Topic: Lockers

[b0x]

Been reading about the different lockers to install. With so much sales info, I wanted some "put to use" info. Any comment would be appreciated. Thanks
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Vehicle:
95 4Runners
V6
Diff's stock, Independent suspension.
4 inch Pro Comp lift
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With the above info which would be a good starting point for some lockers? Soon to be added will be MC shafts and MC Transfer case. Would it be best to do the later then the lockers? Granted the lockers should be work with the other upgrades.


b0x

[boggerunner]

do u daily drive it?
what kind of wheeling do u do?
what kind of wheeling would u like to do with lockers?
what is your budget?

[b0x [OP]]

do u daily drive it? No, Summer and Winter family outings. This has become a toy for me.
what kind of wheeling do u do? Southern Rockies, camping, and trial driving.
what kind of wheeling would u like to do with lockers? No difference in the terrain, only looking to build a stronger climber, using ifs. Just want a built truck for those needed times.
what is your budget? No budget, just looking to enjoy my Toyota while climbing and camping.

[boggerunner]

go with a spool in the rear and an arb or e-locker up front.

[b0x [OP]]

Thanks for the reply's. SO I know what a locker does. What is a Spool , e-locker? Whats the benefits to having them? Why would I go different items? In this case Spool in the rear, e-locker in the front?

b0x

[whokrz]

A spool permanently locks the the differential meaning that both tires will turn at the same rate always. A spool on the street is not much fun to drive. It chirps the rear wheels going around corners and increases your turning radius.
A selectable locker in the front will allow you to make turns easier while driving. If you had a spool front and rear the vehicle would want to go in a straight line even with the wheels turned because all four wheels would be moving at the same rate. I am not saying you couldn't turn, it would just be harder.

Because you still plan to drive your 4runner on the street I would recommend a e-locker or arb in the rear. This way it will drive to the mountains / family outings just like it does now and when you get to the trail you can turn it on and it will act like a spool. The selectable locker is the best of both worlds but they are expensive.
The cheaper alternative that is nicer on the street than a spool is a automatic locker. They are a far cry from a open differential on the street, here is a link to a review that I wrote on a lock-rite http://www.gentryoffroad.com/php/generalinformation/productreview/lockrite/ it will give you an idea how they drive.

I would hold off on putting a locker in the front because by the time you will really need one you will probably want a sas as well. The ifs front differential is a 7.5" and the differential in the solid axle is a 8". You will not be able to put the ifs differential into the solid axle, because of the cost this is something that most people only want to do once.

Another way to gain a lot of traction is to let some air out of your tires. It also smooths out the ride.

[b0x [OP]]

Good info. Thanks for the help.

[junya92toy]

I have a 92 v6 truck. I have a quick lock in the rear, its held up for 8 years now I think.

[tlake]

I will never again put a LocRite type locker in the front

[yoshaleng]

if you have no budget...go with full detroit lockers....cost about 1200.00 for both lockers.
that's what i'm running now. i get no crazy popping noise and no rediculous tire wear. they work fanstastic!
if i had to, id' buy them again.

[joeycool00]

my lock right in the front ended up rounding the square tabs and popped like a moe foe every time i wheeled, ended up welding it shut!

[Phazertwo]

my lock right in the front ended up rounding the square tabs and popped like a moe foe every time i wheeled, ended up welding it shut!

I had the same problem happen with a "quick lock" in my old Jeep. However the Lock right that was in my truck has held up to WAY more abuse, and for far longer.  KDC also had one in his truck for a long time, and its moved onto its second owner (phantomd) who just wheeled Moab, with no issues.  IMO lock right or aussie locker is the way to go for a budget locker.

PZ

(not trying to push my junk, but I have a lock right for sale if you are interested in going that route)

[KDC]

I had the same problem happen with a "quick lock" in my old Jeep. However the Lock right that was in my truck has held up to WAY more abuse, and for far longer.  KDC also had one in his truck for a long time, and its moved onto its second owner (phantomd) who just wheeled Moab, with no issues.  IMO lock right or aussie locker is the way to go for a budget locker.

PZ

(not trying to push my junk, but I have a lock right for sale if you are interested in going that route)

And when I buy my next locker in a couple months, it will be a lockright, again.  Always worked great for me.  And I second whokrz on holding off on a locker for the front diff until doing an sas. 

[superyota]

tire size?  if your keeping it 37 or smaller, to keep in on the cheap, i would go with aussie lockers front and rear.  the v6 rear is a 4 pinion so it is a lot stronger than the 4cyl. if you have the money to spend, i would go arb's front and rear.  one thing you want to keep in mind with a detroit is if you break a birf, rear axle, shear wheel studs, or anything else that lets the axle "unload" suddenly, you take a really good chance of grenading the detroit.  "lunch box" lockers, arb's, and e lockers hold up good.  detroits are great if you have good axles.  just my   .  i'm currently running 37's with a spooled rear and aussie up front.  not to fond of the tire wear that comes along with a spool, but the predictability is great.

[lochsahunter]

"Another way to gain a lot of traction is to let some air out of your tires. It also smooths out the ride." like superyota says. there are still ways to enjoy the mountains. i have an arb in the rear other wise stock 94 yota pickup. i can go do snow wheelin trips in the winter and hit the mtns for summer fun and huntn trips while still obviously driving to school everyday (30 min drive to my high school). letting air out of the tires and the selectable locker like arb or automatic e-locker, will take your ifs rig anywhere it sounds like you will likely be going. i know it works great for me. 

[OOPS]

Since you are still IFS you do not have the option of the electric locker (E-Locker) in the front. What I would do is to put an ARB in the rear and leave the front alone for now. See how that works for you.

What size tires are you running, going to run?

Have you regeared your diffs for bigger tires?

Stock transfer case or a Marlin setup (the only one besides InchWorm to buy IMO)?