Mojave owners - do you ever wish you had a front locker?

[Janster]

Honestly? Unless you’re doing some serious offroad/rock crawling, most folks don’t need a front locker. My husband and I used to rockcrawl back in the early 2000’s. We had a YJ on 35’s, Dana 44’s, and a pair of ARB’s (lockers). In most situations, we’d only engage the front locker when we couldn’t go any farther. Like….where your open diffs send all the power to the wheel that’s off the ground.

I will say…. If you’re not familiar with what a locker does….. it can be dangerous. Most folks new to offroading, aren’t even aware that those OPEN diffs send power to the wheel without traction (rendering you without forward movement). Believe it or not…. this is somewhat of a ‘safety’. You’re stuck with wheels spinning and you have to re-evaluate the situation. If the rear locker (or both) are engaged, that rig is gonna keep going. There is no stopping….unless your brain recognizes a ‘bad’ situation is approaching and you take your foot off the gas. Lockers can get you into trouble without you even realizing it. You’re better off trying an obstable without the locker… re-evaluate the situation - and try again with a locker engaged.

Sponsored

 

[jmr]

Not missing the front locker. I do wish the rear locker could be engaged by a simple button press like the RAM Rebel even in 2WD.

 

[Gvsukids]

They needed both,

 

[Coldjensens]

There are a number of differences that made us chose Mojave over Rubicon.

We do nto rock crawl much so most Rubicon features seems unnecessary.

Some of our deciding factors were:

Cost Rubicon is $20 K more; more to insure and more maintenance/repair costs.

Ride.

Larger gas tank.

Heavier (stronger) suspension features,

The design for bumpy desert travel also translates well to Michigan pot holes.

I also really like the one push off road plus feature.

Max tow package included. (Turned out not to matter because whomever originality bought our mojave literally selected every option, needed or not).

 

[NC_Overland]

Honestly? Unless you’re doing some serious offroad/rock crawling, most folks don’t need a front locker. My husband and I used to rockcrawl back in the early 2000’s. We had a YJ on 35’s, Dana 44’s, and a pair of ARB’s (lockers). In most situations, we’d only engage the front locker when we couldn’t go any farther. Like….where your open diffs send all the power to the wheel that’s off the ground.

I will say…. If you’re not familiar with what a locker does….. it can be dangerous. Most folks new to offroading, aren’t even aware that those OPEN diffs send power to the wheel without traction (rendering you without forward movement). Believe it or not…. this is somewhat of a ‘safety’. You’re stuck with wheels spinning and you have to re-evaluate the situation. If the rear locker (or both) are engaged, that rig is gonna keep going. There is no stopping….unless your brain recognizes a ‘bad’ situation is approaching and you take your foot off the gas. Lockers can get you into trouble without you even realizing it. You’re better off trying an obstable without the locker… re-evaluate the situation - and try again with a locker engaged.

That’s the thing though, every gladiator has limited slip to the front and rear differentials that keeps power sent to the wheel with traction. It’s not as good as a locker, but good enough to keep you moving. It works even with a wheel off the ground. It’s brake actuated, but works surprisingly good.

 

[DiehardTory]

After reading all these ... Allow remembering the "posi trac" and "limited Slip" diffs from the years gone bye.. Well, how about a mechanical locker.. Yukon Dyna Grip or Eaton true.. Guess what I run in the '13 jku... Would put one in the 23 JT if it was available; forget the Electronic shit.

 

[fourfa]

+1 to “helpful with rock crawling.” I did the Rubicon in my Rubicon this August, and without the front locker I’d have needed to winch 6-7 times climbing Cadillac Hill. Get stuck, line up steering, engage front locker, pull thru, disengage. Drive 20 feet, get stuck again, repeat. Sure glad I had it. I’ve only needed it in serious rock climbing though (and literally only when climbing up steep things). If that doesn’t sound like you, then maybe you don’t need it.

(and yes, plenty of people have done the Rubicon and any other trail you can name without front locker. I could have winched all those times I used it. Sure glad I didn’t have to though…)

 

[daveola210]

Not missing the front locker. I do wish the rear locker could be engaged by a simple button press like the RAM Rebel even in 2WD.

The Tazer will allow the locker in 2WD

 

[Teqsand]

Went with the Rubicon so I had these things if needed, and front locker has been used.... I lived in ths mojave desert for 20 years, out where trophy and pre-runner trucks run and since day 1 of the mojave JT I have never seen one truckin across tje desert at any more speed than any other jeep owners go

 

[corey8922]

I have the rubicon and love the front locker, but I’m envious of the Mojave being able to run the rear locker at higher speeds I like that Jeep sells a spec that suited for muddying and crawling and the Mojave for blasting dunes and such

 

[Silverator]

No need for front lockers. Just make sure you wheel with someone who has a Rubicon.

Seriously, I have used the front lockers a couple of times. Glad I had them. Do you need em? Who knows. I like having the insurance.

But the one thing I use constantly is the front sway bar disconnects. I'd have a very hard time going without those.....

 

[RCB]

I bought my gladiator as a hunting rig and the Mojave fits me better than the Rubicon. However, if I was primarily rock crawling I would have chosen the Rubicon primarily for the lower geared transfer case.

 

[Janster]

They needed both,

Naaaa….. Don’t need no stinking lockers or 4WD. Whiskey Throttle!!

Back in the day, we had this friend of ours….. whom didn’t always have the cash to fix things (from the previous weekend wheeling activities…..no 4WD). He’d be out there every weekend even in 2WD. That guy had no fear……that little green 4cylinder Tacoma would be screamin’…. Granted, he didn’t always make it thru everything, but…. he was fun as hell to watch!!!

 

[whiteglad]

I have never needed a front locker, but occasionally have used the rear locker on my Mojave. I like the seats, suspension, 2.72 low, iron knuckles of the Mojave.

 

[ecidiego]

I have never needed a front locker, but occasionally have used the front locker on my Mojave. I like the seats, suspension, 2.72 low, iron knuckles of the Mojave.

what front locker did you put on it?

Sponsored