Is switching to cable lockers really worth it from LSD?

[tlcruiserman]

I thought I would add my 2 cents, I have run open and run with air lockers, LSD's, factory E-lcokers, detroit locker and now cable lockers. Hands down as far as the most reliable and easiest to use would be the cable lockers, however they are also the most expensive to aquire the factory toyota ones. Here is a good example.. I recently built up a truck for Moab, the truck was pretty awesome to start with (JDM thanks to Luxury Imports) However I really wanted lockers and was going to need them for stuff I was going to be doing at Moab, I could have done with ARB air lockers for about $1800 - $2000 that would include compressor and lockers front and rear (I do the install myself). I decided to go with factory Toyota lockers that's two complete axles and all the factory cabling from G&S and that was $4200.00 (including duties shipping all that stuff). Was it worth it, they work great!!!! would the ARB's work just as well, I am sure for the most part they would, as far as maintenance and upkeep the cable lockers would be less work in the long run.

The point is if you can get cable lockers for FREE do it, if nothing else you never use them but from a value stand point you are ahead of the game.


As far as when to use them and not to use them it is a matter of what you are really wheeling on. I have done what most suggest, see how well you can do the trails open. However I can say all the trails I have done that on you really could do open. Now there are some that most just will not try open but go to some real (accurately rated 4-5+) trails like some found at Moab and you will find that you can try all you want open but you are just going to fail or break. It all comes down to this.....Do you do trails that really require lockers or just makes it easier??

Now as far as lockers and using them go, 80% of the time if you are on trail that require lockers you really only need the rear locker. I would always suggest using the front locker sparingly and engage and disengage often so you maintain your steering and minimize Birfield breakage.

Ok aside from the lengthy answer the bottom line is cable lockers swap from LSD for free.....Are you out of your mind!!!! of course you do the deal!!!!!


Cheers,

Michael

 

[jfc]

i went to elec in the HZJ75, why? because it was free and i could install it myself... okay not completely free but close enough for discusion...

Did you say free electric locker, did someone give you this or may we hijack this thread and get a little more info I'm all about budget.

I'd get cables if I had the


Jim

 

[Aseif007]

Are the electric lockers in an FZJ-80 just an electric version of the cable lockers? Downey sells a cable conversion for $150.

 

[crushers]

Did you say free electric locker, did someone give you this or may we hijack this thread and get a little more info I'm all about budget.

I'd get cables if I had the


Jim

i bought a Land Cruiser that had a factory electric locker in the rear. i replaced it before i sold the truck. thus the locker was free.
when i listed the truck i said the rear was open.

 

[Satamax]

Hi everybody!

Well, Skinny! If you encounter mountain roads with a lot of hairpin bends and snow etc, and drive fast, keep the LSD, but otherwise, get the lockers. A pair of cable locker axles over here would cost between 1000 to 2400 euros, depending on how bad you want them!

Best regards.

Max.

 

[lshobie]

Hi Skinny, the first cruiser I owned had no winch or lockers and I would get it stuck pretty bad, but thankfully i wasnt too far off the road at that point to get help unstucking it. As I added mod's like winches and lockers to my cruiser I would go further and get stuck even worse in the deep woods. It just upped the fun scale in my mind. When i had no lockers I would curse the spinning tires that had been stuck up in the air and kick the ones that weren't spinning on terra firma. Atleast with lockers you know you have done all you can do and you are definately stuck.

I wouldnt worry about snapping a birf unless you get into some serious rock fun or the like, moderate common sense type 4 wheeling shouldnt end up in any broken parts.

regards

Louis

 

[skinny]

Just to be clear the cable locker in exchange for my LSD is not free. I have to give the person my LSDs plus cash (nothing in life is free unfortunately). If they were free it would be a no brainer. It is hard to put a price on this exchange, just trying to make sure that we come up with a fair price for both me and the person I am getting the lockers from. I know the cable lockers are worth more than LSD, but now I am trying to decide how much???

Obviously from the comments the cable lockers are the way to go. Worst case scenario I find trails too easy and I just not engage the cable lockers to add the challenge again.

 

[aamiggia]

skinny, I'm not sure where Dunrobin, Ontario is, but unless you're in Northern Ontario mud is what you'll see most of the time. Even in Central Ont, the majority of tricky parts on the trail is mud.

As mentioned above, mud requires lockers and ground clearence. A setup like the guys from Iceland would be good. 38" tires, with massive body lifts to fit them.

All of the the Xterra guys I run with have rear LSD's. They are constantly spinning tires and digging the trails. They can do as much trail damage as a motor bike up hills. Some types are completely usless when you have a wheel in the air, or in mud, or in snow. I'm not sure what Toyo has.

Be realistic to yourself. If you bought the cruiser to cruise, then pass on the lockers and save the money for something else. Although, it is nice to have the option.