Aftermarket locking diff for 5th gen?

[Thai]

I don't think that anyone is doubting the usefulness of the winch, but this is not really what this thread is about. A winch also comes with baggage (further modifications needed just for the winch), which may not be to everyone's liking. Whether a locker pushes someone to do dumb things is not the point.

 

[Ross]

Ian Johnson said recently on an episode of Xtreme 4x4 something to the extent of, "You can get a rental car through just about any trail with a winch". That sorta validates and invalidates the whole winch vs. lockers thing.

It validates it because once your really stuck, a winch is usually the only thing that will get you out. I've been stuck with both my ARBs locked more than once and had to rely on the winch to get me out. If you off road alone, a winch is an absolute necessity IMO - over lockers, lift, tires, or anything else. I personally don't go on hard trails without a buddy (and most of my wheelin buddies have winches) so I haven't felt the need to buy one yet. But, I don't like having to bother my friends to get winched out unless I absolutely have to. That's why I got lockers, because most of the time I can make it through by myself.

Ian's statement also kinda invalidates the winch vs. locker thing to because putting a winch on a rental car might make it possible to complete the Rubicon, but it doesn't make the rental car a capable off roader. An off roader is supposed to make it through under it's own power.

Ross, I hear what you're saying about a locker causing you to push it harder and farther, but that's true for regular 4x4 and even 2wd. Lots of people make it over that first obstacle and they're so impressed with their truck that they think they can do anything after that so they push it farther and end up getting stuck. But you can't blame that on having lockers, or 4wd, ATRAC or anything else.. The driver not knowing his or his truck's abilities and not knowing the trail is the problem. No one should be pushing any limits by themselves, especially on a trail they aren't familiar with. But if they do, I agree.. they better have a winch!

I the worst issue getting stuck for me was in a little 4X4 truck I had years ago. I was on my down a simple little trail I had been down before. The area had previously flood but appeared mostly dire but wasn't. I slipped of the trial. Had I a winch I would been out a quickly as I could have pulled the cable. A couple mile walk and a $300 tow bill and I was out.


I wasn't out "wheeling" I was checking out a place to hunt a trail/road that was nothing to even think twice about. Lockers may or may not have helped, I know a winch did, because that is how they got me out.

If you are heading down trials that lead to large bodies of water flooding happens. A trail you have travel many times before can change with a good rain. Winch is a safer bet for getting home than lockers.

This may be a post about lockers but it was also about going down trials.

 

[brian2sun]

I don't think that anyone is doubting the usefulness of the winch, but this is not really what this thread is about. A winch also comes with baggage (further modifications needed just for the winch), which may not be to everyone's liking. Whether a locker pushes someone to do dumb things is not the point.

I agree. I know his thread is really just concerning lockers, but I thought I'd help him possibly prioritize things. I have lockers, lift, armor, etc.. and no winch so I did the opposite of what I'm suggesting for him to consider. But like I said, I've got friends to pull me out when I get stuck. If I didn't have buddies with me on the trails, my advice for the OP would be get a winch before a locker.

As far as lockers go though, I love my ARBs and having selectability was key for me because I drive a lot in the snow. I much prefer the diffs open on packed highway snow, but the lockers come in handy when there's 2' of fresh snow and I'm trying to get out of my driveway in the morning. And off road, there is no traction control that will help me as much as being fully locked or fully open at my discretion.

 

[brian2sun]

I the worst issue getting stuck for me was in a little 4X4 truck I had years ago. I was on my down a simple little trail I had been down before. The area had previously flood but appeared mostly dire but wasn't. I slipped of the trial. Had I a winch I would been out a quickly as I could have pulled the cable. A couple mile walk and a $300 tow bill and I was out.


I wasn't out "wheeling" I was checking out a place to hunt a trail/road that was nothing to even think twice about. Lockers may or may not have helped, I know a winch did, because that is how they got me out.

If you are heading down trials that lead to large bodies of water flooding happens. A trail you have travel many times before can change with a good rain. Winch is a safer bet for getting home than lockers.

This may be a post about lockers but it was also about going down trials.

Yeah, whether you're off roading or just out hunting or fishing, if there's a chance you might get stuck, especially when you're alone, a winch will always be a safer bet to get you out than a locker.

 

[brian2sun]

Something else to think about..
I don't have a winch, but I do have a Hi-lift. It's not fun or easy to do, but if it's all you got, a Hi-lift can be used as a winch too.

 

[Thai]

May not be the case with KC, but like you, I always off-road with someone. Of course, once, we all got stuck in a big mud field!! A tractor had to pull each of us put one by one.

