Spartan locker install and review

[Gerdo]

I think a locker is the second thing anybody should do to their truck, after sliders and before tires.

While I will agree that a locker will extend the capability of a rig and do it quickly.

The huge downside of this added capability is, does the driver have the skills to utilize these capabilities and do it safely? If you are an experienced wheeler, sure, lockers are awesome. If you are new to wheeling, I firmly believe that wheeling open/open will build skills that can't be honed when locked. Even though I'm locked in back, I'll do, or at least try it unlocked first. It's part of the challenge.

PS. I do love my locker!

 

[KidVermicious]

While I will agree that a locker will extend the capability of a rig and do it quickly.

The huge downside of this added capability is, does the driver have the skills to utilize these capabilities and do it safely? If you are an experienced wheeler, sure, lockers are awesome. If you are new to wheeling, I firmly believe that wheeling open/open will build skills that can't be honed when locked. Even though I'm locked in back, I'll do, or at least try it unlocked first. It's part of the challenge.

PS. I do love my locker!

Oh fine, be a spoilsport.

You're exactly right, of course. I'm a definite proponent of learning to wheel your rig stock before making with the performance mods, and I wish I had.

 

[helo-mech]

While I will agree that a locker will extend the capability of a rig and do it quickly.

The huge downside of this added capability is, does the driver have the skills to utilize these capabilities and do it safely? If you are an experienced wheeler, sure, lockers are awesome. If you are new to wheeling, I firmly believe that wheeling open/open will build skills that can't be honed when locked. Even though I'm locked in back, I'll do, or at least try it unlocked first. It's part of the challenge.

PS. I do love my locker!

Oh fine, be a spoilsport.

You're exactly right, of course. I'm a definite proponent of learning to wheel your rig stock before making with the performance mods, and I wish I had.

That's the excuse I'm gonna use for not having my locker. Don't hit me for how many times you hear "I'm trying to learn how my 4Runnner operates stock before I add the assistance of a locker!" during our Moab trip.

 

[SV_Dude]

So far, I'm pretty much able to go anywhere FoG has been. He has a rear locker and I'm on open diffs. I think the 35's help with that a little though but even a rig with open diffs is pretty impressive.

 

[KidVermicious]

So far, I'm pretty much able to go anywhere FoG has been. He has a rear locker and I'm on open diffs. I think the 35's help with that a little though but even a rig with open diffs is pretty impressive.

This last Saturday I drove a trail that used to be rated a 5/5 (it's since gotten easier) with another T4R.org guy, a 2001 on 32s with a busted center diff lock. I was sure he was over his head and we would be tugging him through stuff all day, but he made it through every single obstacle but the very last one without taking a single strap. I was floored. He did it a little lurchier than I did, had to use momentum a couple times, used his sliders a lot, but he did it. With 32 inch AT tires, no locker, and an open center diff. These 4Runners are amazingly capable in stock form when the driver knows what he's doing.

 

[Jonny]

thanks for this write up!
Will be going f+r spartans soon...but want to get my hands on F+R factory 4.88's and locking hubs for the front before I do that :sobbing:
Open/Open 4.56's and the 3.0 aren't really cutting it (IMO) for our arrowhead/big bear trips. hopefully the 4.88's will help with the 33's and steep grade driving.
Can't wait to be locked again! (ex FJC owner)

 

[KidVermicious]

Definitely get manual hubs before putting an automatic in the front! Does your rig see much in the way of snowy roads that require 4wd? Locked front + slick stuff = possible badness.

I went with the TrueTrac for the front, but that is it's own set of compromises, is an ARB in the budget?

 

[Jonny]

Definitely get manual hubs before putting an automatic in the front! Does your rig see much in the way of snowy roads that require 4wd? Locked front + slick stuff = possible badness.

I went with the TrueTrac for the front, but that is it's own set of compromises, is an ARB in the budget?

oh yea, would never throw in a locker up front with the automatic hubs :cowboy:
def see your concerns.
Picked up this 4runner to sit in my driveway and then beat on for camping/wheeling. Got tired of thrashing my 2010 fj cruiser. I live in socal and snow....WHat is that? jk
Last year we did one snow run and I remember having to "re learn" the locker in snow driving habbits.
90% of this runners driving time will be to and from (dry) rutted dirt/gravel trails around here.
and the other 10% random days I want to drive the old Yota to work and feel like a beast :banana: haha

 

[92-SR5]

I have an Aussie, pretty much same thing as a spartan, in my front diff and love it. Although I have manual hubs so I don't even know its there until they are locked and I shift it into 4wd.