When to use a locker?

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pbcolt

New member
I realized the other day, I have no idea when the appropriate time is to use my locker. I have always treated my 4x4 system as a sliding scale of stuck-ness. If 4Hi cant get me out - 4Lo. If that doesn't work - Locker.

I know not to turn the wheels when it's locked and I understand the concept of a locker, but what are some scenarios that would warrant pushing the magic button?
 
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pbcolt said:
I realized the other day, I have no idea when the appropriate time is to use my locker. I have always treated my 4x4 system as a sliding scale of stuck-ness. If 4Hi cant get me out - 4Lo. If that doesn't work - Locker.

I know not to turn the wheels when it's locked and I understand the concept of a locker, but what are some scenarios that would warrant pushing the magic button?
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That sounds good to me. I think that is enough unless you rock crawl, then you need to think about not breaking it.

BTW, you can turn with the locker on, just don't do it on a really grippy surface.
 
Nelsonmd said:
That sounds good to me. I think that is enough unless you rock crawl, then you need to think about not breaking it.

BTW, you can turn with the locker on, just don't do it on a really grippy surface.
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I was wondering about that. Sometimes when I go over a rock or something, my wheels get turned/forced one direction. That won't break anything if I have the locker on right?
 
When off-roading and trying to get over an obstacle I will turn it on after multiple attemps with just the center diff locked, When doing any sort of real world off-roading(i.e. not there to have fun but for work or whatever) I turn it on if I think I'll need it, because that's what you have it for!

Also I rarely ever use 4Hi, yes it is better than 2wd of course, but when doing any type of crawling or hill climb and decent 4Lo is where it is at, you can put a lot of unneeded stress on the drivetrain trying to crawl over rocks in 4hi.
Mine has the push button AWD which I use for higher speed 4 wheel driving. So I see how others will use 4Hi for that.
 
pbcolt said:
I was wondering about that. Sometimes when I go over a rock or something, my wheels get turned/forced one direction. That won't break anything if I have the locker on right?
Click to expand...

nope. that locker is strong enough that you could use it on dry pavement, and turning if you had too, but i wouldnt do it unless there was a good reason for it. you will break other things before the locker itself. the locker is a traction aiding device, so basically as you said above if the need arises then use it. some guys like to use it as a precaution to avoid getting stuck and that is smart too. it all depends on how well you know the driving mannerisms of your vehicle both "locked" and "unlocked". but sense your asking i would assume that you havent done too much wheeling or used it that often to know how it will react in different situations/conditions.

i would avoid using the locker in snow and ice, unless you want the back end coming out/around, or you are just trying to have fun in a big open area... i would use the locker all the time in sand and mud though -if you have the factory installed e-locker then you must be in 4lo for it to engage.

hope this helps
 
the kid said:
i would avoid using the locker in snow and ice, unless you want the back end coming out/around, or you are just trying to have fun in a big open area... i would use the locker all the time in sand and mud though -if you have the factory installed e-locker then you must be in 4lo for it to engage.

hope this helps
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The locker is good for getting unstuck from the snow, just not for driving around. I used it to get in and out of my driveway because I was too lazy to shovel it.
 
Everytime I go wheeling, once at the trailhead or off of the "logging roads" etc. I put my vehicle into 4LO. As said above, when your not doing anything higher speed you should always be in 4LO IMO. Plus its better for the trails as you wont chew them up as bad because you won't have to "gun it" to make an obstacle like you would if you were in 4HI. But I guess it all depends on what type of trail you are on etc.

As per the locker, I dont have mine in yet! I do know however that I will still try almost all obstacles in 4LO alone first, then engage the locker when/if needed. Unless of course it's a slew of mud and you can't risk stopping and getting stuck at all.
 
Of course the correct answer depends on your driving style and the terrain that you are traversing.

Personally, I don't have much use for 4HI. The only time I use 4HI is when I am on slick roads.

If you are expecting to be keeping your speed below 25mph or so, go ahead and shift it into 4LO, especially if there is lots of elevation change. The lower gear ratios will keep everything from becoming overloaded through mechanical advantage.

Now to answer the question... when to use a locker? It depends (universal answer for everything). You want your locker engaged BEFORE you get into the nasty spots. In truth, you are perfectly safe to engage it as soon as you leave pavement. It will not hurt the locker, but I usually don't do this. The locker will make the truck want to drive straight, and this can be rather irritating when making lots of tight turns when on the trails.