 

[Ross]

Something else to think about..
I don't have a winch, but I do have a Hi-lift. It's not fun or easy to do, but if it's all you got, a Hi-lift can be used as a winch too.

I used to do that. A hi-lift will only move you a few feet at a time. You will need to have a way to anchor your vehicle if you need to pull it vary far. I would use a hi-lift then a come along then the hi-lift. It worked but it was slow and I didn't like standing in between the vehicle and the anchor point so I got a winch.

 

[brian2sun]

I used to do that. A hi-lift will only move you a few feet at a time. You will need to have a way to anchor your vehicle if you need to pull it vary far. I would use a hi-lift then a come along then the hi-lift. It worked but it was slow and I didn't like standing in between the vehicle and the anchor point so I got a winch.

Yeah that sucks, but as a last resort, at least I know I can use it. I've never had to yet though and hope I don't.

 

[KCcarguy]

Thanks again fellas. A winch sounds good, but I'm not quite ready for the bumper, etc. that comes along with it. I think for now ATRAC and a subtle lift might be good enough. I'd still like to do an ARB down the road, and I'm glad to hear cold weather isn't an issue.

As far a getting you into trouble. I plan to use plenty of common sense and using the locker more to get me out of trouble than into it. Heck, I really only use 4WD to get me out of trouble when offroad. I do go out mostly alone, and even if I'm with someone, we take one vehicle. I thought the locker would just increase my capabilities a bit, and maybe save me a long walk.

I once got stuck trying to cross a 20 ft wide muddy creek-bed in my old ford ranger 4X4 "off-road" (POS). Couldn't get up the oppsite bank and ended up spinning the tires and sliding until I was sideways. After a 5 mile walk and hitching a ride with a farmer a friend pulled me out. Maybe a locker could have saved me in this situation....maybe not. But It would be just another nice tool to have in the "toolbox".

 

[driffter33]

I will just throw in my experience's I have been wheeling solo in my runner for about 4 years or so. I never needed the winch until after I had the locker. Your biggest savior is knowing the limits of your truck.

 

[Ross]

Thanks again fellas. A winch sounds good, but I'm not quite ready for the bumper, etc. that comes along with it. I think for now ATRAC and a subtle lift might be good enough. I'd still like to do an ARB down the road, and I'm glad to hear cold weather isn't an issue.

As far a getting you into trouble. I plan to use plenty of common sense and using the locker more to get me out of trouble than into it. Heck, I really only use 4WD to get me out of trouble when offroad. I do go out mostly alone, and even if I'm with someone, we take one vehicle. I thought the locker would just increase my capabilities a bit, and maybe save me a long walk.

I once got stuck trying to cross a 20 ft wide muddy creek-bed in my old ford ranger 4X4 "off-road" (POS). Couldn't get up the oppsite bank and ended up spinning the tires and sliding until I was sideways. After a 5 mile walk and hitching a ride with a farmer a friend pulled me out. Maybe a locker could have saved me in this situation....maybe not. But It would be just another nice tool to have in the "toolbox".

You need to make sure you are in 4wd BEFORE you need it. Just because you have pressed the button or turned the switch it doesn’t mean it will engage at that time. Those buttons or switches activate something else that puts you into 4wd.

It may take X amount of rotations or whatever. If your tires are spinning as the 4wd engages you could damage something. On my Jeep there is a lever that goes directly into the transfer case that engages 4wd. That system is about as instant as you can get, the lever is actual engaging the system, and even then it may take a second or partial rotation for it to engage.

Even ARBs aren’t instant, pretty close but minimal rotation still may be necessary for things to line up.

 

[Ross]

I will just throw in my experience's I have been wheeling solo in my runner for about 4 years or so. I never needed the winch until after I had the locker. Your biggest savior is knowing the limits of your truck.

Lockers will allow you to be further from the roads "well traveled". That also means they will let you get further from help. If you wheel alone to need to be more self sufficient and better prepared than if you wheel with a group.

 

[KCcarguy]

You need to make sure you are in 4wd BEFORE you need it. Just because you have pressed the button or turned the switch it doesn’t mean it will engage at that time. Those buttons or switches activate something else that puts you into 4wd.

It may take X amount of rotations or whatever. If your tires are spinning as the 4wd engages you could damage something. On my Jeep there is a lever that goes directly into the transfer case that engages 4wd. That system is about as instant as you can get, the lever is actual engaging the system, and even then it may take a second or partial rotation for it to engage.

Even ARBs aren’t instant, pretty close but minimal rotation still may be necessary for things to line up.

Good point.
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