limited slip vs locker

[3bears]

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 ?

 

[thegipper]

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?

 

[Septimius]

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 ?

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.

 

[absalom]

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

 

[T4R2014]

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.

 

[RonJR]

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 ?

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.

 

[JayRolla]

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

E-lockers also fail. A lot of members have posted issues. A good air locker is pretty damn reliable.

 

[Black798]

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.

 

[Killer Squirrel]

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

I thought this started in '01?

 

[JayRolla]

I thought this started in '01?

That is correct. OP no atrac. Absolem has been afk for to Long. Lost his 3rd gen powers.

 

[3bears]

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.

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

 

[3bears]

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

I don't think I have ATRAC just normal 4 wheel dirve with the j shifter

 

[RonJR]

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.

 

[SS_Syndicate]

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.

 

[3bears]

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.

slush is also a pain in the rear

 

[Scramble]

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.

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

And to the OP: Every man should have a wench!

 

[3bears]

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

And to the OP: Every man should have a wench!

yep, but I only want one part time when I need it

 

[Scramble]

yep, but I only want one part time when I need it

I hear ya, I shouldn't have let mine move it! LOL
At least she can't drive a manual! :tea:

 

[phattyduck]

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

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

 

[Scramble]

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

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