I'm moving to anchorage next week and can't decided whether or not i want to install my rear aussie locker or not, i will be driving my runner as my DD for probably the first 6-9months up to 150miles a day, the roads are basically ice all winter long, I've read tons of forums and they say they aren't even that bad in the snow but as my DD just not to sure, i want it for the summer to be able to do some extreme wheeling and mudding to go camping and fishing, but won't have a garage to switch it in and out or anything like that so thats not an option, any thoughts thanks
Automatic Locker in snow..yes..no..???
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raidernation
New member
I would say no. I don't think you want that thing locking up on you while your traveling 40mph down a super low traction icy highway. This is just my opinion. I drive in snow and ice a few times a year and would rather install a selectable locker for this reason.
Edit: On second thought, if its just you driving your vehicle, I think you will probably be ok since you will understand and be familiar with the driving characteristics of the vehicle.
Edit: On second thought, if its just you driving your vehicle, I think you will probably be ok since you will understand and be familiar with the driving characteristics of the vehicle.
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i do like driving fast in the snow when conditions permit of course but even with snow on the road i can still cruise 60-65mph on HWY at timeS like i said.... when conditions permit, i would just hate to have it lock up at that speed or something crazy happen and just start having it spin me in circles! I might just have to wait and save for a ARB, but i already bought it and would love to have it since they are so much cheaper
HiluxHunter
New member
Because it is an auto locker you should be fine. There is only a problem if you accelerate through a corner enough to break traction or if you are on black ice and gun it.
There is no way that it will just "lock up" on the highway unless while you are cornering and the coefficient of friction between the tires and the road is less than the force required for the gears in the auto locker to overcome them selves. And the auto lockers companies say it takes very little force for the gears to overcome them selves, therefore only in the most slippery situations could it potentially happen.
And by most slippery I mean extreme slippery... :lookout: to the point that it wouldn't make a difference anyways IMHO.
There is no way that it will just "lock up" on the highway unless while you are cornering and the coefficient of friction between the tires and the road is less than the force required for the gears in the auto locker to overcome them selves. And the auto lockers companies say it takes very little force for the gears to overcome them selves, therefore only in the most slippery situations could it potentially happen.
And by most slippery I mean extreme slippery... :lookout: to the point that it wouldn't make a difference anyways IMHO.
Dous
New member
Yep you are exactly right, I have not had mine in snow yet, but I was just testing it in the rain, and even if I really throttled out around a corner it wouldn't kick out, but in the snow I could easily see it being a problem. You just have to get used to it, a lot of people run them where they see a winter full of snow.
I live where we gets lots of snow every Winter. I've driven with a detroit locker through a couple of Winter's, and they can be a real handful in slippery conditions. On a road with any camber in slick conditions, you're likely to find the rear end heading for the low side of the road.
You can drive with them in those conditions, but a selectable locker is much better when it's really slick.
HiluxHunter
New member
Ok, if the back left tire hits black ice then yes all the power would be sent to the right tire, but that only matters if you are accelerating. And no it would not spin you around unless the right tire was on ice as well.
At slow speeds in snow I believe it would help.
The most important factor for winter driving is too take the time and learn winter driving techniques. Most winter accidents happen because a lot of people do not take the time to get to know there vehicle or how to interpret road conditions or what to do if you start slipping etc...
Also, make sure to take your vehicle to an empty parking lot once the snow flies. Test it out, do some donuts, get the feel of your truck and tires on some ice and practice recovering. It may not seem like much, but it goes a long way when you are white knuckled driving at night on an ice road and a moose jumps out in front of ya! :roadkill:
brian2sun
Elite Member
I drive a lot in snow every year and an autolocker would not work good where I live. The roads here are just too steep and curvy to deal with an autolocker. On flat snowy roads, it's no big deal, but it will make your ass slide out when you're going around a corner and uphill with snow on the ground. I have about a 600' elevation climb within about 1 mile to get to my house from the main road. When I lock my rear ARB when there is snow on the ground, I will literally do donuts on the steepest corner.
I much prefer to have my diffs open on packed highway snow. I've found that lockers really only help in snow when it's deep - like 8"-2'+ (whether it's an elocker, ARB, or an autolocker). Any less snow than that and you're a lot better off with open diffs. My lockers come in handy at 6am when there's 2' of snow on the ground and I don't feel like shoveling before I go to work. But, once I'm through the deep stuff, the lockers go off.
Typical overnight snowfall where I live (this time I shoveled)..
I much prefer to have my diffs open on packed highway snow. I've found that lockers really only help in snow when it's deep - like 8"-2'+ (whether it's an elocker, ARB, or an autolocker). Any less snow than that and you're a lot better off with open diffs. My lockers come in handy at 6am when there's 2' of snow on the ground and I don't feel like shoveling before I go to work. But, once I'm through the deep stuff, the lockers go off.
Typical overnight snowfall where I live (this time I shoveled)..
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I agree with Brian. When I brought my Jeep to Co in 06 we got a lot of snow that year. It was locked f/r and while it was drivable, it was a handful and never really gave me that warm fuzzy feeling unless the snow was really deep.
Save your money and go selectable. Or just stay open. Both my 4runner and my Jeep are great in snow open. I only push the locker button during the summer time.
Save your money and go selectable. Or just stay open. Both my 4runner and my Jeep are great in snow open. I only push the locker button during the summer time.
