Diffy locker in rear only...Feasible? Larger tires rear only?

[SkunkMagnum]

QUESTION:
I was recently wanting to know if the following idea is feasible and worthwhile for a newb to do...

The other day I was reading about lockers for the diffy in the front and rear. I want to install a rear differential locker so that I can get the better traction it offers and I also wanted to install warrior shackles and/or an add-a-leaf kit while the rear axle is dropped out. I want to do it all at once if possible. I would also do the TT adjust.

THEN...
-Could I just get bigger and knobbier tires in the rear and not the front so that I have supreme traction in the rear? I was thinking 31x10.50's or 32x11.50's in the back, while my front is stock 30's. Or is it just pointless to beef up the already good rear and not buy a front diffy locker, as has been recommended by some? I could always get the larger front tires at a later point and add a locker.

-My main concern is the rewiring of the AWD brown wire and I like to have the AWD in the snow. Is it correct that I dont have to do this if I just get a rear diffy locker?

-Should I hold off on the locker(s) since I dont know a great deal about it? Is this too ambitious of a mod for me if I have only minor experience? Should I spend the money elsewhere on the X.

THANKS!

GENERAL INFO ABOUT ME:
This is my first post here
This site is excellent
As of now I mostly wheel in Mud, Snow, and very shallow water

I think that if I can make my way in Computer Engineering that I will be able to own a much more elite Explorer when I get out of college.
An X-Sport of course if Ford continues its soccer mom agenda for the new X's.

MY TRUCK:
Stock '99 XLT nothing done
Platinum Color with black front bumber
new rotors and pads
added trailer hitch
Stock '03 XLT Grey (father's)

F-UPS from Wheelin':
Knocked off the plastic front radiator guard
Gas tank is 1 gallon lighter
It will have a skid plate ASAP when I goto scrap yard

 

[Alec]

All 4 tires should be the same height. You could do something like 33x12.50 in the rear and 33x10.50 in the front though.

The brown wire mod is well proven and does not get rid of your automatic 4wd (it's not AWD), flip the switch and it's just like stock. You'll have 2hi, 2lo, auto, 4hi, 4lo.

Many leave the front open and install a rear locker. It's a very common setup.

 

[Alec]

A few more things, the locker doesn't have anything to do with the transfer case.

2) it's a professional job, so costs $$$, and gears should be changed at the same time (if you're gonna change gears) to save on labor costs.

 

[410Fortune]

Also you dont have to pull the rear axle out of the truck to have gears or a locker installed.
So you can do your truck in stages.

Locker & gears (front and rear), then lift front and rear, then big tires
Good plan.

Currently I am running a selectable locker in my front diff, a rebuilt limited slip in the rear diff, 4.10 gears front and rear and 33" tires.

 

[SkunkMagnum]

geez, I knew I would noob something up...LOL
THX for the replies
I tried reading and searching as much as I could

So I guess width is all I could do on the tires.
Even 31x11.50's and stock front?

 

[Alec]

If you want to use 4x4 at all (includes auto), the tires need to be the same height. period.

 

[Jefe]

Just to clear something up. . .
Do you have the V6 with the Auto 4x4 or do you have a V8 with AWD?
So far these posts have assumed that you have the Auto-4x4 T-case.