Sounds like the locker would be the better option for you. There are some relatively inexpensive winches out that work just fine. Maybe you can start with the locker and pick up an inexpensive winch after you save up some more money.

 

Listen to Motorhead...

The two are for different purposes. if you are doing such extreme offroading that you NEED a winch, you had better have lockers anyway. Your buddies can put their straps away if you were locked. Lockers will keep you from getting stuck more times than you will even know. You would be surprised at what a simple obstacle can do to you with out lockers. I do fairly tough offroading, some of the toughest in southern california, and have needed my lockers, but have only used my winch a few times, and even then a strap could have done the job.

See the website on my signature, go to videos, scroll down to "Jeeps at Calico" and see a great example of lockers on a simple obstacle.

Get lockers and you will have more fun...not more trouble. Sorry, but that statement is just dumb.

 

Ditto!

 

another thought...

If budget is a concern (like it is for most of us), you can get a "lunchbox" locker for the front for around $300 and install it yourself. That is what I have and am very happy with the performance.

You don't have to spend a few thousand dollars on a high end selectable if you don't want to. Go with a locker in the front first, as you most likely have limited slip with traction control in the rear? and this set up is surprisingly good. I go everywhere by jeep partners go (except the really crazy guy) with all the expensive selectable lockers and have never had a traction problem and needed a better rear locker. Yes I am surprised and had planned on buying a selectable rear, but until this set up lets me down, I am going to leave it.

 

X3. Winch first. Also, your buddies will really appreciate it.

 

If everyone were running lockers you would so rarely use a winch....Except in extreme situations.

These responses baffle me.

Do what you want. From real world experience, your lockers would be used all the time making your off roading so much more fun, and a winch will be used rarely...unless you don't have lockers. If you don't have lockers, you will need to be winched and strapped up even many "moderate" obstacles. Been there, done that...

The guys who say that lockers will get you in more trouble must be inexperienced newbies that don't think about what they are doing or where they are going. Guys who actually need winches (and I know several, me included), would not get anywhere with out lockers.

The point about Aussie ("lunchbox") type of lockers and your geographic location is right on. You need the right locker for the right type of off roading that you do.

Good point...

 

i agree with dpoelstra......a locker is a very good addition, it will make some of the obsticals you have tried in the past seem like a breeze and trails you hand to use alot of go peddal now just a crawl........is a locker a fix all, nope.....everyting depends on driver and the line.......lunch box lockers are very cheap, but are a little pain in the ice....but hey, you have to learn how to drive for the situation......most of us dont drive lifted jks like a sprint car.....that is the nature of the beast.............selectable lockers are the better choice, but big price difference.......


dont get the mississippi location confused....i have been stationed in various climates and locations

never wheel alone is a good practice.......you can pull trees from the road with a strap, and you can pulll a buddy with the same..........dont get me wrong i love winches, and had to use them a few times..........but that is because i had it.......did i have to have it no.......but was convient......

 

my x2.

I ran for about 8 months with no locker/s. I now have front and rear lockers.

I also have a winch, only needed to use my winch once before and that was wen i was really really stuck in a mud hole in ruts sideways ...


as far as having lockers. NIGHT and DAY difference, able to get up over and aroundstuff, you won't have been able to without them

 

You can put a winch on 05 Camry and it can literally be drug across places that a jeep cannot go, a winch is your best tool. It's irreplaceable.

 

so can a hummer