Adding locker(s) to a Sport! Should I keep the factory LSD and add only a front locker, or full lockers all the way around?

[Zero_Accel]

Hey y'all, it finally happened, I got stuck! I managed to bury the truck in a very silty/muddy river bed after failing to climb the bank on the other side. Luckily a friend of mine was with me and he went and threw a kinetic rope on the front of the truck and he was able to pull me free. (Pic un-related)

So now I'm looking at adding a locker to the truck just in case I need the extra traction, plus it's been on the to do list for a long time.

I mostly drive on dirt/sand, with the occasional rock obstacle here and there. I really like how well the LSD handles the dirt, especially at speed, so I was debating leaving the rear alone for that reason and just adding a front locker only. I already have an onboard compressor, so I'm open to either Air Or E-Lockers, but I prefer the E-Locker, seems easier to get working. The clutch packs on the LSD have about 60k miles on them.

Thoughts?

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[ShadowsPapa]

aired down for the sand?

 

[Zero_Accel]

aired down for the sand?

I'll drop down to about 15 psi usually. What happened is I hit the berm on the other side of the crossing and spun the front wheels. Lost momentum and that was that.

 

[Puch]

Hey y'all, it finally happened, I got stuck! I managed to bury the truck in a very silty/muddy river bed after failing to climb the bank on the other side. Luckily a friend of mine was with me and he went and threw a kinetic rope on the front of the truck and he was able to pull me free. (Pic un-related)

So now I'm looking at adding a locker to the truck just in case I need the extra traction, plus it's been on the to do list for a long time.

I mostly drive on dirt/sand, with the occasional rock obstacle here and there. I really like how well the LSD handles the dirt, especially at speed, so I was debating leaving the rear alone for that reason and just adding a front locker only. I already have an onboard compressor, so I'm open to either Air Or E-Lockers, but I prefer the E-Locker, seems easier to get working. The clutch packs on the LSD have about 60k miles on them.

Thoughts?

I had a front elocker installed on my Sport and kept the rear LSD. No regrets. I figured I would change the rear once the LSD wore out. Traded it in before that happened.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'll drop down to about 15 psi usually. What happened is I hit the berm on the other side of the crossing and spun the front wheels. Lost momentum and that was that.

Makes sense - front locker in that case, but that's just my un-experienced thoughts on it.
You needed a "pull" or a better pull, not a push - the rear was trying to shove the front wheels forward.
OTOH, maybe 60" tires?

 

[Dickster]

Depending on you budget I would just do both at the same time. Go with ARB and you will naturally have on board air as well.


It takes a bit of searching but you can find people's rubicon take offs for a reasonable price. When you calculate out what it will cost to add lockers it might make sense to just axle swap it...

 

[Josh00333]

I'm in the same boat. I have the LSD in the rear and really don't want to give it up for the snowy roads, rain slick, general driving stuff. But want/need a locker to do "more".

Thinking an E locker up front just fills in the missing spot.

 

[Volt0]

For the front : Air locker would be stronger, E-locker might be more convenient.

tires might be a good starting point, depending on whether you want flotation, or to cut through for traction below. Looks like you might be running 35” MT? Are they digging too quickly for your needs?

 

[Blade1668]

As a long time Jeep owner with LSD in rear axles and just adding a locker to front axle. Got one that has Trac-Loc in rear and locker in front for 20 plus years that was my rock crawling vehicle and a Trac-Loc in my LJ. No complaints from me. My recommendation is to keep it (Trac-Loc) until you find you really need to replace it and just get front locker for now. You will probably be good with it.
On lockers that I've seen and heard about having problems.... Is one of the first one you start hearing about how great it is.
ARB Air locker(s) are great when works. When it doesn't well enjoy tearing / paying to tear down the axle to replace a few O-rings? Chasing down a leaking air lines, short in air compressor wires or failed air compressor? If you go with air locker(s) at least upgrade the lines especially for hard to get to places and where the lines can be snagged.

 

[Zero_Accel]

For the front : Air locker would be stronger, E-locker might be more convenient.

tires might be a good starting point, depending on whether you want flotation, or to cut through for traction below. Looks like you might be running 35” MT? Are they digging too quickly for your needs?

37" MT's, wrong tire for the sand, but I like the look so I live with it. I usually air down to 15 psi and go lower from there as needed.

They have a habit of digging too deep and burying the truck. I ran out of luck this time.

 

[Zero_Accel]

Depending on you budget I would just do both at the same time. Go with ARB and you will naturally have on board air as well.


It takes a bit of searching but you can find people's rubicon take offs for a reasonable price. When you calculate out what it will cost to add lockers it might make sense to just axle swap it...

I haven't had any luck in my area when it comes to Rubi axles, been casually looking for 2 years now lol.

Good thing is I already have a ARB twin on board air setup, so I'm Air-Locker ready.

Which is good because I'm not sure where to pull power for the E-Lockers. Air lines almost seem easier for me.

 

[ducatijosh]

Keep the rear LSD and go for a front locker, also check out OX lockers, they have a manual locker that seems pretty cool, nothing to break.

Rear LSD is better for snow / rain / road use as well.

 

[Dickster]

I haven't had any luck in my area when it comes to Rubi axles, been casually looking for 2 years now lol.

Good thing is I already have a ARB twin on board air setup, so I'm Air-Locker ready.

Which is good because I'm not sure where to pull power for the E-Lockers. Air lines almost seem easier for me.

You will have to actively look and post ads looking for them. I see a set about every 6months or so.

 

[dos0711]

Front and Rear Air lockers and don't look back

 

[mpsoldier]

Keep the rear LSD and go for a front locker, also check out OX lockers, they have a manual locker that seems pretty cool, nothing to break.

Rear LSD is better for snow / rain / road use as well.

Has anyone ever seen the Manu locker installed in a Gladiator? I'd like to see some photographs of installation locations if anyone has them.

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