Front AND Rear Lockers?

I have a '17 Taco TRD Pro. I've noticed some people are installing front AND rear air lockers. I can certainly understand the benefit of adding one to the front, but why add one to the rear when it comes with one (electrical?) from the factory. Is the factory rear locker not that good?

 

I don't see many people replace their rear one. But only the Pro and Off Road come with lockers. Everyone else has a simulated LSD using the ABS system (which is actually what happens with the front on the Pro and Off Road anyway).

 

The factory rear locker is fine. Some people have issues engaging/disengaging it (I have not)….don’t know anyone who’s replaced it…..

 

Thanks. This is what I was looking for.

 

Thanks for the info!

 

Are you just seeing people adding one to the Sport and SR5 trims that have no locker?

 

Most aren't swapping the rear factory locker for something else, they likely just have a model that came with an open rear diff. That's not to say a few people haven't chosen to replace the factory locker with aftermarket for whatever reason.

 

I wouldnt bother with the front (if you were considering it). It's not needed. The only time it would have been needed is deep into difficult rock crawling trails, the kind where you lose things. At that point your tubbing, on 37s and have rock rash on everything

 

I've heard you say this before. It makes perfect sense to me and I want to believe you so I ordered my front without a locker. I guess time will tell once I start thrashing it. I'm finally old enough that I am being realistic about the mods I put on my truck and what I'm planning on using it for so the logic behind what you say really appeals to me.

 

I’d disagree with on who needs it, I’ve been happy to have my front locker many times when I wasn’t deep into difficult rock crawling trails. And I certainly don’t have 37s. They are a tool that is certainly not needed by most people but have a place beyond the fantasy rig you have in mind.

 

Ya driver skill plays a role in that. The truck is only so capable with the wheelbase, ground clearance, articulation, length, etc

 

And part of driver skill is using tools that are available to you instead of just hoping the skinny pedal and stacking rocks gets you there

 

Maybe though I've driven lines that dual lockers have, winched where dual lockers winched, and in each of those situations we are on dedicated rock crawling trails. If I avoid a trail its not due to lack of a front locker its due to saving body panels and wasting time turtling on rocks bigger than my tires. Driver skill isnt just using tools that are available, tools typically make up for a lack of skill in most cases. Skinny pedal only gets you so far and our trucks aren't very good at it, these arent rock bouncers and stacking rocks is typically irrelevant in regards to front locker usage but I understand very clearly where you are coming from now. Front lockers are very situational. I'm glad you find your front locker useful.

Make no mistake, I swear by front and rear lockers as well, I have dual detroits sitting in 1-tons for my YJ on 40s but there is a big difference in capability between a YJ on 40s and an IFS Tacoma on 35s

 

I'm with you. I always encourage folks who intend to hit the trails, get off the beaten path, or explore in remote locations to start with lockers. It is hands down the most effective trail performance enhancer there is. Also, used correctly it saves lots of beating on your truck. I have zero interest in ever wheeling again with an open diff and for me lockers are absolute requirements. It's just not fun to miss out on all the capability it offers. I don't care how good a driver someone is, you can't manufacture traction if it's not there.

 

We are trying to do two different things with our vehicles. I have a truck that I can drive on a 3,000 mile road trip and not be stopped by a rutted out climb in the middle of nowhere, you have something that you will giggle when it falls over trying to climb a vertical face. If I lived close to a place where I could do crazy rock crawling I would be doing the same as you, a shitbox on 40s and not a care in the world. But instead I have to drive to places so I make up for the lack of tire and travel with a button, works out plenty good for me.

 

No I think we are doing the same with our tacos (Not the YJ) .my point is that you can drive 3000 miles and not be stopped by a rutted out climb with a single locker. I'm simply trying to substantiate that statement with the fact that your limitations on more difficult trails are generally not front locker related (for average tacos on 33s and 35s)

More so to the point, there isnt a single road/trail in America you can go with dual lockers that I can't with a single locker (in a our Tacos non 37s and not willing to destroy our trucks), therefore a front locker isnt really needed, maybe nice to have but definitely not needed

Perhaps this is where we agree to disagree, but I would love for you to find me a trail that you can do that I cant because I am always up for a challenge.

 

If I was doing a front locker and had extra money at the time I'd replace the rear with an ARB. My biggest bitch about the factory rear locker is you have to be in 4 low to use it.

 

I’m not here to have a measuring contest, I’m glad you can do things others can’t, I’m happy hitting my buttons and driving over stuff in my way. #AllGearNoSkill

 

I'm just trying to save some folks a few bones. If I can, everyone else can.

 

Yep.

Put a front locker on mine. Wheel almost weekly. Have never needed to use it.

What I have realized with a front locker is that the urge to use it needs to be balanced against the damage I’ll inflict on my truck in the process.

I’d put both a winch and a hc rear bumper way ahead of a front locker in terms of off road necessities.