This coming weekend, I will be coming into possession of a front 3rd with a Detroit Locker; and when installed, I will be running a rear factory e-locker as well on 4.88 gears. What are the pros and cons of this set up? I have manual hubs to help keep wear and tear off the front...I'm just worried about detonating my front shafts on minor obstacles.

 

What tire size? IFS or solid axle?

 

Sorry, IFS with 33/12.50. 3.4L swapped on a manual trans.

 

That's what I'm running minus the locker. You could break a shaft getting on the skinny pedal I'd imagine. I decided in going to wait till I have a solid axle before I lock the front.

 

Well, I'm getting a the front 3rd already assembled with 4.88's and a ring and pinion for the rear. I have to re-gear the rear before it goes in, so this just works great.

 

When you auto lock the front, it can lead to problems in winter. If there's any ice or snow and you run in 4Hi, as you should, then that auto locker will make your truck squirrelly on the road. Others may detest, but the general consensus is an auto locker isn't the prime choice for winter climates. If you've done the e locker in the back, then get another for the front.

My 2˘

 

A twin stick on the transfercase was one of the best mods I did after I got my lockright front. I could keep the hubs locked on the trail but simply shift out of 4WD when I didn't need it. Screw getting in and out just to unlock 1 hub. The $200 twin stick was well worth it. I went roughly 2 years without breaking a CV axle after I locked my front end. That's with 33's and 35's and I push my truck pretty hard for being IFS.

Keep the tires as straight as possible when climbing and when you're bogged down needing a lot of torque.
Adding a locker will not immediately make the CV's commit suicide, despite what people will say. You just need to learn how to drive and not be a throttle jockey.

 

^^^ what he said. I had 4.88s, 33x10.50s and a front aussie. and didn't break a CV joint until 15-20k miles of use. and they were my original CV joints.

Also, Don't put a front auto locker in unless you have manual hubs up front.

 

Why?