Electronic Locking Axle
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 1,592
Likes: 204
A 2wd with a locker will give you better traction than 4wd with double open differentials.
you can be in a position where one front and one rear wheel is off the ground and/or in low traction surface. In this scenario torque will go to both low/zero traction wheels and your truck won’t move. At least with a rear locker one wheel will have traction.
you can be in a position where one front and one rear wheel is off the ground and/or in low traction surface. In this scenario torque will go to both low/zero traction wheels and your truck won’t move. At least with a rear locker one wheel will have traction.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 35
Originally Posted by BillyE;[url=tel:20158513
20158513]I have not found this to be true in practice. 4wd is much much better off-road than a locked rear end. This is true for my truck and for my UTV. You can imagine situations where one or the other would be preferred but in every real case I’ve experienced, 4wd is superior.
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 405
Likes: 212
From: Texas
Great advice guys. I had to replace my order with the Electronic Locking Axle, but I would rather do that, then pay 65K and be missing something I really need. I do plan to have this in upstate NY a lot and my driveway needs to be 3" of snow all the time (getting the snowmobiles out). Thanks again.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 507
Likes: 233
I went up my deer lease for 7 years in an 81 Chevy with rear posi-trac and never had a problem. Took my 96 Jeep Cherokee up and got into a situation where one front and one rear had no traction and it stopped me in my tracks. Will only have posi or locker from now on. Preferably locker.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 35
I went up my deer lease for 7 years in an 81 Chevy with rear posi-trac and never had a problem. Took my 96 Jeep Cherokee up and got into a situation where one front and one rear had no traction and it stopped me in my tracks. Will only have posi or locker from now on. Preferably locker.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 620
wow. You misunderstood his post and basically said the same thing he said. I dont think anybody thought he said the front axle locked, just hubs.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 35
I commented bc a lot of people don’t understand the difference between hub locks and differential lockers and I wanted to make that clear to readers new to learning about lockers etc…
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 224
Likes: 109
I certainly didn’t mean any offense. My “negative” probably came off that way, I tend to be too direct sometimes. He has since added the “hubs” part to his sentence. Look at my quote and it wasn’t originally there. I only commented bc a lot of people don’t understand the difference between hub locks and differential lockers and I wanted to make that clear to readers new to learning about lockers etc…
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 148
Likes: 35
I know you meant axles. My post was to help other understand the difference between locking the hubs and an axle locker, since this threads main title was about axle lockers. I have helped many understand 4wd systems and a lot, myself included, thought hub locks locked up the differentials. I didn’t mean offense towards you, I apologize if it came across that way. I just wanted other potential readers to understand the difference.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,368
Likes: 620
I certainly didn’t mean any offense. My “negative” probably came off that way, I tend to be too direct sometimes. He has since added the “hubs” part to his sentence. Look at my quote and it wasn’t originally there. The OP stated, “getting out of the vehicle and turning the locks myself?” Which conflated the two to those who are new to lockers/hubs/etc.
I commented bc a lot of people don’t understand the difference between hub locks and differential lockers and I wanted to make that clear to readers new to learning about lockers etc…
I commented bc a lot of people don’t understand the difference between hub locks and differential lockers and I wanted to make that clear to readers new to learning about lockers etc…
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,937
Likes: 1,221
From: Southern Crescent
I dunno if 2WD with an e-locker rear is going to trump a full 4WD in a given situation, but I am certain I called it right when building my 5th wheel tow vehicle.
I didn't want 4 wheel drive and the $3500 cost, plus MPG, ride, maintenance and all that comes with it. (Weird, I know) If I lived in snowy areas or on a farm my decision would have been different. In my situation I just don't need 4X4. Especially since the e-locker will assist/get-me-out-of any predicament I'm willing to get into, such as gravel campsites, grass, light snow and such.
But mainly I have built a reasonably economical pavement queen tow vehicle that rides and drives real nice.
I didn't want 4 wheel drive and the $3500 cost, plus MPG, ride, maintenance and all that comes with it. (Weird, I know) If I lived in snowy areas or on a farm my decision would have been different. In my situation I just don't need 4X4. Especially since the e-locker will assist/get-me-out-of any predicament I'm willing to get into, such as gravel campsites, grass, light snow and such.
But mainly I have built a reasonably economical pavement queen tow vehicle that rides and drives real nice.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 113
Likes: 14
From: Aubrey, TX
I dunno if 2WD with an e-locker rear is going to trump a full 4WD in a given situation, but I am certain I called it right when building my 5th wheel tow vehicle.
I didn't want 4 wheel drive and the $3500 cost, plus MPG, ride, maintenance and all that comes with it. (Weird, I know) If I lived in snowy areas or on a farm my decision would have been different. In my situation I just don't need 4X4. Especially since the e-locker will assist/get-me-out-of any predicament I'm willing to get into, such as gravel campsites, grass, light snow and such.
But mainly I have built a reasonably economical pavement queen tow vehicle that rides and drives real nice.
I didn't want 4 wheel drive and the $3500 cost, plus MPG, ride, maintenance and all that comes with it. (Weird, I know) If I lived in snowy areas or on a farm my decision would have been different. In my situation I just don't need 4X4. Especially since the e-locker will assist/get-me-out-of any predicament I'm willing to get into, such as gravel campsites, grass, light snow and such.
But mainly I have built a reasonably economical pavement queen tow vehicle that rides and drives real nice.
Also, wanted to stay far away from any Death Wobble
So instead of ordering a 4x4 I ordered a standard 4x2 and then installed a Detroit Tru-Trac.
Yes, it costs about $1,500 to do this, but I now have a positive traction at all speeds and whether turning or going straight
