Front locker options for mud

[Full_Throttle]

Hi guys. Since I have done a few upgrades to my rig I am starting to get adventurous off-road :whip2:

I live in Southern Illinois, I.E. no mountains or boulders or rocks, just 4wheeler trails and mud pits for the most part. I already have a rear e-locker and a winch, but since I tend to like to "play in the mud" I have been getting stuck to the point of needing to winch out. I am considering a locker in the front to help with traction while in these mud holes.

This is my daily driver, so a lunchbox locker is out of the question. I am looking at the LSD as a possible solution, as well as an air locker.

of these two options, the LSD is cheaper. My question is; Will the LSD (truetrac) help out in the mud? I am concerned about it's daily driving habits.

I know the Air locker (Yukon Zip and ARB) is the ultimate way to go, but it is quite a bit more $$.

Keep in mind that this is my daily driver and I go offroad 3-4 times a month.

Another big consideration is this: Are either of these two solutions doable in my garage by me? In other words will I have to take my vehicle to someone and have it done, or can I do it myself? I have decent wrenching skills, and I have installed lunchbox lockers in the old FJ40 axles and Ford 9" before.

If I can install an air locker myself, it will save some cash.
Can I install the TrueLoc myself?

OR I could just stay out of the deep mud holes like everyone else does :naughty:

 

[nevada]

save up until you can get a selectable.

its better for a DD or dedicated wheeler.

can you do it yourself, thats tough. i have no idea. im sure you can, but will you be able to do it quickly enough. it will take a shop a day atleast. and they KNOW what theyre doing.

 

[KidVermicious]

I have a Truetrac in front of my DD. Unless you have selectable hubs, you'll have to get used to feeling it tug at the wheel while you're on the throttle, but you will get used to it. It will probably help in the mud almost as much as a full locker, seeing as you're not going to be as prone to lifting a wheel. You need tools and knowledge to set up a diff if you're going to install it yourself, it replaces the carrier.

If you're looking for a self-install solution, convert to manual hubs and drop a lunchbox in. The lunchbox won't do anything while your hubs are unlocked.

Personally, I'd stay the hell out of the mud, but that's cuz I'm lazy and hate cleaning it up.

 

[white_n_slow]

If you're looking for a self-install solution, convert to manual hubs and drop a lunchbox in. The lunchbox won't do anything while your hubs are unlocked.

To expound on this point, with manual hubs and a lunchbox locker, you can also only lock one hub, making the truck essentially 3-wheel drive. This eliminates the funny (and sometimes scary) characteristics of a locked front on snowy/icy roads, but still gives you the ability to fully lock when you're wheeling. I know it sounds ghetto, but it's cheap and effective. Aside from driving on snowy roads, I can't see a single drawback to a lunchbox in the front.

Mud... :nono:

 

[Full_Throttle]

Personally, I'd stay the hell out of the mud, but that's cuz I'm lazy and hate cleaning it up.

AMEN!!!!!

I hate the cleanup, but it is fun

I hadn't considered the manual hub route....but then I have to get out of the car....:violin: hehehe.

 

[KidVermicious]

....but then I have to get out of the car....:violin: hehehe.

But you look cool as hell when you forget to lock your hubs in and finish the trail anyway.

 

[KidVermicious]

Aside from driving on snowy roads, I can't see a single drawback to a lunchbox in the front.

On rocks, you're more likely to break a CV with a real locker (why I opted for the LSD). I dunno if that's a risk in the slippery sh!t.

 

[Dous]

With ADD the auto-locker will have no effect in 2wd....it will be invisible.

BUT...when you engage 4wd you will notice it all the time.


After talking to Singtoe he had come up with an idea. There are two vaccum solenoid near the front drivers wheel well that engage the ADD.

If a switch was tapped into those solenoids you could engage one and not the other, giving you 3wd like discussed earlier. You would still know that that drivers side was the one turning, but it would be a lot better.

I wanted to do it this summer, but I have run out of time and money.

 

[SJC]

Look on craigslist for a 800 doller chevy for the mud

Cleanup is a *****
Mud sucks
Things hide in mud
Chevys like mud
Chevy



Keep the 4runner for a dd

 

[rebelbowtie]

Look on craigslist for a 800 doller chevy for the mud

Cleanup is a *****
Mud sucks
Things hide in mud
Chevys like mud
Chevy



Keep the 4runner for a dd

i approve this message

 

[highcountry]

I think for your purpose, the TruTrac would be the best option all around. It would work great in mud and snow. If you can pull/install the diff yourself, you can get the gears set up professionally and save a bundle.

 

[SJC]

Hammer down, get a chev. Weld it up. Have fun :biggrin2:

 

[4Running Daily]

With ADD the auto-locker will have no effect in 2wd....it will be invisible.

BUT...when you engage 4wd you will notice it all the time.


After talking to Singtoe he had come up with an idea. There are two vaccum solenoid near the front drivers wheel well that engage the ADD.

If a switch was tapped into those solenoids you could engage one and not the other, giving you 3wd like discussed earlier. You would still know that that drivers side was the one turning, but it would be a lot better.

I wanted to do it this summer, but I have run out of time and money.

Im going to do this.