First, excuse my noobness but I'm a little confused on how a locking differential in the rear will effect a vehicle in 4WD. I understand that with a non-locking diff if you have any tire off of the ground (no traction/friction) only a small amount of torque is required to turn that wheel which is why the rest of the wheels don't get enough power to move the vehicle.

OK, so, now you install an air locker on the rear axle and when the axle is locked both rear wheels get equal torque and turn at the same rate. My question is this: what if your front right tire hangs? Does that wheel still effect the rear wheels only sending limited torque to them? If so, why does it seem most people refer to only the rear locker?

Thanks for the guidance!

Jusebochs

 

No, if one (or both), front tires are off the ground, the rear is still receiving power and both axleshafts (tires) are receiving equal power.

The reason one tire spins and the other doesn't, is because you have an open differential. One shaft receives power, the other doesn't.

On a side note, the air locker is not the only locker available to lock your axles.

 

Roger that. I'm sitting here talking with a buddy and he's breaking it down for me a little. He said that a lot of people bolt together the front since the only time you're sending power to the front is (probably) when you're in 4WD. The rest of the time you're just rolling. Any thoughts?

 

What do you mean "bolt together the front"?