limited slip vs locker

3

3bears

Senior Member
I dont rock crawl, and this past winter I only had issues with snow or mud twice, but then again I did not play, explore back roads further than I felt safe in the snow.Plus I am usally by myself adn dont have a winch or a wench :)
I dont know if a locker is what I really need, with compressor and wiring etc for as limited as it would be used. Ive read about people doing limited slip, mtbtim even did a video of an install of one. Thoughts ?
 
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I am no expert but a locker is the preferred choice of "true" off roading. A good LSD like a Eaton Truetrac will definitely help, I just swapped one into mine but haven't really "needed" it yet.

A lake I normally go to that has no dock and just some gravel/dirt for the launch gave me some trouble before my LSD. I usually had to use 4wd to pull my boat, once in 4wd, it was a breeze.

Now that I have my Eaton Truetrac LSD (rear), I didn't need to use 4wd last time I was at that lake.

A locker is the "best" choice but it has its drawbacks, mainly the price.

Price out how much a LSD would cost or adding a rear locker and decide which one is really needed and if its worth the money. Maybe you don't really need either?
 
3bears said:
I dont rock crawl, and this past winter I only had issues with snow or mud twice, but then again I did not play, explore back roads further than I felt safe in the snow.Plus I am usally by myself adn dont have a winch or a wench :)
I dont know if a locker is what I really need, with compressor and wiring etc for as limited as it would be used. Ive read about people doing limited slip, mtbtim even did a video of an install of one. Thoughts ?
Click to expand...
do you have 4wd and decent tires? for the vast majority of applications, unless you're getting into crazy shenanigans that combination will be enough.
 
If you have 2000, you should have ATRAC which is MORE than enough for what you're looking to do. In fact, I prefer ATRAC to an air locker for the sake of reliability. Now an e-locker on the other hand ... once you go triple locked, you never go back :D
 
A locker is so useless compared to an LSD if you drive your 4Runner like a normal human being and don't drive around with lifts and huge knobby tires to make elementary school kids think you're going to drive up Everest. I usually just use my locker to get myself into dumb situations. I'd much prefer an LSD so I don't look like an idiot pulling into traffic because I have a single tire spinning away after a drizzle.
 
3bears said:
I dont rock crawl, and this past winter I only had issues with snow or mud twice, but then again I did not play, explore back roads further than I felt safe in the snow.Plus I am usally by myself adn dont have a winch or a wench :)
I dont know if a locker is what I really need, with compressor and wiring etc for as limited as it would be used. Ive read about people doing limited slip, mtbtim even did a video of an install of one. Thoughts ?
Click to expand...

Get the wench first - way more fun than a winch, plus who cares then if you get unstuck:-)

Seriously though, the classic problem even for moderate off-roading is a steep uphill with a diagonal water break (ditch) across the road. That will lift wheels on opposite corners and stop a vehicle with open diffs in its tracks. Your defenses against that, in general order of effectiveness, are:
- more suspension travel - if all 4 wheels can stay on the ground, you won't need a locker
- a limited slip diff and some fancy work with the e-brake.
- ATRAC
- a locker on one of the axles.

Once you've driven with a locker, you'll never go back. You won't even notice those diagonal water breaks - you just keep going. However, my ATRAC equipped vehicle also handles those situations pretty well even with open diffs.
 
absalom said:
If you have 2000, you should have ATRAC which is MORE than enough for what you're looking to do. In fact, I prefer ATRAC to an air locker for the sake of reliability. Now an e-locker on the other hand ... once you go triple locked, you never go back :D
Click to expand...

E-lockers also fail. A lot of members have posted issues. A good air locker is pretty damn reliable.
 
