Rear Locker really important?

D

ddach

New member
Okay guys, I've been looking to buy a 4Runner, and so far have been holding out for one with a rear locker. BUT, I'm starting to question the importance of having one. I would really appreciate your help & input with this.

After reading this about the 2000's, I've really begun to question the importance of a rear locker:

"Introduced in 1999, Toyota's multi-mode 4WD system is standard on Limited grade models. The multi-mode 4WD feature is actually a full-time all-wheel-drive system with 2WD capability. The all-wheel 4WD mode may be used in normal driving conditions on all types of roads from dry, hard surface roads, such as pavement, to wet or snow-covered roads. Driving with the multi-mode's all-wheel drive system engaged provides the driver with a more sure-footed feel because power is applied evenly to all four wheels which improves traction."

I found that info here: Toyota 4Runner History 2000

So, if power is applied evenly to all 4 wheels, how is a rear locker better? Or is that information just plain incorrect?

I also question the importance of the rear locker, because my logic tells me this:
If I'm in 4wd, and I get in a situation where one of my back wheels has no traction, like maybe it's off the ground and the other three are on the ground, wouldn't my front wheels pull me?

My purpose for buying a 4Runner is not for a daily driver, it's mainly for hiking & exploring the Ozarks here in Arkansas; the forest roads and old county roads can be pretty hairy: steep, very deeply rutted, and very rocky. I would like to have the ability to explore these, but I'm probably not going to get into super heavy duty trail riding where I'm intentionally looking for a challenge or trouble.

Maybe these questions & assumptions are just due to my inexperience, but I'd really like to hear what you all have to say. I've found what I think is a pretty nice 2000 Limited (no rear locker), but I don't want to buy it and regret it later because it has no rear locker.


Thanks everyone! :)
 
Register to hide this ad
So, if power is applied evenly to all 4 wheels, how is a rear locker better? Or is that information just plain incorrect?
Click to expand...


Well I don't know about 2000 model but my 97 does not apply power evenly to all wheels. In 4WD the power is applied to whichever wheel has the least resistance both front and back. That means that if one of your front wheels is in the air the front diff is basically useless & the same for the back.

The rear locker is very simple, it locks both wheels together. Once you do that you will have 3 wheels with power vs. 2.

There is a thread out there that explains all the differences in the 4WD and transfer cases over the years 96 - 02.
 
more reading for you ....

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-g...rs-3rd-gens-transfer-case-awd-multi-mode.html


When the diff is open, if one of the tires is being restricted then all of the power will go to the other tire (the one with least resistance). This means one tire will spin and the other will stay put. If you lock the diff in this situation it will force the tire that is stationary to move with the spinning tire and therefore your traction just doubled. More often than not, the locker will get you out of situations that will get you stuck with an open diff
Click to expand...

:)
 
Last edited:
basically its a difference of rotational speed/torque. 4wheel is going to give all 4 wheels more power, but your wheels are going to spin at different speeds- meaning the wheel with less traction is going to spin faster then the one with traction. The locker changes this- both your rear wheels are going to spin with the same amount of torque and speed- which gives you much better traction.
Ive got the elocker and love it- mainly because my 4wheel drive system as a whole has issues- Ive got the locker wired up so that I can use it in 2wheel drive vs just 4low- I have never had an issue keeping up with anyone on the trails. IMO, if your gonna go out sight seeing camping etc alone you def want a locker.. just also keep in mind that one of the things 4x4 is great for... going further and getting stuck ALOT worse lol..
 
After reading the above threads, the answer is, it all depends on your skills and what you want to do with the rig.

On road, you don't want a locker (rain, dry, snow) unless you are breaking trail during a snow storm. Lockers in the slick stuff will cause the tail to slide around a lot. If off chamber in the slick, they will toss you down the hill.

I know of a lot of people the wheel hard with both front and rear diffs open and do great.

Wheeling open/open will build skills. Seeing the Rubicon guys double lock for easy trails can make a trail pretty boring.

If you later need a locker, add an ARB, they are the best anyway.
 
On road, you don't want a locker (rain, dry, snow) unless you are breaking trail during a snow storm
Click to expand...

Gerdo sorry to jump on you, I think what you meant to say is "you don't want to ENGAGE a locker" while driving in those conditions.

Having the locker as an option is always a benefit. There is no downside.

.

