Only 1 Locker -- Front or Rear?

[Dickster]

Lockers on both if your actually going to wheel. No lockers till you can't go, rear locker until you can't go, front locker till you can't go, and then winch when all that doesn't work. Just never know what your getting into some days.

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[Wheelin98TJ]

Lockers on both if your actually going to wheel. No lockers till you can't go, rear locker until you can't go, front locker till you can't go, and then winch when all that doesn't work. Just never know what your getting into some days.

I'd rather use a locker or lockers before I can't go. Sometimes you need the momentum. For example, mud.

 

[Dickster]

I'd rather use a locker or lockers before I can't go. Sometimes you need the momentum. For example, mud.

Only one way to find out the vehicles capability.

 

[Gvsukids]

Buy a winch.

 

[mrmo]

So I have the LSD in the rear, and was going to put the Eaton locker in the front. So yall are saying remove the LSD and put the locker in the rear? Gathering the parts for a gear change and want to do any updates then while its apart

 

[Wheelin98TJ]

Only one way to find out the vehicles capability.

I'd rather know how capable it is with the locker(s).

 

[CrazyCooter]

Truetrac rear and e-locker up front unless you are a dedicated rock crawler. This gives you a L/S diff for daily driving and will probably get you 95% of where you want to go.....Then front e-locker will allow good steering, but get you out of a jam.

Skip the whole lunchbox locker thing all together because it nothing but pain and heartache. IF installed up front, driveline will spin 100% of the time and they suck to steer with.

 

[Dickster]

I'd rather know how capable it is with the locker(s).

You must be boring to watch wheel. No hold my beer?

 

[Volt0]

Attempting to learn a few things. What type of situation would it be better for the front to be locked only?

Great question. There are at least 3 or 4 YT vids out there, where different folks try to demonstrate scenarios where one might be better than the other. All of those scenarios for front-only are situations that I honestly don’t expect to be in, any time in the 5+ years, and I’ll at least know what to watch out for ( big hole for a rear tire to drop into with poor traction in the front, leading to the front of the vehicle rapidly pivoting to the side ). Given a rear locker, I think the argument could be made to install a winch before a front locker.

and, if you had to pick only one, the rear locker would lead to less mechanical issues than the front ( having its ujoints, fad, and steering components ).

 

[Tommyd]

but much easier when its unlocked vs locked...

Not a lot of difference. Only when harder on gas

 

[Blade1668]

Ever try to turn with a front locked axle?

Quite often in my XJ.. you can do some interesting lane changes via gas pedal modulation too.

So I have the LSD in the rear, and was going to put the Eaton locker in the front. So yall are saying remove the LSD and put the locker in the rear? Gathering the parts for a gear change and want to do any updates then while its apart

If the LSD in the rear is in good shape no reason to change it out unless you are going full tilt with it. I ran a Trac-Loc in rear with locker in front for over 10 years in fact it's still in my XJ that way. I had to replace the Trac-Loc diff when I installed 4:56 gears from 3:54 /3:55 I installed a Loc-Rite "lunchbox" in front axle and replaced axle shaft removing the "CAD" now known as "FAD" in JT and JL's

 

[Jtschnel]

Thanks for the responses.

I have a 2020 JTR so come with both front and rear lockers.

@Artsifrtsi, in the waterfall situation you describe, if you have both front and rear lockers, would you engage all or still do front only?

@Dickster, I pretty much do the same, starting with none to rears to both to winch. That said, other than the winch, I usually don't wait until it won't go, I just take a look at the upcoming obstacles and set accordingly ... based on gut feel, I guess. That said, I don't really know the limits of each, rears only, etc.

@Volt0, I'll look for the videos you mention. If you happen to have the links quickly available, maybe you could provide them.

We do get out to play on the rocks and trails a number of times a year, never enough though. Always appreciate the information that the folks here provide. Many thanks!

 

[Artsifrtsi]

@Artsifrtsi, in the waterfall situation you describe, if you have both front and rear lockers, would you engage all or still do front only?

I would let experience dictate, but generally if I had both ends with lockers, I'd lock them both.

I also disagree on a couple of the members that say they stay locked in the whole trail... test your engagement for yourself, and get comfortable with the time and distance it takes for yours to be fully engaged in differing situations... then engage only when you know or think they will be needed. there are some trails that you only need lockers maybe 10%, many trails even less than that, if at all.

 

[Zachanadandy]

The JLUR has both, but I've used the front more times than the rear. Climbing ledges, waterfalls, etc are the only times I've felt the need for a locker that weren't deep mud or snow where you want both. I can't think of a situation where I'd use rear only unless I didn't have a front personally.

 

[DanW]

100% the rear. In most situations where you are going to need a locker, the weight will be distributed to the rear.

Best solution? Both.

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