Lockers or winch:?

Hey yall,

Quick question: Rear locker or winch?
I do have a bumper incoming this winter which is why I was initially thinking a winch.

 

Winch will be cheaper since you're already getting a bumper. Wait until/if you want to regear to worry about adding a locker.

 

I'd do the winch, but I already have a locker.

Either one is a good choice.

Can't swing both?

 

Locker then winch. I have Jeep with a winch and it's the last option that I want to use.

 

Winch might be more useful in more situations, locker is nice but you gotta consider what kind of wheeling you do. 4lo gets most people by 99 percent of the time.

That being said ive only used my locker a handful of times but it has saved the day more than once.

 

Sadly can't swing both currently... College budget overland build haha

 

I'd do a winch then a locker. I've used my winch a couple times (to help others), but I've yet to engage my rear locker.

 

Speaking of regearing... at what point do I really need to start worrying about that? I'm currently on 33s and throwing some decent armor on it. Would 35s push me over?

 

Get a winch. I wheeled for years without a locker, but did use my winch. When i did finally get an arb airlocker, i think i used it a total of 3 times in a few years. You have a bumper coming, put a winch in it when you get it. Locker ,plus installation, it will cost quite a bit more.

 

People have regeared for 33's and been happy (especially with heavy armor), but regearing is pretty much mandatory with 35's.

 

Winch. My harbor freight Badlands apex 12k lb winch was open box (never used or even hooked up) for $479 and is synthetic rope 80ft, wireless and wired connection option, pulled me out the other weekend lIke a charm . My 4wd LO and locker on did nothing at that time, thank god for the winch

 

You're on 33's and you've got armor?

I'd easily suggest a locker; you'll get really far.

 

Are you AT or MT? I've got the AT and just put on 5.29's with 33's and it feels perfect for me now

 

Winch. Locker is nice and may actually get you more stuck. Lockers get you in but not always out.

 

Ha, that was going to be my response. Locker will get places you need a winch doh.

But seriously learning how to wheel an "un-locked" truck and ability to self recover will help you more the versus. The locker will become lovely after those lessons. Just IMO.

 

If conditions are so bad you need a locker chances are you may need a winch shortly.

 

Depends on the type of wheelin you do. If you think you'll find yourself with one rear wheel in the air while trying to go up hill (IE - badly rutted road going uphill), I'd argue that's where a locker really shines.

Me personally, I go out hunting every year and the spot we go to requires us to use some very bad BLM roads to get there. Super rutted out, lots of large rocks in the road, lots of hills, usually pretty muddy. The locker on my truck is critical for me getting through the road to get to the site, and to get home.

Sure, I could do it with a winch, and I agree a winch is a very useful tool, but being able to activate the locker from inside the cab and not worry about winching in the pouring down rain is nice. $0.02 of personal experience, of course.

Also, you could always use the poor man's winch - aka traction boards. Those work great too.

 

Had the option of a free pair of AT ridge grapplers so took those. How is your experience AT vs MT?

 

Been driving 4X4's since the 1970's. Didn't own one with a locker till I bought the 2007 Tacoma I still have. In nearly 15 years I've needed it twice. I've been stuck before and have always managed to extricate myself the old fashioned ways. But I'm getting too old to do that anymore. I'd not buy another truck without a locking rear diff, but wouldn't pay extra to have it added. If I had to choose I'd go with a winch.

 

Sorry bro I mean auto or manual transmission. Auto trans has two OD gears and suffers worse than the manual with bigger tires and added weight