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lock front or rear ????

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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 12:48 PM
  #1  
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From: maryland
lock front or rear ????

Ok so im having a little trouble deciding to lock either the front or rear with a lunch box locker as i see they are called.. Any pros and cons that anyone has run across, what brand is the most friendly, and wheres the best place to get said locker for the money??? trying to get this done before i pull out the rear and add the 5.29s front is already done but no locker yet.Any advice from people running them is what i need.Will be going on a 90 4runner that is a dd and weekend warrior

thanks guys and girls

Last edited by olharleyman; Feb 6, 2007 at 01:04 PM.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 12:51 PM
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From: San Diego CA
Rear Rear Rear Rear Rear
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 12:52 PM
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What vehicle, what do you use it for?

If you plan to only have one locker, run it in the rear.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 12:57 PM
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Rear, a front locker means you want a dedicated trail rig as its not quite that easy to drive on the road anymore with a front locker.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 12:59 PM
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Rear and maybe search there is lots of info on this.

Last edited by ADH8796; Feb 6, 2007 at 01:00 PM.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 12:59 PM
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i don't have any lockers, but everything i've read thus far on the subject says to lock the rear first. personally, i'm doing an SAS and adapting e-lockers to both axles. i like versatility.

-shaeff
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by CJM
Rear, a front locker means you want a dedicated trail rig as its not quite that easy to drive on the road anymore with a front locker.
couldn't you still drive it on the street with the hubs unlocked?
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 06:17 PM
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Sorry to jack but how streetable is a front truetrac?
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 06:19 PM
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Originally Posted by CJM
Rear, a front locker means you want a dedicated trail rig as its not quite that easy to drive on the road anymore with a front locker.
not true. unlocked hubs +2wd = no problems
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by 89-4Runner
couldn't you still drive it on the street with the hubs unlocked?
If you have manual hubs, which not everyone does and he didnt say if he did. I never said it wasnt possible now did I?
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 07:23 PM
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I disagree. The FRONT locker makes more difference offroad than the rear. BY FAR. It also has more downsides, a lot of which are mitigated by manual hubs.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 07:29 PM
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BOTH! Theres the right answer. Well really the right answer is rear then manual hubs then both. I can't wait to be locked front and back and our wheel all the tough guys on 40's
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 07:32 PM
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< Gotta love those manual hubs
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 08:09 PM
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Originally Posted by jusfloorit
Sorry to jack but how streetable is a front truetrac?
Very streetable. It has very little effect on turning radius. But you shouldn't be driving with the hubs locked on pavement.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 08:38 PM
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From: maryland
Ok fellas just for the record i do have manuel hubs and getting ready to run 35s with 5.29 stock 3.0 205000 have front pumpkin out so its a very interesting delima so as long as i dont lock on pavement the front will be ok?? but the best is to go both???
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 08:39 PM
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Then no worries expect pushing those massive meats around.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 08:58 PM
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The "best" combo depends on what you intend to use your rig for. There is no single right answer.

For hard-core off-roading, you generally want full lock on both front and rear. Having a selectable locker like an ARB in the front can help with the steering issues.

For moderate off-roading, go with a detroit locker in the rear and a truetrak up front. No issues with turning radius with this setup and the truetrak is much kinder on the front linkages and drive shafts than a full locker. But take note: the truetrak will unlock if you pick a front wheel up off the ground which is very common with IFS. You can cause the truetrak to lock again by applying light brakes in this situation. This is no real problem with an automatic tranny, but it can be a bit of a challenge with a manual tranny if you're trying to work the clutch and throttle at the same time. Something to consider when choosing a truetrak.

If money is an issue, lock the rear first. Avoid the lunchbox lockers if possible and go with the detroit locker or similar. They are much stronger.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 09:31 PM
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My front is locked, my rear is on LSD.

I drive my truck on pavement with the hubs locked in all the time.

I think the front locked will get you farther, but its been my experience that isn't always a good thing. I've gotten farther, then gotten really stuck, since the rear couldn't back up what the front was talkin.

I'm going to go with the "it depends" answer, and let the rest of you figure it out.
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Old Feb 6, 2007 | 10:29 PM
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From: i ka moana
i think lock the rear. i personally wouldnt put an auto locker on the front if its ifs with 35s
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Old Feb 7, 2007 | 02:42 AM
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From: Greeley Colorado
to lock or not

well Iv got a 86 wtih lockers in front, and rear yes manual locking hubs, and yes every time i get gas or food someone reminds me that my truck is making a ratchet sound and if you turn hard you will hear a slam noise( nothing broke but it took about three times before i learned how to turn), and yes you have the ability to just get stuck in a harder way, soo get em and have fun, and extra long un-stuckem roap
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