A big consideration on whether to buy a locker or a winch is where you will be using your outfit. If you are gonna drive in the snow forget any locker you can't turn off! I suppose that could apply to mud too. I wouldn't know about that since we don't have to deal with much mud in S. Utah, just wait a few minutes and it dries up. We do get some snow once in a while, and lockers suck in that. I have to take my lockrite out when I take the snowmobiles out of storage.
I have a winch that is the forerunner to the 8274, it's so old that you can't read the numbers on the ID tag. I've had it for years and never used it to pull my own rig with. Helped a few others though. I might be chicken since I keep mine right-side up. So far, I haven't gone anywhere worth going that required tipping mine over.
On the other hand, the locker gets me over things (rocks, ledges, treetrunks, ravines) that were iffy without it. I drove my FJ40 20 yrs without one and had to get by with momentum and wheel placement. (actual driving skill, and some stupidity) A locker makes a significant difference in what you can do, and do it safely. I hardly ever need to get out and lock the hubs except for serious obstacles. I just shift into low-range, crawl through or over, then shift back to 2 hi. A locker can be real handy, but I also found I had to learn new techniques for some obstacles.
Woody is correct about some winches being slower than a hi lift jack. An experienced hand can do amazing things with a hi lift.
IMO nobody should be offroad any further than they want to walk back, without a hi lift,shovel,chain,tow strap, and a well-stocked toolbox. Another outfit along with you is the best accessory of all.
I have a winch that is the forerunner to the 8274, it's so old that you can't read the numbers on the ID tag. I've had it for years and never used it to pull my own rig with. Helped a few others though. I might be chicken since I keep mine right-side up. So far, I haven't gone anywhere worth going that required tipping mine over.
On the other hand, the locker gets me over things (rocks, ledges, treetrunks, ravines) that were iffy without it. I drove my FJ40 20 yrs without one and had to get by with momentum and wheel placement. (actual driving skill, and some stupidity) A locker makes a significant difference in what you can do, and do it safely. I hardly ever need to get out and lock the hubs except for serious obstacles. I just shift into low-range, crawl through or over, then shift back to 2 hi. A locker can be real handy, but I also found I had to learn new techniques for some obstacles.
Woody is correct about some winches being slower than a hi lift jack. An experienced hand can do amazing things with a hi lift.
IMO nobody should be offroad any further than they want to walk back, without a hi lift,shovel,chain,tow strap, and a well-stocked toolbox. Another outfit along with you is the best accessory of all.