect to do any rock crawling really - so advice/input?

 

[mph]

What do you want to do with it? Types of trails?
Yes, there is a lot a LC can do without lockers. But, once you have them; you will have some crazy traction that make obstacles easy to conquer and fun to drive.

I have a 99 with a rear factory and an ARB front.

 

[Douglas S.]

I like my factory lockers...but I wouldn't make them a deal breaker.

 

[ARlZONA]

I was in the same position but finally realized the price difference for an OEM locked vs a non locked truck was not worth it. I could find a non locked truck, add the cost of doing Detroit, Aussie or whatever (excluding ARB) and some garage time and I would save a bundle.

Ended up with a 91 (saving even more with a 3fe) and will be perfectly happy to turn some wrenches to save the cash.

 

[ssssnake529]

Keep looking. I found a locked 80 series with 125k miles at a reasonable price. Factory lockers will be more expensive, but they will also help maintain the resale value of the vehicle should you decide to sell it.

 

[upcruiser]

No you don't NEED a locker though at times they can save some wear and tear on the truck in tough spots. That said an 80 series articulates pretty well and with a good set of tires it is pretty amazing what they can do unlocked. Ask most locked 80 owners how often they really use the lockers, especially front and rear and you will see it is a very small amount offroad. My original intention when buying my 80 was to lock it but after running trails all accross North America with it I decided that I didn't need it for my uses. Running trails with locked vehicles I found others having to use lockers at times that my open 80 with MT's could walk through things. From my experience an open 80 will put traction down more effectively over the same terrain as a 60 series, Tacoma, or Discovery. This is my personal experience. The resale value is a good point but often you can get a lower mile version of the truck and install ARB's for the same price as a locked 80 and have arguably better lockers on it.

 

[MoGas]

It's the archer, not the arrow......

I have had an Aussie Locker in the back of my 80 for years, In the box, in my drawer. I have yet to have a need for a locker in my 80.

 

[phsycle]

When I had my Tacoma TRD, I hardly used the rear locker when on trails. For non-rock crawling applications, I hardly doubt you'll ever engage the locker.

Nice thing about 2000+ Land Cruisers is that ATRAC negates the need for a locker period for non-extreme trails. Well, I haven't needed it yet, anyway.

 

[1911]

As has been said, it all depends on what kind of trails you are going to do (or want to do). I've ended up putting lockers in both diffs of every Cruiser I've ever had, but YMMV. Tell us more about you, the year of Cruiser, where you want to go, etc.

 

[FJJUNKY]

You can always add later.... I purchased mine based on all the good factors of the 80. Mine had all the motor work done. If you can find a perfect LC with lockers great, But I would not make lockers the only factor.

 

[coax]

The maintenance records and condition of the cruiser should be the primary driver in the purchase, not lockers. The cost of repair work can quickly outpace the cost of adding 1 or two lockers in the future.

 

[cweight]

You can go a long long way without lockers. But there will be times here and there where they would get you out of something that you might otherwise have trouble with. Without lockers, you end up, at times, having to go faster or push the gas pedal harder, which makes it more likely that you will break something. Lockers allow you to go slow and careful which is how I prefer to go. Having said that, as others have mentioned, you can always add them later. If I found the perfect 80 except without lockers, I'd go for it. The long term cost of a dog-of-an-80 would be more than the cost of adding non-oem lockers.

 

[Stormhammer]

I'm afraid that if I link it someone will punk it :chef:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=304122119&dealer_id=66503735&car_year=1997&model=LC&pager.offset=25&search_lang=en&start_year=1993&search_type=both&distance=500&rdm=1312497123234&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&sownerid=96614&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=1998&showZipError=n&make2=LEXUS&dma=ATLANTA_NE2&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&first_record=26&default_sort=priceASC&address=30043&sort_type=priceASC&model2=LX450&make=TOYOTA&num_records=25&seller_type=b&cardist=21&standard=false

Living in metro Atlanta - well, GA and the SE in and of itself doesn't lend much to trails as out west does - only the hardcore mudding stuff, which I'm not much into personally. I'm really just starting to get into overland stuff. Honestly I would be content with a mild lift, tires, roof basket, and in the end an arb front bumper or something - something to go out camping with in the smokies, etc, and if I ever end out west, be able to go explore some more. It's between that thing ( or one similar, but mileage + price + distance to me is very appealing ) or a 98-01 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 with a 4.0 HO I6

 

[SSF556]

I'm afraid that if I link it someone will punk it :chef:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?ct=p&car_id=304122119&dealer_id=66503735&car_year=1997&model=LC&pager.offset=25&search_lang=en&start_year=1993&search_type=both&distance=500&rdm=1312497123234&marketZipError=false&advanced=y&sownerid=96614&lastBeginningStartYear=1981&end_year=1998&showZipError=n&make2=LEXUS&dma=ATLANTA_NE2&page_location=findacar%3A%3Aispsearchform&body_code=0&first_record=26&default_sort=priceASC&address=30043&sort_type=priceASC&model2=LX450&make=TOYOTA&num_records=25&seller_type=b&cardist=21&standard=false

Living in metro Atlanta - well, GA and the SE in and of itself doesn't lend much to trails as out west does - only the hardcore mudding stuff, which I'm not much into personally. I'm really just starting to get into overland stuff. Honestly I would be content with a mild lift, tires, roof basket, and in the end an arb front bumper or something - something to go out camping with in the smokies, etc, and if I ever end out west, be able to go explore some more. It's between that thing ( or one similar, but mileage + price + distance to me is very appealing ) or a 98-01 Jeep Cherokee 4x4 with a 4.0 HO I6

Buy it...looks like Land Cruisers are better investments than the stock market.

 

[yeti_in_ga]

I would get a 100s then , I just saw one on Crgl for $13k ... v8 + ATRAC and your set ! If expo is what you want you cant be the 100s. After all it was rated the best expo truck out there ..