Which rear auto locker ??? Full time AWD or part time 4WD ???

[GringoBob]

Sorry that this is sooo long ...but it's all connected stuff !!!

Part 1:
I live in Costa Rica and recently bought a 1997 LC which is set up (kinda ...more info on that in Part 2) as a part-time 4WD. My LC does not have lockers and when off pavement (daily) in the dirt/stone/mud roads in the Costa Rican mountains and foot hills ...in 2WD ... I am getting a bit of tire slippage on some of the steeper hills ...and I'm afraid that one day I'm going to rip the tread off my drive tire on some of the rocks. So ...I need (or at least badly want) a rear locker.

Due to price and other considerations I've narrowed my choices down to Aussie, Spartan or Yukon Grizzly (I tend toward the Grizzly.).

What one do you guys recommend of these 3 ???
And ...is there another brand you may recommend that I am overlooking ???

Part 2:
My LC appears to have a locked-up viscous coupler ...and the PO put in locking hubs to beat the problem. It's effectively 2WD unlocked and 4WD locked ...a part time system. And, people in these forums tell me I can drive it that way essentially forever.

Note that although I am often off pavement ...and a few times a year have a challenging piece of muddy road or a very steep incline to traverse ...I'm not a mudder and I do not look for challenges. And, after being spoiled by a 4Runner and a Mitsubishi Montero with interior 4WD levers (auto lockers) ...I kinda hate to get out of my LC on a muddy road in the Costa Rican rainy season to lock my hubs !!!

Now What shall I do ???
Continue to use my LC as is like a part time 4WD (with the locked up viscous coupler)???
Remove the VC and install a proper spool for part time 4WD use ???
Or, remove or replace the viscous coupler and restore the Full Time AWD (and not have to leave my car to lock my hubs) ???

I have noted that at several contributors to this forum have said that they have added auto locking differentials to their Full Time AWDs and are very happy with them ...in all conditions, including snow and ice (which is a problem for the part-time 4WDs with auto lockers.) Then again, I don't see much snow or ice here in Costa Rica.

Your recommendations, please & thank-you !!!

 

[ewillis]

Sounds like you have a part time kit (why part time with no lockers)? Locking hubs F/R? If this is the case, drop in an Aussie or Lokka (which I prefer) in the rear and see how you like it. You will so put one in the front next...3X "selectably" locked for $600. If it were me, I'd replace the VC and just add the Lokka to the rear...solves both of your problems!

Edit: Can I crash at your pad...Costa Rica's on my bucket list

 

[GringoBob]

Sounds like good avice. Auto locking rear and restore the Full Time AWD. That might be the solution for me (though the part time 4WD people may disagree.)

Lokkas are talked about a lot. ...Good reviews. I'll check them out.

 

[4runnerd]

I don't know how much luck your going to have in finding a new viscous coupler; most people seem to take them out when they get locked up and don't replace them (mine is doing fine, so I haven't tried to source one).

If your center differential lock works, you don't need the VC. Get a center diff lock button and then take out the VCTake it out, get a c

 

[GringoBob]

Sounds like good avice. Auto locking rear and restore the Full Time AWD. That might be the solution for me (though the part time 4WD people may disagree.)

Lokkas are talked about a lot. ...Good reviews. I'll check them out.

I don't know how much luck your going to have in finding a new viscous coupler; most people seem to take them out when they get locked up and don't replace them (mine is doing fine, so I haven't tried to source one).

If your center differential lock works, you don't need the VC. Get a center diff lock button and then take out the VCTake it out, get a c

Yeah ...offhand VCs appear to be tough to find ...used or new. I just found a new one in Spain ...0ver $2,100 USD (plus shipping & customs.) Maybe I can source a used one through the forum at a little better price (LOL.) Or, maybe it's better to live without it.

 

[jfz80]

"After being spoiled by a 4Runner and a Mitsubishi Montero with interior 4WD levers (auto lockers) ...I kinda hate to get out of my LC on a muddy road in the Costa Rican rainy season to lock my hubs !!!"


This comment here make me think you still may benefit from learning the system and appropriate nomenclature. Not being the Internet bully, I just see lots of room for misinterpretation wen you use "auto locking hubs" and "auto locker" interchangeably


You may have it all straight as well. Just making sure before you add a locker and really just needed to get into 4wd.

From your described use it seems there is no need for a differential locker and you really just want to keep your loafers clean while engaging 4wd?

