Front Locker: Is it worth it?

Think I’m gonna do it. The shop said it’s a free installation since they’re already taking it apart no extra cost to add it. So that’s awesome.

 

Yeah, same here with the re-gear.

 

I'd go for it. I have found it to be a great addition. In situations where I may bump I love being able to flip that switch and crawl up and over.

 

Yes lockers front and rear will allow the truck to climb obstacles much easier as your putting 100% power to all four wheels . If you had , let's say a locked rear and a limited slip front you'll only have three wheel drive

 

Nice Videos!

 

Thanks!

 

A front locker is almost a must for real crawling like Moab. Invariably, one or two wheels will be off the ground and only a locker will keep you moving forward. the only issues I had with an ARB on my 1st gen Tundra were the weak axles. I broke three front axles in Moab with the ARB because the axles were undersized. My biggest question is, can these axles handle a front locker?

 

I have a trutrac limited slip in the front of my gen 1. I have a factory e-locker in the rear. Never broke a front axle.

 

Good to hear. I didn't begin breaking axles until I added 33" tires and an ARB and started wheeling Moab; which I plan to do with this one also. Still, an LSD is not a locker.

 

Question was do you have a front locker? No
Do you want one? Yes

So I have TRD Sport and when I regeared my truck it was for larger tires and added weight so I got a rear e-locker but no front.. At the time money was an issue and I wasn't planning on building a rock crawler but now I wish I had. I have never been to Moab but I have been on the Rubicon a few times and did great with only a rear locker. It seems like most people that break cv's while wheeling do so with the front locked. The opinion is that if you lock the front you need to know when to and be careful. With that said not having a front locker has not slowed me down. I think the harder lines in the Rubicon would require a front locker but some other upgrades as well. If I were to do it again I would have spent the money and got a front locker but I probably would have used it when I should not have and then broke shit.

 

You could do most of Moab with your current setup. Multiple lockers are only needed for the more extreme obstacles; and most have bypasses.
My 2000 Tundra could not handle the Golden Crack without a locker. I simply won't wheel Moab without a locker. I agree, a front locker makes all the difference.

 

You are correct that an LSD is not a locker. I chose the limited slip for the front because of the torque limiting aspect that virtually eliminates broken front axles. I wanted reliability because it was my daily driver for many years.

 

FR/RR is nice. Rather have it and not need it vs need it and not have it.

I use my crawl box more than my FR/RR lockers and I air down to 5psi. Picking a good line helps too.

 

I did a front locker when I regeared. I don't do technical trails so probably not required for my use. On the other hand there have been a couple times when the slimy clay in the desert has gotten me in a tricky spot that having the locker got me home without having to phone a friend.

 

It’s worth it if you do technical trails. Not worth it if you daily drive it. Just make sure you go easy on using it. Most break their axles when they go left and right on the steering wheel and picking bad lines. Just keep wheels straight as possible.

 

Too late!
Front and rear Eaton-equipped pumpkins from ECGS arriving next Friday.



Get it?!?!





And I'm showing myself out...

 

A more helpful thread would be what Toyota front axle weaknesses your locked front diff found and how often. Then, organize all the responses on a spreadsheet or diagram of some sort. Selectable locking front diffs are fantastic, end of discussion.

 

I think it's pretty simple. The CVs are the weak point and a locked front can put too much stress on them -- bumping while turning on relatively sticky terrain would not be ideal. Selectable is the way to go along with a spare and appropriate tools and oil for a trail repair.

 

Indeed, but if that weak link (fuse) is strengthened, what's next? Especially reversing in 4LO, like recovering something. My guess would be something related to the axle disconnect.

 

If you have to ask if a front locker is needed you don't need it. If you know you need one you know.