2021 Bronco - Front Locker

The only people who frown upon a front locker is someone who has never owned a vehicle with one so they don’t know how much of a benefit it is in having one. And most people who have had problems with them typically don’t use them correctly. It isn’t something you use and stay locked in unless your going over an area where you need it. If your complaining that you can’t turn the wheel without a lot of force then your probably not in an area that you need the front end locked. This isn’t something to be used like a rear locker.

I’ve had a front locker in every 4x4 rig I’ve owned including the three 3rd gen Tacos I’ve had. Hard to live without once you’ve had one. Also works great in snow and ice.

So don’t let anyone discourage you from getting one. They just have never owned one and don’t know the real benefits of having one.

 

Since it is Friday....a little humor.

Back in my younger days my buddy had a Taco (like 1988) and we had a few brewskis and went wheeling in Ocotillo Wells (desert in SoCal). It didn’t take terribly long until we bogged down in some sand when another wheeler pulled up to “help”....problem is was that he was pretty lit. First thing he says is “wait a minute, I’ll lock your hubs”. So he fondles around for a minute muttering something and says “OK” give her a try. I ask him if he locked the hubs and he say yeah....I say it’s a 2x4. He say oh, either I let the air out of your tires or you’re gonna need more hardware to put it in 4wd.

So we fired up his BBQ and had some food.....and hitched a ride into town for a tow.

 

I nearly went lunchbox on my 17... but the CC has been coming in clutch on the rocks... much better than I had anticipated... so, my "need" has dropped to "meh"...

 

Im going to be locked front and rear soon. Just dont abuse it and youll be fine. Its when people keep trying to do something that it wont do the first couple of times. I mean yes theres always that chance that the gears will break but i feel like the cv whould break before that happens. I think people are overly playing the whole front locker issue. Just dont run them with like RCV axles lol.

 

Why? I've been running RCV's and front locked for over a year. There's not an issue as long as you don't shock load the system. Don't drive it like it's a trophy truck and it's fine.

 

Yea goes back to not abusing the locker, but since rcv axles are so indestructible i feel like if you did abuse them the gears would break before the axles.

 

the diff becomes the weak point

 

The gears are stronger then the ADD tube and intermediate shaft. Those are the next line of failure once you go to RCV's.

 

IDK man i just know what ive seen and head from some guys running em.

 

I wheel with one of those guys. I was there when he blew apart his ADD tube and intermediate shaft. He was also shock loading the shit out his rig a few weeks before when we where on Fordyce. Like I said, wheel smart and they aren't a problem.

I'm dual cased, dual locked with RCV's. I wheel a lot. I also wheel in control and as soon as I feel the rig hop I stop. I'll let you know if I ever blow up the front end. lol

 

Well since you have dual cases it changes everything because theres no shock value. Slow and controlled!

 

don’t agree. Sure it’s possible to snap the cv on any front locker. Depends on the degree of difficulty and if used properly. They just won’t snap going down the road. Toyota hasn’t place a front locker because well that’s Toyota. They never do anything fast and usually last to the game with things.

 

Wait...you sold your Taco for a “new” Ranger? Don’t you know that the Ranger is like a 10 year old design that has been in other markets for like forever? Ford is in the process of redesigning it for a release in 2021 as a 2022 model. Should have waited a little longer. And the Ranger Raptor will finally be available state side also.

But yes, Toyota isn’t a leader like they use to be. Just basically follows the trends now and plays catch up.

 

Like I’ve said before I’m way more happy with my Ranger then with the 3rd Gen. Drives way better and is fast. Not my favorite looking truck but looks okay when done up right. And it was cheap enough that I can turn around and sell it in 3 years and be okay. I’m excited to see what the new Ranger/Raptor brings. I’m awfully tempted by the Bronco but really need a truck for home projects and towing if I get a camper. Either way should be an exciting next three years with new Ranger Raptor, Frontier, maybe Dakota, and 4th gen Tacoma.

 

‘Built Ford Tough’ vs “Lets go places” is the main difference.

 

I dont use a gun for personal protection so you shouldn't either.

Know the risks, and limits. Then youre good. I put in a rear locker and left the front off because I REALLY dont do anything that needs one. 99% of people dont even need their rear locker, and im probably in the 99% but ive gone some hunt paths that i wouldnt have without the safety of it

 

Dang, turned in to a Friday thread.

Summary:

Most people don't need a front locker.

Some people do. These people are probably also known for doing stupid shit at times.

Some people that have one don't know how to use it and break their shit.

Some people seem to be ok with breaking their shit.

The people that need one, have one, and know how to use it have giant gonads that would smother mortal men with only ATRAC.

 

It's a business decision. Toyota can have a front locker, But it adds a other layer of complexity, another potential failure point, and with product testing decided it didn't meet their demographics needs, or at least, wasn't detrimental enough to their bottom line. After the ranger relaunch I'm sure they felt they needed a gimmick to get more sales out the door. If u think every single decision isn't priced down to the penny, you're looking at it wrong. Only thing to look for now, is how it affects longer term reliability or recalls for the bronca.