Lockers on the V8 Full Time 4Wheel Drive

Just figured I'd update this thread with my experience...


I LOVE LOCKERS!!!!

Night and day difference on the trail, No more wheels spinning wildly tearing themselves apart on jagged rocks, no more bouncing through obstacles using momentum.

All the front components handle the front locker fine, I Did note that when trying to drive your front tire up a tree the steering wheel pretty much locks in whatever direction your tire was turned But the truck picks itself right on up the tree.(would love to have hydraulic steering!) also when the front is locked turning the steering wheel is someone impossible unless one wheel is off the ground or slipping in loose terrain. However you just use the locker when you need it then flip it off when your done (and listen to the awesome pressure release sound lol)

I originally went with the TJM in the rear and wound up having fitment issues. The solenoid setup was being pressed against the back of my axle housing causing it to not unlock when depressurized. ECGS swapped me out for the ARB just having me pay for different carrier bearings as ARB's passes their air line through the driver side axle carrier bearing. Once the switches are turned on the carriers seem to lock immediately, when unlocking they do tend to stick a little it just takes un-binding the drive line. (just rolling straight forward or backward.)

If I were to beef anything up, up front after installing the locker it would mainly be stronger tie rods (inner's and outters) or a stronger steering setup all together. But as long as I'm not trying to drive up a tree the factory steering linkage is sufficient ;-)
 
I think it might be worth pointing out that Toyota hasn't offered a front locker since the 80 series Land Cruiser. All of Toyota's off-road marketed vehicles exhibit some form of A-TRAC in lieu of a mechanical locker and the version of the system present of the FJ / LC / TE 4runner is extrememly capable. The 4th gen T4R does have ATRAC but not a very aggressive form, some have likened it to a LSD, however, coupled with a rear locker it would be a very capable system. I would be very wary of putting a mechanical front locker on our trucks for the reasons already mentioned as well as simple, why? Our trucks, while very capable and tough, are simply not meant to be thrashed in a way a front locker would be required for.
 
Synister; Our trucks said:
From my experience off-road my vehicle is now thrashed less due to the fact it has the capabilty of all 4 tires pulling equally.

In places I had to run through with considerable speed to prevent getting stuck, I can now crawl through with ease

On hill climbs where I was continuously spinning, The truck simply climbs.

Oh and all the hard lines I used to go around to avoid thrashing my truck I now walk over with simplicity.

I can't speak personally for toyota and say why they stopped offering lockers in there off-road specific trucks; however, I can assume that not everyone has the knowledge or experience with a front locker to even know when or how to use it. Therefore it can be a dangerous item to have on a truck. If i were to just let some friend of mine borrow my truck now they could easily destroy something in the drive train by simply not knowing what those switches are for. That and the every day consumer simply doesn't require a front locker to appreciate purchasing a 4runner.

Theres no way you can make me think it's a bad idea to have all three differentials on the truck select-ably locked.
Click to expand...
 
With small tires like most people run on 4Runners and a light foot I don't think a front locker can do much harm. There is a reason though why no company really makes a locker for IFS axles. The tie rods, axles and in a lot of cases the clamshell(often made of aluminum) can't handle the added stress.
 
A long long time ago I picked up one of those 4x4 magazines and they were doing a build on newer Jeep and a 5th gen (They should have taken notes from this forum, they're set up was pretty flacid IMHO.). Anyways, in the Jeep they were throwing one of these in: Leading Manufacturer of Traction Enchancing Differentials & Planetary Drives - Auburn Gear

They said they are very tough and very durable and had good experience with them. Unfortunately I was never able to verify if they could make or currently make anything for the Toyota family...
 
Synister said:
I think it might be worth pointing out that Toyota hasn't offered a front locker since the 80 series Land Cruiser. All of Toyota's off-road marketed vehicles exhibit some form of A-TRAC in lieu of a mechanical locker and the version of the system present of the FJ / LC / TE 4runner is extrememly capable. The 4th gen T4R does have ATRAC but not a very aggressive form, some have likened it to a LSD, however, coupled with a rear locker it would be a very capable system. I would be very wary of putting a mechanical front locker on our trucks for the reasons already mentioned as well as simple, why? Our trucks, while very capable and tough, are simply not meant to be thrashed in a way a front locker would be required for.
Click to expand...

Toyota still puts front lockers in vehicles offered elsewhere in the world.
 
Toyota has most definitely gone all in with A-TRAC as its solution to off road traction. Its cheaper, lighter, and more transparent to the user and as I previously mentioned, the type of A-TRAC on the LC / FJ / and TE's is remarkably capable. Its also programmable, as we've seen with the CRAWL option on the TE's and FJ's. A rear locker is a magnificent improvement over stock and I would be hard pressed to offer a better suggestion for a single mod to improve off roadability. Front lockers though, in this age of IFS and multi-channel traction control are a less attractive option , both for manufacturer's and owners. Thats probably why there are only 3 vehicles (that I can think of) still produced with factory front lockers; the Benz G-Wagon, the Ram Power Wagon and the Rubicon. All of them have solid front axels.
 
This is an informative thread for sure! I have a friend with a 2010 power wagon on 35's and that truck is awesome, mainly because it comes equipped with front and rear lockers along with sway bar disconnects. It's a beast but at the price...I'll stick with toyota!
 
Great conversation thanks for your thoughts

i talked to some local 4x4 shops and there is a common concern that a front locker would cause damage to the case.

While having the option to be locked front and rear seems very apealing the reality is that I dont intend to get in a position to need front and rear locked.

I agree that locking the diffs reduces the agressivness needed in some situations but I dont get in those situations, not with a daily driver.
 
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