E-locker capability
- Thread starter nlopez711
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If you are asking this question regular 4x4 is probably fine.
TheeMikeB
New member
Lockers are awesome, but it really depends on how you wheel. You can do just fine in most situations without a locker.
So to answer your question....
It's not critical, but it's a really nice to have. I'd say it's more important to find a well maintained rig than it is to hold out for a rig with a locker.
You can always add a locker later. ARB, Spartan , Detroit, Aussie, Zip locker etc...
So to answer your question....
It's not critical, but it's a really nice to have. I'd say it's more important to find a well maintained rig than it is to hold out for a rig with a locker.
You can always add a locker later. ARB, Spartan , Detroit, Aussie, Zip locker etc...
4Runner_101
Banned
if your going on basic pretty flat gravel trails, 4x4 is fine. BUT if you want to do real off roading through mud and rocks, rear locker will make a night to day difference
I totally disagree. I wheel mine on "real" trails regularly and have only engaged my locker twice Since buying it. I run 5 and 6 rated trails and have rarely used a locker in any of my vehicles. Yes they are nice and can get you through some tougher obstacles more easily, but not necessary for even a dedicated trail rig.
KidVermicious
New member
98WhiteT4R
New member
It's nice to have, there's probably 1 time on every other trail I actually need/use it.
white_n_slow
Senior Member
You will consider it mandatory if you get really serious into wheeling, but starting out without one is just fine. You'll learn more with open diffs and later down the road if you decide a locker (or two) is necessary, it's not too expensive to add aftermarket locker(s). Then when you get one, you'll better appreciate what it does for your truck 
FWIW, every single one of my Toyota 4x4's (I've owned 5) eventually ended up with at least a rear locker, so I guess I would consider it mandatory, but it took me a few years to get there.
FWIW, every single one of my Toyota 4x4's (I've owned 5) eventually ended up with at least a rear locker, so I guess I would consider it mandatory, but it took me a few years to get there.
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slapdappy
Banned
i didn't get what a locker is and does until i bought my '99 4r last year. i didn't know it was a desired option. i am not a heavy duty rock crawling slider scraping wheeler, and I assume the locker is not necessary for what I do but I sure do like it. Having the center and rear diffs locked always me to slowly slowly proceed over obstacles without wheel slippage, which reduces the bouncing which leads to scraping and banging and crunching. I like the control it gives me.
it is something you can add. should be some threads about this. I agree overall condition of vehicle is more significant.
it is something you can add. should be some threads about this. I agree overall condition of vehicle is more significant.
Atrox Caeda
New member
It's kinda like a winch in that it's almost never necessary, but if you get yourself bound up it sure is nice to have.
CallMeAnEngineer
New member
If somebody insists on using a locker any time they go offroad, they aren't very good at it. If they're engaging a locker to go up a 5ft little slope, they have little club what they're doing.
TheeMikeB
New member
I know that there is a large consensus that you are more skilled if you can make a trail 'open open' and that you are a total badass for doing so. And you are better than the guy that uses a locker. But I disagree, I do agree that learning open open and picking lines is a great skill to learn and essential to wheeling. But you still need to pick correct lines with lockers too, you can still get stuck and still not get traction.
In the essence of attempting to 'Tread lightly' to keep our trails open, spinning tires and taking 5 or 6 tries to get up something and making ruts in the road does nobody any good. Or worse spinning and breaking something only leads to downtime and blocked trails.
Go prepared.
In the essence of attempting to 'Tread lightly' to keep our trails open, spinning tires and taking 5 or 6 tries to get up something and making ruts in the road does nobody any good. Or worse spinning and breaking something only leads to downtime and blocked trails.
Go prepared.
rideexileex
Senior Member
I wouldnt get tied up about the e-locker - with my experiences with rigs with ARB's vs E-lockers as far as the selectables go, sometimes the e-lockers would have trouble engaging. I would prefer the ARB, despite it being a bit more of an investment.
nevada
Senior Member
that depends on the trails you go on. many of the trails we run pretty much require a locker. especially in the winter.
agreed.
same with a winch. if you are buying a 4x4, and EVER plan to take it off road, and winch should be the FIRST thing you buy for it.
KidVermicious
New member
Yabbut, your version of "offroad" is a much different animal than the guy upthread talking about "pretty flat gravel trails".
I agree with you and Mike - if you're really wheeling, lockers are not only helpful but nigh mandatory. But I get the feeling that the OP won't be taking on a rated trail any time soon. He doesn't need a locker.
This.
One of my primary concerns is not tearing up the trail further with lots of wheelspin. That can lead to a trail being closed.
You might be able to make it through a trail with a 2wd using speed and wheelspin. But speed makes it likely you'll damage your vehicle, and lots of wheelspin damages the trail.
Ideally, I want to drive a trail in an easy and controlled manner. Which means low-range 4wd, and using the locker when it contributes to keeping me moving without abusing my truck, or tearing up the terrain.
Yes, I wheeled for years with open diffs, and learned about picking good lines, etc. Then after some of my favorite trails were closed due to damage to the trails, I saw the light of doing less damage to trails to keep the trails open and accessible.