Lockers?
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Joined: Oct 2008
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Lockers?
<TABLE width="100%" border=0 itxtvisited="1"><TBODY itxtvisited="1"><TR itxtvisited="1"><TD vAlign=top itxtvisited="1">hey i'm new from pa. i dont do alot of offroading but i do some. i hunt and fish and want to make sure i dont get stuck. i was thinking about putting lockers on my 79 f150 and from what i have read the selectable air lockers seam like the way to go since i drive my truck daily on the road as well. am i right? any suggestions? i dont want to wear my tires when on road so auto lockers are probably not what i want because if i'm on the gas and turning it will wear on the tires? please correct me if i'm wrong?
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2008
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I wheel alot (Jeep), and I use my lockers maybe 2% of the time. And even then, at least 50% of that time I would have an option to "go around" if I wanted to and wouldn't need the lockers at all.
No doubt they will get you over some obstacles that you otherwise wouldn't be able to climb, but...
Unless you want to get into serious rock crawling or do a lot of off-roading, IMO, lockers aren't worth the extra expense and effort.
No doubt they will get you over some obstacles that you otherwise wouldn't be able to climb, but...
Unless you want to get into serious rock crawling or do a lot of off-roading, IMO, lockers aren't worth the extra expense and effort.
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2008
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IMHO, good tires for the conditions are a far better and easier investment.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
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From: Pa
If you want lockers I would look at an E-locker.(Electric locker) Flip a switch to lock and unlock. No air lines or compressors to screw with. I plan on put an E-locker up front and a truetrac out back in my SD when I do the gear swap. I've never had any problems in snow, the *** end kicking out is predictable and can be corrected for easily if your any good at driving. On ice your pretty much screwed no matter what you have.
An auto locker like a Detroit locker is not very asphalt friendly. Back when I was in high school a buddy of mine welded the spider gears on his Chevy to make a Redneck locker. His inside tire chirped whenever he turned.
An auto locker like a Detroit locker is not very asphalt friendly. Back when I was in high school a buddy of mine welded the spider gears on his Chevy to make a Redneck locker. His inside tire chirped whenever he turned.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 114
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From: Sunshine Coast
A detroit locker will disengage when you corner if your coasting and off the gas, mine does. But you can't always turn corners without being on the gas, like making a turn after stopping at a traffic light, thats when I get the tire chirp. Spools and welded rear ends never disengage so can be a little harder on tires than a locker. If your looking for good street manners try a good posi or limited slip like a true trac or an auburn. Selectable lockers are expensive if you only are gonna use it once in a while.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2003
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I have been running a lockrite for 4 years now. I like it, and think it was worth the $$. Once you learn to drive it, it really isn't that bad on the street. The beauty of a "lunchbox locker" such as mine is that you can install it yourself, so gearsetup isn't an added cost. They are fairly cheap too.
I say get a drop in locker. If you don't like it, then you can take it back out and put the spiders in.
I say get a drop in locker. If you don't like it, then you can take it back out and put the spiders in.
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2008
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The one I've been thinking about is 4X4REVIEW.COM - Ox Locker... The Ox is Back (manufacturer website OX Offroad Products > Lockers). They seem to be really solid units, and I like the idea of a manual locker.
Only problem for me is no compatibility with my Dana 70
Only problem for me is no compatibility with my Dana 70
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 502
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If coin isn't a problem, you want selectable lockers, front and back. Especially in snow-keep your diffs open for cornering, in 4wd. If you have to go straight, lock er up, and point it-and go.
Wash rinse and repeat.
Limited slips, or posi's or whatever you want to call them, will get you there, but on angled surfaces in snow and ice-you need open diff, locked-at will. Dedicated tire chains will be like tracks in ice and snow.
Wash rinse and repeat.
Limited slips, or posi's or whatever you want to call them, will get you there, but on angled surfaces in snow and ice-you need open diff, locked-at will. Dedicated tire chains will be like tracks in ice and snow.