Can Rear locker be engaged in 2WD?

[gatorboy]

not factory, but I believe that's a features of the Tazer.

Yep ! My Tazer Mini does it. Feels weird to do it in 2w high, but it does

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[IamPro2A]

Awesome! Thank you for all the replies! I definitely plan on picking up a Tazer, as well. I just wish there was something like ForScan, that was available with a complimentary license, and didn't cost $300. But, gotta pay to play with a J(ust) E(mpty) E(very) P(ocket)!

There are. JScan and AlfaOBD are the 2 most common, but I do not believe you can do what you want with just programmer. "Engage lockers in 2WD and 4Hi on demand" is a live feature of the Tazer, meaning it must be installed for it to work. That's usually because the live features can not be accomplished just changing settings in the computer, so the tazer does them by "fooling" your Jeep into allowing them. Like when engaging the locker in 2hi, it makes the computer "think" you are also in 4lo.

 

[Sweetums]

Very interesting, will have to attempt on the 2023 and then 2021. Hope it works for us. BTW
Not attempting to grab the thread ** Anyone know of a mechanical locker set that will install in the Mojave Rear- if so LMK.. I'm old school !

The OE locker is mechanical, it's just actuated by a magnet instead of a cable or differential rotation like a Detroit locker. Eaton makes a different style, but it will disengage the locker momentarily if you change direction from forward to reverse or reverse to forward. Old school Toyota lockers used an on-axle solenoid to move a fork, more like a transmission does to change gear, but they don't make that anymore.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I wasn’t aware you could do this with the stock lockers. Did they do away with the safety feature of having to be in 4WD in order to? To my understanding, it’s still connected to the Can Bus system that wouldn’t allow locker engagement unless in 4WD. My older Rubi had it deleted with an ARB locker and a Rubicrawler for 2-Low.

 

[DiehardTory]

Thanks Sweetums; I am seeking a full mechanical like a Yukon Grizzley or Eaton that does not have to electrified or blown to engage. I am running Yukon Grizzley in the 13 JKU; and yes you gotta be a driver as it hooks up the moment one wheel spins (it is fckin awesome vs the current turn it on today).

 

[Stan H]

I just watched a video about the Off Road+ button and the dance you have to go through to engage the rear locker in 4Hi. What a PITA! Made me wonder if it's also available in 2Hi without all the screwing around...? In my F150, I simply press the button and it engages whether in 4Hi or 2Hi. I use it frequently when driving in the desert, when I don't need 4WD. Thanks!

With Tazer but remember lockers arent to be engaged above 25mph you will damage the rear end.

 

[Sweetums]

Thanks Sweetums; I am seeking a full mechanical like a Yukon Grizzley or Eaton that does not have to electrified or blown to engage. I am running Yukon Grizzley in the 13 JKU; and yes you gotta be a driver as it hooks up the moment one wheel spins (it is fckin awesome vs the current turn it on today).

Eaton still needs power to engage, it uses an electromaget just like the OE lockers, but the tooth engagement is much more than OE due to the pin-ramp design. The Yukon sounds like it's similar to the Detroit style locker that engages automatically with differential wheel spin. Those can have some... um... interesting handling characteristics on pavement, especially in the wet and snow.


Here's a really good explanation, but it doesn't cover the Detroit/Yukon style.

 

[DylanM]

The OE locker is mechanical, it's just actuated by a magnet instead of a cable or differential rotation like a Detroit locker. Eaton makes a different style, but it will disengage the locker momentarily if you change direction from forward to reverse or reverse to forward. Old school Toyota lockers used an on-axle solenoid to move a fork, more like a transmission does to change gear, but they don't make that anymore.

All lockers use mechanical engagement to lock the two axle shafts together. When talking about electric, air, and mechanical, they all refer to the way in which the lockers are actuated, so no, the OEM is not a mechanical locker as it requires an electrical actuator to engage the locking dogs. If a locker needs a steady electrical power or air pressure input to engage/stay engaged, then it isn't mechanical.

Eaton still needs power to engage, it uses an electromaget just like the OE lockers, but the tooth engagement is much more than OE due to the pin-ramp design. The Yukon sounds like it's similar to the Detroit style locker that engages automatically with differential wheel spin. Those can have some... um... interesting handling characteristics on pavement, especially in the wet and snow.

It helps to mention which Eaton locker you're talking about when making these statements, as they make more than one style. In fact, Eaton owns and makes the Detroit in addition to the E-Locker (which most often are referring to), so technically an Eaton can be either a mechanical or electric locker. Similarly, Yukon makes more than one style, including an air locker.

 

[Setec641A]

With Tazer but remember lockers arent to be engaged above 25mph you will damage the rear end.

The Ford factory locker is all electronic, as I believe the Jeep's is as well. IIRC, my F150 locker disengages at 25mph, but will re-engage if the speed drops to below 25mph. I thought I recalled learning that the Jeep's operates the same way. Once engaged, it will disengage above 25mph, then re-engage when the speed returns to below 25mph.

 

[JTGuy]

Just replace the front axle to one with Manuel hubs then you will have it all, and more.

 

[S JEEPN]

To me having the rear differential locked or even having a heavy limited slip when in 2wd often pushes enough to limit steering in low traction conditions and on high traction surfaces adding the chance of wear and breakage. Short of having just one rear tire without traction where a moment in 4H or 4L would get you going i do not see any benefit being able to lock the rear axle in 2wd.

 

[Setec641A]

To me having the rear differential locked or even having a heavy limited slip when in 2wd often pushes enough to limit steering in low traction conditions and on high traction surfaces adding the chance of wear and breakage. Short of having just one rear tire without traction where a moment in 4H or 4L would get you going i do not see any benefit being able to lock the rear axle in 2wd.

Having the rear axle locked helps tremendously in loose sand, especially when I need the full articulation of the front wheels to navigate tight turns on desert trails. I get really leery about steering out to full lock using 4x4 on hairpins and switchbacks, so the rear locker only is a perfect solution.

 

[LoneWolfUSMC]

Yes you can engage locker in 2h straight from the factory, mine does.

I have to hold the esc button until it beeps then hit rear locker

What trim level do you have? In my Rubicon, I can’t disable ESC in 2H. The button only disables traction control no matter how long I hold it. In 4H it turns of ESC and then allows the rear locker after turning on Off Road+.

 

[White Eagle]

What trim level do you have? In my Rubicon, I can’t disable ESC in 2H. The button only disables traction control no matter how long I hold it. In 4H it turns of ESC and then allows the rear locker after turning on Off Road+.

Rubicon is my trim level 2025. I only noticed it after a recent oil change where they must have flashed something that not only got rid of a noise I was having but changed the animations on my dash board. I was making a laminated cheatsheat for a few of the 2h and 4h options at the time. I have the cable and stuff for programmer but never went through with it. I also have that auto stop disabler installed.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

I wasn’t aware you could do this with the stock lockers. Did they do away with the safety feature of having to be in 4WD in order to? To my understanding, it’s still connected to the Can Bus system that wouldn’t allow locker engagement unless in 4WD. My older Rubi had it deleted with an ARB locker and a Rubicrawler for 2-Low.

Dad, just use your Tazer to enable it on the fly, or Jscan/AlfaOBD if you have that.

With Tazer but remember lockers arent to be engaged above 25mph you will damage the rear end.

While true, I think there's plenty of people who don't do things "correctly" anyways. Like the guys who own a Rubicon and have never once engaged their lockers in 80k miles then wonder why they don't work (met a JK owner in this exact scenario).

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