rear lockers

[techno]

With TLC100 series or 4runners, i would NOT put a locker on the front, esp. if you use it a lot off-road. There is a reason why Toyota dumped the front locker with the TLC100's front IFS.

Yeah, i keep forgetting that usa doesnt have the live axel front end 100's.

I put 60,000 km on a 2000 Hilux with front and rear lockers and really gave it a hard time off road. Spent hours at a time with the front locked on some hill climbs. Never had an issue. But then again, some people do.
Weigh up the risks vs gains for your own circumstances, and always use caution with a locked ifs.

 

[hodgepodge79]

So,...what IS the reason they dropped the front locker from Land Cruisers with IFS?
I use my 1987 4runner as a DD (50 miles/day-freeway) and 2 off-road outings/month.

My big concern is that I encounter (or will encounter) snow each winter and don't necessarily want a squirely rear-end. So i am on the fence as to which end to lock. Because I only want an Aussie locker, and just realized that my rear 3rd is out of a v6 (which they don't have a product for), I can lock the front now, or wait for a rear to become available in the future (or buy a second 4cyl 3rd and lock it now).

 

[Thai]

IFS is not as strong as a solid axle...and a locker does provide stress. Are you expecting to have better stability in snow with a front locker???

 

[techno]

I dont know what tires you currently have hodgepodge, but for improved stability in the snow and avoiding a 'squirrely' rear end, I would not hesitate to recommend buying a set of mud terrain style tires first. (eg; BFG mud terrain, Goodyear MTRs etc) Muddies are fine for daily driving and if you are off road twice a month then to me that also warrants some mildly agressive rubber.
Dont put an auto locker in the front, wait for the rear to arrive or save up a bit more for an ARB.

 

[hodgepodge79]

Thanks for the advice.
My current tires are 30x9.50 Mesa CT's. They are a deep lug, offroad/utility tire available at Big'O. I really like them, they wear great, just wish I would have gone with 33x10.50's(http://www.bigotires.com/TireDetails.aspx?Category=12CAD0V&PartNo=MCT78)
My thought process was that with a locker in the front, in snow-covered road conditions, I could keep it in 2WD and not have the locker affect the driving (or maybe even lock one hub for 3WD!)
It does seem that the overwhelming majority suggest locking the rear, then the front if needed.
I am considering buying a spare 4cyl rear 3rd member to either weld, or install a locker into,...then lock the front later.

 

[fourwd1]

Just put in ARBs front and rear and be done with all this indecision.

 

[n8buddy]

what kind of setup do the 2nd gens have for 4wd? im sure there isnt a locker on the back, but what is the A.D.D. for? is it the same as locking hubs only automatic? I dont think i even understand what locking hubs do...