DO you even need lockers BRO?

[Josh00333]

What I REALLLLLLLY wat is Detroit TrueTrack's hope they make them.

That would be the best balance of all worlds.

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[j.o.y.ride]

I have an overland as well with the LSD. I was considering getting rear lockers only when one becomes available that isn't air actuated.

You can add the Eaton that the Rubicon uses if you really want electric engagement. Or OX lockers if you want pure mechanical, though they have air and electronic add ons.

 

[PyrPatriot]

I've found lockers help alleviate the stress on the driveline because I don't have to hammer the throttle as much. I don't see them as a cheater option. Kinda like disconnecting the sway bar helps keep the tires on the ground as opposed to the air.

Now that is a good point. Avoid damage by using less skinny pedal. I suppose similar consideration can be given to the lower ratio of the transfer case in the Rubicon.

For me and many it comes down to: payload vs lockers.

 

[Phil3333]

Depends on the trails you run,open diff's are going to be fine on most stuff but trails that need lockers need lockers otherwise you will be that guy everyone waits on pulling cable because he is doing a trail beyond the capability of his rig.

 

[Jeeperjamie]

I had lockers installed on my JKU because I thought I needed them. I had them on there for probably 3yrs And never once used them. They literally were just a thing I thought I needed and added. If I was rock crawling then I'd probably install them and use them. For about 90% of jeep owners lockers are useless, not saying they aren't good just a waste of money because they probably will not be used

 

[FitfulGoat]

I’ve used the lockers on my rubicon a multitude of times especially doing rocky terrain after snow or rain. When I’m the only one that gets up an obstacle unaided by others and the rest of the group has no locker or just a rear I’d argue that they serve a purpose. They were designed for a purpose, if you aren’t participating in the intended activity then they are pointless.

To flippantly call them a “bro” add on or a waste of money is ignorant to those that live and off-road in the type of terrain they were intended for.

 

[TroutFishingInAmerica]

Ok controversial take, and one people are pretty passionate about. Lockers.

I bought an Overland- I have owned jeeps with lockers (YJ) and modern jeeps without. (JKU). Unless I'm looking to run off road all the time, or take on deep mud pits or bouldering, I just don't see the need. (BTW grew up with a CJ6 in the garage- Thats the one I really miss)

Background- modern 4wd systems are computer controlled and detect slipping and torque the wheels using braking and transfer case controls, they compensate when there are no lockers and jeep has been making one of the better systems with the Command Trak and Select Track systems. I have had lockers and then didn't and took my JKU just about everywhere (except Cadillac hill) on the Rubicon, through mud and snow in Tahoe and through the desert on washed out sand without issue in 4wd with my XXXX track jeeps.

The couple of times I have thought I needed Lockers, I used my winch or found another line to take that worked for me. Never had issue keeping up with others and I think its made me a better off roader-because I don't hit the cheat button at the first sign of slippage.

There are some amazing video's on Youtube showing how the Track vectoring systems work in non-Rubicon models, 2 opposite wheels off the ground and still crawling..... I'll see if i can find them and post them below.

Given as most Jeeps and Rubicons are never going to see anything besides a deep puddle in a mall parking lot- what are the advantages of the Rubicon. Most of the Rubi owners I see bought it for the writing on the hood that says they bought the most expensive trim.... I guess the Irony is I would probably use the rubi for what it was designed for, I'm just a cheap bastard whose looking for the best deals (and those are almost always on Overlands).

There you go Bro! YOU don't need lockers Dude. OTHERS might. It's not a one size fits all the Dudes, Bro.

 

[NachoRuby]

There are some amazing video's on Youtube showing how the Track vectoring systems work in non-Rubicon models, 2 opposite wheels off the ground and still crawling..... I'll see if i can find them and post tven as most Jeeps and Rubicons are never going to see anything besides a deep puddle in a mall parking lot- what are the advantages of the Rubicon. Most of the Rubi owners I see bought it for the writing on the hood that says they bought the most expensive trim....

