Front ARB locker strong enough?

I’m having 488’s installed in my 16TRD in a couple weeks. I’m considering having an ARB installed at the same time in the front. I thought I read that people have had problems with them blowing up in the front because independent suspension is not as strong as an axle? Is this true? Is there much cause for concern having an ARB in the front? Thanks.

 

Yes it is true, though it's usually the front CV axles you have to worry about the most. They are not nearly as strong as a solid straight axle and will break under the stress of a locked front diff IF it isn't used properly. Just have to use it carefully (don't spin the tires like crazy if you're stuck, don't make sharp turns when locked in the front, etc.) and it's usually fine. I usually leave my rear locker turned on for most of the trails I do and I'm mindful of it, never had any issue. A front locker on IFS I would only activate when necessary.

A rear locker and 4wd is usually enough for the average off-roader, front lockers are overkill for all but extreme rock crawling circumstances IMO.

 

So basically if I’m rallying it throught the snow with a trailer I’m highly likely to damage it? That’s most likely what I’d use for.

 

Snow wheeling isn't my forte, I'll let someone else chime in on that. I wouldn't use a front locker though unless I was approaching an obstacle that required it to climb over/through.

 

I am in the same boat and have done some research on it. Slee Offroad in Golden Co is one of the foremost Toyota specialist and they tell me they lock the front IFS all the time. Again only in cretin circumstances can you use it. When I re-gear I'm gonna lock the front.

 

I would think it would be fine in snow since there's not much traction, but still should be careful

 

In my experience lockers tend to push you all over in the snow. Open - open works pretty good until you stop then you might need the added traction lockers could help with.

 

Why are you rallying through the snow with a trailer hooked up?

 

this made me laugh harder than I probably should have.

 

Like it was said earlier OP, watch those CVs. You'll break them way before you break the actual locker.

What's the tire size you'll be running? I'm guessing 35s with the 4.88 gears?

 

That place is the best

 

I’m running 285’s for tire. I rally with my snowmobile trailer up a 1 mile road 2-3x week. The state won’t plow so it’s seriously just like the cats meme.

 

If you're re-gearing and can afford it then you might as well do it. As for using to help with mobbing through the snow, I'd recommend against that. If you're running locked on a slippery surface with any sort of camber to the road you will wind up sliding towards the downhill side. Lockers really shine when you're stuck and spinning one wheel, though honestly I've found that if I'm stuck spinning a wheel in the snow engaging the locker most often makes it so that I'm spinning two wheels. But that's also why I carry a shovel and chains.