If I was looking for a used 4Runner I would balance my desire for a locker with other factors such as low mileage, limited, nice original paint ect.

OP, I wouldn't compromise on the items I listed just to have a locker. As Gerdo mentioned you can always add an ARB one to your 4WD truck later on.

:)
 
Last edited:
still confused...

I'm not trying to be thick :ybrick:

But am I understanding it correctly, If one wheel is in the air, NONE of the other three will receive power?
 
please read the link I posted that points to the differences in T-Cases.

That page explains in a single page how the modes work. Brian2Sun did a great breakdown. Just scroll past the pictures and read the differences between 2HI, AWD, 4HI, 4LO in the first section.


Also ... 4Runners are not unique.

Your question is pretty much: "on nearly all US trucks, how does 4WD work?"

Some basic information at a more fundamental level can also be found here: HowStuffWorks "Components of a Four-wheel-drive System"

:hatsoff:
 
Last edited:
brianemc2_42 said:
Gerdo sorry to jump on you, I think what you meant to say is "you don't want to ENGAGE a locker" while driving in those conditions.

Having the locker as an option is always a benefit. There is no downside.

If I was looking for a used 4Runner I would balance my desire for a locker with other factors such as low mileage, limited, nice original paint ect.

OP, I wouldn't compromise on the items I listed just to have a locker. As Gerdo mentioned you can always add an ARB one to your 4WD truck later on.

:)
Click to expand...

+1, a locker is a great thing to have, and if you're doing alot of offroading sooner or later you WILL need it.
I wouldn't let it be a deal breaker on a good used 4runner without one either. As said, you can always add a stock or aftermarket one later.
I was in the same position as you, but I found a good deal on an 01(locker wasn't available). It'll get one eventually.
 
ddach said:
I'm not trying to be thick :ybrick:

But am I understanding it correctly, If one wheel is in the air, NONE of the other three will receive power?
Click to expand...

If you are in 4x4 with the center diff locked, then you have 50/50 power split to the front and rear diffs. If both of these diffs are open, you will have power to one tire on each axle essentially. If you manage to lose traction on a tire on each axle, then you will be stuck. If you had a rear elocker, you would have power to both rear tires, and one front tire, so you can imagine how much harder it will be to get this stuck.
 
Find a 4runner with an E-locker and you will be happy.



4wd- If you cross a ditch at an angle where you have a front wheel and the opposite rear wheel in the ditch - You will get stuck.
 
I've got two thoughts on this...

1) If you don't know what a locker is, then maybe you wont need it. Most guys who enjoy offroading have known about welding/locking your rear axle for a long time. Its for the absolute maximum traction when offroading. If you've gone through your life this long and not needing it, then you might not have to worry about it.

2) If you're aware of it now, then maybe you'll want to find a truck with it, because you know of its capabilities, and you envision yourself wanting to use it in the future. It also helps with resale. Or maybe you've got stuck and were unaware of the locker capabilities and would like to make sure you've got one.

Another thing to remember is that you can most likely find a rear locker axle at a junkyard. So, if you find your dream 4Runner, and it doesn't have an e-locker, then you can always simply add it down the line....
 
Thanks for all your replies, everyone!

Does anyone have an idea how much it should cost to get a rear ARB locker installed on a 3rd gen, parts and labor included?
 
ddach said:
Thanks for all your replies, everyone!

Does anyone have an idea how much it should cost to get a rear ARB locker installed on a 3rd gen, parts and labor included?
Click to expand...

The diff itself goes for just under $1000, compressor in the $250-$300 range. Install will probably vary a little bit depending on where you want the compressor installed. I would probably set aside around $2000 to be on the safe side.
 
Stick Figure said:
The diff itself goes for just under $1000, compressor in the $250-$300 range. Install will probably vary a little bit depending on where you want the compressor installed. I would probably set aside around $2000 to be on the safe side.
Click to expand...

YIKES... I recently noticed the bearing whine coming from my rear diff after I got the exhaust patched up on my newly purchased 99. Used diffs for these seem to be hard to come by up here, and everything I've laid my eyes on is 10 times crustier than my cali transplanted truck. I've come to the conclusion I will most likely have to have it rebuilt, and was think I want to add a locker at the same time but damn... for 2 k maybe not.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 269 (members: 1, guests: 268)

Forum statistics

Threads
278,306
Messages
3,554,046
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Share this page

Trending content

Back
Top