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Lockers properly used are trail friendly, causing less holes to be dug in the trail.
Second Class Citizens - The UnLocked 80.
- Thread starter Nomis
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ToolsR Us,
I agree with the 3 points you have made
but
alittle double foot action brake/throttle (military braking)
and off that unlocked 80 goes proudly
Shale we call it 3 wheel drive
I agree with the 3 points you have made
but
alittle double foot action brake/throttle (military braking)
and off that unlocked 80 goes proudly
Shale we call it 3 wheel drive
I agree with TiredIron. Having lockers is like having a handgun or a spare tire. It sucks to need one and NOT have it.
I'm particularly interested in the idea that locked 4WD vehicles perform better just because you can concentrate on making slow progress over an obstacle instead of depending on momentum. It's also safer on vehicle axles, u-joints, etc. I always get nervous when I hear a spotter say "give it a little bump" meaning to give it some throttle; he would be speaking to an unlocked truck that's having problems getting over an obstacle. Sometimes momentum IS the answer, but if you can creep over an object, that method is always preferred I thought.
My truck is locked, and I'm glad.
I'm particularly interested in the idea that locked 4WD vehicles perform better just because you can concentrate on making slow progress over an obstacle instead of depending on momentum. It's also safer on vehicle axles, u-joints, etc. I always get nervous when I hear a spotter say "give it a little bump" meaning to give it some throttle; he would be speaking to an unlocked truck that's having problems getting over an obstacle. Sometimes momentum IS the answer, but if you can creep over an object, that method is always preferred I thought.
My truck is locked, and I'm glad.
Another thing if you are going to add lockers do both front and rear at the same time. That way you can go to a lower gear set in both axles. The labor is free. I know it is a big chunk of change to do it that way. If you don't upgrade you gear ratio at the that time you will never do it in the future.
there is indeed something about some folks here having a "superiority" complex against the lockerless citizens....
but eh, after all we were smart enough to get lockers in the first place! Eat our dust!
but eh, after all we were smart enough to get lockers in the first place! Eat our dust!
I don't agree with the handgun analogy because I dont think any private citizen ever needs one, but in any case, I think I see your point.
Let me put it this way, lockers will allows you to quickly and easily negotiate a trail that would otherwise take a lot of rat bagging. Also, as mentioned by Tools R Us, you don't destroy the trail and cause tree huggers to hate you so much. I would say if you do wheeling in places with big rocks or if you go mudding you will see a difference of 100%. It can be the difference of making it or not.
1 month ago I was wheeling with a guy with open diffs in his 62. I made it up one section in 3 mins, it took him 1 hour. He rat bagged his truck trying to make it. He had to winch it up. He broke my strap first, sheared the shear pin on his PTO winch, then I had to winch him up with mine.
I cant say enough about lockers, just that you're missing an awful lot if you dont have 'em.
They can get you in a lot of trouble but they can get you out of trouble too.
Later.
Let me put it this way, lockers will allows you to quickly and easily negotiate a trail that would otherwise take a lot of rat bagging. Also, as mentioned by Tools R Us, you don't destroy the trail and cause tree huggers to hate you so much. I would say if you do wheeling in places with big rocks or if you go mudding you will see a difference of 100%. It can be the difference of making it or not.
1 month ago I was wheeling with a guy with open diffs in his 62. I made it up one section in 3 mins, it took him 1 hour. He rat bagged his truck trying to make it. He had to winch it up. He broke my strap first, sheared the shear pin on his PTO winch, then I had to winch him up with mine.
I cant say enough about lockers, just that you're missing an awful lot if you dont have 'em.
They can get you in a lot of trouble but they can get you out of trouble too.
Later.
Well, I may not have lockers, but at least I have a handgun, though I probably won't have it when I need it anyways.
LandyLover, you'd be shocked in the South. I grew up in MN, but down here, everyone including the old ladies has a loaded gun in the night stand.
Here is one good thing about not having factory lockers: It gives you a better excuse to regear and go with bigger tires as I plan to do some day.
