Lunch box locker

[Whackmaster]

My ? is, will you hear the ratcheting sound with a lunch box locker in the front axle with manual locking hubs when the hubs are unlocked? I don't think you would since the axles aren't turning but just wanted to find out before I buy one..I don't want to hear the noise while DD...Thanks

 

[brian2sun]

No, you won't be able to tell it's there when your hubs are unlocked. However, when you are in 4wd and have the hubs locked, lunchbox lockers don't ratchet very well in the front. My buddy Jason has an Aussie up front and it's locked up most of the time when he's in 4x4. That works fine for him since his 4runner isn't his DD. But putting a lunchbox up front wasn't a good option for me because I live in the mountains and I drive a lot in the snow. I prefer selectability because sometimes an open diff is better and sometimes not in the snow. A lucnchbox would be constantly trying to lock up.

 

[J-money$$$]

You wont get any clicking. And most likely if wont click even when engaged. THe locker up front behaves way different compared to one in the back. The outside tire in a turn up front is turned so there isnt too much of a speed difference compared to the inside tire. My aussie up front rarely makes noise, and when it does its more like a bang, then its unlocked for a second then another bang. Good luck. I would lock up the back first. I have a lock right in the back and the clicking is not too loud. I cant really hear it in the truck with the windows up.

If you with a lunch box style locker get an aussie for the rear, THe lockright's design is a POS in for the v6 diff in the back. It re-uses the stock side gears. An Aussie has side gear replacements and a much tighter meshing pattern.

Up front the aussie and lockright are almost exact. THey have the side gear replacement