To Lock or Not to Lock. (1 Viewer)

[HardyDanger]

I have come to a conclusion on this debate that ive been having since I bought my 80. It is NOT to add lockers.

Here’s the deal, I think lockers would only get me into situations that I don’t want to be in, and or worse to get out of if something went wrong.

My 80 has done everything thing I’ve ever asked it to do, it usually does it better than the other trucks I travel with.

Over the weekend, a friend and I attempted the Barney Riley Road, an 18 mile trail between 395 and 89 in NorCal. We ended up doing 23 miles in 5.5 hours, and we bailed on the through run only to backtrack to the start after deciding NOT to try 4 alt routes out because they seem super sketchy or plain impassible.

Here the deal, with lockers I think I could have completed the route, but failure would have meant a roll over or reversing down a steep grade with loose boulders.

There’s no way my friend would have made it in his Xterra.

We also had the best day ever, fantastic scenery, great weather, no damage.

So yeah, nope.

 

[HardyDanger]

Ya’ll know the drill. The camera never captures how steep something is.

 

[Marvelicious]

I mean... I used mine in a driveway the other day. Could I have gotten out of the spot another way? Sure. Could I have gone back in the house to ask the person whose car was blocking me to move so I didn't need to go across a ditch at a 30 degree angle leaving the axles crossed up? Sure. But turning the switch and having instant traction available was pretty gratifying. They're just another tool, but they give you options. I'm pretty glad to have them, even when I don't really need them.

 

[John McVicker]

@HardyDanger
I have lockers & happy that I do…but in my opinion there is nothing at all wrong with your thinking. Makes sense and is accurate.

 

[HardyDanger]

@HardyDanger
I have lockers & happy that I do…but in my opinion there is nothing at all wrong with your thinking. Makes sense and is accurate.

If I had them, I’d be happy to have them too!

 

[Broski]

A 80 with lockers becomes an almost unstoppable beast !

 

[Broski]

Xterra’s can have lockers too

 

[HardyDanger]

A 80 with lockers becomes an almost unstoppable beast !

lol! For sure!! I’m always amazed at what it will do with out them.

 

[HardyDanger]

Xterra’s can have lockers too

Yeah, he has rear lockers… it’s good rig, but LC is better

 

[CrabCake]

I picked my 80 up a couple of years ago, came with the ARB in the rear. First few trips I had the lock on command and used often...fast forward to my latest weekend trip and I never touched it. I focus more on the actual trails now and technical driving...so much more rewarding than just locking and sending, especially when you are in a group that my not be so well equipped.

Do I like having a rear locker option, yes...would I pay to do it now after my couple of years experience getting to know the capabilities of my rig, most likely not.

 

[greentruck]

In a half-century of off-roading, Ive never had lockers. A handful of times, they might have been useful, but there was almost always an alternative line. The 80 series is by far the most capable vehicle I've ever owned, so I don't feel any lack of capability.

 

[Fj80oregon]

I don’t see a down side to adding lockers besides the cost. If you have the funds and ability to add some harrop lockers or arb why not. It’s a great selling point down the road and if you don’t need to use them great, but when you do need them you have them. Mud loves spending other members money so I say do it!!!

 

[Broski]

It all comes down to what trails you want to run do you want to turn around and go home or finish the trail.

If you want to keep you rig pristine (dent-less) then lockers are not going to help this just don't do it !!

Not my Video
If you want a rig that can do this you need LOCKERS

 

[bicycleagent003]

It sounds like your rig is already well equipped to run the types of trails you enjoy. That's all you need. It's easy to get caught up in more is better. More is also more money, more time, more complication, etc. So, if your rig works for you as is, you're good! Rock on. Happy trails.

 

[HardyDanger]

Right on folks. Yah, I’m 8ish years into this rig and she does the work. From the start, I really thought I needed to add lockers to have fun and do the hard stuff. So, I kept that mod on the list….Now, I would rather spend the money keeping her mechanically sound and comfortable, and fueled so I can keep driving and exploring. Good times!

 

[mudgudgeon]

It all comes down to what trails you want to run do you want to turn around and go home or finish the trail.

If you want to keep you rig pristine (dent-less) then lockers are not going to help this just don't do it !!

Not my Video
If you want a rig that can do this you need LOCKERS

Dents are like scratches but with cooler stories!

 

[mudgudgeon]

Right on folks. Yah, I’m 8ish years into this rig and she does the work. From the start, I really thought I needed to add lockers to have fun and do the hard stuff. So, I kept that mod on the list….Now, I would rather spend the money keeping her mechanically sound and comfortable, and fueled so I can keep driving and exploring. Good times!

Lockers won't protect you from poor judgement.
You are right, they can get you deeper into the poop for sure.

Knowing your vehicle and having a strong sense of where each wheel is and picking a line often gets you further than lock, stomp, steer!

As much as @Broski faps over his rock crawling 80**, even lockers have limits.






** ti be fair, it is a pretty sweet rig

 

[western flyer]

Imagine you only own a Subaru...and while out driving some rough fire roads your good buddy says to you "Hey, think of how cool it would be if you had a Land Cruiser. We could go anywhere!"

Bottom line: Your LC (without lockers) can do a helluva lot others can't. Be well.

 

[ozarkmud]

Lockers can be great, but as you say they could get some people into extra trouble. It also depends on the situation. Maybe you're in the snow, and you're not doing something crazy on rocks.

I do feel like there's a lot of people being talked into getting 3x locked rigs who don't need/use them. I used my lockers crossing over a railroad recently, but could've picked a different line. They may also help you have a more civilized tire setup for daily use, but get more traction when you need it.

 

[COS80]

I've only had my triple-locked LX for a year. I still have lots to learn, but one thing I've learned in a year is this: lockers are friggin' awesome!

Two examples:

1. I approached the wet slab rock on the Longwater Gulch, unlocked, and couldn't even get the front tires up on it. They just smoked. With lockers, it crawled right up like it was nothing. Not even a hint of wheelspin.
2. Just two weeks ago, on Radical Hill, my friend with a 100 series (A-trac, no lockers) got beached on the major rock obstacle, and had to be winched up. I needed two tries (the tires slipped on the first try, pitching me sideways), but I got right up, unassisted, using the lockers.

If I didn't have factory lockers, I'd be adding them, 100%.