ECTED lockers?
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 464
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From: Edmond, OK
I've got the ECTED in front and am saving for the rear. I really like the difference and the convenience of it being an electrical selected locker. You can find a lot of discussion on the topic throughout the forum.
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JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: Guam - PCSing to McGuire AFB, NJ in July '09
Copied/pasted from the Aussie Locker website.
I had an Aussie in the front of my truck (yeah, it was IFS) and I loved it.
If only installing one locker should I install in the front or rear?
This is dependent on your personal preference, the type of vehicle, existing diff types, and how you intend to use the vehicle.
We "Do Not" recommend the installation of a locker in the front of a vehicle that will be driven on icy highways in 4WD without manual hubs.
* If a vehicle has an IFS (Independent Front Suspension) system then the front installation will result in a dramatic increase in 4WD capability. This is because all IFS vehicles have very limited suspension movement (wheel travel and articulation) resulting in easily lifted wheels and a loss of front traction. Installing a front locker will solve the deficiency.
* If a vehicle has LSD (Limited Slip Differential) in the rear, then a front installation provides a significant improvement over the existing LSD and open diff set-up.
* If a vehicle has constant 4WD then only a rear installation should be considered.
* A front installation will usually yield the greatest improvement in off-road capability. This is due to the general requirement of increased in traction under hill climbing or rock crawling. Under full climbing conditions, due to the angle of the vehicle, the rear wheels carry a much greater weight (weight transfer) and therefore, the front carries less weight and tends to break traction very easily.
Once one front wheel starts to spin the other wheel stops turning and the whole front diff ceases to provide traction. At this point the load is transferred to the rear diff as if the vehicle was a 2WD and due to the increased load the rear wheels tend to spin and the vehicle stops. If you can stop the front wheel from spinning you have solved the traction problem. In addition to the traction performance a front installation does not introduce any changes in handling characteristics.
This is dependent on your personal preference, the type of vehicle, existing diff types, and how you intend to use the vehicle.
We "Do Not" recommend the installation of a locker in the front of a vehicle that will be driven on icy highways in 4WD without manual hubs.
* If a vehicle has an IFS (Independent Front Suspension) system then the front installation will result in a dramatic increase in 4WD capability. This is because all IFS vehicles have very limited suspension movement (wheel travel and articulation) resulting in easily lifted wheels and a loss of front traction. Installing a front locker will solve the deficiency.
* If a vehicle has LSD (Limited Slip Differential) in the rear, then a front installation provides a significant improvement over the existing LSD and open diff set-up.
* If a vehicle has constant 4WD then only a rear installation should be considered.
* A front installation will usually yield the greatest improvement in off-road capability. This is due to the general requirement of increased in traction under hill climbing or rock crawling. Under full climbing conditions, due to the angle of the vehicle, the rear wheels carry a much greater weight (weight transfer) and therefore, the front carries less weight and tends to break traction very easily.
Once one front wheel starts to spin the other wheel stops turning and the whole front diff ceases to provide traction. At this point the load is transferred to the rear diff as if the vehicle was a 2WD and due to the increased load the rear wheels tend to spin and the vehicle stops. If you can stop the front wheel from spinning you have solved the traction problem. In addition to the traction performance a front installation does not introduce any changes in handling characteristics.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Edmond, OK
Just as Jeeper posted I read a lot about putting a locker in the front first if you are not going to be able to put both the front and rear.
The one thing the post doesn't say is that if you put a locker in the front and drive on icy conditions then you should choose a selectable locker, which is what the ECTED is.
I've wheeled it without the front locker and with the front locker all over Disney OK and it made a huge difference. It almost feels like you are cheating with the front axle locked. Once I get the cash I'll put an ECTED in the rear.
The one thing the post doesn't say is that if you put a locker in the front and drive on icy conditions then you should choose a selectable locker, which is what the ECTED is.
I've wheeled it without the front locker and with the front locker all over Disney OK and it made a huge difference. It almost feels like you are cheating with the front axle locked. Once I get the cash I'll put an ECTED in the rear.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: Guam - PCSing to McGuire AFB, NJ in July '09
The quote from the Aussie site simply says that they don't recommend putting "a locker" in the front when driven on icy conditions. They're just referring to their auto locker. A selectable locker that's not locked would simply be an open diff (or an LSD in the case of the ECTED) which would be inline with their recommendation of "no locker". If that makes sense...
As far as the ECTED, I've read that the "locked" setting is really just a REALLY strong LSD and that it's not TRULY locked as it would be with an ARB, OX, Aussie, Detroit, etc. Also, have read that the ECTED will not withstand the abuse of tires larger than 35". Anyone have experience with the ECTED above 35"?
As far as the ECTED, I've read that the "locked" setting is really just a REALLY strong LSD and that it's not TRULY locked as it would be with an ARB, OX, Aussie, Detroit, etc. Also, have read that the ECTED will not withstand the abuse of tires larger than 35". Anyone have experience with the ECTED above 35"?