LandyLover, you'd be shocked in the South. I grew up in MN, but down here, everyone including the old ladies has a loaded gun in the night stand.
Here is one good thing about not having factory lockers: It gives you a better excuse to regear and go with bigger tires as I plan to do some day.
- Thread starter
- #30
So, just to summarize for us non-locked bastard 80 children:
- Our 80's will destroy the trail by diggin into it.
- We will be slower on the trails
- We will have to "gun it" to get over obstacles
- We will get stuck while those with lockers driver up and over our hoods out of spite.
- Our 80's will be relagated to Mall Cruising due to the lack of sufficient off-road equipment.
- When we drive by little kids will point and laugh at us
- Our 80's will develope an inferiority complex and we will have to shell out thousands of dollars for psychological counseling.
- Our wives will leave us in favor of those with locked vehicles.
- Bob Barker will say, "Folks, Please remember to spay or neuter your pets" and those of us with unlocked 80's will relate due to our impotent SUV's.
I think that about sums it up - I'm going to get groceries, back in a bit.
- Our 80's will destroy the trail by diggin into it.
- We will be slower on the trails
- We will have to "gun it" to get over obstacles
- We will get stuck while those with lockers driver up and over our hoods out of spite.
- Our 80's will be relagated to Mall Cruising due to the lack of sufficient off-road equipment.
- When we drive by little kids will point and laugh at us
- Our 80's will develope an inferiority complex and we will have to shell out thousands of dollars for psychological counseling.
- Our wives will leave us in favor of those with locked vehicles.
- Bob Barker will say, "Folks, Please remember to spay or neuter your pets" and those of us with unlocked 80's will relate due to our impotent SUV's.
I think that about sums it up - I'm going to get groceries, back in a bit.
And your truck will still get 13 MPG doing it.
Cheers
Cheers
In Mauritania I saw a 1984 Mercedes 300GD pointing up a slope in a sand dune (no solid earth below him for 20 feet or more) hook up a Land Rover 110 Defender, lock the front and rear differentials and drive off with the Land Rover in tow like it was an empty garden trailer.
That sold me on lockers for life.
I also got my sister's Suburban stuck in very little snow when the two right wheels off the road surface just spun uselessly, even though the truck was in 4WD low.
If it had LSDs or lockers it would never had been a problem.
That sold me on lockers for life.
I also got my sister's Suburban stuck in very little snow when the two right wheels off the road surface just spun uselessly, even though the truck was in 4WD low.
If it had LSDs or lockers it would never had been a problem.
I agree 100% that lockers are just like having a spare tire. Probably won't need it but when you do it makes all the difference.
I had the pleasure of pulling a few people out of the soft sand a few weeks ago at the coast. The best was when I was trying to get a 2 wheel drive chevy 1500 free. I buried the 80 down past the axles and had the fame about setting on the sand trying to get this guy out. Just after this I had a guy in a Durango stop and ask if I was suck! My dad doing the spotting just kinda grined and told him I just need to switch the lockers on. And you wouldn't belive the look on the guys face as I too grined and locked the front and rear and just rolled right up out of the holes I was in.
Needless to say the chevy was buried fairly well and without lockers I would have never got him out and probably gotten myself hopelessly stuck.
I've always wheel'd my mini truck without a locker and often found myself wishing I had one. But I know that I'm a much better and smarter driver when it comes to picking a line then if I had started my wheeling with a locked truck. IMO the lockers take some of the "fun" out of wheeling....I agree you can dig up the trail pretty good without lockers but it's fun trying to give it your all to make it, with finess ofcourse.
I had the pleasure of pulling a few people out of the soft sand a few weeks ago at the coast. The best was when I was trying to get a 2 wheel drive chevy 1500 free. I buried the 80 down past the axles and had the fame about setting on the sand trying to get this guy out. Just after this I had a guy in a Durango stop and ask if I was suck! My dad doing the spotting just kinda grined and told him I just need to switch the lockers on. And you wouldn't belive the look on the guys face as I too grined and locked the front and rear and just rolled right up out of the holes I was in.
