Comments on: Differential Lockers: All You Need to Know!

By: Nick

Nick — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 04:57:50 +0000

This is a really nice article, but what diff lock would you recommend for a dune buggy using a newer version Jetta or golf engine in a midship rwd configuration?
Greetings from Canada

By: RichardS

RichardS — Sun, 05 Mar 2017 13:22:24 +0000

Michael, nice article. I would like to add that lockers can be dangerous in off-camber situations, the back will crab out causing the vehicle to come off its line which could lead to a roll over. You will rarely see front lockers with IFS vehicles , too much stress.

Lockers should be considered a luxury and used sparingly, they tend to tear up trails. I would recommend people take a good I4WDTA 4wd 101 course to learn left-foot braking, two peddle driving . By applying the brake the driver can build up enough RPMs (without moving) to force both wheels to spin when the brake is finally released. This can be done so smoothly by skilled drivers that a bystander would assume they had lockers.

By: George

George — Sat, 14 Jan 2017 00:54:37 +0000

Just this year it has become necessary to drive my 2006 Rubicon on a mile long hilly, winding, unmaintained road in Maine. Sometimes (like now) that road gets completely iced over. No snow, just ice.
Questions: 1) I’ve been engaging Front and Rear Lockers the entire length, and getting by so far going very slowly. Am I damaging anything mechanically?
2) l am considering some kind of tire chain or cable. Any suggestions?
Great forum,
Thanks!

By: George

George — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 22:08:31 +0000

Just this year it has become necessary to drive my 2006 Rubicon on a mile long hilly, winding, unmaintained road in Maine. Sometimes (like now) that road gets completely iced over. No snow, just ice.
Questions: 1) I’ve been engaging Front and Rear Lockers the entire length, and getting by so far going very slowly. Am I damaging anything mechanically?
2) l considering some kind of tire chain or cable. Any suggestions?
Great forum,
Thanks!

By: Lassen10463

Lassen10463 — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 05:34:56 +0000

In reply to Michael.

Thanks, Shawn! Like you, I rarely have needed “crawler mode” but I do like knowing I’ve got it…just in case! In the meantime, there are thousands upon thousands of miles of dirt/mud/rocky/sandy/powdery roads in CA alone I have yet to explore. What’s that line in one of the Pirates of the Caribbean movies…”You have to get good and lost before you can get to where you’ve never been.”

By: Michael

Michael — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 01:12:04 +0000

In reply to Shawn. Thanks Shawn!

By: Shawn

Shawn — Wed, 06 Jul 2016 01:08:33 +0000

I’m not much of a gear head but I do know that if your on dry pavement or surface and using 4 low, you’re going to get binding when turning. I have QD2 in my Grand Cherokee and only used 4 low once in some deep snow. I have LSD front and rear, no lockers. Anyway, using 4 low on a dry surface with all 4 wheels on the ground, etc, is not optimal. I’ve never attempted to see how far I could turn my wheels when in 4 low but now I’ll have to find some mud and try it. I had always been taught that never to engage 4×4, such as on my Wrangler while on a dry surface, especially concrete as it can wear parts out faster. On a trail, that’s a different story. If you head over to the OB forum you’ll probably get more info from people with a lot more knowledge than I have. Good group over there with lots of knowledge.

By: Michael

Michael — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 22:33:10 +0000

In reply to Lassen10463. Hi @Lassen10463 I'm going to put you in touch with another Jeep Owner who is very active in our forums. Perhaps @ShawnR can give you some specific advice on that particular behavior, and what it means for a Jeep. Also consider heading over to our forums and asking if you haven't already. To me, "Don't turn" in 4-low seems extreme, though if you were fully locked, could describe the behavior you experienced.

By: Lassen10463

Lassen10463 — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 22:13:26 +0000

This is a great article! Now, though I have a “Trail Rated” Grand Cherokee – with the Hemi, of course 😀 – I don’t get into many places requiring “heavy duty” 4 wheel, but I am trying to learn it so that I can understand what I’ve got, what I need in the event I ever get into a position of, well, as Michael stated in his article, remaining calm in my seat.

On my Jeep, I have a little switch that flips on a motor that puts my transfer case into 4-Low. And when it is in 4-Low, it’s a beast! It just wants to crawl all over.

Just after buying this vehicle, I was trying the 4-Low. I was in a parking lot that had a steep hill up out of it – dirt – which then flattened out. Put in drive and took my foot off brake and with no gas applied to pedal, Jeep crawled right over parking barrier – about 6″ high – and right up the hill like nothing was even there. When slope flattened, I turned wheels at which time it shook and churned. Immediately I turned back to straight and realized it was 4WD mechanism. Called dealer and they said to not turn the wheels when in 4-Low. Would this be indicator that switching to 4-Low on this vehicle triggers a diff lock like system?

All this stuff is making me pull my hair out … which is no small feat considering what’s left of it!

By: Donald Diehl # 0745

Donald Diehl # 0745 — Tue, 23 Feb 2016 21:55:58 +0000

Once again, another very, very good article, and I concur with Robert. I have witnessed more than a couple of guys that really didn’t understand when to use and when not to use lockers.. It makes me cringe, much like fingernails on a chalk-board, when I hear rears chirping away on slick-rock when cornering.. I’ll also add that I just wouldn’t even consider having a vehicle without at least a rear dif locker. I very rarely use the front.. According to the the 80 series/450 owners manual, one should never have the front locker engaged while in reverse. Serious damage may be incurred..