Front locking diff
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
If you mean where all 4 wheels spin at the same speed, an auto locker, selectable locker, spool or welding the spider gears will all accomplish that, however I wouldn't recommend doing the last two I mentioned in a front axle.
Thread Starter
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2010
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lol yea I want to be done properly.
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
I understand that. Me I would rather have something all mechanical that you install and forget and don't have any air lines, cables, wires or switches to run, and you don't have to worry about if its engaged or not, an auto locker fits that description.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,641
Likes: 507
From: Phelan CA
Unless you are rock crawling/bouncing, all a selectable locker will offer is difficult steering and being hard on the half shaft u-joints.
In the end it's your money to spend or waste.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,641
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From: Phelan CA
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 204
As you can see in this thread, different people are using their trucks in different ways. Can you explain a little more about how you’re using yours and under what conditions you think you’d be breaking traction on a front wheel?
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2010
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I live in Texas so obviously no rock crawling. I use it at the deer lease and when it rains it gets really muddy and slick. I nearly got stuck last time especially driving through low spots.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2019
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If you live in an area that you’ll be driving on road in snow or ice, a locker, whether it be auto or selectable, is not a good choice. This is where a Truetrac or similar limited slip works well. They manage the torque to both front wheels while they are turning different speeds in a turn. Selectable lockers just want to go straight. Auto lockers allow the outside wheel to rotate faster in a turn, but doesn’t manage the torque the way a Trutrac does.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 204
Sounds a lot like what I have to deal with. If you’re not lifting a wheel of the ground, you don’t HAVE to have a locker to keep traction. Some people would say you could do it with an open diff using brakes, but in mud you usually need to keep your speed up. My first choice would be a helical gear option. My second choice would be a selectable locker. I have no desire to use an auto locker in the front because most of the time I want it open. Right now, I have the stock differential, but I intend to change it in a month or ten. Report back what you do and how you like it.
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
Here goes, story time... as said previously I have an Elocker in both axles with no regrets. I have another truck, a 2WD with a Detroit locker in the rear end. It gives tremendous traction off road but makes a dangerous combination when in especially slippery winter conditions. I know, this is where many will say i dont know how to drive, and i accept that...driving on the edge of losing it every second is easy on a keyboard. There is NO lateral resistance with both wheels spinning on ice or a slippery snow. It is tough trying to get up a hill, trying to stay on the gas to keep momentum but not enough gas to spin the wheels. Yeah, it's fun for about two minutes, the rear end trying constantly to slide side to side. Have to be paying attention every second loses it's fun. I always wanted to try a real Detroit locker and glad I have the experience.
This is why i will have a trutrac or Elocker in the back rear and an Elocker(or other selectable locker) in the front rear end.
Let the beatings begin!!!
This is why i will have a trutrac or Elocker in the back rear and an Elocker(or other selectable locker) in the front rear end.
Let the beatings begin!!!
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
I have had a auto locker in the front of my Jeep for years and have installed a few in the front of other people's vehicles as well. Please tell me why is that a horrible idea?
Logistics Pro
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 3,523
Likes: 483
From: Southern OH
Here goes, story time... as said previously I have an Elocker in both axles with no regrets. I have another truck, a 2WD with a Detroit locker in the rear end. It gives tremendous traction off road but makes a dangerous combination when in especially slippery winter conditions. I know, this is where many will say i dont know how to drive, and i accept that...driving on the edge of losing it every second is easy on a keyboard. There is NO lateral resistance with both wheels spinning on ice ot a slippery snow. It is tough trying to get up a hill, trying to stay on the gas to keep momentum but not enough gas to spin the wheels. Yeah, it's fun for about two minutes, the rear end trying constantly to slide side to side. Have to be paying attention every second loses it's fun. I always wanted to try a real Detroit locker and glad I have the experience.
This is why i will have a trutrac or Elocker in the back rear and an Elocker(or other selectable locker) in the front rear end.
Let the beatings begin!!!
This is why i will have a trutrac or Elocker in the back rear and an Elocker(or other selectable locker) in the front rear end.
Let the beatings begin!!!
Junior User
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 79
Likes: 2
Simple solution would be to let of the gas when your rear-end starts sliding around or put it in 4x4 if you have it. I have had 3 different vehicles with auto locker in the rear and they were all fine to drive in the winter if you know how to drive in the snow, not saying that I am an expert but all the problems people talk about driving in the snow with an auto locker are not issues at all if you know what your doing.
I now know what I am doing wrong!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 204
Simple solution would be to let of the gas when your rear-end starts sliding around or put it in 4x4 if you have it. I have had 3 different vehicles with auto locker in the rear and they were all fine to drive in the winter if you know how to drive in the snow, not saying that I am an expert but all the problems people talk about driving in the snow with an auto locker are not issues at all if you know what your doing.
I still think the two best options are a helical gear differential or a selectable. I do not foresee a circumstance where I’d want a locked front differential in on-road driving. I can see it in those extra syrupy mud holes, where a helical gear would do just fine because you’d normally not completely lose traction on each wheel. If I was doing anything where one wheel came off the ground, I’d do a selectable locker. I can’t think of a situation where I’d really prefer an auto locker. Maybe in the rear on an autocross car.