Posted by Charlie on Wednesday, January 31, 2001 at 0:30AM :
In Reply to: Re: What do you guys think about Lockers? posted by Bob on Tuesday, January 30, 2001 at 2:37AM :
Question, Bob: have you ever driven a truck with a rear automatic locker, and one with lockers at both ends? I don't think so. I live in a place with icy roads from October through March, a true 5-6 months a year. And I mean EVERY DAY. I drive a 90" wheelbase BJ40 Landcruiser, a short high center of gravity narrow vehicle - a setup for instability. And it has a rear Detroit Locker, with a front ARB. Yes, I prefer the ARb in the front. But I took the ARB out of the rear, sold it, and replaced with a Detroit Soflocker when I put a full floating axle in the rear. It DOES NOT "put me in the ditch". I will categorically state: a 4WD vehicle, any dimensions, is MORE directionally stable with a rear autolocker and an open front diff than with two open diffs, when in 4WD. And you know what: even in 2WD it isn't instant spinout. My M37 has front and rear Lockrights since that's the only locker available for it. It has power steering and hubs, which are locked all winter. I drove it all one winter when I was awaiting an aluminum body tub for the Landcruiser. It did just fine, whether in 4Wd or 2WD. No spinouts, speeds up to 65 mph (I don't go over 50-55 in 4Wd, though).
Remember: I drive on icy roads approximately 160 days a year, in heavy traffic. You do need to learn, they do handle differently. Caution is required at first and practicing in empty icy parking lots is strongly advised. Once you get the feel of it you will never go back to a rear ARB. You never get to use it! With a Detroit or Lockright it's ALWAYS working for you for better traction.
Charlie
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