using lockers...
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 323
Likes: 0
From: Tampa, FL
Okay, new rubicon owner here as well. So you say inspect it then decide to lock or not.
What things are you looking at when making this decision?
What situations will lockers help me out in versus being unlocked?
What things should I avoid to keep from damaging my lockers?
What things are you looking at when making this decision?
What situations will lockers help me out in versus being unlocked?
What things should I avoid to keep from damaging my lockers?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 185
Likes: 0
From: Lyme, CT
First, I am not a proponent of using lockers all the time, only when the situation calls for it. Having lockers on will decrease your maneuverability and can actually get you into more trouble. For instance, if you are on a steep incline and you rear wheels are locked and loose traction the rear can come around on you.
What things are you looking at when making this decision?
What situations will lockers help me out in versus being unlocked?
The basic premise for using lockers is to force both wheels on the same axle to turn at the same rate regardless of the amount of traction each wheel has. If your situation looks like one wheel loosing grip can cause an obstacle fail start to consider lockers.
What things should I avoid to keep from damaging my lockers?
Odds are that something else will be damaged before your lockers, the drive shafts for instance. This can happen when the tires spin because of traction loss and suddenly get traction again.
As people have already said, when you are analyzing an obstacle, lockers are one more piece of planning process.
What things are you looking at when making this decision?
What situations will lockers help me out in versus being unlocked?
The basic premise for using lockers is to force both wheels on the same axle to turn at the same rate regardless of the amount of traction each wheel has. If your situation looks like one wheel loosing grip can cause an obstacle fail start to consider lockers.
What things should I avoid to keep from damaging my lockers?
Odds are that something else will be damaged before your lockers, the drive shafts for instance. This can happen when the tires spin because of traction loss and suddenly get traction again.
As people have already said, when you are analyzing an obstacle, lockers are one more piece of planning process.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,320
Likes: 0
From: WI
The only must use situation is in steep downhill conditions. You dont want to have one wheel slip then you start to slip. There are many references to this type of usage on the internet. I
Other times it is only if you need its.
The more experience I have the less I have used them.
Before I went to Moab I did a lot of research on the internet and there was a lot of good information on driveing techniques, and I am glad I did the research as it all made sence to me when I was off road on the trails.
Wheel with others with experience and you will learn a lot.
Other times it is only if you need its.
The more experience I have the less I have used them.
Before I went to Moab I did a lot of research on the internet and there was a lot of good information on driveing techniques, and I am glad I did the research as it all made sence to me when I was off road on the trails.
Wheel with others with experience and you will learn a lot.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: San Lorenzo CA 94580
[QUOTE=goldtr8;1192498]The only must use situation is in steep downhill conditions. You dont want to have one wheel slip then you start to slip. There are many references to this type of usage on the internet. I
I think that this situation of a tire slipping only applies to open and limited slip differentials and not to an true locker such as on the Rubicon. Also running locked can be dangerous on slippery or off camber downhills as the locked rear axle will want to track true to the terrain regardless of where you want to steer. This can lead to the rear end coming around, especially on off camber slopes. One thing not mentioned here and very important is that a locked diff will effect your ability to steer you Jeep. I have seen rigs drive off trail while locked when then went to turn and the locked rear axle just 'pushed' there front tires straight. This is most noticeable on loose dirt or snow.
I think that this situation of a tire slipping only applies to open and limited slip differentials and not to an true locker such as on the Rubicon. Also running locked can be dangerous on slippery or off camber downhills as the locked rear axle will want to track true to the terrain regardless of where you want to steer. This can lead to the rear end coming around, especially on off camber slopes. One thing not mentioned here and very important is that a locked diff will effect your ability to steer you Jeep. I have seen rigs drive off trail while locked when then went to turn and the locked rear axle just 'pushed' there front tires straight. This is most noticeable on loose dirt or snow.