So lets say I want to put a full time locker in my front axle...

[Josh83]

I once had a jeep with part time 4wd and drive plates instead of locking hubs. I installed an aussie locker in the front on it and loved it. Is there any reason I couldn't install Christo's part time kit without the hubs, and a full time locker? This is for a full time trail rig, so I'm not worried about needing the 4wd on ice or anything like that. I understand the steering will be heavier, as I have done this on a different vehicle. Why do I want a full time locker you ask? I just like the reliability.

 

[Hltoppr]

I wheeled with a guy a year or so back with lockrights front and rear in his 1991 FJ80 and it did great, even without the hubs....

-H-

 

[Nay]

The advantage of locking hubs in that kind of setup is the ability to unlock a side if you manage to bust something, and there may be a strength increase plus serviceabilty. You don't have to do them...but they are an awfully nice upgrade and will reduce wear on the front end.

I personally see zero reason to have selectable lockers on a full time trail rig - just a lot of extra complexity. This of course presumes you are running hardcore stuff that justifies needing two lockers...I think that locker up front would get old if you spend a lot of offroad miles in non-technical terrain.

Nay

 

[Bear80]

man, I would never trust doing a hill climb with the front locked. There is too much of a chance of sliding slideways. I say selectable or none at all for the front.

 

[Bear80]

if you're trying to save money on the hubs, you can use pre '86 asian hubs that are 30 spline on the 80s.

 

[DirtyHarry]

The advantage of locking hubs in that kind of setup is the ability to unlock a side if you manage to bust something, and there may be a strength increase plus serviceabilty. You don't have to do them...but they are an awfully nice upgrade and will reduce wear on the front end.

I don't think that there would be a strength increase, quite the opposite. Drive slugs are as simple as you can get, lots of guys run them instead of locking hubs on their Dana 60s for an increase in strength.

I personally see zero reason to have selectable lockers on a full time trail rig - just a lot of extra complexity. This of course presumes you are running hardcore stuff that justifies needing two lockers...I think that locker up front would get old if you spend a lot of offroad miles in non-technical terrain.

I run Detroits front and rear in my mini truck because they are strong and reliable, but there are times when I am off camber and it is loose that I wish I could unlock one or both ends.

 

[locrwln1]

I prefer a selectable locker in the front. It puts less strain on the front axle parts. And when you are wheeling across large slabs of granite, it gets d#$n hard to steer when the front is locked. A friend of mine was wheeling a full size dodge ramcharger on 35's with a full time locker and was constantly breaking the front axles/u-joints. He switched to an ARB in the front and 37's and hasn't had a broken axle yet. However, if a full-time locker is all you can afford and since you already know what it feels like, do it.

 

[Tapage]

I have both end locked in my HJ-60 with ARB from more than 3 years .. and you found much ( a lots ) advantages in getting the option to engage and disengage it when you need to do a toght turn .. for example ..

Here we do a lots of mud wheeling .. and I tought I have many cases that I need to usea all traction options ..

There is not any option to up this hil-hole without a fully locked rig ..

 

[Turbo Turtle]

I run a lockright up front, and use asins. When unlocked, you will never know it's there!!

 

[Josh83]

Did you do a part time tcase conversion? Or just throw on some aisin's and hit the CDL button?

 

[reffug]

I wouldn't do it just for steering and breakage reasons.

Selectable is the way to go up front. Just 02.

 

[lowtideride]

man, I would never trust doing a hill climb with the front locked. There is too much of a chance of sliding slideways. I say selectable or none at all for the front.

How hard do you wheel? Half the hills I go up you can not make with out a front locker....rocks or mud.

 

[loquito]

I have both end locked in my HJ-60 with ARB from more than 3 years .. and you found much ( a lots ) advantages in getting the option to engage and disengage it when you need to do a toght turn .. for example ..

Here we do a lots of mud wheeling .. and I tought I have many cases that I need to usea all traction options ..

There is not any option to up this hil-hole without a fully locked rig ..

David
when are you going to do a ROTW? I would like to see more on your Panama rig.

 

[Josh83]

How hard do you wheel? Half the hills I go up you can not make with out a front locker....rocks or mud.

Do you run an auto locker or a selectable?

 

[lowtideride]

in the 60 yes, in the 80 no.

 

[Tapage]

David
when are you going to do a ROTW? I would like to see more on your Panama rig.

you can see a lots more pics and videos at our club site ...

http://www.4x4panama.com

And in the forums you can share experiencies with us ..

you are welcome ..

 

[IdahoDoug]

Agree with the selectable up front, dependant upon the type of wheeling you do. out west we tend to do trails, where back east the terrain more often lets you pick a line more frequently instead of being bound by the trail. So, we're frequently presented with a rocky hairpin and exposure that places a premium on maneuverability. Being able to unlock and turn much sharper pays a divident on trail runs of this nature, and as trail difficulty rises it's my observation that many of these turns were developed by shorter wheelbase vehicles like a Jeep (sorry). Getting a much larger 80 into them can be a physical challenge that is not helped by full time lockers.

I also prefer the consistency of a selectable full locker. When engaged, it's fully locked. Some 'full time' lockers have a slip mechanism in them that I personally can't live with when I watch others have their 'locker' slip at the wrong moment. That may or may not be the type you're referring to here, of course.

DougM

 

[Turbo Turtle]

Would use part time kit and just twist one side to run unlocked front. Could lock both sides n run 2wd until you need the front, n have all the fun