When Do You “Locker” Up?

IMO the real thing that makes the OR/Pro more capable is ATRAC/MTS. The auto-LSD is much stronger than on the Sport (I've had both) and I can get through way worse stuff in my Off Road. I mean I think I've used my locker once just to try it out but the ATRAC has been outstanding.

 

Locker mechanically locks the tires so if one has enough traction, the others that are also linked aren't going to spin. The only way you'll spin rear locked in 4wd is if 1 front and two rear don't have traction.

 

I ran a spool in my 1988 Tin Top Samurai for years and never had any issue of kick out or over steer as a result of it. I daily drove it in all conditions.

 

I have never had a locking device in any of my off road vehicles other than the aforementioned spool in my old Samurai. I always drive in 2wd as far as I can until I need to engage 4x4 to go any farther. I would do the same if I had a locker. I enjoy the challenge.

 

In 16 years of owning my truck, I've never even used mine. I guess next time I pull the truck out, I should mash the button in and see if it works.

 

I’ve had opposite experiences, that’s why I swapped my Detroit out for an arb. I was climbing a fresh rained soggy hill and kept spinning up to a certain point no matter how hard I slipped the clutch or creeped. Cousins 1 gen walked up in in 2wd open. In that scenario traction was so limited that I couldn’t keep from spinning both tires.

 

I’ll never understand people’s obsession with locking in 4h

 

Only when I need it.

 

I could see wanting to lock in 4H in mud, but that's about it.

Any other situation I can think of I'd be crawling in 4L.

 

I “locker” up my seat belt and gun it because I’m 2wd. Works 90% of the time

 

I’ve used it in when I miscalculated some ruts that had me on two wheels. Hard to explain the situation but the locker came in handy fo sho. Honestly, i get by most times in 2wd.

 

I have a Jeep w/ arb’s that I can compare to my truck.
The long wheelbase makes the truck more stable and a lot less slipping around, so the rear locker effects seem less noticeable.
On the Jeep I often run 2wd and rear locked, unless it’s slick and off camber and then 4wd w/out lockers.
It’s been fun off roading the Tacoma and trying “the Jeep wouldn’t like this” scenarios, like downhill off camber turns. What is a handful in the Jeep seems ho hum in the truck.

 

I would like to lock the rearend in 4h but i have to say i am very impressed how it handles it self in GA mud so far.

 

Try pulling a snowmobile trailer up an icey unplowed road. That's how I justified getting the OR in my simple mind. My F150 let me lock it anytime I wanted under 25 mph.

 

That makes sense. I could definitely see wanting to use it in extreme snow and ice conditions. Good point!

 

True I can't imagine the need for that wheelspeed and locked at same time.

I do wish default we had 2Lo locker. Many times 4wd isn't needed

 

Snow. The combo of speed and extra traction can be a life saver

 

Or you could use tire chains?

 

I locker up whenever she talks dirty!

 

(Not default) but that is available for 4wd OR or Pro models with the 2Lo mod