Locker or Winch

You know. .. you might be able to do both.

Swap out the rear axle with a factory off road unit for under $1200. Then run a cradle and run wires front and rear plus the spare battery to a engo 10k lb winch with a cradle.

This test was pretty conclusive for cost effectiveness.
http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/129-1107-massive-multi-winch-shootout/

Engo 77-10000PFS Winch

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00KP...engo+winch&dpPl=1&dpID=117mF-TBF-L&ref=plSrch

http://www.cbioffroadfab.com/produc...products/high-clearance-front-receiver-hitch/

Hope this allows you to have both items. Later would be an upgrade to the leftover axle diff to maybe an arb setup.

 

I have bumpers from relentless , budget is stay under 1500 for all parts

 

I love your idea , may try to find a used rear locker and see what it will cost then look for in between brand for a winch

 

That winch i mentioned is the cheap good one. 300 for the 9000 series

 

Car-part dot com is a used part lookup for listed yards. This is what the wrecker will use if they don't have one. And there is the rear locker mod on how to install it with minor alteration but my suggestion is a complete axle. Just watch gear ratio as it can change

 

I'd go locker first. Lockers will get you to places and if it looks like a winch is needed don't proceed.

 

depends on terrain your in mostly. if you are in sand or the desert and have nothing to winch out on, get the locker. if you live in the woods and wheel on trails and stuff then id go with a winch.

 

While the locker is really nice to have the winch can really save your ass. If not set on arb you can get lunchbox like a lockright and a warn vr 8k for under 1500! I run oppen diffs and have a nice winch these days. Locker is next mod..

 

Have done that many times on older toys and LC but few places to jack on a stock Taco. Get the winch in mho. Youll have more friends.

 

True. I guess if you are going to put a real front and rear bumper on so that you have jacking points, might as well get the winch too

 

Winch.
I've been recovered once in deep snow by a camo painted, AAA contracted lifted diesel, with 35" tires and front/rear lockers and a winch He got stuck more than once and was only able to recover himself and me with the use of his winch.
Go winch first.

 

Winch for sure. Saved my but when my rear locker didn't help much.

 

Locker and then add a come along to your gear just in case.