When to lock

[gomiggity]

I did some light wheeling for the first time with the 80 last weekend. Shortly after getting on the trail I fell off one of my lines and kind of got stuck. At that point I turned the magic dial and moved on my way with no problems.

The lockers worked like they were brand new!! I was really excited locking and unlocking throughout the run.

Anyway, I was wondering how people manage using their lockers. Obviously you aren't supposed to use them when you're going fast, but I mainly want to know what people should do.

For example, should I lock just the rear unless I get stuck and then lock the front? Should I always lock both before going into mud? Should I never lock until I get stuck? Basically just wanted some tips on how people use theirs. I defintely unlocked them when I wasn't doing anything challenging.

Anyway, I can't wait to go a little bit harder but I mainly went out this time to see how my lockers were working. I thought they might have been sticky since the PO never used them, but when that light stopped flashing and went solid red, I was really fired up.

 

[RockDoc]

I would think it would be wise to save a selectible locker for getting out of trouble, rather than into it. Mind you if you can raise the ante further (i.e. front locker or winch).....

Keep in mind that by locking out the differentiation of your axles, your truck will tend to push straight when you have traction.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Keep in mind that by locking out the differentiation of your axles, your truck will tend to push straight when you have traction.

In some circumstances, like a locker rear on snow or ice, the axle will act like a giant screw and pull the rear end to one side.

 

[Romer]

When wheeling off road it's always important to pick your line as your moving. I select the locker and enage it before I need it and turn it off when I get through. The rear isn't an issue to enage early and leave it enaged longer than you need. A lot of folks break there birfs because they engage the front and then put additional stress on the birf by the way they are driving. So for the front it takes a little more care and experiance knowing when to engage, how to drive with it engaged and when to engage it.

I typically only engage the front when the wheels are going to be straight and engage it just before I need it and as soon as I feel I have past the point I don't I dis-engage. You don't want to turn with the front engaged or do a lot of banging on the axle.

However, it takes a lttle bit for it to dis-engage and sometimes when you crest that hill you have to turn so I turn slowly and wide and try and go as slow as I can until I hear it dis-engage.

I heard someone broke a birf going backwards with the locker engaged.

So, the rear is not the hard to figure out and you can leave it engaged before and after you need it without much concern. The front takes practice and care to get it down.

The key on the front is if you are in a stituation where one tire is going to be in the air or sometimes on a real steep climb.

 

[badmuthatrucka]

I like the advice given to me about locker usage. Unless you are already very experienced, don't use your lockers. Drive without them as much as possible, don't even think about the fact that you have them. Learn to drive well unlocked, how to pick lines, and get a good feel for your vehicle. Use this as your primary rule. However, if you get stuck, or are told by more experienced drivers to use them in spots, use them. But you will find that your Cruiser is capable of getting into places that you can't get out of if you don't learn to drive it properly. Use your lockers only when absolutely necessary at first, and you'll keep doing the same as you get experience. But it also depends on your driving style and the styles of those with whom you go wheeling.

 

[gomiggity]

Thanks for the advice.

As I continued on the trail I really got a good feel for where the wheels were and didn't have any trouble staying on my line. Once I got in the zone it was a great feeling.

I will probably just use the rear locker from now on on tough obstacles and then engage the front if I get stuck. Another problem is that I was using street tires. I'm getting some used All-Terrains next which should probably make a big difference.

 

[chibo]

Thanks for the advice.

As I continued on the trail I really got a good feel for where the wheels were and didn't have any trouble staying on my line. Once I got in the zone it was a great feeling.

I will probably just use the rear locker from now on on tough obstacles and then engage the front if I get stuck. Another problem is that I was using street tires. I'm getting some used All-Terrains next which should probably make a big difference.

You'd be surprised what someone experienced can do with street tires.

 

[Romer]

You'd be surprised what someone experienced can do with street tires.

Exactly. I saw a gut last year with a 40 that had no lockers do Kenny's Climb on Fins and things right after a 2nd gen 4runner with a rear locker couldn't do it. Both results were because of the driver

 

[Bluetribal]

A cruiser guy just recently told me that he shakes his head at the guys who try to do it without lockers then when they get in trouble they try to engage and break stuff. If you got them use them!
I still need to get my CDL switch from Slee let alone lockers.

 

[mainemike]

If you got them use them!

sort of.. that is a difficult piece of all-purpose advice for a young driver, because overuse and over-reliance on lockers aren't good for the drivetrain mechanicals or driver education. If the risk factor of failing the hill is severe, a premeditated full-locked approach may be a good idea, but a driver needs to learn where that subtle edge of traction is for their specific vehicle.

