Front Lockers

[Tncdrew]

Hmmm... did he have a rear locker?
That's one of the reasons I went with a rear lsd. Rear lockers will make it push. A front locker, (if there is enough traction), will literally pull you in the direction you are steering especially if you get on the throttle. In slippery conditions the front may slide instead of steering - 'sometimes" a little more aggressive throttle will fix that, then sometimes it'll just go straight.

Ahhhhh good point! I see what you're saying. Yes, he had a rear Detroit.

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[Flatties 4ever]

Lockers are over-rated.
We had 8 Jeeps on our last trip to Moab, 7 of them were on 35’s or bigger and locked front and rear. The last Jeep was a 3” lifted 2 dr JK on 33’s, open diffs and stock gears (3.45’s?).
That JK did every single obstacle one every trail we ran, hell, he even did one climb nobody else even attempted.

If all four tires always have comparable traction - you don't need lockers. That JK must of had a good driver. With open diff's he knew to pick lines that kept all four down and used momentum to get past the spots where one or two tires may unweight.
I love lockers and some LSDs mainly because I don't have to power through stuff, making easier on my rig.

 

[Jezones]

I have ARB air lockers front and rear on my sport. It’s literally like hitting the cheat button. We were on an Overlanding trip back in August to Colorado and a few of the Toyota guys had to winch on Poughkeepsie Gulch and the Jeep just walked right up. Might could have done it without the lockers but I paid for them so I’m gonna use them. What I’m saying is they are nice to have when you need them

 

[Vinman]

If all four tires always have comparable traction - you don't need lockers. That JK must of had a good driver. With open diff's he knew to pick lines that kept all four down and used momentum to get past the spots where one or two tires may unweight.
I love lockers and some LSDs mainly because I don't have to power through stuff, making easier on my rig.

The JK was piloted by a very good driver who definitely knew how to pick lines.

 

[grimmjeeper]

If all four tires always have comparable traction - you don't need lockers. That JK must of had a good driver. With open diff's he knew to pick lines that kept all four down and used momentum to get past the spots where one or two tires may unweight.
I love lockers and some LSDs mainly because I don't have to power through stuff, making easier on my rig.

Traction in Moab is plentiful. And it takes some serious obstacles to need lockers. Lots of trails out there aren't hard enough to need lockers. Get up to the 7-8 rated trails and you start needing lockers on some of the obstacles.

it is true that people tend to use lockers more than they need to. But that doesn't mean they're overrated.

 

[Flatties 4ever]

Traction in Moab is plentiful. And it takes some serious obstacles to need lockers. Lots of trails out there aren't hard enough to need lockers. Get up to the 7-8 rated trails and you start needing lockers on some of the obstacles.

it is true that people tend to use lockers more than they need to. But that doesn't mean they're overrated.

Are you the same "grimmjeeper" who built the gear calculator website?

 

[grimmjeeper]

Are you the same "grimmjeeper" who built the gear calculator website?

Yep

 

[Zandcwhite]

Lockers are over-rated.
We had 8 Jeeps on our last trip to Moab, 7 of them were on 35’s or bigger and locked front and rear. The last Jeep was a 3” lifted 2 dr JK on 33’s, open diffs and stock gears (3.45’s?).
That JK did every single obstacle one every trail we ran, hell, he even did one climb nobody else even attempted.

Moab is literally the pinnacle of available traction. It's the same reason pretty much any tire works there. It's misleading. Hit some steep rocky climbs at stoney lonesome after a rain storm and then tell us how over rated lockers are. You've got Volkswagen passats and crown vics running Hell's Revenge for Christ's sake, not only are they open diffs, one 2wd. They just took a ram HD dually through Pritchett canyon. You can get away with a lot less traction when the ground is made of 40 grit sandpaper.

 

[Flatties 4ever]

Yep

Consider this an official THANK YOU! I use the cr@p out of that thing!
I really love all the old school tranny options you included.

 

[blnewt]

Consider this an official THANK YOU! I use the cr@p out of that thing!
I really love all the old school tranny options you included.

x2, it's a great resource!

