Posted by Mike Hernke [63.151.218.18] on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 14:46:27 :
In Reply to: Can you run Lockers and 489s with a 251? posted by Joe Cool [24.77.46.107] on Friday, March 15, 2013 at 10:32:22 :
I don't think the locker really adds significant engine load. If the locker is transfering significant power the opposite wheel it is in a very low traction situation or off the ground and you wont be using much power anyway. I have a theory that a locker may also hurt a low power truck wiht large tires in deep mud. This is just my theory and many people will dissagree but when an open differential spins the spinning wheel is spinning twice as fast. A 5.83 would act like a 2.91 gear. I think in deep mud this allows the spinning wheel to clean the mud out because it is spinning twice as fast. If you have enough power (big block type) you can spin all four tires plenty fast to clean the mud but with lower power two clean tires may be better than 4 mud packed tires. This only applies to mud when the both sides of the truck are fairly level, if more weight is on one side of the truck the locker definately has the advantage. This is a just a guess but I feel like my truck actally worked better on muddy hill climbs unlocked that it does locked, I have a lockrite in the rear so I can't test this theory.
I would add that I think you will have better luck in snow driving with the axles unlocked especially the front. I find with the front locked in snow or mud my truck just won't turn, it wants to push straight ahead. The rear isn't as obvious and it may make the rear end slide around more but with a low power engine I doubt you will see a big difference locked or unlocked.