Rear Aussie Locker Initial Impressions

Riggity said:
I have to admit I am tempted to do this. My only concern is how it would handle snow and ice. Especially on the highways since I regularly drive up into the mountains. Anyone have any experience, bad or good, with this?
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If you are easy on the gas, the locker is your friend on the ice. If you hammer it, you WILL spin out. Just be gentle on the gas pedal, I never felt in danger of driving on an icy highway with other drivers while locked.
 
Riggity said:
Ya I saw that. From his description about "the back end walking out" as not a big deal makes me question it a little. Also he has a 2nd gen with a stick and I have a 3rd with an auto. Not sure how this could effect the engagement.
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I think an auto is even more forgiving than a manual to be honest.

I'm not going to go back and read everything he wrote, but I believe he said he left it in 2wd and was traveling in conditions that he normally would have been using 4wd. Once he put it in 4wd he said it was just fine. Of course this is all from memory so I may be wrong.

I read a lot of threads about various trucks with an Aussie in the rear and their snow manners and saw far more positive remarks than negative. Just do a google search for "Aussie locker" and "snow". I did lots of research before buying because we typically get a good amount of snow and I daily drive my truck.
 
I though aussies didn't fit the 8.4" rear that runners have. Or do runners not have the same rear as taco's? If not they have the more common toyota 8"?
 
catalina34 said:
I think an auto is even more forgiving than a manual to be honest.

I'm not going to go back and read everything he wrote, but I believe he said he left it in 2wd and was traveling in conditions that he normally would have been using 4wd. Once he put it in 4wd he said it was just fine. Of course this is all from memory so I may be wrong.

I read a lot of threads about various trucks with an Aussie in the rear and their snow manners and saw far more positive remarks than negative. Just do a google search for "Aussie locker" and "snow". I did lots of research before buying because we typically get a good amount of snow and I daily drive my truck.
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Just did some research and now the aussie locker has been added to my list of future mods.
 
Just to throw my experience in here. I had a lock right in my Wrangler (8.8 Ford rear). The Jeep was a V8, 5-speed. When I first added the locker I was running 32" tires and it was very noticeable. This was a daily driver, and I had to change my driving habbits a little. That being said, I drove it in all kinds of weather conditions and it never felt un-safe. I rarely needed 4 wheel drive, even in deep snow. Actually taught my wife and brother-in-law how to drive stick on it. I later went to a 34" tire and the negative effects were drastically reduced. I never saw excessive tire wear from the locker, and I would definitely go with a lunchbox locker again. You simply need to be aware of the fact that it's there. If you're going around a corner in the snow and you blip the throttle a little, the ass-end is going to come out. You just need to anticipate it happening, and it's no different than riding an ATV. I would be a little weary of handing the keys to someone who doesn't understand what a locker does, especially in rain or snow conditions. Also, the negative effects will be less with an automatic and the longer the wheel-base, the less you'll notice it.
 
I finally have a snow review. Here is what the roads looked like:

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We finally got some snow and I said I would come back and give an update on snow handling. It appears the positive reviews I read regarding snow performance were accurate. I was super excited to finally try out the Aussie and the MT's in the snow. As soon as I woke up I threw on some clothes and headed out for some snow fun. I took it easy initially to get acclimated to the driving characteristics of the truck. I drove around for a while both in 2wd and 4wd on unplowed roads and partially plowed roads. Then I found a big parking lot covered in snow to have some fun.

In two wheel drive I was able to spin both rear tires if I punched it. However, even abruptly getting on the throttle around a tight turn I wasn't able to rotate the rear. The VSC/TRAC system simply wouldn't allow me to rotate. This is both good and bad. It made my attempt at parking lot shenanigans look stupid. Even full throttle and full steering lock couldn't get the tail to rotate. On the plus side I felt very confident in 2wd with the locker. However, when it was as slick as it was I wouldn't be in 2wd normally anyways. When the truck was in 4wd it's handling characteristics were impeccable. It felt just like stock, only more capable. If I punched it hard on a slick surface I could feel both rears spinning very very briefly and then the torque would transfer to the front wheels and she would confidently accelerate forward. I climbed some very steep unplowed roads and not even for a second did she want to step out.

Finally, I ended up taking my family sledding on a local hill. My wife is terrified of driving in the snow so I wanted her to practice in the 4Runner as she had never driven a 4wd in the snow before. After doing some practice emergency stops in an empty lot we drove around some unplowed residential areas and then home on the sloppy main roads. Needless to say she felt soooo much more confident driving in the snow and felt incredibly comfortable in the 4Runner. I think this was really the ultimate test of the lockers drive ability and it passed with flying colors.
 
Good to hear it does better with the locker in two wheel drive. :thumb3: Still waiting for funds to get mine. I think Zachpin34 (not sure if I got it right) has one too with an auto. I'm qurious what his thoughts are on the rear aussie. :hungry:
 
Nelsonmd said:
There aren't any pictures... We like pictures.
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Preferably cartoons.

So I'm curious, do you have the ability to turn off your traction control, and did you, and how did it handle then? We first gen owners don't have any of that electronified whizbangery, and I'd much rather pay for an Aussie than an elocker.
 
Hello, so ive been thinking about this for awhile. I commute to school everyday and im on a college budget. The assuie is a lot closer to budget than an e-locker would be. Would you recommend this too me?



Thanks- Mike
 
awesome write up! i just learned about the "Ausie's" and then did a search to find this!

I've been wondering what i was going to do to upgrade my traction system and this seams like a no brainer! if you can get Actual 4 wheel drive for around 550$ holy crap batman that's the way to go!!

great stuff guys, another WIN for T4R.ORG

:bluejump:
 
Mikes3rdgen said:
Hello, so ive been thinking about this for awhile. I commute to school everyday and im on a college budget. The assuie is a lot closer to budget than an e-locker would be. Would you recommend this too me?



Thanks- Mike
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Absolutely. Not only significantly less cost, but also much much easier to install.
 
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