I've seen more issues with the Toyota e lockers getting stuck, the motor failing, the motor housing cracking than I have seen issues with arb air lockers. I've seen several air lockers that sat for 5 plus years with no use and engaged right away when the time came to use them. Plus the air lockers engage and release much faster I would take an air locker over the e locker anyday. If you route your airlines correctly they are pretty bulletproof.
 
absalom said:
If you have 2000, you should have ATRAC which is MORE than enough for what you're looking to do. In fact, I prefer ATRAC to an air locker for the sake of reliability. Now an e-locker on the other hand ... once you go triple locked, you never go back :D
Click to expand...

I thought this started in '01?
 
Septimius said:
do you have 4wd and decent tires? for the vast majority of applications, unless you're getting into crazy shenanigans that combination will be enough.
Click to expand...


I have great tires and 4wd ( KO2's and studded mud/snow in winter) but last winter I did get stuck twice out in the woods in deep snow and had to back out to where I could turn around
 
absalom said:
If you have 2000, you should have ATRAC which is MORE than enough for what you're looking to do. In fact, I prefer ATRAC to an air locker for the sake of reliability. Now an e-locker on the other hand ... once you go triple locked, you never go back :D
Click to expand...



I don't think I have ATRAC just normal 4 wheel dirve with the j shifter
 
Neither a locker or limited slip is going to help you a lot in deep snow. Lockers/LSD's help when traction is greatly different between the two wheels on an axle. That's not usually the case in deep snow unless you've dropped one wheel into a ditch or something.

Best aids for deep snow are good tires, tire chains, a shovel, Maxtrax or equivalent, and/or a winch (for short drifts). Sometimes you just can't go.
 
Lockers can get you in more trouble than help for most snow situations. This said... They are FAR superior when you really need more than one wheel traction.

Most E-Lockers require a fair amount of slip before they engage. For instance, the E-Lockers need about 180 degrees of slip before they lock up. Then, if you change direction there is another 180-360 degrees before you are locked again. The ARB lockers are locked once locked and need very little movement to get this way.

My personal preference is to have selectable air lockers. 99% of the time I am open. Even on the trail.... The lockers are for intense moments.
 
RonJR said:
Neither a locker or limited slip is going to help you a lot in deep snow. Lockers/LSD's help when traction is greatly different between the two wheels on an axle. That's not usually the case in deep snow unless you've dropped one wheel into a ditch or something.

Best aids for deep snow are good tires, tire chains, a shovel, Maxtrax or equivalent, and/or a winch (for short drifts). Sometimes you just can't go.
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slush is also a pain in the rear
 
T4R2014 said:
A locker is so useless compared to an LSD if you drive your 4Runner like a normal human being and don't drive around with lifts and huge knobby tires to make elementary school kids think you're going to drive up Everest. I usually just use my locker to get myself into dumb situations. I'd much prefer an LSD so I don't look like an idiot pulling into traffic because I have a single tire spinning away after a drizzle.
Click to expand...

Wow, you must have one powerful 5vz there! Maybe you should get some better tires if you're fishtailing in a drizzle ! :pound:

And to the OP: Every man should have a wench!
 
Scramble said:
Wow, you must have one powerful 5vz there! Maybe you should get some better tires if you're fishtailing in a drizzle ! :pound:
Click to expand...
Not much power here... but having spent many years with AWD cars with 2 LSDs (center/rear) - I spin tires all the time in the rain with the 4Runner.

Ok, single tire. RWD with open diff = one tire fire in the rain. I just forget you can't gas it out of a corner...

An LSD/Locker 2WD/RWD in the snow though would be full out drifting if you put down any power... so, that is something to keep in mind for safety in the snow.

-Charlie
 
phattyduck said:
Not much power here... but having spent many years with AWD cars with 2 LSDs (center/rear) - I spin tires all the time in the rain with the 4Runner.

Ok, single tire. RWD with open diff = one tire fire in the rain. I just forget you can't gas it out of a corner...

An LSD/Locker 2WD/RWD in the snow though would be full out drifting if you put down any power... so, that is something to keep in mind for safety in the snow.

-Charlie
Click to expand...

I was just busting his balls, with my 4banger & manual I can spin the rear tire easily when it's dry out.
 
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