I take your challenge.

I was stuck, up against wall of dirt, with another smaller wall of dirt in front. Three different trucks attempted to use a strap on my ARB to pull me out. The only thing that that go was a bent bumper. There was NO way that anyone could get me out from the front without digging through multiple cubic feet of dirt and limestone that would not be possible with an E-tool or a full size shovel.. There was also NO way that anyone could get behind me without hitting me or without cutting down a series of trees and damaging quite a bit of land. I was extracted by a winch that we used a pulley to pull me out backwards while the winch was in front. wish I had pics....

 

After reading this thread from the begining, thought I'd throw in my bit.

Order of realtive mods:
ARB rear
Winch
Aussie front

When I had only the ARB installed I didn't yet have my front driveshaft finished (SAS). I took the truck out anyway and was amazed at what terrain just the rear locker would allow the truck to handle with control. In 2WD I could easily tackle obstacles that left my previous open diff Toyota spinning out and stopped.

I bought the winch because it was on sale. Actually never really considered having one before and when I did think about a winch it was very low on my list. Ended up using it the very next trail run to get up a waterfall type obsatcle with two 3' plus steps in a row. The winch added a sense of security and opened a section of trail that would have been very dangerous or impossible without a line helping out.

Aussie locker was last, and now my rig feels like it is glued to the ground... in a good way. I appreciate the control lockers give a vehicle as well as less wear and tear on the trail (IMHO). When a spinning wheel grabs you generally have a much greater chance of component failure and in terms of recovery... broken parts will usually take more than a winch to get you home.

Seems like this thread has veered off of the original posters question and we aren't really helping him out anymore... but it's full of interesting perspective which is also a good thing.

So long story short, my vote would be lockers first, winch last.

 

ain't that the truth, i think that cat bailed a while ago while a you guys were bickering about self righteous tactics of glorified driving. how bout this--no one's pointing the gun to your head to give up what you got, so what's all the fuss about? you guys need to find something to stress out on or what?

besides, mosta y'all have at least a single type of locking diff or a winch--i have neither and have gotten stuck way beyond personal salvation
despite my hilift, straps n shackles--i must suck in many of your opinions. i'd love to have both mods, which i thought was the natural order of a "hobby"--build it till it's sweet. do it or don't, nuthin to get snippy about

jeez, pack a bowl and hit the sheets

 

Haha, I've been checking in periodically. I'm pretty sure I'll just save the extra coin for a selectable rear. I'm really enjoying all the good info here though so by all means, say what you want. I value your opinions.

 

Those 4 and 5 "dirt roads" have broke CV's and/or stopped people with a locker.

 

Self Righteous Tactics of Glorified Driving...sounds like a self help book. Read the thesaurus less and pay attention. Noone has called anyone names and noone is stressing out. We are having a debate, this sort of thing, IMO, brings many good points that may help people make a decision on which they prefer, it could also change someone's mind about which is better or which they should do first. Maybe you shoudl put down the bowl, hahaha.
If you actually read all these posts about who has what, I think it is funny because everyone with BOTH winch and locker say they would lose the winch any day, but would hang onto those lockers for dear life, noone says that they would lose the locker but keep the winch...that might tell you something about which should be done first huh?
Wheeling open/open I don't think you can properly appreciate the value of a locker. I know I never did. I wheeled my taco open/open and looked at a locker as one of those things that is convenient, but didn't really need...until I had one, then I immediately wanted another one. It is a night and day difference.
FTR, I am locked front and rear with no winch.

 

I wish you had pics too, it sounds like using a hi-lift and a come-along, plus three straps, I could get you out. If you have never used a hi-lift as a hand winch, you would be amazed at how tedious it is, but also how well it works. Also, you can use a snatch block (pulley)with a come-along. So, without pics of video or something here, I would say I could get you out.
I got stuck once in mud and sand, and a K5 Blazer and a Rubicon pulling TOGETHER, could not get me out. It took 4 hours or so, 2 come-alongs, and 2 tow straps to get me out, but we did it...without a winch.

 

Really? http://www.colorado4x4.org/trail_ratings.html

Which trails? http://www.4x4trails.net/db_search.php?been_here=1

 

You quoted and misreperesented. I have gotten flats on the highway, does that mean it is hard so I need lockers? Trail ratings are different here compared to Arizona and Moab. 4's and 5's in Colorado are glorified dirt roads. I mean that in the pejorative.

Self-righteous? I just think there is bad advice being given.

 

I forgot, the other stipulation was that you had to get me out before I was late for work at 12. I got stuck late the night before.....so you would have had to do it with a time limit.

 

Done and done, you are out in time and I even SASed your truck and put 39.5" Iroks on it during that time.

 

So If I'd called you, you'd have been able to drive all the way down here.....get me unstuck and still do the other stuff? I'd have to get you a after seeing that.

 

Buy a winch now and the locker next month... or locker now and the winch next month.

What is the huge deal anyway about "bad advice"? Hopefully, that's not the last upgrade the guy gets, so if he feels that winch is just not enough - he'll get lockers next. Winch can always be made useful for one thing or another.

 

Just noticed something.

The OP doesn't list any armor in his sig. So, I change my opinion from locker(s) to sliders, skids, and bumper(s).

Neither lockers nor winch do any good if you've got a rock through the diff or transfer case... or can't open the doors because of rockerpanel damage.

 

id get a locker first. but not an automatic. a selectable especially on a DD that will often see snow & icy conditions. with a tug strap, you'll still be able to yank your buddies/be yanked out of the snow/trail...and a selectabel will be transparent on road. are you finding yourself in such stuck situations where you need a winch to get out? if youre out with others..then you dont need a winch to get out. if your alone..well common sense should tell you not to do anything to get yourself stuck..winch or no winch.

i have a selectable locker in the rear...but lucky for me the truck already had it. if it didnt, a selectable would be on before a winch. i have no winch..yet. get a winch because YOU need it...not your buddies stuck in the snow or the trail. get a locker if you want to enjoy YOUR wheeling in your truck. believe me..it makes a night & day difference. nobody wants to sit there n wait for you to winch yourself up every obstacle when you could be climbing them.

just my web wheelin 2cents

 

Locker first. You wont need the winch as much if you have a locker.