Open diff vs. rear e locker - did I make a mistake?

[YaBoiNewton]

Wheelbase has nothing to do with need for a locker. Articulation might in that less of it tends to lift wheels. Traction is traction. Good, big, aired down tires are crucial, but you gotta get mechanical a lot of the time too.

I think the assumption there is that with a long enough wheelbase you'll always have two driving wheels clear of the obstacle. In which case only a rear locker would be sufficient to move forward. Short wheelbase vehicles like a small wrangler could have all four wheels on the obstacle at once and would be hosed without the ability to lock both axles.

Sponsored

 

[CF6-mech]

I didn't read the whole thread. Some might have already linked this.

Adding terrain management

 

[Frenchy]

I didn't read the whole thread. Some might have already linked this.

Adding terrain management

It has been mentioned, but understand it does not replace a locker.

 

[Wes Siler]

I think the assumption there is that with a long enough wheelbase you'll always have two driving wheels clear of the obstacle. In which case only a rear locker would be sufficient to move forward. Short wheelbase vehicles like a small wrangler could have all four wheels on the obstacle at once and would be hosed without the ability to lock both axles.

 

[maxbottomtime]

God built obstacles with truck wheelbase in mind. None of them are longer than the holy Tacoma or its Judas equivalent, the ford ranger.

 

[Gibs45]

Appreciate all these replies here! I went forward with the TM switch, and the next move will be purchasing a Forscan adapter. I’ll be following along in the other thread for how to get this activated.

 

[Jacob]

Hitch wench

 

[GoldenAtlas]

Very subjective and divisive topic, but I'd say proper off roading refers to driving on dedicated 4x4 trails or otherwise where there isn't a road. What many people refer to as off roading is really just driving on a bumpy forest road that might have some ruts from water erosion. If a subaru outback can go down the same trail, then it's not proper off roading and you're actually on a road.

Nothing wrong with that - it's an ideal road for our trucks tbh. It's fun, gets you access to cool stuff, and there's very little risk of fucking anything up. Especially if you have a 4x4 pickup!

Lockers are nice, but I wouldn't add one if the truck didn't come with it already.

I have seen Subaru outbacks down trails that I wouldn’t take an unmodified truck. Well I mean I’ve seen a ford mustang on a, according to the park service, 4x4 high clearance only road. Some people are either richer, dumber or better drivers than me.

To the OP. In my experience rear lockers are mostly useful in uneven terrain where you stand a good chance of getting a wheel or two stuck in the air. Limited slip will help but a locker will often just get you out like that.

Also good in snow, sand and I assume mud. I don’tdrive in mud because I hate mud.

truth is like all 4x4 things do you need a locker? Kinda like do you need a winch? No you can get through most things without but it can make any situation much easier. Less shoveling. Less building bridges for your wheels.

kinda comes down to your budget and driving needs.

 

[Jacob]

Only time I used a rear locker was on ice, and I’m talking solid, I’m F&$ked ice. Other than that, winch all the way

 

[yamahaSHO]

I have a 2WD and I don't offroad, but I figured for the minimal cost, I upgraded to the locking diff. I use RZR's for off-roading, but sometimes I have to go offroad to get to the unloading point. I don't think I've even tested the locker yet. Time to go rip up my yard in the name of science!

 

[_TraMor]

Over the weekend I was in a spot where one of the rear wheels was up and the front was sitting in mud, had I engaged the locker it would have given me enough to break free, had I not been between 2 trees I wouldn't have used the winch.

Sponsored