KeighJeigh wrote:
I'm VERY new to the concept of putting lockers on my rig.....but from what I have seen, heard and read, it is essential for many of the trails I, at this point, have been frustrated with. But there is much I still need to learn. In particular, I have read that these can add a lot of noise when simply driving around town. Why would that be if you have the option of unlocking them? Also, why would they add any steering or performance weirdness if they were unlocked? I though by unlocking them, you would return to a "normal" diff? I would never use them even driving down a dirt road much less a paved one. The idea would be to engage them only on trails where they are needed - and for me the biggest problem has been where I have 2 wheels in the air simultaneously, or other situations in which a front and back wheel are spinning.
Comments?
Full Time Locker: Non-selectable always providing equal power to both wheels - Detroit is an example, because tires are turning at same rate the inside tire has to skid or spin because its traveling a shorter distance than the outside. tends to wear out tires quicker. Hops or chirps the tires when turning, can be challenging if your not used to it.
Selectable Locker: Usually off - open differential until you engage the locker then equal power to both wheels. ARB primarily for the Liberty, all the advantages of open diffs, lock em when you need em.
Limited Slip: clutch or gear driven differential that is supposed to unlock when the wheels are turning at different speeds like in a corner. TrakLok is the stock unit, Powertrax is an aftermarket unit. Sometimes doesn't unlock in the corners and you get tire hop and chirping. Once you get a wheel off the ground, the limited slip disengages and the tire in the air spins. Unfortunately thats one of the reasons why they don't work as well as a locker off road.You can sometimes fool the limited slip by applying brake and getting it to lock up again even with the wheel off the ground.
best for the road -- Open Diffs
best for the trail -- fully selectable Lockers
You can choose full time lockers or LSD's and live with the on-road cornering issues. Many people do because these solutions are usually considerably cheaper than selectable lockers.
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2005 CRD "
Ol' Blue"
Red Ryder carbine-action, two hundred shot range model air rifle with a compass in the stock and this thing which tells time.
My build page- RL Komodo Rear and TJM Front Bumper, armored, lifted, JBA Steel D30, 4.10s and ARB air lockers.