Any opinions on the benefits of an EZ locker in the front as my next mod? I'm thinking this would be a good next step considering that is the weak point of my truck right now. I'm more likely to have a front wheel off the ground than a rear.

The only downsides I hear of are 1)tougher steering 2)wider turning radius and 3)beats the heck out of the front diff?

Upside is 1)locked only when hubs are 2)traction 3)cheap and easy install.

Any feedback? Also, does anyone have one and where's the best place to get 'em?

Thanks folks,

Warren

 

A Detroit Trutrac would probably be a better choice for the front end if you are concerned with the truck's steering/handling with the addtion of a "Locker".

Randy's Ring and Pinion would be a good place to get both.

Hope this helps.
Dr. Z

 

People that have EZ lockers mainly complain about the weird clicks and bangs they make at unexpected times. Pedestrians that hear it as you turn a corner in a parking lot will tell you your truck is broken. I guess they work ok bit they are noisy and un-nerving to some drivers.

Edit: In the front with manual hubs the noise issue is minimized when the hubs are unlocked. The next issue is the stregnth or lack thereof in the front CV axles. The rear axles are much stronger so that's why the rear is the popular axle to lock if you are only doing one.

With a locked front on a hill climb the front gets light and with IFS a front wheel is likely to come off the ground. With one in the air and the other spinning due to low weight, CV joint breakage is more likely as the airborn spinning tire slams onto the ground and suddenly gains traction. SNAP, no more front axle shaft.

This is only my untested theory. Your measurements may vary.

The facts I know are:

1. Most front axle breakage happens when a spinning airborn wheel suddenly hits the ground.

2. The front axle shafts are not designed to handle the high torque loads that the rears are.

 

That doesn't sound too bad. Hopefully I won't have to lock my hubs to get out of the parking lot.

Warren

 

See the novel I wrote as an edit. I really got going, sorry. I wouldn't reccomend it.

 

OK. That's decent info but why would the front get "light" as you say, or any 'lighter' than it already is with an EZ?

Warren

 

On an incline there is lots more weight on the rear axle than the front. I'm no physics profesor like some of these people.

If you go up a steep hill in a truck with loose stuff in the bed, that stuff will slide to the back of the bed. I think it has something to do with gravity inertia and stuff.

Just try your front locker idea and see how it works. It might work fine.

 

Matt are you sure your not a Physics Professor??
I agree with you though I think a person would benefit more from a rear locker over the front. Kinda depends on what kind of wheeling you want to do though. If all you do is super slow crawling it might be okay but like Matt said if your going Balls out up a steep hill with little traction your putting some serious stresses on the front end with both front tires going.

 

There's no question in my opinion that a rear locker would be better than a front for traction in the 'runner. When I do get locked in the rear it will be with ARB or Toy E-locker both of which are a little expensive right now.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Warren

 

JX,

I see what you are saying now. You're not saying that the front end would be 'light' with the locker, you're saying it would be damaging to the front end because it is light.

I'm hearing more about this on other forums too. Some people love them and some say that too much pull and not enough push would be damaging to the IFS. (ie locked front, open rear)

decisions, decisions....

Warren