Needless to say the chevy was buried fairly well and without lockers I would have never got him out and probably gotten myself hopelessly stuck.
I've always wheel'd my mini truck without a locker and often found myself wishing I had one. But I know that I'm a much better and smarter driver when it comes to picking a line then if I had started my wheeling with a locked truck. IMO the lockers take some of the "fun" out of wheeling....I agree you can dig up the trail pretty good without lockers but it's fun trying to give it your all to make it, with finess ofcourse.
An unlocked 80 is at the top of the heap in terms of offroad prowess. I should know - I used to work for Toyota and we regularly did offroad evaluation testing using competitive vehicles. The 80's suspension was carefully developed for serious offroad work with usable axle travel and attention to ground pressure variations in maintaining traction. You can clearly feel this development at work if you've ever driven another brand. LandRovers also have this unique property.
Adding lockers to an 80 truly takes them into the stratosphere offroad. Yes, there are some hazards to lockers to be considered, but they produce a vehicle with the capability to remain mobile offroad in terrain and situations that are truly mind boggling. In many ways, the difference has to be felt and seen to be fully appreciated.
That having been said, you will not find your offroad capability wanting in an 80. These things can do far more than most drivers are willing to try. For instance, I think a stock unlocked 80 is capable of doing any Moab trail up to a 4 with only moderate skill. That is not the case with many competitive brands, which will often have a wheel off the ground spinning while an 80 will have all 4 tires firmly planted and pulling on the same terrain.
DougM
Adding lockers to an 80 truly takes them into the stratosphere offroad. Yes, there are some hazards to lockers to be considered, but they produce a vehicle with the capability to remain mobile offroad in terrain and situations that are truly mind boggling. In many ways, the difference has to be felt and seen to be fully appreciated.
That having been said, you will not find your offroad capability wanting in an 80. These things can do far more than most drivers are willing to try. For instance, I think a stock unlocked 80 is capable of doing any Moab trail up to a 4 with only moderate skill. That is not the case with many competitive brands, which will often have a wheel off the ground spinning while an 80 will have all 4 tires firmly planted and pulling on the same terrain.
DougM
This poor unlocked bastard will happily drive his 80 with satisfaction, until I find myself unsatisfied.
I haven't wheeled hard enough to want lockers. When I do, I'll think about getting some.
In the meantime I'll also completely avoid discussing handguns on the Landcruiser forum.
Hayes
I haven't wheeled hard enough to want lockers. When I do, I'll think about getting some.
In the meantime I'll also completely avoid discussing handguns on the Landcruiser forum.
Hayes
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When I first started wheeling my 80 it did not have lockers. I got over a lot of stuff without using lockers. Like FZJ80KIDPEN said, you need to learn how to use your peddals. A little footwork goes a long way.
Even now, with my ARB locked 80, I use this technique all the time.
An unlocked 80 is an awesome rig. It can go many many places with no issues. But for those who want to take things a step above, lockers are the next logical step.
The first time I did the Wentworth Springs trail (part of the Rubicon) , I did it with no lockers. We got up to Ellis Creek. The only mods I had on my rig where a 2.5" medium lift and Slee sliders. I even had Michellin LTXs. I had no damage to my rig. And I was able to keep up with the more "prepared" rigs. The guys in our group with short wheel based J**Ps where amazed by the 80's capability.
Regards
Alvaro
Even now, with my ARB locked 80, I use this technique all the time.
An unlocked 80 is an awesome rig. It can go many many places with no issues. But for those who want to take things a step above, lockers are the next logical step.
The first time I did the Wentworth Springs trail (part of the Rubicon) , I did it with no lockers. We got up to Ellis Creek. The only mods I had on my rig where a 2.5" medium lift and Slee sliders. I even had Michellin LTXs. I had no damage to my rig. And I was able to keep up with the more "prepared" rigs. The guys in our group with short wheel based J**Ps where amazed by the 80's capability.
Regards
Alvaro