To lock or not to lock on 4x4 ???

Im curently building my daliy driver into a desert runner, should i put lockers on it if i have 4x4 ???

 

Probably not going to hurt you...except in the wallet. If you are thinkin about regearing then that is the time to do it.

 

thanks. i dont think i will be regearing anytime soon, would i have to regear if i supercharge?

 

Sand does not need lockers, as lower air pressure in tires will provide the traction, or floatation. Go to 15 psi for most situations if you start digging into sand... 10 psi if you are already stuck or if you have 3 ply or mud terrain tires.

A rear locker will aid greatly for steep hill climbs with rocks or ruts... that could cause one rear tire to be off the ground... As you may know, in normal 4WD if one tire in the front and/or one tire in the back is in the air, or in loose stuff... while the opposite tire is on firm ground... Only the useless tire(s) in the air will spin, and you stop moving. This is normal 'open differential' action.

A locked differential will divide power equally between the two tires on that axle... the one in the air rotates the same as the one on firm ground... You move ahead!

Unlock when you are out of trouble so you can steer easily (the purpose of open differentials, as tires need to rotate at different speeds when turning and a locker won't allow that.