If they always hit the magic button and charge the obstacle how will they learn to finesse a trail? The situations you can end up in by approaching fully locked are an order of magnitude worse than where you may stop unlocked.

Speaking from observation more than experience - my 80 is not locked, but I have spent time behind the wheel of locked trucks. I also do my best to drive gently and find that sweet spot where you have just enough throttle, no more and no less, relying on line and style. Nothing against lockers - I'll add them soon - but I think you should treat them kinda like a loaded gun. Use with respect and caution!

 

[Doc]

You folks who are timid about using your lockers amaze me.

I generally don't use mine except for really steep hills.

However, if the trail is muddy or the substrate is loose it's a completely different story. I have so much more control of my vehicle that the rear locker stays on for considerably more time. I do less damage to the trail because I'm not looking for traction, it's already there. I can go slower and take less of a beating in general, and it makes wheeling more comfortable for any passengers.

Ask anyone who saw me wheel at the Tall Corn Cruiser Classic recently. Every hill or obstacle that the other cruisers took at speed I literally crawled over at about 2 MPH.

I use my lockers as a convenience. It is convenient for me to not beat on my truck by hitting things at speed.

 

[reffug]

When I first obtained my 80 and got to play with it I have to say I tried everything unlocked at first, for no other reason than to get a feel for the full time 4WD system Mr. T had put in place. Then and only when I would find myself in trouble would I engage lockers to see what the truck would do in such instances. It will do almost anything if the driver is paying attention and has a good spotter. However I do have air lockers and they will engage anywhere(knock on wood). Elec's are a bit different and sometimes can be bitchey so to speak.

Get a feel for what the truck will do without them, cause it is amazing and then if problems due develop you always have the ace in the hole.

Never if you can avoid it engage the fronts unless you can go straight or make a minimal turn.

Oh and PM the front axle and listen to it cause it is talking.

 

[CJBury]

I started leaving the lockers engaged and turning the center diff on and off. I found everything locks and unlocks quicker. I have gotten myself into spots with AWD and needed lockers to get out with no room to engage them.

 

[Romer]

I started leaving the lockers engaged and turning the center diff on and off. I found everything locks and unlocks quicker. I have gotten myself into spots with AWD and needed lockers to get out with no room to engage them.

won't the lockers still be engaged even though the center isn't? If you wheel a lot, thats an easy way to start breaking birfs.

 

[NaterGator]

Lockers only engage when the center diff is engaged.

 

[tntoyota]

Act like you don't even have'em wheel with it and try your best NOT to stop or get stuck this WILL develop your momentum skills.

If you go around feeling invincible because you got "Lockers" the results not going to be pretty and you will become dependent on the "lockers". If you get stuck with them open you have the lockers as a fall back, get stuck with them locked? Get strappy or break out the winch not fun by yourself. (worst case scenario)

TRUST ME as your experience level rises you will know when the time is right to use and not use them.

Breakage with a locker is more common in the front.

The front diff of anything is more complicated than a non steer rear, joints and the various angles they are constantly in help to show you the weakest points. Ad traction variables, birfield angles, power levels and you can be shown real quick the error of your way$, personally I would wheel with the front locked as a last resort (here it comes ) a rear spool, open front, a skilled driver (of any 4wd) can go in/out some gnarley places.

Simple turn w/ frt locker watch this guy



Get a feel for it, go have fun, bottom line you are your own best judge.

 

[CJBury]

Last time we were out a 6x series grenaded 2 birfs. He had a lunch box locker up front. Thank god the 2nd was at the end of the day.

 

[Blue 60]

So Natergator, if that is the case, do the diff locks not work in 4-hi. (I'm told the CDL doesn't lock until you engage 4-lo, by factory settings...) What your saying makes it sound like you can only use the diff locks in 4-lo. Is this the case? Can anyone verify this? Does the 7-pin mod change/affect this? I'm only asking as someone who is interested in someday adding an 80 to the stable.

Blue 60

 

[NaterGator]

If you have a CDL and lock your center diff in high-range, then you can lock the front and rear lockers.

If you have done the pin7 mod and don't have a CDL switch, you cannot engage your lockers at all, even in low range (you have effectively disabled your CDL)

If you have done the pin7 mod and you do have a CDL switch, you can still only lock your lockers with the center diff engaged, regardless of high or low range.

If you haven't done anything, you can only engage your lockers after you switch into low range and your CDL locks.

 

[Hayes]

I installed an Aussie Locker in my unlocked 80, after a couple years of wheeling it with open diffs.
The difference it made was not subtle. Although I still hope to put a selectable locker up front one day, it is almost frightening to imagine what kind of trouble I could get into with both axles locked...

The Aussie is cool because it's always there when you need it, but on the flip-side it's always there when you don't need it. I find myself getting lazy now.