 

[mod5csi]

Yeah ...offhand VCs appear to be tough to find ...used or new. I just found a new one in Spain ...0ver $2,100 USD (plus shipping & customs.) Maybe I can source a used one through the forum at a little better price (LOL.) Or, maybe it's better to live without it.

I have 2 used, but good VCs for sale. One with 135,000 miles, other with 220,000. PM me.

 

[4runnerd]

Damn phone.

As I was saying, install the center differential lock button, take out the viscous coupler, lock your front hubs or put in spools, and call it a day.

In 4Hi you'll have AWD even without the VC, you just won't have limited slip between the front and rear; but if you're off road and things get dicey, you can hit the button, lock the center diff and be in true 4WD Hi. If you go into 4Lo the center diff will lock even without the center diff button.

As for the auto-locker in the rear: it's a matter of preference. It really doesn't sound like the problem that you're having is due to the absence of a rear locker; from what you're saying it sounds like you're trying to go up steep hills in 2WD. Your VC is permanently locked, so that's the same as having a center diff lock button that's on, all of the time. What you are doing when you get out of your truck and lock the front hubs is essentially the same as pushing a button.

do you have the problem with slippage when your front hubs are locked and you go up a slippery hill in 4Hi or 4Lo?

 

[RiFF RaFF]

Sorry that this is sooo long ...but it's all connected stuff !!!

Part 1:
I live in Costa Rica and recently bought a 1997 LC which is set up (kinda ...more info on that in Part 2) as a part-time 4WD. My LC does not have lockers and when off pavement (daily) in the dirt/stone/mud roads in the Costa Rican mountains and foot hills ...in 2WD ... I am getting a bit of tire slippage on some of the steeper hills ...and I'm afraid that one day I'm going to rip the tread off my drive tire on some of the rocks. So ...I need (or at least badly want) a rear locker.

Due to price and other considerations I've narrowed my choices down to Aussie, Spartan or Yukon Grizzly (I tend toward the Grizzly.).

What one do you guys recommend of these 3 ???
And ...is there another brand you may recommend that I am overlooking ???

Part 2:
My LC appears to have a locked-up viscous coupler ...and the PO put in locking hubs to beat the problem. It's effectively 2WD unlocked and 4WD locked ...a part time system. And, people in these forums tell me I can drive it that way essentially forever.

Note that although I am often off pavement ...and a few times a year have a challenging piece of muddy road or a very steep incline to traverse ...I'm not a mudder and I do not look for challenges. And, after being spoiled by a 4Runner and a Mitsubishi Montero with interior 4WD levers (auto lockers) ...I kinda hate to get out of my LC on a muddy road in the Costa Rican rainy season to lock my hubs !!!

Now What shall I do ???
Continue to use my LC as is like a part time 4WD (with the locked up viscous coupler)???
Remove the VC and install a proper spool for part time 4WD use ???
Or, remove or replace the viscous coupler and restore the Full Time AWD (and not have to leave my car to lock my hubs) ???

I have noted that at several contributors to this forum have said that they have added auto locking differentials to their Full Time AWDs and are very happy with them ...in all conditions, including snow and ice (which is a problem for the part-time 4WDs with auto lockers.) Then again, I don't see much snow or ice here in Costa Rica.

Your recommendations, please & thank-you !!!

I have a Yukon Grizzly in my 93 4Runner (Rear) ARB Air Locker up front. I've REALLY tested the Grizzly's off road capability, and it's been bullet proof! I'd trust this locker to take me anywhere, and back.

Just my 2 cents.

Doug

 

[Heckraiser]

Me personally, I would restore the AWD/viscous coupler functionality. I have used Aussie and Lockright (Powertrax) lockers in the past, both were great and pretty much identical. No experience with the Grizzly, but in all honesty, mechanical automatic lockers are simple and stout by design... you'll probably be OK with whichever one.

 

[Tennessee80]

I have had 3 Aussie lockers in the rear of 80 series and now 40 series, and they really work well. I made it through a tough section of trails a few weeks ago, and people were surprised that i had no front locker. Rear locker is almost all you need for most situations! My $.02

Good luck with your decision...!

 

[n00g7]

It doesn't sound like you need a locker at all... except when you don't want to get your feet muddy to engage the hubs.

Fix the VC and leave the hubs locked or
Get an actual part time kit and a CDL.

In my experience, a rear locker in 2WD isn't getting you that much further in mud before having to go into 4WD.

 

[decoco]

I may completely wrong, but I see a comment of reinstating the full time awd.

