Lockers allow you to go on trails that would be undoable, potentionately dangerous, or cause breakage. It's unbelievable how easy they make trails seem vs unlocked when you need them. Remember 90% of all trails are easy with that one obstacle that makes it a locker trail. It sucks when you can't go that way because you rig is limited. I did the Rubicon by myself that I wouldn't have done if I hadn't had lockers. I needed them 4 times on 2 obstacles that break rigs, and 2 that could cause loss of life if done wrong. They will also allow you to drive trail that doesn't require them in the dry, but may be sentence #1 in rain or snow conditions, again limiting your route. As stated earlier, don't waste your money for lockers if you're never gonna go off the beaten path. Get a winch instead. I bought both my old TJ and new JK as Sport's, but wanting Rubicons. I waited for a deal on Rubi axles for the TJ as I did alot of trail in that rig and was limited to where I could go/wheel what I wanted. Best investment I made. I don't run trail hardly anymore, but guess what, I just slapped some Rubi axles under my JK, not limited anymore again! The great thing about a Jeep though is that you're already 50% ahead of any other rig made in the capabilities of where you want to go, STOCK! I just limited myself w/35's, 3.5" lift until I found my axles at a price that was good for me. BTW, I'm 95% at a Rubi's capability while $6,000 less at this point! Bide your time, try ever increasing tougher trail, learn what you want to do and what you need to get there.
Wish I would've had them before this 3,000 mile trip this spring. At this point I was 1,000 miles from home and on top of the mountains in the middle of nowhere! Winch would've been useless. Lots of shoveling and airing down 6 tires got me out.