BajaRunner

I hear the lockers really start to brake the CVs..

Well, luckily the terrain I plan on going on (besides going to hollister) will be pretty easy compared to moab or rocks.

TStango

I've read (from Steve Shaefer) that a front locker can lower your chances of CV joint/shaft breakage. Open diffs means you will often be spinning lifted tires. When that spinning front tire comes down and hits the ground--SNAP!!!! Slow and easy on the gas with a front locker sounds like the way to go - there's still a chance at breakage... just not as much.

Nitro Hotpants

it really depends on how you drive. Charles has broken a CV or 2 with an open diff and the reason was because of the wheel spin/ sudden grab. The locker causes you to need less gas as you can have more traction and slowly climb. But since both sides are locked, it puts more stress on both axles because they are not able to spin as an open diff would.
I guess its a toss up, but there is no question (at least in my mind) that 37s on your IFS would not last long at all.

calrockx

^ yep. when you're open, it's important to remember go light on the skinny pedal. the first cv i broke was due to wheelspin. i had obviously never broken so i wasn't quite sure how much/little it'd take to break one, so i didn't know i shouldn't have pushed it so hard going up that loose dirt hill. it was a similar situation the second time, i thought i was taking it easier, but the front diff couldn't handle it and i broke a carrier.
with a locker, like casey said, it puts stress on the axles in a different way.

go for the front locker if you like, it really does make a difference as i've seen in front+ rear locked trucks vs only rear, but use that new found capability carefully by taking it real slow and picking the right lines. slow deliberate traction beats wild clawing up a hill.

BajaRunner

So what your saying is that I should run 44's with my open diff and go rock crawling?

Okay, sounds good.

BajaRunner

Nitro Hot pants... Whats up with that POS old longboard in your garage?

Who shaped it?

I glass boards for a living, and I like restoration. If you dont use that thing hand it over hehe.

Nitro Hotpants

oh thats my old place. it was my roommates old board he never used and got got free. He planned on restoring it but never got around to it