Is this vehicle a part time 4wd from stock with a awd high and 4x4 low? - isn't this how at least half the 80s from S.A. are?

Or is this the AWD all the time version; that has been modified to be a 2wd but 4wd in low?

... and yes, Montero's are great. They get looked at by some less favorably here in N.A. but are very nice and capable in stock form.

 

[n00g7]

I may completely wrong, but I see a comment of reinstating the full time awd.

Is this vehicle a part time 4wd from stock with a awd high and 4x4 low? - isn't this how at least half the 80s from S.A. are?

Or is this the AWD all the time version; that has been modified to be a 2wd but 4wd in low?

... and yes, Montero's are great. They get looked at by some less favorably here in N.A. but are very nice and capable in stock form.

Sounds like it WAS full time but the VC is broken so PO installed locking hubs.

 

[decoco]

Sounds like it WAS full time but the VC is broken so PO installed locking hubs.

got it

 

[GringoBob]

"After being spoiled by a 4Runner and a Mitsubishi Montero with interior 4WD levers (auto lockers) ...I kinda hate to get out of my LC on a muddy road in the Costa Rican rainy season to lock my hubs !!!"


This comment here make me think you still may benefit from learning the system and appropriate nomenclature. Not being the Internet bully, I just see lots of room for misinterpretation wen you use "auto locking hubs" and "auto locker" interchangeably


You may have it all straight as well. Just making sure before you add a locker and really just needed to get into 4wd.

From your described use it seems there is no need for a differential locker and you really just want to keep your loafers clean while engaging 4wd?

Well there is a lot I don't understand ...but I think I know the difference between auto locking hubs, auto locking axles and locking center differential ...I'll try to be more clear in the future.

You are right. I don't like getting out of my car in the mud and the rain and then tracking it all back into the car ...bad for me & the car.

But also, I get some slippage in the rear on some of the steeper inclines on the rock and dirt roads ...especially if i gas the car a bit. I think an auto locking rear would solve that.

 

[Sarmajor]

WTF is up with people removing the AWD function on the 80 series.
If you want a 2wd truck buy something else.

 

[GringoBob]

Damn phone.

As I was saying, install the center differential lock button, take out the viscous coupler, lock your front hubs or put in spools, and call it a day.

In 4Hi you'll have AWD even without the VC, you just won't have limited slip between the front and rear; but if you're off road and things get dicey, you can hit the button, lock the center diff and be in true 4WD Hi. If you go into 4Lo the center diff will lock even without the center diff button.

As for the auto-locker in the rear: it's a matter of preference. It really doesn't sound like the problem that you're having is due to the absence of a rear locker; from what you're saying it sounds like you're trying to go up steep hills in 2WD. Your VC is permanently locked, so that's the same as having a center diff lock button that's on, all of the time. What you are doing when you get out of your truck and lock the front hubs is essentially the same as pushing a button.

do you have the problem with slippage when your front hubs are locked and you go up a slippery hill in 4Hi or 4Lo?

The car moves well on the dirt (no notable slippage) in 4Hi ...haven't needed 4Lo yet. But, I wouldn't want to drive but a very short distance on the pavement in 4WD. It acts kind of ugly.

I have already purchased a lock button ...it's a quick install ...and I'll get it in before I remove/replace the VC. Once it's in ...if I replace the VC with a working unit ...will it still behave the same way with the CD locked/unlocked ...or am I better off without the VC ???

Also ...I still may want the auto-locking rear diff for those occasional challenges ...like hauling other cars out of the mud ...which I do a few times a year.

 

[GringoBob]

I have a Yukon Grizzly in my 93 4Runner (Rear) ARB Air Locker up front. I've REALLY tested the Grizzly's off road capability, and it's been bullet proof! I'd trust this locker to take me anywhere, and back.

Just my 2 cents.

Doug

Thanks ...evidently there are several very reliable auto-lockers made. But ...I hear the Grizzly not only reliable but is also a bit quieter than the rest ...less "snap, crackle & pop." ...Then again ...it's a bit more pricey too.

 

[GringoBob]

Me personally, I would restore the AWD/viscous coupler functionality. I have used Aussie and Lockright (Powertrax) lockers in the past, both were great and pretty much identical. No experience with the Grizzly, but in all honesty, mechanical automatic lockers are simple and stout by design... you'll probably be OK with whichever one.

I think I'm tending toward restoring the AWD. The question is whether I will remove or replace the viscous coupler.

As for rear auto-lockers ...for the most part ...most people seem happy with whatever they are using. Aussies do seem to be the most popular.