I got mine because the price was right and I wanted it. I'm sure that's why most everyone bought what they have? For me personally, the price difference between the Rubicon and the others isn't enough to make me want to get something else. I also thought the ride was more comfortable than the Willys I also test drove, and pretty much all the aftermarket stuff I wanted to do was already done, with a full warranty. I'm just gonna throw on some 35s and call it a day. Since mine is manual and fairly basic as far as Rubicons go, you can easily find another trim for more than I paid for my Rubicon, not that that should really matter. I could apply the same logic to leather seats, a hard top over a soft top, the 8.4 inch screen, the upgraded sound system, an automatic transmission, a Diesel, or any other option that's available. There are many choices so that folks can get whatever they want. The high altitude costs more than a Rubicon, but no one is questioning their choices (neither am I). For this logic, you could buy a different truck that can also handle trails for much less than any JT. But you bought a JT because you wanted one. Some folks bought Max Tows, Willys's, Sports, Mojaves, Overlands, whatever because they wanted. I bought a Rubicon because I wanted one as well.

 

[brianinca]

Nah, you're wrong, but it's OK. I really enjoy tooling around in 2Hi with the rear locker engaged. Generally with the front sway bar disconnected, too.

Not having lockers is fine, but don't try to virtue signal with it, OK?

Ok controversial take, and one people are pretty passionate about. Lockers.

 

[red/green hawk]

Elephant in the room? Those of us without lockers are jealous of those of you with lockers so we have to justify why we don't need them to jack our self esteem. Okay we got that out of the way. Let's proceed with the discussion...

I'm never not gonna try something because I don't have lockers. I just LOVE the satisfaction of coming up to an obstacle and throwing it in 4 LO. If I get over it's a bonus.

 

[ttn333]

LOL. If you bought a JTR, lockers are useful. If you bought a non Rubicon, lockers are not necessary and a waste of money.

 

[brianinca]

I put a TrueTrac in one of my Fords, replaced the TrackLok. LOVED the result but wow was it a pain in the ass to install. I paid to have a TrueTrac installed in my YJ, again replacing a clutch type LSD. Way better than clutch, much nicer driving than an open diff on the street, but definitely not a locker off-road.

What I REALLLLLLLY wat is Detroit TrueTrack's hope they make them.

That would be the best balance of all worlds.

 

[AverageDad]

I went Overland. I’m sure the lockers (and other Rubi components) are worth it to those who spend much of their time climbing rocks. I don’t.

I do like fast off-roading so was more interested in a Mojave. But I also know there aren’t many places to really use a Mojave for that near me and most of my driving will be the daily commute.

So an Overland fit the bill. I respect those who buy the JTR or JTM - and use them as intended. And I respect those like me who bought the Sport to Overland because you recognized which model really fit your needs.

 

[Terry]

So just to clarify, what you are saying is that the rubicon or Mojave ARE more capable but probably unnecessary unless you don't mind the extra expense.

So you have a winch, probably large tires and a lift, 4 wheel drive, and lsd yet call lockers a cheat button. I'd wager someone without those would call those cheats as well. Also if they were hitting the same trails with less that would also make them a better driver using your same logic.

I have many devices with extra capabilities that I might not need at this time but want for the future. I bet you aren't even using all the apps that can run on your phone or maxing out your computational power of your computer, why bother then?

People use the same argument against fast cars and many other things in life that they personally can't rationalize spending their money on. Just be glad it's not your money and stop trying to justify that you spent the proper amount to get what you want.

I agree with you completely. This inter-personal take on just about everything on planet earth is like a rash on the butt side of mankind. Buy what you want, use what you need, and use it when you need it. A Jeep is a rolling toolbox, choose the tool you need and be glad you have the rest for another task. My dad said it best.... It's better to have it and not need it, then to need it and not have it. I live by that Mantra, and it has served me well.

 

[Phred]

Threads like this are almost always based on trying to justify your purchase…

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