Life without rear locking differentials

Hello everyone- just wondering what peoples experiences are off-roading without rear lockers and the effectiveness of limited slip alone? I want to go and hit some trails but don’t want to get myself into a lot of pain because I’m off-roading in something more intended for snow covered pavement. Any feedback would be awesome! Great Day! I apologize if I’m in the wrong thread-I’m new to the forums. BTW - I have an SR with LSD alone…

 

It depends on where you’re going. There are plenty of places an open diff 4x4 will be perfectly adequate.

I suppose one would be nice if you’re getting seriously off camber or have an affinity for mud.

 

Lockers are meant to get you out of trouble not for full time use or on paved roads. A limited slip can be use full time.

 

The truck is amazingly capable. Get extraction equipment. Go with some people who know what they are doing.

 

Extraction equipment is a great point thank you

 

Wheeled for 15 tears w out a rear locker. Finally had one put in, forgot i had it and almost never used it .

 

Lockers are invaluable while wheeling but of course, you can wheel without them. When I finally had a rear locker installed, it made such a huge difference that it felt like I was cheating offroad. Once I added a front locker, the same thing. They allow a lot more control in certain situations and in other situations, it's the deciding factor if you can drive through something or need to be tugged/winch.

Now with that said, it's certainly not a requirement until you start getting into the more difficult stuff. Get some recovery gear and know how to use it and go with a buddy or two and get out there and have fun. Everyone starts somewhere, just be smart about it.

 

Before you buy a bunch of stuff you may not need for a hobby you may not like, go out with some other folks that already have the stuff. Figure out what your current setup will do and then go from there.

 

The majority of my off roading is in the desert. No locker, but have 4x4 and limited slip. I air down to about 20 lbs and challenge myself not to use 4x4 unless I need it. You’d be surprised how much airing down helps.

 

Curious if anyone has wheeled Sherman Pass(?) considered a black diamond trail if I remember correctly? Quite a bit of trails up there. I’ve done monache meadows years ago. Moderate if I remember.

Southern Sequoia National Forest

 

Yes, have been up and down Sherman Pass several times -- a fun road. Up on the top there are a few small rock gardens, the steep grade is generally smooth, just steep. Also near the top are some skinny places between trees, Jeeps and Tacomas are OK, bigger vehicles might have an issue. You will want 4x4 in places, a locker is not needed on that road.

A rocky spur off that road will take you to Sherman Peak (out and back).

 

Jim, thank you so much for your detailed info.

Sounds like fun and looking forward to it

 

I off road a fair amount, but not like rock crawling, and I've only ever used my locker once and honestly I'm pretty sure I didn't need it even then.