Front Lockers

[Old Dogger]

Just get a quality selectable rear locker. Even for moderate overlanding, you're likely to need it at some point.

Then I'd just leave the front open. The use case for a front locker is very narrow.

Agree…. I have front lockers in our Rubicons. But only use the rears. So far, have never seen a need for the front. But if you do severe rock crawling, then it would be needed.

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[blnewt]

This comes up about every couple of weeks. The JL uses a front axle disconnect. Unless you plan to lose that functionality, lunchboxes are incompatible.

It still functions, the passenger tire spins free but the driver side spins the driveshaft, so you will have a bit more load when rolling in 2wd but no ratchet.clicking from all I've heard, but since I just got mine I'll report back when I get time w/ it.

 

[Zandcwhite]

We have run front lunch box lockers in several different Jeeps over the years. With the FAD, you won't even get the clicking on 2wd. Cheap and effective. I find a front locker is more beneficial than a rear as typically it's climbing an obstacle that is traction limited not descending and being pulled up is far more effective than being pushed up. If I were locking only 1 axle it would definitely be the front. If your terrain is easy enough that a front locker is a hindrance, you can probably just run it on 2wd any way.

 

[blnewt]

We have run front lunch box lockers in several different Jeeps over the years. With the FAD, you won't even get the clicking on 2wd. Cheap and effective. I find a front locker is more beneficial than a rear as typically it's climbing an obstacle that is traction limited not descending and being pulled up is far more effective than being pushed up. If I were locking only 1 axle it would definitely be the front. If your terrain is easy enough that a front locker is a hindrance, you can probably just run it on 2wd any way.

Yeah, there's mixed opinions about which axle is better to lock up if you just have one. I think w/ the FAD and the better 2wd function it's easier to favor the front, and there's been a few times where I got hung up w/ a front tire loose and a locker would have kept me going, and for the trails I run I think it will fit the bill just fine.

FWIW, I don't really want to invest any significant coin in the smaller M186/200 axles so the $400 Torq Locker is just right, and hey,. if it gets me up & over it's a big win!

 

[2nd 392]

Yeah, there's mixed opinions about which axle is better to lock up if you just have one. I think w/ the FAD and the better 2wd function it's easier to favor the front, and there's been a few times where I got hung up w/ a front tire loose and a locker would have kept me going, and for the trails I run I think it will fit the bill just fine.

FWIW, I don't really want to invest any significant coin in the smaller M186/200 axles so the $400 Torq Locker is just right, and hey,. if it gets me up & over it's a big win!

WARNING—Front lockers are a detriment in deep snow and mud! You Can Not Steer!! Just plow straight ahead. Selectable only on the front, rear only if only one axle!!

 

[No IFS]

It still functions, the passenger tire spins free but the driver side spins the driveshaft, so you will have a bit more load when rolling in 2wd but no ratchet.clicking from all I've heard, but since I just got mine I'll report back when I get time w/ it.

This is a terrible idea for long term. There’s more drag on the driver side tire than the passenger side tire it will affect driving. All that extra drag on the driveline is coming from the left wheel. It’s really not advised. will it work ? yes. But the part-time four-wheel-drive wasn’t really designed to be converted to full-time drive shaft wise transfer case wise etc.
It’s like driving a part-time four-wheel-drive all the time with your left hub locked. You can do it but wasn’t designed for that. Even with the transfer case disengaged.

 

[word302]

Yeah, there's mixed opinions about which axle is better to lock up if you just have one. I think w/ the FAD and the better 2wd function it's easier to favor the front, and there's been a few times where I got hung up w/ a front tire loose and a locker would have kept me going, and for the trails I run I think it will fit the bill just fine.

FWIW, I don't really want to invest any significant coin in the smaller M186/200 axles so the $400 Torq Locker is just right, and hey,. if it gets me up & over it's a big win!

There’s not really mixed opinions if you understand physics. The rear axle does the brunt of the work when you’re climbing as it carries most of the weight. Experienced wheelers always lock the rear first if they have to choose only one.

