I just got a Rubi a few days ago, and although I am in no way new to the Jeep community or off-roading, I have never owned, nor driven a rig with lockers (only X's in the past). I understand what they are for and how they work, but what I would like to know from those of you with locker experience is this...

--What is the proper, or, preferred method to engage lockers...Jeep rolling; Jeep stopped; if one wheel is spinning and you need to lock to get over obsticle, can you hit the switch or should you first stop the wheel spin?

I read through the owners manual, and the only thing it does is tells you how the locker button works (engage/disengage) and to be going slower than 10mph when lockers are being used. There is a preffered method to enaging and disengaging 4wd on a Wrangler, so I want to know if lockers have that as well. Thanks.

 

Locking the wheels should be part of a plan. When you decide on a line, you should decide then if you think you will be locking or not.

 

If you have to lock up while spinning due it it Idle. How i have done RubyDoo is, i leave her open until she starts spinning slightly then lock her one axle at a time idleing, Unless you know for sure the obsticle needs lockers then while approching lock up.

 

Thanks for the replies. I would lock it before an obsticle if I knew I would need it. Guess I was just trying to figure out if the wheels need to be stopped, or, slightly rolling to lock it properly/safely. I think I got it now. Thanks again.

 

Just today in deep mud I was going way faster than 10 mph with everything locked.

Its under warranty, drive it like you stole it.

 

If there is still a compnay to repair it next month.

 

I agree that lockers should be part of the plan as needed.

If you have a reasonable ability to backtrack and engage them if you fail trying to get up and over, that's great.

But if you have no safe "out" or ability to reload, lockers front and back should be the order of the day prior to attempting an ascent. I say this after having run Hell's Gate, Pritchett Canyon, BFE,... You really have to get it right the first time.

An additional thing I learned to appreciate at EJS is to try to line up your ascent and then engage the lockers. Trying to maneuver and line it all up with front and back engaged is not easy, and probably not good for your drivetrain long term.

 

sounds good.... there is no one answer to this question.

 

On the trail I always lock up the rear and leave it locked. Only engage the front when I need it.

It's kinda like disconnecting the sway bar for me. I do it once and forget it.

Sometimes I miss the thrill of having to finesse my way through something that a locker you can just point and shoot with so I will disengage it for some fun.

If I start to spin a tire, I lock it back up...you know...tread lightly.

 

x2 for me... hit it and foreget it