Lockers, I need some,

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if i just put an auto locker in the front. is it always locked in or is it only working when in 4 wheel?because my thinking tells me the locker doesnt work when im in 2 hi.

is this a stupid question?
 
locker does not work in the front in 2Hi and when the hubs are not locked.


They only function when power is applied.
 
Mace said:
locker does not work in the front in 2Hi and when the hubs are not locked.


They only function when power is applied.
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ok thats what i thought. thank you mace.

i think im going to start with just a locker in the front for now as i do TONS of snow in the winter up the passes to go snowboarding and then maybe see how i like it.
 
brett76 said:
...
i think im going to start with just a locker in the front for now as i do TONS of snow in the winter up the passes to go snowboarding ...
Click to expand...

If I was going to build just for snow I'd probably do exactly what you are planning Brett.

Locker in the front and leave the rear alone for starters.

Cheers,
Cahil
 
Well darn it Ive got to advise against that. Ive wheeled front locker only rigs. Once I blew a rear ring and pinion and opened both rear hubs to get out of the spot I was in (winch hill number 2 Fordyce Creek) and in front wheel drive only she was almost useless. Until youve wheeled front only you truly dont know how little it makes a difference without the rear in play. Secondly, you're mentioning snow. If you try and drive front locked (especially front only) in the snow you will not turn! Probably not at all, but certainly not enought to safely drive the vehicle. For what it's worth, your primary traction comes from the rear, you'd be wasting your money (and time) if you go front only at first. You'll find yourself opening one hub to allow yourself to steer and what have you got then, one wheel drive.

Good luck.

Winch hill #1, Fordyce.
picture.JPG
 
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brett76 said:
ok thats what i thought. thank you mace.

i think im going to start with just a locker in the front for now as i do TONS of snow in the winter up the passes to go snowboarding and then maybe see how i like it.
Click to expand...

IMHO, you'd be better off investing in good snow tires and leaving your diffs open.
 
expat said:
IMHO, you'd be better off investing in good snow tires and leaving your diffs open.
Click to expand...

Whatever tires you have, get them siped. Leswab and discount tire do it for about $10 per tire. Well worth the price. Amazing improvement in rain/snow/ice.
 
HZJ60 Guy said:
...
Until youve wheeled front only you truly dont know how little it makes a difference without the rear in play. Secondly, you're mentioning snow. If you try and drive front locked (especially front only) in the snow you will not turn! Probably not at all, but certainly not enought to safely drive the vehicle ...
Click to expand...

Ok, I'm just gonna play dumb and ask a stupid question ...

If your above theory is correct ...

How come front wheel drive vehicles do so well in snowy/wintery conditions ???

:doh:

Cahil
 
cahilc said:
Ok, I'm just gonna play dumb and ask a stupid question ...

If your above theory is correct ...

How come front wheel drive vehicles do so well in snowy/wintery conditions ???

:doh:

Cahil
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Ummm...cuz they're not locked...so you can turn.
 
lol

HZJ, have you ever driven a rg with a locker in the rear and a broken axle??
If we plan for the worst case scenario we still have the ability to have 3 wheel or 2 wheel drive.

Stock Early broncos came with Limited slips in the front only. Do you thing Ford made a big mistake?

Traction in the rear makes a bigger difference. Howeer, traction in the front helps. It WILL allow you to stear. but you will have to make some allownaces.

Again, if you change the operating parameters of a rig then you will have a learning curve while getting used to whatever traction aid you get. G out and play with it. You will get used to it quick...


Personaly, I would put a locker in the rear before I put one in the front ;)
 
cahilc said:
One more stupid question ...

What then is "traction control" ???

:doh:

Cahil
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Traction control is usually some sort of computer controlled system that applies the brakes to control wheel slip. I think some of them also cut engine power. I hate traction control, my wife's Range Rover has it and on a steep uphill climb busting through snow it gave me all kinds for problems. I just couldnt romp it. Ugh, Software solution to a hardware problem, I would have been better off it had LSDs front and rear.
 
cahilc said:
Ok, I'm just gonna play dumb and ask a stupid question ...

If your above theory is correct ...

How come front wheel drive vehicles do so well in snowy/wintery conditions ???

:doh:

Cahil
Click to expand...

Because the weight of the engine is above the driving wheels AND because it is pulling rather then pushing. Most drivers dont adjust their driving style and hit the gas to hard in snowpack/ice and a rear wheel drive car the rear end will want to pass the front end.

On a 4x4 on the trail, the rear benefits most from the locker cause you nose is usually pointed up and the weight is being transferred to your rear wheels.

I would rather have a locked rear and open front then the other way around.
 
stinkyfj60 said:
Traction control is usually some sort of computer controlled system that applies the brakes to control wheel slip. I think some of them also cut engine power. I hate traction control, my wife's Range Rover has it and on a steep uphill climb busting through snow it gave me all kinds for problems. I just couldnt romp it. Ugh, Software solution to a hardware problem, I would have been better off it had LSDs front and rear.
Click to expand...

Well on GMC traction control, it retards the timming to reduce power of the engin to control wheel spin..
 
i did not plan to drive in the snow with the front locked in. thats why i was starting with just the lockers in front so i can leave them open. the passes are well maintained as far as plowing and if i get where its not on some stormy day im sure i am quite able to handle locking them in if i have to.
but i never had to lock in when i drove my cherokee up with all terrains. sure the cruiser will be able to do the same. if not, im confident i can handle it.
 
lovetoski said:
Whatever tires you have, get them siped. Leswab and discount tire do it for about $10 per tire. Well worth the price. Amazing improvement in rain/snow/ice.
Click to expand...


i always sipe all my tires. i love that s***. it does work good in rain and snow.
 
batman said:
What the hell is sipe?
Click to expand...
Cutting of the tires on the tread blocks. They are very small lines, done to increase the amount of gripping edges on the tire. Some tires now come straight from the factory siped, like Toyo Open Country MT.
 
does this cause the tires to wear faster? If they cut small lines in the tire, why couldn't I do that myself? How does this affect the offroad ability of the tire?
 
It is supposed to increase the life of the tire, better cooling, and in many off road situations it is supposed to make for better traction. I have heard that you can get a little tearing from small rocks getting stuck and then falling out of the sipes, but not sure if that is true.

I am not sure how they do it of if you could do it yourself, but I would just have discount do it.

Here is a link with a little more info:
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/TireSiping.shtml
 
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