2004 vs 1999 will I miss the rear locker

[poohsfj]

I had a 1999 that I sold 2 years ago. I am looking at getting another one choices so far are a 99 with 110,000 mi on it or a 2004 with 96,000 mi on it. Will I miss the lockers? Not looking to do any extreme wheeling just trips with the kids and camping.

Thanks
Andy

 

[spressomon]

Short answer: Depends

For what it sounds like per your brief application description: You'll be fine without a rear locker.

 

[re_guderian]

Did you use it on your '99?

 

[mcgaskins]

For me personally, I need at least one locker. It's not really an option in the places I go unless I want to use my winch quite a bit. That's the reason I narrowed my search to a 98-99 100. If I was to get another 100, I'd get a 2003+, add front and rear lockers and regear. The issue I have with a 98-99 now is that if I add a front locker, I may as well regear which requires regearing the rear end too obviously. If I was doing it from scratch with a non-locked 100, the marginal cost to add a rear locker at the same time as everything else is not that great in relation to the benefits you get with the 5 speed and VSC, etc. However in your case it sounds like you don't need lockers in the front or the rear so a 2003+ would be the way to go.

 

[poohsfj]

Yes I did use it. I also have a 40 that is locked front and rear. By trips with the kids I am talking about hitting some trails not going to the cabin or water park. I know what the 99 can do. I just have no experience with the 100 with out the locker

 

[Trunk Monkey]

5 spd + ATRAC > rear locker.

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

+$1500 and you can get an ARB airlocker put into the 2004 that's better than the OEM electric locker.

I locked the rear of my 2000 this fall. So far, I don't think it's helped me get anywhere I couldn't with just ATRAC. It just makes getting there a little easier. ATRAC is pretty good. But long, loose, steep climbs seem to be its weak spot.

 

[fireball]

The issue I have with a 98-99 now is that if I add a front locker, I may as well regear which requires regearing the rear end too obviously.

Why do you say this? What size tires are you running or trying to run?

 

[yotasavg]

I definitely like my rear locker, but if I could swing it I'd get a newer 100 and air lock it later.

 

[larss]

hey you're in hudson, any interest in a 98 with a fresh timing belt?

 

[mcgaskins]

Why do you say this? What size tires are you running or trying to run?

I just think if you're going to spend a couple grand to upgrade the front diff you may as well regear at the same time. My last few rigs before the 100 had 35" tires, so that would be goal with this one but I don't want to deal with all the little/big things that go along with it. 33s work well enough with the 100 in stock form that it doesn't make sense $ wise to get the incrementally better performance. But, if I was starting over I'd be tempted to get a 5 speed and do front and rear lockers and deeper gears to run 35s.

 

[yotasavg]

^ But once you have that 5 speed, are you still going to need the regearing? Isn't the 4 speed the reason you want to regear for 35's? I do agree with you, however.

 

[mcgaskins]

^ But once you have that 5 speed, are you still going to need the regearing? Isn't the 4 speed the reason you want to regear for 35's? I do agree with you, however.

I think 35s would be manageable with the 5 speed and stock gears as others have reported, but if you're going to pay to dig into the diffs to put in the ARBs it just makes sense to chip in the extra grand or so to put the gears in to get you back to stock rpms and driveability.

 

[yotasavg]

And now I totally agree. I neglected that for over a year on my last rig, and the day I switched over was a great day indeed.