So here's my dilemma/question. I've been saving for either an e-locker or an arb locker for the rear. My runner is a 4cyl 5sp with 4:56 ratio running 265/75/16. Was looking on eBay and found an ad for an arb that came out of a a truck with the sme ratio. I called the guy up and it is from the front diff not the rear. So do I get this because it's a good deal $$ and continue to save for the rear? Or do I pass on this cause I never intended on locking the front? Would I be prone to breaking more CV with only a front locker? Or should I get it and wait to install it when I save up enough for the rear? So many questions but not sure what to do. Thanks for any advice. And yes it is a DD and I do wheel it. Check out the pics in my album.

Oh, boy, I've seen this one cause fights.

The common wisdom is that it's better to lock the rear first, but on my last run I watched a Wrangler with a front locker cruise right up a ledge that the rest of us with rear lockers needed several tries to get up, so there's no question that there are times when a front locker is better than a rear locker. You're more likely to break a CV with the front locked for sure, but if you don't engage the locker until you need it you should be fine.

If you're planning on doing both anyway, go with the deal and don't sweat it.

If it's the entire diff and a good deal I say go for it. Then save for the rear. There is no immediate harm using a front locker only but general rule of thumb is to keep the work load at the back instead of the front, especially on an IFS rig. With a front locker the cv's are prone to breaking especially if you're creating a lot of wheel spin. As an owner of a front ARB locker I will warn you that there is no slipping of the locker. It's holding on tight when it's activated. However, with having a front locker only I'd think if you're not careful you're more likely to break a cv versus having a rear locker too doing most of the work. The axle shafts in the rear aren't the greatest but the cv's are even worse, so keep that in mind.

You can always buy it, install it and only use it if you absolutely have to. Don't put yourself in a position where you're going to need it. Then, save for the rear and get it when it's time.

Hey Kid V. What are you running? Open or locked? I think for me the main thing is the money. I was never planning on locking the front cause I thought I wouldnt need it. But the price is right.

Right now I've got an automatic in the rear and a limited slip in front. I don't mind the Spartan at all, but a selectable locker in front would be worlds better than the TrueTrac. If you've got a line on a dirt cheap selectable for the front, I'd jump on it and settle for a lunchbox in the rear. Worry about a selectable for the back down the road if you really don't like the drop-in locker, but they aren't nearly as scary as the stories you hear from all the guys that have never installed or driven one. ;)

ETA - some sort of rear locker would really take the strain off your CVs, too. Spartans for the 8 inch diff can be had for dirt cheap on Rockauto, and it's a driveway install that needs no special tools or training.

selectable for the front?
yes, without question.

once you're locked fr/rr you'll be amazed the places you can go. and wonder why you waited so long to do it.

How is the automatic locker in the winter time for you. I live in the northeast and everyone says stay away from an automatic rear locker for winter street driving. I never had one so can't compare it to anything but I used to drive a rearwheel drive car in the snow with no real problems

Yup, everyone is full of doom and gloom about an automatic locker in the snow. Guess how many of them have actually driven a locker in the snow?

It works fine. You need to be a little careful with the throttle, because if you lock it up at slow speeds you're more likely to swing the rear end out. And I've got an auto transmission, I can see how it'd be a little touchier in a manual if you're in the habit of dropping the clutch. But all the automatic/drop-in lockers are torque sensitive, so with a light touch on the skinny pedal it won't lock up and you won't even know it's there. Basically just don't drive like a maniac.

And it makes cookies in a fresh white parking lot hella fun.

Now my experience with a lunchbox locker in the rear was different. HOWEVER, and this is a big however, that was in a 1970 Mach1 Mustang with the Ford 9", and tires that were made more for straight line racing (they were DOT legal). This car was scary in the rain and snow. The locker would "pop" to disengage and I would go spinning.... I attribute it to the tires more than the locker, but the locker WAS part of the problem. IF you spend much time in snow, I would steer away from a non-selectable locker...my 2 cents.

if its not selectable, i prefer a spool. VERY predictable.
tho, not nice to tires on a DD.

Well since I live in New England there will always be snow. I grew up driving in the snow and my first few cars were rear wheel drive. So if you get into the gas too much you get a little sideway, but still in control. How much different would a locker be, I wonder. I guess I won't no untill I try one out.

the only time you go sideways, is if both tires spin, just like with a locker. so, not much difference, if thats what you're used to.

that is, except when turning, if you bobble the throttle around a corner, you can cause it to lock. which will make the rig want to push through the corner. its not really that bad, and you'll get used to it in a hurry. it will teach you to be smooth on the throttle, if you already arent.

Well back to the front. Just asking the guys that actually have and use their front locker, do you break a lot of CV. Or is this issue coming from guys that get on the gas too much and will break their cv regardless of a locker? For the price I can get it with the compressor I think I will go for it. If I don't like it I can always sell it.

No expert here, but how much HP were you pushing in that bad boy? I wonder how much that had to do with the difference between our experiences...

I'm not an expert on the subject but I am a fan of front lockers. I had a few Jeeps back in my younger days. One of the guys I would wheel with was this older guy that liked go stir the pot. So he did a front only locker in his automatic TJ. It was amazing where this thing could go. He actually took it down to Tellico just to do a write up about it.

Granted, that is a solid front axle versus IFS so that would be a factor as to wether or not it would he as effective on the 4R.

The arguments for rear locker over a front are valid too. If you're planning on still doing the rear but this front is a good deal, buy it now and then wait to do the rear. And if you dont buy it, can you send the info our way? ;)