 

[blnewt]

This is a terrible idea for long term. There’s more drag on the driver side tire than the passenger side tire it will affect driving. All that extra drag on the driveline is coming from the left wheel. It’s really not advised. will it work ? yes. But the part-time four-wheel-drive wasn’t really designed to be converted to full-time drive shaft wise transfer case wise etc.
It’s like driving a part-time four-wheel-drive all the time with your left hub locked. You can do it but wasn’t designed for that. Even with the transfer case disengaged.

We'll see how it goes, if I'm not liking it or feeling good about how things are wearing, etc I can always go back. FWIW I really didn't do my homework regarding extra wear or driving w/ this different load on the drivetrain so I'm not in the happiest place right now

 

[SilverSurfer]

There’s not really mixed opinions if you understand physics. The rear axle does the brunt of the work when you’re climbing as it carries most of the weight. Experienced wheelers always lock the rear first if they have to choose only one.

Absolutely fully agree with you. It is not an opinion, it is physics.

 

[Remorseless]

We'll see how it goes, if I'm not liking it or feeling good about how things are wearing, etc I can always go back. FWIW I really didn't do my homework regarding extra wear or driving w/ this different load on the drivetrain so I'm not in the happiest place right now

Unless you've done a FAD delete/disable, IMO, no extra wear in 2WD. And the extra wear in 4WD is going to be likely a non-issue, unless you drive like a maniac off road. XJs and TJs ran lunchbox lockers for years and years and years before they fell out of favor with the JK crowd. They're generally pretty solid, just don't drive like a goober and you're fine. Enjoy the new equipment!

 

[GrayWolf.Overland]

if you are Overlanding and not purposefully rock crawling, the front locker is an insurance and will be used sparingly.. but when its actually needed, it makes a huge difference to bail you out.

There are multiple options for the front M186 - Electric locker (Eaton), Air locker (ARB) or OX/Lunchbox lockers. I blv OX makes a electric activated one

 

[roaniecowpony]

...

FWIW, I don't really want to invest any significant coin in the smaller M186/200 axles so the $400 Torq Locker is just right, and hey,. if it gets me up & over it's a big win!

I can see that. Most air or electric lockers are $1k and up for systems. It starts digging into what a take-out Rubicon 44 goes for.

 

[No IFS]

I actually worked in alignment shop for many years. Back in the day when most 4 x 4‘s had locking hubs. Whenever a customer would come in and complain about it pulling to the left or right the first thing we would check is to make sure they didn’t accidentally leave a hub locked. Or the hub was defective. Those old Spicer hubs were terrible. And those 80-90s auto locking hubs GM & Ford. Anyways having drag on one wheel is noticeable. the customers were so surprised.

 

[blnewt]

I actually worked in alignment shop for many years. Back in the day when most 4 x 4‘s had locking hubs. Whenever a customer would come in and complain about it pulling to the left or right the first thing we would check is to make sure they didn’t accidentally leave a hub locked. Or the hub was defective. Those old Spicer hubs were terrible. And those 80-90s auto locking hubs GM & Ford. Anyways having drag on one wheel is noticeable. the customers were so surprised.

Just got back from an initial run and also did some field running in 4-hi, definitely wants to push through turns when in 4hi on loose dirt (which I expected). On the pavement there was absolutely no noticeable difference that I could tell, let my hands off the wheel and no pull or tendancy to drift. Maybe since it's just a coasting "load" that that's to be expected???
At any rate, so far so good.
Thanks for your input btw, i want to keep all this in mind as time goes on so I'm aware of what to look for. Not really sure what would wear w/ this setup (vs. bone stock), maybe the U-joints at the driveshaft perhaps and the carrier/pinion bearings???

 

[Gaffer]

WARNING—Front lockers are a detriment in deep snow and mud! You Can Not Steer!! Just plow straight ahead. Selectable only on the front, rear only if only one axle!!

I have a Detroit Locker in the front of my TJ. All my wheeling has been mud and snow. Works great.

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