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Poll: Locker vs Lift

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by DanGer, Sep 22, 2009.

?

Which mod is better for offroading?

Poll closed Oct 22, 2009.
  1. Locker

    63.1%
  2. ~3" lift

    32.1%
  3. Other (specify)

    4.8%
  1. Sep 22, 2009 at 8:24 PM
    #1
    DanGer

    DanGer [OP] Avatar approved by 98tacomav6

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    Just a quick poll for anyone who is an adamant offroader.

    Looks/aesthetics aside:
    Whick modification would be more useful when offroading (usually mountain trails), an ARB locker or a coilover lift.

    I know where I stand, I just want to see what other offroaders think.
     
  2. Sep 22, 2009 at 8:25 PM
    #2
    NumNutz

    NumNutz One of the original 7928

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    Lots.
    :goingcrazy: In before the poll.

    Not really an avid off-roader but the locker is money better spent. Your not getting any clearance out of a lift unless you buy some bigger tires.
     
  3. Sep 22, 2009 at 8:25 PM
    #3
    tacomaman06

    tacomaman06 Carolina Alliance: Enforcer

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    getting there....
    locker....ftw.
     
  4. Sep 22, 2009 at 8:27 PM
    #4
    DanGer

    DanGer [OP] Avatar approved by 98tacomav6

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    I agree. My view on spending the ~$1000 on the truck is: 3" lift only allows you to fit larger tires (33" as opposed to 31") which means only 1" gained in ground clearance.

    The locker I feel would be a better investment
     
  5. Sep 22, 2009 at 8:57 PM
    #5
    tmat

    tmat Well-Known Member

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    but lifts just look so good!
     
  6. Sep 22, 2009 at 8:59 PM
    #6
    MonkeyProof

    MonkeyProof Power Top

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    honestly..have you addressed the absolute necessities for off roading yet?!

    such as sliders and proper under armor (skid plates). don't be like me and learn the hard way. sliders should be the very first thing to be considered, next should be a proper skid plate such as the All Pro or Bud Built skid plates. everything else after that.

    on my very first run in my 2 week old taco i did a run without sliders..bashed the rocker panel on the passenger side, the entire length of it. so bad i couldn't open the rear passenger door. eventually i had to use a short piece of a 2x4 and a large hammer to pound everything back in place so the door can open properly..

    notice the damage along the bottom prior to me getting sliders..
    DSC_3903_0a5783d431982e7db597be230948018b7e5f118a.jpg

    and consider a kick-out style slider like what All Pro incorporates into their design so this doesn't happen..again, lessons learned the hard way..
    PICT0361-1_c5ec39e0f8121dd02cfdda8b4ceb22471bf9ee87.jpg
     
  7. Sep 22, 2009 at 9:02 PM
    #7
    DanGer

    DanGer [OP] Avatar approved by 98tacomav6

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    great post^^

    I know the protection mods are incredibly important but I intentionally did not include them in the poll. I agree they should come first so I was just wondering what people thought between the two I included
     
  8. Sep 22, 2009 at 9:06 PM
    #8
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    locker
     
  9. Sep 22, 2009 at 9:10 PM
    #9
    MonkeyProof

    MonkeyProof Power Top

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    i'd choose a locker over a lift any day...makes a huge difference on the trail as far as crawling over a obstacle..engage the locker and get over/around whatever 100 times easier then being open diff..easier on the truck then skinny pedaling and bouncing all over the place trying to get over something.

    i love having my rear locker so much i went and got one for the front :D
     
  10. Sep 22, 2009 at 9:15 PM
    #10
    DTacoms

    DTacoms Well-Known Member

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    I vote for locker after I've seen 4x2 with locker kept up with the 4x4s. But if you are already 4x4, locker can wait. I think you should be fine with open differential only on most trails. I say get those things mentioned by Monkeyproof first!
     
  11. Sep 22, 2009 at 9:48 PM
    #11
    nighthawk87

    nighthawk87 Well-Known Member

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    I voted lift.... why would you need a locker, if you can't fit over the stuff you'd need it for.

    No sense in having a boat if you can't get to the water and use it!!!
     
  12. Sep 23, 2009 at 1:13 PM
    #12
    BeachBoy

    BeachBoy Well-Known Member

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    depends on type of wheeling.

    I would say lift.

    I wheel my truck hard and only a very few times I would've wanted a locker.. I could get almost everywhere without it.

    I did put lift first because it allowed me to put better/bigger tires, which is way more important than a locker.

    so my vote goes lift
     
  13. Sep 23, 2009 at 1:25 PM
    #13
    Stu

    Stu Well-Known Member

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    Not much yet, got a pretty good sound system w/ my custom sub box. Plan on adding more lights & a tool box.
    Agreed, that it depends, but I'll vote locker.
    The few times I've wheeled have been on rox. Your spotter is as good as a lift. The locker will get you around the big stuff.
    Wish I'd have waited for rocker guards.
    [​IMG]
    Not bad, but still.
     
  14. Sep 23, 2009 at 7:48 PM
    #14
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    oil change...
    locker and some good tires will get you a long way
     
  15. Sep 23, 2009 at 7:50 PM
    #15
    Incognito

    Incognito No better friend, no worse enemy

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    I'd go with locker.
     
  16. Sep 24, 2009 at 8:16 AM
    #16
    johnecon2001

    johnecon2001 Well-Known Member

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    I wheeled for over a year with a lift and my LSD before swapping in a locker.
    Cliff calls it my cheater button now.

    tbh, its a skill level thing. The lift + better tires (Note, not bigger) will be far more effective than stock everything + locker.
     
  17. Sep 24, 2009 at 8:21 AM
    #17
    -TRDMAN-

    -TRDMAN- ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

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    IMO Shitty tires and a locker will get you farther that good tires and no locker.... unless we are comparing superswamper boggers to dunflops!:)
     
  18. Sep 24, 2009 at 9:04 AM
    #18
    BeachBoy

    BeachBoy Well-Known Member

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    I would disagree with this statement.

    and I've wheeled a shitload my truck this summer... no locker, but MTZ tires. I got stuck less than locked rigs with BFG mall-terrain...
     
  19. Sep 24, 2009 at 9:10 AM
    #19
    JimBeam

    JimBeam BECAUSE INTERNETS!! Moderator

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    start wheeling without any of it first

    then purchase your armor...then you can decide if YOU need a lift/tires or locker first



    as i previously stated though...i feel like a locker is much more beneficial to a lift
     
  20. Sep 24, 2009 at 9:12 AM
    #20
    drew02a

    drew02a Rocking your mom's world Since 1997

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    The first thing I do to any of my trucks is get a locker. I've wheeled 2wd and 4wd with several locker configurations and have to say it is the single most valuable offroad equipment I've ever put on my truck.

    Last year I did the trail to the top of Capitan Mountain, NM in my 2WD Ford Ranger with lockright auto locker. The trails were extremely uneven steep loose rock covered with snow alot of the way.
     

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