Front locker

[AZTOY]

I am going to buy a locker for my rear. That's decided. I have done a lot of searching on google and forums on front lockers. I haven't found much about how a front locker acts with a DD with ADD in our 3rd gen 4runner, especially when driving in 2wd. Also, how they perform on the trail? Thanks.

 

[badattitude]

While in two wheel drive the front auto locker willl nave no impact on the truck at all. When in 4wd it will greatly imporve trail performance. The only concern with a front auto locker in our trucks is that it will be difficult to drive in 4wd on the street. Front locker is good for trail while in 4wd but is not good for driving anywhere else.

Of course a selectable locker will not have the same issues of a auto locker.

 

[AZTOY]

Besides selectable, anyone got advice on brand and type? Automatic or lsd. Thanks.

 

[IanB]

I hear LSD are much easier on CV's, I happen to have a Trutrac gear driven LSD for sale...never got a chance to install it.

 

[J-money$$$]

Yeah LSDs are easier on cv's but they barley do much more than an open diff. They might work okay on a truck that is really flexy and can keep the tires on the ground. See an lsd needs some traction on both sides or else it will just open up. Long story short on an ifs truck the front tires often come off the ground and then your lsd will do nothing. You may have better luck with an auto trans so you can play with the brakes to try and trick it to locking back up, but with a 5spd thats both going to happen.

Keep in mind an auto locker up front will make it impossible to drive on the street unless the road is completely covered in snow. If you put it in 4wd double locked it will bind up so bad and just leave 4 black tire marks in the driveway. Seriously. I can almost get the front end to fully stuff on one side in 4 low in the driveway from the bind up

I run an aussie locker up front and a Lock right in the rear. I know what i wanted but would highly suggest going a different route if you plan on using the 4wd on the street or 4 High in general. I basically only use my truck for crawling.

 

[Doug18]

If it were me I would just throw in an aussie (or similar lunchbox) and call it a day. I would NOT go with an LSD you will most likely be severely disappointed my friend has one in his ZJ and its benefits are barely noticeable

 

[AZTOY]

Thank you for the responses. I was eyeing the Aussies before, so I think I will just throw one in each diff. I just wish they were easier to install in our axles. On the danas all you have to do is take off the back cover. Oh well, I'll take the Toyota durability over all else.

 

[JWaldz]

Aussie lockers are really easy to put in, but I know what you mean. Pulling 3rds are not fun, especially the front. Little tips: On the rear, you don't have to remove the axle shafts all the way out (unless you find it necessary) to remove the 3rd. On the front, to remove the diff just take the driveshaft flange off to get it past the back of bell housing. You won't have to fight as much that way.

Good luck!

 

[KidVermicious]

I run a TrueTrac in my front. It's invisible while I'm in 2wd with the hubs unlocked, but it kicks in when I lock my hubs and causes a little understeer and wheel drag, even if I'm still in 2wd. I don't know the 3rd gen diff well enough to say if that would or wouldn't be a problem for you, but I thought I'd bring it up.

If I had it to do again, I would have saved for a selectable. You should too.