Winch vs Rear Locker for PreRunner

I'm sure this has been asked before, but searching just turned up a million build threads. But here goes:

So I am looking into a small upgrade to my PreRunner SR5, I am stock as of right now... looking for a good price on some 5100s and I will level off once I find some. But my main question is:
Should I splurge on an ARB air locker? or should I just get a winch?

I am thinking getting a winch first, although what I have read people say a PreRunner with rear locker is very capable... My logic is: Rear Locker and get stuck... need someone to pull me out. Winch without rear locker and get stuck... can potentially pull myself out (I won't go anywhere without someone with 4x4 either way). Is my logic flawed? I would much rather be able to assist myself up terrain with a winch than to get further with a locker and then still need a winch.

Some input from experience will help me judge what I should do, Thanks!

 

I'd say do the locker first if your gunna go wheeling with a 4x4 truck then he can always pull you out and then later get a winch

 

with a two wheel off road, having a winch would be a VERY good thing...I find the locker, which I have on my Prerunner, helps, but if you really need traction, nothing like a 4 wheel drive...

it will add some weight, so at least 5100's to re-level the front end....if you plan on keeping the stock bumper, you can do it....then there is the option to get a complete new front bumper with the winch stand incorporated, they call it Taco fever...

 

Id lean towards winch first. Locker can get you free sometimes. Winch can get you free sometimes, can get others free, also useful in other situations. Both have their merits, I feel a winch is useful in more situations. I had both on my 03 4x4 and used the winch much more often than the locker.

 

I see your location is in Del Rio, i go out to bracketville alot and the terrains seem to be rather comparable. i would say get the locker for the area, iv made it around most places without a winch or a locker, but at times i would have been nice to have an extra wheel grabbing rocks.

 

Wheeling a 2wd is your first mistake. The people you've "read" saying locked 2wd are capable are people with 2wd vehicles. And they are liars. Or ignorant.

That said, if you must, bring a winch. And understand: I'm not hating on 2wd. They just don't possess offroad capability.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

basically, what he said...

 

Once you start adding rocks and steep hill climbs a PRERUNNER can only go so far. I've wheeled my truck to the point were I see something and if I know I can do it ill atempt it.

 

winch

-coming from a locked prerunner who knows the capabilities and doesnt see a need to BS anyone about them.
Theres no replacement for 4wd, but Ive seen 4wd get stuck, and when SHTF, guess what the bottom line is?

They both either get a tow out, or they both pull out the winch line

 

Locker is great in flat mud man and pretty fun drifting and doughnuting around. That being said u may not get stuck with a locker, but if u have a long enough winch, you'll never be stuck. I don't have a winch and prolly wouldn't trade it for my locker but if I had neither id prolly... I dunno man just get both sorry, maybe locker now ha u do get on board air with that arb right. You'll have more fun with the locker and if u got someone to pull u out just incade I now stand firm with locker, for now.

 

thanks for the input everyone.
I will probably go with the winch, that way I can remove it and put it on a 4x4 when I buy it. No sense in throwing a locker on, when I know in the future I will get a 4x4.

 

honesty FTMFW

 

Youkon Grizzley locker, and a Recon waterproof 10,500lb winch. Together cheaper then a single ARB air locker.

 

As the saying goes, "4x4 just gets you stuck farther from help".