Magic Switch vs. NO Magic Switch

[orangebeard]

Hopefully, I am about to buy my first LC 80 series. I've been reading about Locked, Not Locked, Magic Switch stuff and I think I understand most of it. Ok, so I probably don't...

So here's my question. I found two 97' LC's both identical. Both are Collector Editions, both have around 160k miles, both have the same options. Only difference, one has the Magic Switch for the diffs and the other does not have the Magic Switch. Oh yeah, the price is different too. $6,000 price diff.

In all likelyhood, I'm probably not going to be doing much off-roading in the LC like most members here. The occasional camping trip and stuff like that. Am I going to miss having the Switch? Is it just a convenience thing? Can you manually lock the differentials? Is it hard? Is it really going to be worth the extra 6k to me?

So really I'm clueless about the switch and it's magic. Thanks in advance.

 

[e9999]

Yes, the lockers are great, but if the trucks are otherwise identical, it's not worth spending $6K more for the OEM locking diffs IMO. You can have that done aftermarket to unlocked diffs with ARBs for much less. And if you're not going to do serious wheeling, even less necessary. Of course, one can hit the occasional rock or mud on a graded dirt road too but less likely to need the lockers than with serious wheeling, obviously.
I'm guessing that the seller is not putting in the extra 6K just for that, though. So maybe room to negotiate?

 

[LittleRock80]

Everything else being equal, the factory diff locks are not worth the $6K difference. You can do a WHOLE lot of mods (including ARB Air Lockers) for that kind of money.

My 2cents
Jwp

Oh, and welcome to MUD

 

[orangebeard]

thanks guys! just what I needed to know! love this place already!

 

[Wallverine]

If you can find them on sale the price of Air Lockers is as little as $1800 so any more than that and somebody thinks there's Gold in that there frame. I can't believe some of the prices people ask.

 

[jlg32281]

all things being equal, the value to an enthusiast is about $2k. if you don't know if you need them, that means you don't need them. lol. you can usually find them with the lockers for the same price since most people don't realize that they are a serious value adder to we enthusiasts. for the uses you listed, an unlocked 80 is a very capable machine and should suit your needs if you can't find one locked that suites your budget. good luck.

 

[Tools R Us]

... In all likelyhood, I'm probably not going to be doing much off-roading in the LC like most members here. The occasional camping trip and stuff like that. Am I going to miss having the Switch? Is it just a convenience thing? Can you manually lock the differentials? Is it hard? Is it really going to be worth the extra 6k to me?

So really I'm clueless about the switch and it's magic. Thanks in advance.

For the use you are describing probably don't "need" lockers, the '80 is very capable without them. To fully realize the "magic" you need to wheel the rig pretty hard. That said, the "magic" can also sometimes get you out of trouble. I like to challenge the rig/my driving, so wouldn't own one without, the choice is yours.

 

[Lc80series]

An open differential only supplies power to one tire on each axle. So, in certain offroad situations, you won't get the traction you would get with a locked differential. The locked differential guarantees that both tires turn together.

 

[BrotherRob]

Lockers aren't worth $6k. If you really want them, keep looking.

 

[kidglove13]

IMO look else where.
To much rust, it would be a nightmare to work on that rig.
Find a truck that you like in good shape with or without lockers and wheel it.
Wheeling with out lockers will increase your driving skills considerably.
Lockers should not be deal breaker.
Just my 2 cents

 

[nuclearlemon]

for 6k, you can pay someone to install arb's front and rear and still get really really drunk.

 

[darnold87]

You can always do like I did... buy the magic dial (~$40) and put it in the dash of your non-locked cruiser... It gives you a temporary fuzzy-feeling when you need it. Just don't rely on it to actually DO anything.

 

[retrofive]

You can always do like I did... buy the magic dial (~$40) and put it in the dash of your non-locked cruiser... It gives you a temporary fuzzy-feeling when you need it. Just don't rely on it to actually DO anything.

Now that's funnay

 

[jabhb]

or you can do what i did and wait until you find one with lockers. Right now, lockers might not be what you need, though often times after some time, people tend to try harder and harder things.

 

[Pin_Head]

For $6K, you should be able to get another FZJ80 with factory lockers. Then you would have 2 for the price of one.