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Locker application

I know I'm a little late chiming in with this. Luckily, my lil 2wd has only gotten stuck once this winter but once is enough right? How will a locker help/hurt in snow or ice; with proper tires I mean(i.e. snow or AT)?.
 



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Basically it will go much better in snow since power will be going to both rear wheels, however with a locker or limited-slip the rear end will want to swing out on corners on snow-covered roads because both wheels will spin. With an open diff only one wheel will spin and the other gets almost no power at all, so the non-spinning wheel helps the vehicle track around the corner. So just don't give it a lot of gas when you're turning. But power going to two wheels is still better than power going to one wheel.
 






I've already had a lot of experience with rear end swing this winter so I'm sort of used to that. I'm getting pretty good a Dukes of Hazzarding around corners. Just looking for what would help getting in and out of areas the plows haven't hit yet.
 






Thinking of buying this powertrax lockright locker from east coast gear supply for $295. Part number is 1822. Anybody seen it any lower? That looks to be the best price i've seen. Anybody ever deal with them? Feedback?
 






Thats probably the cheapest you will find it. Does your truck have an open diff?

I have not read much about these breaking, if you are not doing serious rock crawling on 37's, you shouldn't have a problem.

What terrain do you see most of? I can tell you that in sand- LS>Locker/spool. I have trouble with some sand hills now with my locker/spool that I drove right up with my LS. If I had a 4wd I would put a selectable in the rear and a Ls in the front. Or if the money is there, an Ected in both axles would be nice.
 






Don't do much with rocks or boulders but probably will eventually. I want it mostly for better traction through mud and snow. I have 4wd but notice 1 wheel catching traction in the rear at certain times.
 






Don't do much with rocks or boulders but probably will eventually. I want it mostly for better traction through mud and snow. I have 4wd but notice 1 wheel catching traction in the rear at certain times.

I went through a local mud hole following around behind a guy in a Jeep with 33" MTs and open diffs and I was in my Trac with 32" ATs. He was sliding all over the place and I was just calmly following him with ease. I can attribute this to my Aussie in the rear.
 






both the powertrax and the aussie locker are awesome upgrades for traction as long as you arent doing some hardcore rock crawling or spinning huge 36"s. if you are mainly hitting trails, and driving through the woods, in the mountains, or in snow/mud they will be one of the best purchases you can make for your rig.

you can go arb air locker, or detroit for something more heavy duty, but seeing that you are looking to find a locker for cheaper than 300 bucks, im thinking thats not an option. i run a set of aussie lockers in my 03 sport trac 2wd with 33"s, and im not blowing smoke up your ass when i say this, but our sport trac mashes through trails, mountains and forests up in the high sierra mountains that my old 4x4 would have trouble in. ive had my aussie lockers for about a year, and they are holding up great with no problems, and they are pretty quiet.

we just got back from a weekend trip into the northern sierra mountains camping and driving through 50 miles of mountain trails and im positive that we would have gotten stuck at least a few times without the lockers. in fact, we also own a jeep wrangler jk and we find ourselves always taking the sport trac because of of all the space for our gear and its ability to get us in and out of the mountains.

as previously mentioned, just make sure you look up what diff you have, if its open then the aussie or powertrax will fit. if you have an LS, you will have to look at other options.
 






both the powertrax and the aussie locker are awesome upgrades for traction as long as you arent doing some hardcore rock crawling or spinning huge 36"s. if you are mainly hitting trails, and driving through the woods, in the mountains, or in snow/mud they will be one of the best purchases you can make for your rig.

you can go arb air locker, or detroit for something more heavy duty, but seeing that you are looking to find a locker for cheaper than 300 bucks, im thinking thats not an option. i run a set of aussie lockers in my 03 sport trac 2wd with 33"s, and im not blowing smoke up your ass when i say this, but our sport trac mashes through trails, mountains and forests up in the high sierra mountains that my old 4x4 would have trouble in. ive had my aussie lockers for about a year, and they are holding up great with no problems, and they are pretty quiet.

we just got back from a weekend trip into the northern sierra mountains camping and driving through 50 miles of mountain trails and im positive that we would have gotten stuck at least a few times without the lockers. in fact, we also own a jeep wrangler jk and we find ourselves always taking the sport trac because of of all the space for our gear and its ability to get us in and out of the mountains.

as previously mentioned, just make sure you look up what diff you have, if its open then the aussie or powertrax will fit. if you have an LS, you will have to look at other options.