Once I lock up on the trail, I usually stay locked up.

Because there are not really any definitive answers, I will provide you with a list of situations in which I usually lock up:

Trails have hill climbs in excess of 15% grade.
Heavy ruts or mud.
During ALL water crossings.
Sand (with the exception of making tight turns, also the exception to my avoidance of 4HI)
Quicksand.
Heavily crossed axle terrain.


Situations where I DO NOT lock up:

Precarious off camber terrain (you do not want to be able to spin more then one tire per axle for fear of lateral instability)
Trails with lots of tight turns.
Downhill trails with switchbacks.
Before parking the truck, I ALWAYS unlock.


While these should not be regarded as commandments for engaging your locker, they can help you to determine which situations you will encounter that a locker will be helpful.

Hope this helps,

Leary
 
Great reply's and info.
I will add that when wheeling and if the terrain is steep I will use 4LO. If I need 4wd I go into LO. Staying in HI will put excess strain in the engine and especially an auto trans. Low RPMs will not allow the engine to produce power and not allow the torque converter to lockup causing excessive heat. I have seen auto trans overheat in 4HI. It's not un-manly to use 4LO.

When do I use my locker? I will try an obstacle a few times open and if needed I will lock the diff. If the obstacle is supper gnarly, I'll start locked.

I have seen many rigs slide sideways on off chamber trails while locked, especially if slick. I forgot that I was locked while snow wheeling/breaking trail and ended up sliding sideways, un-locked and I motored straight thru.
 
I see you live in SD. Go to the desert (Ocotillo Wells was always one of my close by fav's) , lock it as soon as you put it in 4lo if you feel like it and unlock it before you go home, haha. It's there to be used, and IMO using it will take strain off other parts by not having to work so hard to get over stuff. The only time I've found steering to be an issue for me was during tight turns with a front locker.
 
pbcolt said:
thank you for the responses everyone. I have a much better picture now of how to use my locker!

also, does this person have a front locker in their t4r? YouTube - Toyota 4Runner Diff. Lock Demonstration

is that why the wheel seems to stop moving when he engages it?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if he engaged a front locker there, probably just the rear. It is, however, a very good demonstration of the difference between having a locker and not. I tell the folks on my trips to lock up if they have them to reduce damage to the trails. Notice that when he locked up, he went right up and over without damaging the trail. Attempting obstacles with the diffs open is precisely how to needlessly rut out the trails. Yes, it can put the fun back into a trail (lockers sometimes make things too easy), but it should be done to preserve what we have.
 
Mr. Leary said:
I'm not sure if he engaged a front locker there, probably just the rear. It is, however, a very good demonstration of the difference between having a locker and not. I tell the folks on my trips to lock up if they have them to reduce damage to the trails. Notice that when he locked up, he went right up and over without damaging the trail. Attempting obstacles with the diffs open is precisely how to needlessly rut out the trails. Yes, it can put the fun back into a trail (lockers sometimes make things too easy), but it should be done to preserve what we have.
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thanks mr leary! good info. I will lock it next time if for no other reason keep the trails intact.
 
ironhippy said:
What's the reasoning behind this? It makes sense now that you've mentioned it, but I hadn't thought of it before.

Thanks for the info.
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Its really a comfort thing for me. I don't want the locker to get stuck in the ON position for any reason. I use ARB lockers and have never had any problems, but I believe that the possability exists for moisture to build up in the lines, and if you turn the truck on with it engaged, the first thing it will do is pump this into the carrier. Couple this with the fact that the only issues that I have heard of with an ARB failing was from moisture buildup in the lines that eventually froze.

This also stems from my days with a manny tranny, where you don't want the locker engaged if you have to push start the truck as it puts incredible strain on the differential.

Bottom line, I don't have any specific evidence to back up my reasoning, but it just makes me feel better. That same reasoning is why I will only go with selectable lockers where the OPEN configuration is the solid state. I want that thing to be able to carry me home on the pavement if something goes wrong.

Just being leery, I guess. :)
 
pbcolt said:
thank you for the responses everyone. I have a much better picture now of how to use my locker!

also, does this person have a front locker in their t4r? YouTube - Toyota 4Runner Diff. Lock Demonstration

is that why the wheel seems to stop moving when he engages it?
Click to expand...

Two things I would like to know is how did he even end up stuck there?

Second just for my knowledge does using lockers at all waste any more gas?
Might be a stupid question but when towing that ECT button I'm starting to think the E is for empty
 
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