Lockers vs. non locked or ATRAC

[Clark]

Saw these videos and thought it was a pretty cool comparison.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2wkW05Pc6c&feature=youtube_gdata_player

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNFacsKnswM

 

[RainCityShecks]

Pretty cool, good post.

 

[Youngerarlaw]

Always curious when they are selling the lockers....

 

[Intruder]

Always curious when they are selling the lockers....

It was entirely accurate based on what I've seen and experienced first hand. ATRAC (what they called the LSD vehicle) will get you through a lot more than a purely open diff but there's no substitute for a locker in certain situations. The only thing I think was exaggerated was the need for a front locker on both those obstacles. I have friends who are locked front and rear but they rarely ever need to use the front locker. The loss of steering with a front locker engaged makes it a real limitation too.

The most interesting thing I caught in the videos was that they emphasized how using a locker minimizes damage to the trail. We have lots of obstacles around here that get wrecked by guys trying to climb them fully open and just spinning their wheels and digging it out.

 

[jrandom]

The most interesting thing I caught in the videos was that they emphasized how using a locker minimizes damage to the trail. We have lots of obstacles around here that get wrecked by guys trying to climb them fully open and just spinning their wheels and digging it out.

Hellsss yeah! Burn it to earn it! yeehaa 400 hp and MT's full throttle! LOL not, "tread lightly" mantra just doesn't seem to sink in.

 

[Jhalko]

Good videos, very educational for those of us that don't have a ton of knowledge on those things. Thanks.

 

[nevada]

interesting that they don't go into why we need open differentials.
or why we wouldn't use ARB's and just keep them locked.


*I* know why, im just surprised they didn't explain it.

 

[Jhalko]

Funny, I don't know a lot but I do know why you have open diffs. the videos are clearly some marketing for their products. For me the cool thing about those videos was seeing the difference of the ATRAC system versus the locked differentials in action. I never thought through how much better the locker would be so I found it pretty helpful to show the difference. For many situations I'm sure ATRAC would get you through but clearly the locker is better.

Of course now I want to put a rear locker in my truck... more money to spend!

 

[Clark]

I liked the comparison as well. Coming from a '97 LX450 with triple factory lockers I was curious how the ATRAC would compare. For majority of what most people will ever see ATRAC would suffice…but for those that would use the T4R for road conditions it was built for…lockers would be handy!