 

[blnewt]

As for the FAD, the mechanics of it tells me the front driveline is going to turn. Idk if anyone makes a hub kit for the JL, since it hasn't been any "drama", I haven't looked into it.

Yeah, in 2wd w/ the Torq locker in front the R&P and driveshaft will be spinning. Don't notice any pulling or extra load vs. prior to installing the Torq-locker.

 

[entropy]

Torq Locker in the front, (M186 w/FAD I assume)?
I'm considering this same F/R arrangement, (TL-Front, Nitro Helix-Rear), as you, w/4.56.

Nice street manners you say?

Had a CJ-7 with a D-60/Detroit Locker in the rear years ago. Man, you sure (occasionally) knew you had a locker going around turns on the street, BANG!! ?.... but unstoppable offroad.

I'm thinking the FAD would really minimize most of the (if any) TL drama?

Your thoughts are much appreciated,
Thanks!

No drama at all.

 

[entropy]

With IFS you’ll want a front locker before a rear.

I wouldnt say it is this. It is true that a front locker will provide more control during climbing, going over rocks than a rear locker. Think pulling a wheelbarrow vs. pushing it. Pulling will give you better control.

The rear on the Jeep is doing most of the work, so locking the rear will give the Jeep a greater chance of moving forward. That's just physics.

The TORQ locker is a really nice device. It is very well mannered and cheap to install as it doesn't require a re-gear. It is also mechanically reliable because it is simple and great quality build. Paired with a rear LSD which many jeeps already have, it is a great combo. Then you are also throwing only $400 at the dana30. Imo it isn't worth throwing an expensive selectable in there, at that point it is better to buy new axles.

The traction you gain with only a $400 investment is a no brainer. So it boils down to that. Money.

And there are benefits locking the front vs. the rear. But at the end of the day, the rear is the one pushing the weight of the Jeep. And Twin locked is always going to give you the absolute best performance.

Selectable lockers are very expensive. I really want one on the rear and I will be regearing next year. So perfect time to deal with the rear clutch LSD. I've been thinking a lot about it. And as much as I would love to have a rear selectable on my d44, I might just go with the helix LSD and get on with my life. The reality is that with a decent suspension, 35s, short wheelbase, front locker and rear LSD I can do the all the mainstream trails around here. Just nothing too extreme. A little winching here and there doesn't hurt.

 

[Tncdrew]

I wouldnt say it is this. It is true that a front locker will provide more control during climbing, going over rocks than a rear locker. Think pulling a wheelbarrow vs. pushing it. Pulling will give you better control.

The rear on the Jeep is doing most of the work, so locking the rear will give the Jeep a greater chance of moving forward. That's just physics.

The TORQ locker is a really nice device. It is very well mannered and cheap to install as it doesn't require a re-gear. It is also mechanically reliable because it is simple and great quality build. Paired with a rear LSD which many jeeps already have, it is a great combo. Then you are also throwing only $400 at the dana30. Imo it isn't worth throwing an expensive selectable in there, at that point it is better to buy new axles.

The traction you gain with only a $400 investment is a no brainer. So it boils down to that. Money.

And there are benefits locking the front vs. the rear. But at the end of the day, the rear is the one pushing the weight of the Jeep. And Twin locked is always going to give you the absolute best performance.

Selectable lockers are very expensive. I really want one on the rear and I will be regearing next year. So perfect time to deal with the rear clutch LSD. I've been thinking a lot about it. And as much as I would love to have a rear selectable on my d44, I might just go with the helix LSD and get on with my life. The reality is that with a decent suspension, 35s, short wheelbase, front locker and rear LSD I can do the all the mainstream trails around here. Just nothing too extreme. A little winching here and there doesn't hurt.

My thoughts exactly! Going with Nitro Helix rear, Torq Locker front, 4.56. Gathering parts now,
scheduled for January.

 

[blnewt]

My thoughts exactly! Going with Nitro Helix rear, Torq Locker front, 4.56. Gathering parts now,
scheduled for January.

Sounds like a solid plan, look forward to your impressions

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