On the other hand my locker makes all kinds of sounds, yeah it makes the usual ratcheting sounds when turning every so often it lets off a loud clank and it seems to have made my transmission louder or I have a lot of backlash, not really sure but its been like that for about the couple of years in been in my truck. I have a manual transmission. Last time I took it to do an alignment the guy driving it into the shop thought I had serious transmission problems, I had to explain to them that is has an auto locker and that's just the way it is.
 






pup you run the powertrax lockers? ive heard from a few people and friends that the powertrax do seem to make a few clunking noises every now and then, but that its pretty normal. as long as your locker isnt ratcheting while you are going in straight line, i think youre good.
 






pup you run the powertrax lockers? ive heard from a few people and friends that the powertrax do seem to make a few clunking noises every now and then, but that its pretty normal. as long as your locker isnt ratcheting while you are going in straight line, i think youre good.

I have an Aussie like yours. From what I read online it's normal for a locker of this type to make all kinds of noises when you have a manual transmission and takes a little getting used to to drive with one installed. It doesn't ratchet when going straight but does sometimes let out a clank that I can feel in the rear end of the truck even when going straight, usually not long after I change gears. Again from what I've read this seems to be normal.
 






On the other hand my locker makes all kinds of sounds, yeah it makes the usual ratcheting sounds when turning every so often it lets off a loud clank and it seems to have made my transmission louder or I have a lot of backlash, not really sure but its been like that for about the couple of years in been in my truck. I have a manual transmission. Last time I took it to do an alignment the guy driving it into the shop thought I had serious transmission problems, I had to explain to them that is has an auto locker and that's just the way it is.

did you have a lot of wear on your spider gears? This doesnt right . i had a locker in my last car (and I know it is different but similar ) and the only time I got noise out of the diff is when the car was up on a lift and i spun the wheel one way and then spun it the other way. Once in a while I would get some slight chirping around corners. But that was very seldom. I am not sure how your locker was designed , but the one I ran had springs that held it together to help with noises. The early design used weaker springs that caused failure and or noises.
I am interested in getting a locker or diff for my front end. I have a stock diff in the rear and are just looking for something to aid with traction in the snow.
 






Yea the locker is definitely on my list of things to definitely get done. I can't wait to see the difference in traction.
 






How do you guys like the auto lockers? Anyone use/ have opinions about air- or e-lockers?
 






runner - if you have over a grand to spare then i would say go with an air or e locker. they are more heavy duty, and they will handle the 35"s you have much better than an auto or lunchbox locker in my opinion. also, they are also switchable so you can turn them off on the freeway or in town. they are also much more quiet than a lunchbox style locker.

the aussie or powertrax would be your most cost effective move, but if you plan on doing some real hardcore stuff, go with an air or e locker. just my opinion. the aussies do awesome for me, but im not scaling up rock walls and stuff.
 






I have an Aussie like yours. From what I read online it's normal for a locker of this type to make all kinds of noises when you have a manual transmission and takes a little getting used to to drive with one installed. It doesn't ratchet when going straight but does sometimes let out a clank that I can feel in the rear end of the truck even when going straight, usually not long after I change gears. Again from what I've read this seems to be normal.

thats right, youre one of the guys that helped me make a decision on getting an aussie!
 






How do you guys like the auto lockers? Anyone use/ have opinions about air- or e-lockers?

I love my e locker! I was originally trying to get the Powertrax No-slip but they were on back order for over 3 months. I didn't have the option to run the lock rite or aussie because I had a limited slip. For me, it came down to the fact that my fiance and I take turns switching cars back and forth because we both love to drive this truck so it had to be safe for her to drive in any conditions. The road manners are as if it is not even there but when you flip the switch you get full traction. It acts as a spool so i believe it works better if you are trying to haul ass down a dirt road and it remains locked rather than locking/unlocking like I suspect an auto would. I have no experience with an auto locker but that would be my guess as to what would happen.

Always wait for sales! I waited for a big truck show and I got my locker and master install kit for like $750 otd. Plus I got a procomp 12in. led light bar for $220 otd and they retail for $310.
 






Im already leaning towards air or e lockers. Not really sure which one to go with. Hmmm
 






i think arb air lockers if you are going to go all out. another benefit to air lockers are the ability to have on board air. that way you can re-inflate if you ever air down while on the trail. you will need about 1200 bucks to get that set up, but id love to see a write up of a member slapping one on a trac!
 



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I'm planning to put an OBA system where the spare used to be. I just worry that the air lines to the lockers could leak.
 






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