Locker suggestions? What should I get for my needs?

[nova801428]

I would like a locker for my stock 86 Ranger, with a 2.9l v6, 5spd, 2wd, long bed, 7.5 axle. Anyway. I go hunting, sometimes wheeling, and I like to go through mud holes sometimes, and I mostly drive on the street but I would like all the power to go to the rear wheels not just one. What locker do you think would work the best? I would like a pretty cheap one. I think I need an automatic locker, and I was thinking I needed a lock-right locker. What do you think?

 

[RangerX]

Can't go wrong with a Lockright.

 

[dla]

The reviews I've read kindof cast a dim light on the lock-rite. The absolute best for average driving is probably the stock Ford limited-slip, based on cost, ease of use, and drivability. The best for the hard-core traction addict would be either an air or electric locker, but they're expensive.

I was all set to try a lock-rite when I ran across a couple of reviews warning about the around-town drivability.

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I drive an aussie locker on the street often. I had to adapt my driving style a bit, but after I got used to it its no problem at all.

 

[nova801428]

What do you mean adapt? Like not take tight turns? Don't turn fast? Don't turn sharp into parking spots? What?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Sharp turns are fine, parking lots are fine, fast turns are fine. The locker is active whilst under power, so pulling out onto the road while turning has to be done with some finesse, especially onto an elevated road. At worst when the road is dry, you scrub a tire a little. What I learned to do is get a little momentum before turning, and stay out of the throttle during the turn.

 

[nova801428]

Scrub a tire? Like chirp the tire?


Is this a good upgrade for someone that goes wheeling sometimes? Goes through snow, mud, and ice? I have heard this is the best thing you can buy for my truck. I am really excited about this, and hopefully it goes through. Is it pretty hard installing it? I have taken an engine apart and put it back together. I have lifted my other truck by myself. I have replaced everything possible on my Ranger. Do you think I could do this? Do you suggest anything? Thanks

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Yeah, chirp or spin- mine rarely makes noise, I just feel it.

 

[nova801428]

Would you suggest this upgrade? I hate getting stuck. And, in the middle of the woods with only one tire that spins is well, kind of scary.

 

[RangerX]

Sounds like you may be better off with a limited slip in back, and put the locker up front. That way, you have total drivability onroad, and the locker is there whenever you're in 4x4.

 

[nova801428]

Sorry, forgot to mention my truck is a 2wd. I pretty much can get stuck on a slight incline on the road....jk. No really, I don't think a limited slip is going to help much. I think I would rather have a locker. What do you think?

Oh wait, it says 2wd at the top

 

[MountaineerGreen]

I like my Aussie- I can't/won't go back to an LS. After I got accustomed to driving with it, its completely seamless, traction any time I need it.

 

[nova801428]

So, pretty much it turns a 1wd (pretty much) truck into 100% to both the wheels, instead of having 100% of the power to 1 wheel. Would you recommend this? I have got stuck before because only one wheel would spin (lame)

 

[dla]

There's also the issue of fishtailing and sliding sideways when going uphill in the snow. Also, "no-slip" was created to fix "lock-rite's" problem of staying locked too easily. But of course the no-slip is a hundred or so more $.

Definitely spend some time reviewing or you will be out $400+ and stuck with a funky-driving truck.

By the way, the Ford LS is by far cheaper and better around-town drivability.

 

[wolfnutts]

2.9 liter an your going to spin tire i dont thk so havent done it before but a mini spool ?? or putt a few hundred pounds of weight in your bed for your offroading trips the traction will improve greatly if you dont over do it an can keep up a bit of momentum while driving

 

[nova801428]

O.K, I read about the LS, and it says it only puts about 15-25% of the power to the other wheel NEW....and continuously looses more. What would be the point of that?

I actually have trouble not spinning a tire in gravel....and I used to have bald small tires (now that sucked)

O.K. When I go hunting, sometimes I can't make it up gravel roads, or I'll have to get a big run at it, and spin a tire all the way up. For example; I came around a sharp left corner and noticed a pretty steep hill and I told my bro I don't think we are going to make it. 100ft up my truck stops and won't go anymore. So, I reverse all the way down the hill and go past the turn (it was a 3-way intersection) and get lots of room. I then got a run at it going 25mph and I barely made it the hill (which is a little more than a 100ft or so) I spun a tire the whole way up...it sucked. Now, another example when I was hunting. I hunt in kind of a sandy desert area. There are huge rocks everywhere and small hills that my truck almost bottoms out on. We take this trail that is the same size as my truck (probably an ATV trail) and we start going downhill (you know what that mean if I can't turn around...I can't reverse uphill with only 1 tire) and I get to a little creek crossing with a log sticking a foot up. So, after thinking about it for awhile I decide to go crooked and just hit it. Well, I made, it surprised the hell out of me but I did it.

That is the kind of stuff I do....they are pretty much all close calls. Would you still suggest a LS or would you suggest a LOCKER? Thanks for the help!!!

 

[dla]

O.K, I read about the LS, and it says it only puts about 15-25% of the power to the other wheel NEW....and continuously looses more. What would be the point of that?

