What front lunchbox locker should I get?

That's exactly the plan. With the ADD front diff I can tap into the rely and unlock the passenger side cv from in the cab. Same principle as unlocking the hub.

 

Yup - should work the same.

 

*Update*
Decided to go with the Aussie locker. Ordered on ebay and should arrive around Xmas time.

 

installed yet? hows it working out so far?

 

Yep. Got it installed about 3 weeks ago. I'll get a little long winded here.

Install went well. I messaged Aussie just to clarify some things that were concerning to me. The gap from the cams to the center pin were within specs but one side was about .002 closer than the other but still within spec. The center gap itself was the same deal. I believe they call for .006-.020 and I had .009-.011 depending on what side I measured the center gap. I was told this is normal by the Aussie rep and that my center gap was a little on the tight side but to run it like that and see how I like it. He said I could order thinner thrust washers if I drive in 4x4 a lot to open up the center gap to allow a little easier ratcheting.

They call for a 700 mile "break in" period that I haven't gotten up to yet. With my setup it's a little more difficult to get those miles in because I have manual hubs and ADD diff. Driving around in 4x4 for 700miles isn't exactly ideal. So to get the Aussie locker to actually ratchet in 2wd I lock my hubs, engage 4x4 so the front actuator engages the passenger axle and than I go under the truck and disconnect the plug from the front actuator. The actuator stays in the locked position so the locker can ratchet even in 2wd. Of course I'm only doing this until I get about 700miles of driving in (I'm not really keeping track). In terms of locker characteristics, when it's ratcheting in 2wd you literally have to strain to hear the thing. In 4x4 I wouldn't call it a ratchet sound but more of a loud pop such as a CV joint binding. That doesn't bother me but I suspect the sound will get softer over time. Other than that I haven't heard any other random bangs that some people report.

We have a few feet of snow here so I've had lots of opportunities to test it in 4x4. Deep snow was one of the areas which I wasn't expecting a whole lot out of the front locker. Once you get hung up it doesn't matter if you have 2, 4, or 24 wheels spinning your still stuck. Now that all wheels spin equally it's also easier to dig in and when the truck is searching for traction you get some serious truck hop. This of course is just characteristics of any locker, not just a Aussie. In a lot of deep snow situations I suspect open diffs are an advantage, which would be 1 positive of having a selectable locker. There were some situations however that I think the front being locked helped. I was straddling a single lane packed snowmobile track where my drivers side was in deep enough snow that I couldn't open the door, while the passenger side was on the packed snow. Having lockers front and rear allowed those wheels on the hard pack to really help pull the truck threw. I look forward to the spring so I can get it in the mud and start climbing some hills where the locker will really shine.

Let me clear up one thing. Driving on snow/icy streets. As I suspected, what I was reading online was way overblown in regards to the ability to drive safely in these conditions. We have snowy and icey roads 6 months of the year and I have absolutely no fears of driving with this thing locked. I've tested unlocking the driver's side hub and driving like that. Pulls the the right. Unlock the passenger hub, pulls to the left. Keep them both locked and you get no pulling at all while power is applied. The only instance I've noticed it pull in that scenario is if I let off the gas and than really punch it on slick roads. In this case you get a quick pull depending on what side gets traction first but than it goes straight. Other than that the locked front is very predictable when common sense is applied. I wouldn't advise trying to power threw turns but really I drive in pretty well the same manner as I did when I had a open diff in 4x4. I haven't had it at 60mph + on snow packed highways locked yet (yes, that's the way people drive here) but the only thing I would be more cautious about in that situation is bare patches which might "grab" one wheel more than the other. I told myself before I got the locker that I was going to drive in 2wd more often in the snow and only lock in 4x4 when needed. So far it's been working out alright.

That's about all I can think about for now. I'll update once I get more miles and test more conditions. Any question feel free and I'll try my best to answer.

 

Thought I'd throw my opinion in this thread as well since there seems to some opinions with little/no experience with an auto locker saying how they handle.

I agree with the manners on snow cover streets. I do usually only drive in 2wd though. Only time I need the front is at stops with an uphill grade.

In deep snow in my experience it makes a big difference pulling through the deep stuff. Just need to know when to let off and back up before you dig in to deep.

What brought me here though is that my aussie is worn out and has started ratcheting more than locking. I haven't pulled it out of the carrier yet to inspect it but visually from what I can see it looks fine.


I will absolutely be putting another auto locker in. I don't miss having an open front diff much at all.