auto locker in the front
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Binghamton, NY
Posts: 2,752
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
auto locker in the front
OK, so it's clear that a selectable locker is the best choice for the rear diff in a rig that sees use as a daily driver, so there's no way around the expense of an ARB or retrofitted e-locker for the rear. But what about the front? It's going to show that I don't really understand how all this stuff works, but if I put an auto style locker (aussie, detroit, Lock-rite, etc.), it would only opperate when I was in 4WD, right? Can this be done with shift-on-the-fly style 4WD (as opposed to manual locking hubs)? This would get around a lot of the issues surrounding poor street performance of auto lockers, right?
#2
Contributing Member
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 1,998
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Heh...a full time locker in the front ("auto locker") would always be in effect. 4wd has nothing to do with it. Most people prefer a selectable in the front and a full time in the back....or both selectable. Full time in the front is gonna make turning a whole lot of fun.
#3
Registered User
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Granite Falls, WA
Posts: 710
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally posted by PoBoy
Heh...a full time locker in the front ("auto locker") would always be in effect. 4wd has nothing to do with it.
Heh...a full time locker in the front ("auto locker") would always be in effect. 4wd has nothing to do with it.
#4
Registered User
you'd have to be a fool to use an auto locker in the front without locking hubs. i hear good things about the aussie locker in front, but don't do it unless you have manual hubs since it will still be engaged whenever the hubs are locked
#5
Registered User
If you use 4wd on the road, forget the front auto locker.
If you do not have manual hubs, work on forgetting the front auto locker.
It was a big pill for me to swallow, but I have two ARB's. Buy once, cry once. I think it would be better to go open than run an auto with no hubs and a snowy, icy East Coast base.
If you do not have manual hubs, work on forgetting the front auto locker.
It was a big pill for me to swallow, but I have two ARB's. Buy once, cry once. I think it would be better to go open than run an auto with no hubs and a snowy, icy East Coast base.
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Canton, GA
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Trending Topics
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Livermore, CA
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I ran an EZ locker up front for 5 years, swapped the ADD for manual hubs. The advantage of all 4 locked outweighed the increased turning radius. (One thing I've noticed with the new ARB up front, the EZ locker was much easier to steer than the ARB when it is engaged.)
I added dual cases later which allows you to run around in 2WD lo when you don't need 4WD which took some of the stress off of the front drive train.
If you do much driving in snow, I wouldn't recommend an auto locker up front. The steering is very squirly.
The advantages of an auto locker up front is they are cheaper and easier to install. You don't have to plumb your diff, run air lines, wires, etc. etc. The disadvantages are add'l stress on the drive line (when locker not needed), increased turning radius, and driving in snow and ice.
Pick your poison.
I added dual cases later which allows you to run around in 2WD lo when you don't need 4WD which took some of the stress off of the front drive train.
If you do much driving in snow, I wouldn't recommend an auto locker up front. The steering is very squirly.
The advantages of an auto locker up front is they are cheaper and easier to install. You don't have to plumb your diff, run air lines, wires, etc. etc. The disadvantages are add'l stress on the drive line (when locker not needed), increased turning radius, and driving in snow and ice.
Pick your poison.
#9
Registered User
Hmmm. Went to the '00 Lock-Rite install link. As a keeper of the IFS flame, a straight axle seems less and less of a band-wagon-jumping move and more of a practical reality. Maybe us '86-'94 guys might have a bit of an easier time, but still . . . .
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
RedRunner_87
95.5-2004 Tacomas & 96-2002 4Runners (Build-Up Section)
84
06-01-2021 01:51 PM
FS[PacSouthWest]: 2- 8"3rd members:4.88 ratchet lockers,new setup kit, rear axle rebuild kit,diff armor
jerusry
Axles - Suspensions - Tires - Wheels
1
10-19-2015 05:28 PM
FS[GreatLakes]: Toyota collection part out
88sasturbotoy
Axles - Suspensions - Tires - Wheels
2
08-11-2015 01:56 AM
coffey50
Offroad Tech
17
07-28-2015 10:55 AM