I actually have trouble not spinning a tire in gravel....and I used to have bald small tires (now that sucked)

O.K. When I go hunting, sometimes I can't make it up gravel roads, or I'll have to get a big run at it, and spin a tire all the way up. For example; I came around a sharp left corner and noticed a pretty steep hill and I told my bro I don't think we are going to make it. 100ft up my truck stops and won't go anymore. So, I reverse all the way down the hill and go past the turn (it was a 3-way intersection) and get lots of room. I then got a run at it going 25mph and I barely made it the hill (which is a little more than a 100ft or so) I spun a tire the whole way up...it sucked. Now, another example when I was hunting. I hunt in kind of a sandy desert area. There are huge rocks everywhere and small hills that my truck almost bottoms out on. We take this trail that is the same size as my truck (probably an ATV trail) and we start going downhill (you know what that mean if I can't turn around...I can't reverse uphill with only 1 tire) and I get to a little creek crossing with a log sticking a foot up. So, after thinking about it for awhile I decide to go crooked and just hit it. Well, I made, it surprised the hell out of me but I did it.

That is the kind of stuff I do....they are pretty much all close calls. Would you still suggest a LS or would you suggest a LOCKER? Thanks for the help!!!

Hey, it's your $

I would:

1. Park and walk when I'm hunting - road hunting sucks
2. Upgrade my tires - no use messing with baldies
3. Get a brand new Ford 7.5" Limited Slip for $265 or get a complete junk yard 4.10 geared LS rearend for ~$200.
4. As a last resort, knowing that my around-town driving will be comprimised, I would get a Powertrax No-Slip

If they made one for Ford 7.5", my ideal would be an electric locker, similar to the locker in the Toyota TRD package.

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

http://www.drivetrainspecialists.com/categories/ford/ford-75/

 

[dla]

One more thing, a $400 locker is probably more than your truck is worth. Maybe good rear tires, a set of chains just in case, and 500lb in the bed would be the best solution.

 

[RangerNate]

Can't go wrong with a Lockright.

X2, have one in my Toyota for about ten years now and it is a backup daily driver/hardcore trail truck. Cheap, easy to install durable and guaranteed 100 power to both wheels. In my Ranger that was 2wd and now converted 4x4, I run a Ford clutch type posi with extra preload shims and it is my favorite setup for a mostly street truck. Had another Toyota previously that I ran the TRD clutch type posi in and it was also great.

The posi types are more expensive but availlable at wreckers and can be rebuilt, but you'll have to re setup the ring and pinion gears which is expensive. They are very smooth, but not that great off road when the going gets slippery even with the extra preload shims.

For snow, ice and rain the limited slip is best on the street...very predictable and can recover a power slide alot easier than with a locker or spool

No offense intended, but it sounds like you should sell your 2wd and buy a decent used 4x4...waaay more capable even stock...maybe through a posi and some weight in the back of it and carry tire chains just in case. Been there done that. Love 4 wheel drive.

 

[nova801428]

Hey, it's your $

I would:

1. Park and walk when I'm hunting - road hunting sucks
2. Upgrade my tires - no use messing with baldies
3. Get a brand new Ford 7.5" Limited Slip for $265 or get a complete junk yard 4.10 geared LS rearend for ~$200.
4. As a last resort, knowing that my around-town driving will be comprimised, I would get a Powertrax No-Slip

I don't road hunt, it's when I am driving to go hunting...walking 10 miles isn't fun. I have new tires already (Wildcat a/t's...I used to have bald tires)
That is the same price as a locker
I might

One more thing, a $400 locker is probably more than your truck is worth. Maybe good rear tires, a set of chains just in case, and 500lb in the bed would be the best solution.

No, it isn't worth more. I have good tires. I have chains. I don't want to carry around 500lbs all the time. Then, I am wasting gas. Here's my truck...

X2, have one in my Toyota for about ten years now and it is a backup daily driver/hardcore trail truck. Cheap, easy to install durable and guaranteed 100 power to both wheels. In my Ranger that was 2wd and now converted 4x4, I run a Ford clutch type posi with extra preload shims and it is my favorite setup for a mostly street truck. Had another Toyota previously that I ran the TRD clutch type posi in and it was also great.

The posi types are more expensive but availlable at wreckers and can be rebuilt, but you'll have to re setup the ring and pinion gears which is expensive. They are very smooth, but not that great off road when the going gets slippery even with the extra preload shims.

For snow, ice and rain the limited slip is best on the street...very predictable and can recover a power slide alot easier than with a locker or spool

No offense intended, but it sounds like you should sell your 2wd and buy a decent used 4x4...waaay more capable even stock...maybe through a posi and some weight in the back of it and carry tire chains just in case. Been there done that. Love 4 wheel drive.

I have over $2k into my truck...especially into engine work, tires, lights, electrical work, computer, tune-ups, lights, cb, antenna...lots of stuff.
I really don't think I will get what I paid for if I get a 4x4....besides, I already have one, why would I need 2?