school me on rear lockers

[jeepinjosh]

So im going to be getting my 8.8 soon and while the gears get done i want to get a locker in it so i dont have to spend more money and do it later on rip the 8.8 apart. So i have a ? for you all how bad is a locker like a aussie in the snow its in my price range i really would like a arb but wouldnt we all lol just i daily drive my jeep and i tow snowmobles in the winter quads ect in snow storms will it suck with a aussie type locker ? also i hear they eat tires much faster. if you all could fill me in alittle more on lunchbox lockers that would be great thanks guys.

[Bigbike]

As I said on FB, I have never had a problem with my aussie. You learn how to drive with it quick. Your buddy said that he broke carriers, but I have wheeled mine full throttle and never broke a my locker or carrier.

[Zullock Holmes]

i got a detroit. tires don't wear faster, and driving in the snow is funner that being said, with mud terrain tires, the only time on snowy roads my tires break loose is under heavy acceleration or heavy braking. I have never not had control of my jeep in 2wd with 6in's of snow on the roads. i wouldn't worry about it.

[HeavyMetal]

i drove open for awhile

i drove spooled for awhile

i drove lunchbox lockered for awhile

i drove detroited for awhile

none were bad in snow.

the only one to eat my tires was the spool.

get the lunchbox and you wont regret it.

[Buffalo Phil]

Lunchbox. Cheap and they work. Mine have been working for years now without a hiccup.

[jeepinjosh]

i drove open for awhile

i drove spooled for awhile

i drove lunchbox lockered for awhile

i drove detroited for awhile

none were bad in snow.

the only one to eat my tires was the spool.

get the lunchbox and you wont regret it.

what do you have in the rear of your jeep now ?

[HeavyMetal]

i currently have the detroit

[jeepinjosh]

do you like it ? i was told when you let off the gas of a aussie it unlocks the rear ? is that true aswell sorry for asking dumb ?s i just want to learn as much as possible before i buy a locker

[HeavyMetal]

never had my detroit act weird on me, ive heard others say theirs does, but who knows

it works on the same principle basically, i dont notice it

[Zullock Holmes]

yes.

When there is force being applied it locks, when there isn't aka coasting around a corner, it unlocks and "ratchets".

google "the open differential"
it will explain how when cornering the tire closer to the centerpoint of the turn will spin slower, because it is traveling less distance than the tire on the outside of the turn. This is what causes tires to wear faster with a spool, because they will slip on the pavement. A locker will eliminate most of that.


Hence the only really noticable difference between an aussie, detroit, powertrax, etc and that of a spool.... the ability to unlock when drive power is removed. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Lockers have lots of parts that could possibly break and are expensive, but they have much better road manners and are better suited for a daily driven rig. Spools are cheap and there is really nothing mechanical that can break, but on the road, for reasons given, they blow assballs.

Keep in mind though, once you return your foot to the gas the locker will lock again.

[jeepinjosh]

ok thanks seams like its more about getting used to driving it with the locker. my main concern is i daily drive my jeep and rain and snow i have heard rear lockers suck

[Zullock Holmes]

i have never had an issue, if you hammerdown in those conditions, then yes the tires are gonna spin. Go easy when the weather is bad and you will be fine.

[jeepinjosh]

so you dont think when towing a trailer with snowmobles the locker will make it a pain ? i just need my jeep to be as capable as ever for driving in nasty snowy conditions plan on alot of upstate ny and vermont trips this winter need this thinng to rock in snow

[Zullock Holmes]

nahhh it should be fine. keep in mind most trucks have limited slip or some form of OEM locker in the rear.

If anything the rear tires will dig alittle but as soon as they get traction you are good. Keep in mind the rear end won't just slide out going down the road, its gonna be whenever you apply more gas, so just go easy when towing on snowy roads, aka starting from a stop or cornering. As long as you don't get on it coming through hairpin turns you'll live.

[HeavyMetal]

i have heard rear lockers suck

the problem here is, people "hear it" from other people who "hear it"

take it from me

i was in your shoes back in the day, and i was pretty anal about everything with the jeep, looks, driving on the road, so on

never cared having a locker. its really not a big deal at all, theres really nothing to get used to and no real learning curve involved to worry about at least

there may be a couple extra noises every now and again, and a couple new feelings, but nothing beyond that