Front Locker

hey guys,

So I'm regearing my 2004 TRD w/elocker and I've got a question: front ARB locker or no? Cost is neither here nor there. I'm getting a decent deal, and it's only an additional $800 or so. I've read countless threads with people warning of CV failure and diffs exploding.

I realize you have to drive carefully, avoiding wheel spin and tight turns/suspension droop. But other than that, what are your guys' experience? Comments? Observations? Advice?

Note: truck is used for hunting, camping, off-road trails (moderate to sketchy). I'm not cool enough to be considered expo
But I still take road trips and go exploring.
My job requires a separate work vehicle, so it will NEVER be my DD.


Mods:
ARB bumper
Warn Winch
OME suspension
33" duratracs
Future rear bumper
Sliders
Toolbox
Rigid Lights
Dual Batteries
ARB fridge full time
Future 40gal fuel cell

 

Thinking of this mod as well, so I’m interested in the responses you get. I would only use the front locker as a last resort when REALLY stuck!

 

You just have to be more careful with a front locker than you do with the rear; the rear being on a solid axle the only thing you really have to worry about is the diff itself. With the front, the cv's will likely grenade before the diff does. My rear locker I usually just leave on for tough trails, a front locker I would only ever activate in a situation where it was necessary, then turn it off until the next one comes up. Which is why most people only recommend a front locker for those that are hitting the really tough trails; for most people 4lo, a good set of tires, clearance and a rear locker is enough.

 

Half the benefit of the front ARB is that it eliminates the spider gears in the stock open carrier. You are much less likely to damage the front differential whether the locker is engaged or not. Yes that makes the CVs the weak point, but they're a lot easier to swap out on the trail than a clamshell (cheaper too).

I have had a front ARB for about 3 years, only use it when necessary, and am still rocking the factory CVs with 35" tires.

 

also don't let irresponsible retards drive your truck. They care not what happens afterwards and just call it an ''accident".

 

I sense there is a story behind this...

 

Just my thought process. You dump alot of money into your 4x4 setup, why let it get trashed

 

Watch your turns and immediately shit it off when out of the obstacle. It does offer a more controlled wheeling since it won't be slipping then grab like an open diff. Don't be an idiot about it and you will be fine. I use mine every time I wheel

 

I don't let anyone drive my truck, especially offroad and especially because it's a manual. I cringe whenever I have to take it in for service and the lot kid drives it off. But that's really the only time it happens. Forget about valet, never...I'll walk 5 miles if I have to.

 

Do it I’ve been rocking front and rear arbs for a couple years now and haven’t broken a cv yet. I’m not the easiest on my rig but I am not stupid with it. Use the locker when needed and it’ll be a great tool to rely on. In fact you can use it to get up obsticals easier without spinning tires

 

Make a hidden switch to disable the e-lockers switch itself.

 

Thanks for all the replies. I didn't know about the spider gear removal. That is another good benefit imo. Also, does anyone think that beefing up CVs is a good thing, or bad? Letting the CVs be the weak link, so that the diff doesn't grenade.

 

If you’re *really* into needing super traction from a front locker, me thinks you’d better be considering a SAS, so in that case, no cvs to break, lol.

Have you considered a LSD instead? I’ve rarely encountered a time where I wish I had a front locker (I have an e-locker out back). But a LSD would come in handy, plus, there’s no air lines, compressors etc... to install.

 

Who the hell valets their trail rig? lol

I mean, I might consider it if just for the looks I’d get from the valet (after a wheelin trip, unwashed of course).

 

My rig's my daily driver as well (for now)

 

Isn’t that *why* people dump all that money into their rigs? To thrash on them off road? Reminds me of the guy who got mad when a car scratched his offroad bumper in a parking lot.

 

There aren't that many "upgrade" options for stock length CVs, so unless you want to shell out for RCV shafts or something you're better off running OEM CVs. If you're continually breaking them, either you're doing something wrong or you're doing some hardcore wheeling, in which case you should look into a SAS.

The beauty of a selectable front locker is that you can turn it on and off at will. While a LSD isn't as much of a pain to deal with as a mechanical front locker, for example, you still have very little control over when it is grabbing and when it isn't. For instance, in snow it can be beneficial to have one tire slipping while the other grips, such as on a sidehill so you're not getting pulled downhill. Hard to do that with a LSD or mechanical locker.

 

I haven't needed a front locker yet, except for maybe snow wheeling, where my rear locker helped a lot. But I don't know how much of a difference locked/locked is compared to locked/open. I realize anything is better than open/open.

I'm really only considering it. Ecaide pf the regear. It's zero additional labour cost. And in regards to the airlines/electrical, I'm pretty handy when it comes to that. I'm an HVAC tech that's handy with my hands and can fix a air leak/loose wire. And install isn't a problem either.

Don't get me started on SAS...

I haven't broken a CV yet. But I'm just looking at options. Then again I don't generally romp on it off-road in technical terrain. I leave that for the dirt roads and the street I use 4low and the locker liberally.

 

I've run an Aussie locker in the front of mine for nearly 10 years. CV breakage is not an issue unless you make it one. I've been places with this fully locked ifs truck that would surprise most, in just about all terrains. Have I broken cv's..? sure I have but have I broken one when I thought it really shouldn't have..? no. Being locked in the front actually allows you to drive the truck with much more finesse, therefore reducing the overall stress on everything. In the 16 years I've owned this truck I'd say it's one of best mods I've done, bar none!