Well the inevitable happened. I have a 2012 sport 6 speed with 33s w/spyder trax spacers and 3:73. Got myself into my first situation to tough for it to handle. Time for lockers. I generally know my way around a vehicle pretty well but this is one thing I've never done, and to be honest a little overwhelmed with. Any advice of what to go with? I'm a weekend wheeler and it is my daily driver. I probably will only need to lock it a dozen or so times a year. Can someone steer me in the right direction?

 

Cheapest thing would be to buy a winch. Reason i say that is if you go with selectable lockers, you will be in for at least $2k for parts and labor. Not to mention if you ever want to go with 35s that would be the time to regear. That just adds to the total.

You could go with a lunchbox locker, but for a daily driver I would not recommend.

 

I agree with winch first; even with lockers you can get stuck and find yourself in need of self recovery.

Aside from that; do you live in a location where you see snow and ice during the winter?

If so, as a daily driver, I'd recommend going with a selectable locker

If not, I'd still recommend a selectable, but if you don't mind the occasional "clunk" or "ratcheting" sound, an auto locker like a Detroit might be a little easier on the wallet.

 

This was the biggest mistake I made when i had my TJ. It was great at first but as the miles racked up, the lunch box locker started being a pain in the ass. A winch would be a good idea unless you are willing to drop some bucks. When i replaced my lunch box with an ARb locker it think it cosrt close to $2k for the parts and install. If you go this routwe you should just do a regear at the same time if you ever plan on going with bigger tires.

 

ARB lockers

Give us a call for a quote

 

ARB is the best, but also most expensive. Since it's your DD, you'll definitely want a selectable. Checkout the Eaton E locker.

I ended up going with an ARB in the rear and did a Rubi D44 axle swap up front (with OEM e-locker). When the front locker breaks or wears out, I'll replace it with an ARB since I already have the OBA (onboard air) setup.

 

I agree winch first.Then lockers. But ask yourself this. With 3.73 gears and just starting out off road ding you may decide to go bigger. Then you up the gears . Not to sure but if you put lockers in now, do they work with different gear sets. I did find out that a x is real capable off road. So a winch is your out.

 

Have you entertained maybe a Detroit TrueTrac? A little cheaper than a locker, not as deatailed labor wise, and it serves its purpose pretty well in my opinion. Just throwin' it out there....

 

I will also say go winch first. I have ARB lockers front and rear and still use my winch a lot. A locker may have gotten you out, a winch with the right recover gear will get you out.

 

Thanks for the input everyone