Is a front locker worth it, or just an excuse to spend $$ and break stuff?

[rusty_tlc]

Since there is less chance of shock loading from suddenly gaining traction on a spinning wheel I'd argue that having a selectable front locker puts less stress on the front axles if used correctly.

 

[PPFJ60]

I put my locker in the rear, took the truck out for a test drive and immediately order one for the front.

I have busted both stock birfields by forcing the front into rock ledges. Not surprised that they broke. I now have Longfield birfields that I bought used and have yet to break one of them. It's just a matter of time though. I do like driving over big rocks that would not be possible without front and rear lockers.

Having lockers does not mean you will break things. You will break things because you push yourself and your rig to do things you are not sure you or your rig can do.

 

[Mark W]

......if used correctly.

As in all things... that is the key.


Mark...

 

[Elbert]

what "E" locker are you planning on using? Did not know they made an "E" locker for a 60 ?

You modifiing an 80 setup?

 

[RockDoc]

You modifiing an 80 setup?

Yes that's the thought here, a rear 80 e-locker and a long spline inner from a cable locked 60 setup.


Thanks guys, most of this thread has been helpful Think I'll take another good look over the $$ situation, and if it's in the cards I'll do it.

 

[Spike Strip]

I dunno --- Being in the big CAN, it's entirely possible that you might be able to find Front and Rear CABLE lockers under some rusted HJs... (if you do, sell 'em to me... )

 

[RockDoc]

I dunno --- Being in the big CAN, it's entirely possible that you might be able to find Front and Rear CABLE lockers under some rusted HJs... (if you do, sell 'em to me... )

Only found on JDM trucks up here, which are not yet rusty or cheap

 

[kling-on]

Once you wheel with front and rear lockers ...its not a option any more its the first thing you put on the list for the nexted truck

 

[lehiguy]

For the record, I LOVE my Eaton E-Locker. No pumps, just a button and I'm locked.

 

[CID 96]

You can always put a Aussie or lockrite in the front and do the 2lo mod. That will help with the steering in tight turns. Most of the time, with power steering, I don't even feel my Aussie up front.

Sid

 

[Ducks]

Yes that's the thought here, a rear 80 e-locker and a long spline inner from a cable locked 60 setup.


Thanks guys, most of this thread has been helpful Think I'll take another good look over the $$ situation, and if it's in the cards I'll do it.

One thought about ARB versus a rear 80 locker is teeth size. The rear locker on an 80 has like 9 large teeth that don't lock or unlock very easily. An ARB has something like 23 small teeth that engage and disengage much more easily. The front 80 locker also has fine teeth but that's not usable in this situation.

You might seriously consider an Aussie up front, longfields, and the 2lo mod. It does take a bit of finesse on switchbacks but otherwise it works great.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

I have 2low and with my autolocker, it is not difficult to turn. If it gets a little difficult, I shift into 2low and I barely notice the locker.

 

[ginericLC]

One thought about ARB versus a rear 80 locker is teeth size. The rear locker on an 80 has like 9 large teeth that don't lock or unlock very easily. An ARB has something like 23 small teeth that engage and disengage much more easily. The front 80 locker also has fine teeth but that's not usable in this situation.

You might seriously consider an Aussie up front, longfields, and the 2lo mod. It does take a bit of finesse on switchbacks but otherwise it works great.

Your response is almost identical to mine. I wouldn't do an 80 rear elocker in the front of any rig. Lining up those splines can be a real PITA sometimes. On my 80s when I'd start getting into situations where I'd need the locker I'd just lock the rear and flip the front in and out. It sucks getting to a spot where those course splines won't engage and you need it.

As far as breakage it could be a real toss up. The locker could allow you to go further into an area where you will break. But what usually causes breakage is gaining traction after not having traction. If you can maintain better traction with a front locker then you probably have less likelihood of breaking stuff. If you loose traction with a locker in the front your breakage will be the same or worse than without a locker.

 

[Ratpuke]

I wasn't too concerned about locking the front, but found something for sale in the classifieds that I could pick up on the way to SnT and that got me thinking. I'm honestly thinking I should just forget it and use the money for gas or the 2FE build instead. There's always the strap

Sounds like your Mom is giving you good advice.

 

[Mark W]

The fine/coarse teeth are really not an issue unless you are in the habit of pulling up to a rock that you wnt to climb and then locking the diff. Which seems to be how a lot of gys want to do it. I have been on a couple of large participant rock crawling runs in the '48 and listened to guys complaining about the elockers not wanting to engage. As they sat there motionless in front of an obstacle. Just think ahead, don't play the game of "I am gonna prove I can get over this without my locker... opps I can't" and it will never be a concern.

Shock loading causes a lot of birf failures. not all. I have never broken one due to shock. Mine have all be busted trying to slowly crawl a sharply turned tire backwards. In a case like that a locker increases the stress on the inside tire immensely. And an auto locker which send ALL the torque to the inside tire is worse. Not to mention the constant additional effort in steering when in 4wd. I have used auto lockers up front. But I do not recommend them. Not to mention the negative effects on a rig that sees 4wd use on th road in winter.


Mark...


Mark...

 

[RockDoc]

You can always put a Aussie or lockrite in the front and do the 2lo mod. That will help with the steering in tight turns. Most of the time, with power steering, I don't even feel my Aussie up front.

Sid

I need an open front diff for winter driving, that wouldn't be a long term option I'm afraid.

 

[RockDoc]

Sounds like your Mom is giving you good advice.

Don't you have some dishes to wash or something?

 

[Ratpuke]

Don't you have some dishes to wash or something?

Bite me Cake-Boy. BTW, the dogs do the dishes.

 

[RockDoc]

Bite me Cake-Boy. BTW, the dogs do the dishes.

Last night's effort, bound for the SnT campfire

 

[CruisinFJ60]

WTF is that?