lockers front and rear needed?

[F5driver]

Agree that it depends on how you'll use the LC. I find that my 100 requires one or both axles locked to clear obstacles my Jeep could clear in 2wd. I believe it's because of the extra weight on the 100.





x2 on both accounts



It is all relative and it is impossible to say you "need" lockers without first knowing what you plan to do with your Cruiser.[/QUOTE]

 

[Klierslc]

sorry I should have explained a little bit more for the question; currently its a 2006 LX470 with a locking differential. A-Trac and all. For my current stuff it works great. I work in the healthcare industry so I have to go out in all sorts of weather because I live in the northeast part of the country. I currently do some beach stuff which the vehicle has never let me down but that I think was me being conservative on where I go. Planing a trip this summer which will include Utah, death valley, and some other nation parks where I will HAVE to take a certain route. So the vehicle has to get thru. I know many other have broken the front diff when hard use; so going with an ARB front locker is a preventive prep for the trip.
Now with regard to the vehicle locking the diff now gives me a one wheel drive system ( meaning all four wheels are moving); going with the front locker I will get a 2 wheel system now. Front and rear correct?? My question to all is; the factory rear locker is ok and does not need upgrading??? Or am I all messed up which this idea and don't need to touch anything?

I'm not sure you fully understand the mechanics of the 4wd system. Let's clear a few basic things up:

I believe when you are referring to the factory locking differential, you are referring to the CENTER diff lock (4x4) button. This puts the vehicle in true 4wd. Locking the CENTER diff does not affect the rear or front diffs, they are still open / open. Locking the center diff equally splits the power to the front and rear drive shafts. Power will be transferred to the all 4 wheels, with a strong preference to the wheel with less traction on each axle. This is why you see one wheel spinning in low / loose traction situations, or the wheel that is in the air spinning in crossed up positions. Power is being directed through the diff (front or rear) to the wheel with the least resistance. Obviously this is not what we want when off road. (Side Note: A-trac mimics a Limited Slip Diff or locker by sensing wheel spin. By applying break pressure to the spinning wheel, it will push power to the wheel on the axle with weight = traction. Because of the way it works, it takes some time and wheel spin for the system to kick in. ) A FRONT or REAR locker, when engaged, will always put equal power to both wheels on the axle, regardless of weight distribution or traction. This is a huge help when one wheel is in the hanging in the air or on loose surfaces.

A front locker will not prevent damage to the front diff. It is more likely to cause damage, especially if you are not sure when and how to use it correctly.

If you actually have a factory rear locker, you will be fine. I've done quite a few trips to Death Valley and driven many of the trails there. I only used my rear locker a handful of times. Many times I could have done it without the locker, but with a little more work, but the locker is like an Easy Button. You will most likely be able to pass most trails in DV with 4lo and A-Trac.

Hope this helps.

There was no factory rear locker option on the 06. I have seen several 100 series diffs come apart, but only when they were being abused. Unless you drive like a madman off road or are running 35s, you shouldn't have an issue. That being said, installing the ARB carrier is never a bad idea in a 100--however, I suspect that it will be overkill if you haven't needed a rear locker so far. Better off to buy a winch and/or armor if you are going to be wheeling that hard.

 

[carlpb]

Video responce

In regard to the video you posted with the cruisers climbing the hill, I think it may be more of tire choice issue as well. The first run had street tires with locker, the second had slightly more aggressive street tires with a-trac and the last with duel-purpose tires with lockers front and rear had a much better tire more suited to off road. Therefore providing more grip. I would venture to say the first and second cruiser with the terra grapplers at proper tire pressure would have climbed the hill as well.

 

[REDrum]

FWIW...

I have a factory e-locker in my '99 UZJ100, and in North East wheeling, I never been in condition where I needed a front locker. That said I do not wheel the truck like I did my FJ40 or 4RNR either, its a much larger vehicle with a much higher center of gravity.

An option to consider may be retro fitting an older toyo e-locker to your '06, with the A-trak it would be quite formidable off road. Short of that, an Aussie locker may be a good option. I run one in my FZJ80, its not as effective as a selective locker but a fraction of the cost.

 

[r3run33]

thanks for all the info and Cap thats what I was trying to explain in my poor technical skills of what I currently have. But from this forum and more from IH8MUD.COM there were many stories of breaking the front diff when climbing certain parts of Moab.for our vehicles this seem to be the weakest link. I have to say the vehicle will be used for everything sleeping quarters carry all our gear food and water. Much of the trip will be on road but Moab is all rock and sand so I will be rock crawling.

 

[TheBuddyExpedition]

thanks for all the info and Cap thats what I was trying to explain in my poor technical skills of what I currently have. But from this forum and more from IH8MUD.COM there were many stories of breaking the front diff when climbing certain parts of Moab.for our vehicles this seem to be the weakest link. I have to say the vehicle will be used for everything sleeping quarters carry all our gear food and water. Much of the trip will be on road but Moab is all rock and sand so I will be rock crawling.[/QUOT

Go front and rear ARB Air Lockers then, mine work great, go anywhere!!

 

[REDrum]

Go front and rear ARB Air Lockers then, mine work great, go anywhere!!

Agreed, but they are a boat-load of money fully install. $3K if you DIY, over $4K for a shop to do it.

Also, if you pull the 3rds apart for lockers, you might want to consider lower geerz too. They make roads different and hills bigger out west. Lower geerz will help a lot with big payload and steep hills. I put 4:88s in my FZJ80 and they made a big difference over stock when fully loaded.

 

[CAP650]

Agreed, but they are a boat-load of money fully install. $3K if you DIY, over $4K for a shop to do it.

Also, if you pull the 3rds apart for lockers, you might want to consider lower geerz too. They make roads different and hills bigger out west. Lower geerz will help a lot with big payload and steep hills. I put 4:88s in my FZJ80 and they made a big difference over stock when fully loaded.

I agreed with this. If you are gonna tear it all apart to do lockers, might as well regear while its apart and be extra happy after all is said and done :smiley_drive: