The more important locker!

[Lumberjack]

yup. if you use ARB's compressor for the lockers, the wiring also requires the rear locker engaged to enable the front locker. they don't allow front-lock only. food for thought...

Very easy to modify the wiring to allow the front locker to be engaged separately...

That said, 20,000+ off-road miles on my heep including an extreme rock crawling phase (must be old age setting in), I use the rear always when in difficult terrain and engage the front only when headed into most difficult or trying aggressive driving techniques:sombreror:Wow1:

I like the concept of rear locker and winch. The locker will allow you to get further into trouble that most likely the winch will be the safest way out of trouble. My next vehicle will be set up that way, saving the money from the front for more comfort items, aka roof top tent and other comfort items. My thought is the more comfortable you are on a trip, the more you will enjoy it.

I would also recommend learning to drive your vehicle without lockers. It will require you to learn how to pick lines. Since I have gotten lockers, I tend to get lazy and push the button and go over the obstacle instead of choosing a better line or having to back up to re-position.

Dennis

 

[Stan the Man]

I would also recommend learning to drive your vehicle without lockers. It will require you to learn how to pick lines. Since I have gotten lockers, I tend to get lazy and push the button and go over the obstacle instead of choosing a better line or having to back up to re-position.

Dennis

Agreed. IMO, wheeling a stock truck is fun. Lockers spoil you, but having selectable allows you to choose your fun factor.

 

[bat]

Front locker :smiley_drive:

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Very easy to modify the wiring to allow the front locker to be engaged separately.....

Very easy
http://www.cruiseroutfitters.com/tech_ARB_Independent.html

However I do recommend you be very familiar with the implication and caveats of doing so. There is a time and a place and there are many that would see no benefit from doing so.

 

[pillguy]

rear e-locker

I have a 97 4runner. My vote is for rear e-locker with winch. I swapped out my axle for an e-locker axle out of Denver. Even with shipping, got it for $650 plus about $150 in other parts. I have ABS, so I had to get the brain and run all the wiring. All total, bout $800 and I learned in the process.
Elocker works great, along with maxxis bighorns and winch.

 

[BIGdaddy]

with my XJ, the rear axle is the weak link. I'd put one in the front right now, if I was given a free locker coupon, since my D30 is more than strong enough.

If it were me buying stuff on my own dime, I'd pay to have my rear axle swapped for a 8.25 and strengthened, knowing I could pull my front shaft if that was the new weak point in my drivetrain.

probably doesn't answer your question, but it belies a systemic approach that I tend to adhere to.

 

[Aggie]

with my XJ, the rear axle is the weak link. I'd put one in the front right now, if I was given a free locker coupon, since my D30 is more than strong enough.

If it were me buying stuff on my own dime, I'd pay to have my rear axle swapped for a 8.25 and strengthened, knowing I could pull my front shaft if that was the new weak point in my drivetrain.

probably doesn't answer your question, but it belies a systemic approach that I tend to adhere to.

Again we are talking about a Toyota 4Runner running a very strong REAR axle and semi strong CV Axles. Lock your Rear. I run my 96 Tacoma with front and rear lockrights and I have grenaded CV's, and a Diff but never damaged anything in the rear. Lock up that rear.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Again we are talking about a Toyota 4Runner running a very strong REAR axle and semi strong CV Axles. Lock your Rear. I run my 96 Tacoma with front and rear lockrights and I have grenaded CV's, and a Diff but never damaged anything in the rear. Lock up that rear.

right, thats what I said. It's more of a way of thinking I was promoting. if the stronger axle in his rig is the rear, then lock that one. Let the front run its heart out as an open diff. It'll likely last a lifetime.

If I leave my Dana turdy-five alone, It'll probably never give me issues. Same-same.

Also, if you decided to lock the front, remember that cv's are their weakest when turned hard-over. Locking the front would only be an option for me on a flat, boggy straight-away, if I was in a IFS rig. Any chance for hard wheel turning or hopping up a hill would have me (and the front-end) crying for mommy...haha!!

 

[alexrex20]

ya, all these guys with solid front axles forget that we have IFS. lol

 

[BIGdaddy]

ya, all these guys with solid front axles forget that we have IFS. lol

I owned two ifs 1st-gen 4runners before I got my xj......They were both bought for less than $2000.00 and were both great trucks. !!

I'll never forget!!!

My response wasn't meant to be confusing, sorry about that. It was more of a prompt for the original poster to do his research and see which axle was stronger, see what his driving style and local terrain dictates, etc.

In that light, it doesn't matter if you're talking Jeep, toyota, IFS or solid.

Who know's his driving style might lend well to a front axle locker..?

 

[RMP&O]

With all the opinions on a locker I will just say....do the front first if you have an LSD in the rear.

For onboard air the ARB compressor is weak, really weak. I would go with a big Viair and get all the fittings and such to use it for the locker. If you want to have a lot of air available then get a tank too. I have an ARB compressor and it is really only good for the lockers.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

...For onboard air the ARB compressor is weak, really weak. I would go with a big Viair and get all the fittings and such to use it for the locker. If you want to have a lot of air available then get a tank too. I have an ARB compressor and it is really only good for the lockers.

Which compressor do you have? The new CKMA12 has over twice the volume output of the older RDCKA. Only fair to compare what someone would buy now.

 

[COONASS]

Mike,


Personally I would ditch the rear LSD, in favor of a rear locker over a front locker/ rear LSD. In my experience the LSD is too unpredictable. You would benefit more by having just a rear locker compared to locked front/lsd rear.

My 4runner is only locked in the rear, but I'll lock the front as soon as I finish the S/C install.

My 06 Tacoma has an LSD rear which is great for on road traction... I have a front air locker for it that was given to me, that I have yet to install. Mainly because the Tacoma is a grocery getter, for now.

The Tacoma that Aggie was refering to was my truck, when we put the rear locker in it was night and day difference. When we installed the front locker it was like another world opened up. At the same time we also installed twin sticks. The truck came from the factory with manual hubs, so for having an auto locker up front we had as many precautions in place as possible.

That being said, "It's not the speed that kills you it's the sudden unexpected stop that gets you".

The Toyota 7.5 ifs diff will take a fair amount of abuse. However you will learn to swap CV shafts in short order.


Jacque

 

[mr.trd]

I am going to say that for me, I would always to a front locker first. You can drag your rear end up alot more ledges than you can push your front end up. But that is also for the type of wheeling that I do. But really to me, I see the benefit of the front being locked in all conditions better. That is the end that has more weight and the end that will usually stay planted on the ground so why not have power to both of those tires rather than the rear end that is usually lifting a tire. Yes being locked at both is the best, but I stand my ground that I believe the front is the best end to lock first. I know I am not in the majority in this decision because I have had this argument with alot of people.

 

[Mr. Leary]

Thanks everyone for the responses. I see there are those in both camps, and each view has its pros and cons. I will be locking both eventually, so it is just a question of which one to do first, not one or the other. If all goes well, it will be just a few months.

I understand that much depends on driving style. My driving style utilizes momentum mostly, with the occasional brute force and ignorance approach. Most of the times I lose traction it is when I am in a climb, going over an obstacle. In these cases, losing traction in the front is common, but when i lose traction in a front and a back is when I get stuck, and have to give it another go. In the mud, I have often wished for that front locker, as I usually need the front to pull the rest of the truck out of the hole.

Maybe this helps. If I can every get my bikes sold, the lockers will be mine!