Front Locker: Is it worth it?

So it has been a while since I got my gears installed and my front locker hooked up. Let me tell you right now it is absolutely, 100% worth re-gearing* and getting a front locker**.


*IMO Re-gearing only worth the cash it if you run 35s+
**IMO Front Locker Only Worth the cash if you wheel hard


Using both lockers on the Hells Gate

http://youtu.be/jM1P9BZkmVk?list=UU-Vd74niqE29d9t1k6uD_zQ

 

Silly duratracs need all the traction they can get

 

FWIW, I've wheeled pretty hard and only used the front locker a handful of times, most of which I could have just used skinny pedal to get where I wanted to go.

 

how is your Mpgs these days poopie?

 

Very nice. I need to do Moab again...

 

After watching this, YOU definitely need the front locker! I wouldn't attempt that hill climb without one.

 

Not hating on Pete, but several people (including myself) have run the Gate open/open. Just sayin. If you can keep all the wheels on the ground, there is plenty of traction, its is when you lift a wheel that the locker really comes into play.

 

This May be true but I can take you on trails open open would never make. I don't give a rats azz how many tires you have on the ground..

 

I don't think my next set of tires will be duratracs. They are not a bad tire, but there is better options.

Roof rack hurt it, the gears helped a little. I am hovering right around an average of 14.

Nah I used it because it was new and I had it. There are plenty of people who have run it open/open. Mike or mh.meier's girl friend did it in his truck last year Open/Open

Proof (Skip to 0:50 if you don't want to see how you get into hells gate)
http://youtu.be/497WNkvfu_Q?list=PLsZH5tu4m9c-A7QiSi_yejyEjKo-nXs7J

^This.

I had all four on the ground at the begging and was spinning tires. If I was open I would have had to back down and use more momentum or a new line.

 

I've heard a lot of people tell James this...

 

Sub'd

 

Damn I thought you would be getting better than that. Hell I get 14

 

Question for those who have actually done this: Can a 4 cyl with manual trans, 4.56 gears, and 33s make it up without too much clutch riding?

 

No. the clamshell case means it'll basically explode the front diff on the gen 2. in a solid axle.. Yes. worth every penny.

 

How you figure? I see a lot of video of IFS trucks doing that without breaking.

 

I wasn't making a blanket statement, just about the Gate specifically. I plan to regear and add lockers this winter, and I can't wait to see what it opens up for me! I will add that learning the capability of your truck without lockers is probably the best way to go, and then adding them after you have basically maxed out your driving skills and unlocked truck's capability. Also, see below.

LOL, very true.

 

Says the cheater with a-trac.

 

The clamshell will deflect and prematurely wear out your gears at best on 32s. On 37s in actual rock crawling it'll be enough to grenade the front end.

 

Got it.... no worries.

 

I have needed it many times, but didnt have one so ive used the winch as my front locker. I want to get one, however its easier to pull winch cable than fix broken CVs which will now be a constant worry. So i keep flip flopping back and forth.