Lockers in Front, Or Rear? Poll

Which do you recommend Overall? Putting selectable (ARB) lockers in the front or rear of Jeep? Which one do you benefit more from?

In case it matters, I do mostly offroading in mud and slippery surfaces, and some ledge. Not too much rock-crawling, but a little.

The lockers would be for a 1974 CJ5


(And yes, I did use the search tool, and got conflicting answers, that's why I chose to do a poll)

Comments/discussion is welcome!

Thanks!

 

I like the less expensive lunchbox in the front and LSD in the rear. Ran on very slick mud...felt like I was driving a boat but did not get stuck.

 

I don't see the "both" option, although I did vote rear.

Kevo

 

arb/ ox in front to free you up for turning ,,,so the front end doesn't plow .....
and a locker in back ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I just don't see the need to shut off the rear .

but I'm locked f/r up and run rocks , I see the plowing sometimes but it really has not been a problem .

 

youd think the front would help you more. being that more weight is in the front. and when your in the mud you can really utilize the added grip in front to crank the wheel and grab your way through. but genrally when your struggling for grip its going up hill. so rear is probrobly better

 

^This is what I've got planned for my rig.
Some kind of good limited slip in the rear, Power Lok or Detroit True Track, and a selectable locker in the front, like an OX or ARB.

 

haha, Yeah I would love to put front and rear, and I still may, but that is only if funds allow. I am preparing to only being able to do one, but hoping for two

 

I would do Selectable in the front(ARB, OX, E-Locker) and a cheap lunchbox locker like aussie or lockright in the rear if cost is a factor. I run the OX in the front and Elocker in the rear of my ZJ but for years ran a lockright in the rear. I have never had a need to unlock the rear ever since I installed it.

 

Definitely rear, if you're only putting one in. When climbing steep obstacles, which is usually when you really need the extra traction, the vehicle weight transfers to the rear. In my experience, a front locker is not as effective as the rear one in actual off road situations.

Also, the rear axle is stronger, and can better handle the higher forces created by the locker.

I've got Lock-right's in both axles.

 

This if you plan on driving on the street at all
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That being said, I would still choose to put it up front.
Selectable is the way to go in the front so you can turn it on and off for turning.
Unless you do alot of steep crawling where the rearward weight transfer will limit its effectiveness, pulling is more effective than pushing. Plus you can add a cheaper , non-selectable traction device to the rear later.

 

While this is true with the weight shifting, I wouldn't say it not as effective. I think just the opposite. Without a front locker you might not be able to even get the front tires over a rock/ledge/wall,etc. I found with only a front and no rear that a few times the front locker allowed the front end to pull itself up and over rocks,etc... where as with just the rear it wouldn't even be able to start to climb due to lack of traction up front to get over the first part. 2 wheels pulling the front up and over seemed to work better than the 2 in the rear pushing and hopefully 1 up front with traction.

 

This pretty much is a ford vs chev argument. All depends on the circumstances and intended use of the vehicle. I've seen the effectiveness and lack thereof both ways. Having said that, I'd put it in the rear if a street driver for street manners. If a trail only then probably the front to avoid the washing out effect the front has a tendency to do with the front locked in slippery conditions
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If you are puting lockers in BOTH front and rear, I would put the selectable in the front. If you are only putting in one locker then defenitly put it in the rear. By putting the selectable in front you have the option of unlocking it in tight spots. A front locker with a locker in the rear also, will push straight when trying to turn in tight spots, giving it a plowing effect. 2, or 3 point turns (forward, back up, forward, back up) are often needed. With the selectable up front you can disengage it, get through the tight spot and re-engage. If you are only putting in one locker though, Id put it in the rear. just my 2cents.

 

I dont like my front locker. BUT if it were a selectable, I think I'd like it much more.

I'd put the locker in the rear first either way. The rear axle is stronger and ther are no u-joints or hub bolts to break. Additionally when you are going up a hill, or whenever you are trying to accelerate for that matter, the weight transfers to the rear of the jeep meaning more overall traction.

also, with a rear locker you can put it in 2wd, lock the rear, and do wicked doughnuts in mud and snow!

 

Agreed. There are as many different opinions as there are choices.
Ironic that the poll is pretty much split down the middle.

 

I actually like my front LSD but I put up with a lot of really bad manners on muddy trails and snowy streets for the extra traction it provides everywhere else. I’d like mine a lot more if it were selectable also.

 

That's the beauty of a rear LSD or TracLok. You can tighten her up to be pretty sticky on the trail, but still have smooth turning on the street. I am the guy who drives the jeep to the trail so this is important.

Also, a lunchbox in the front is not only much less expensive, but it IS selectable. When the hups are open/unlocked, it is invisible. When the hubs are locked, it kicks in under power. You learn how to disengage it on the trail by simply taking your foot off the gas. Cheap, safe and effective.

 

FWIW. I have a selectable in the rear, Detroit in the front. As far as turning, if I have to I can unlock a hub

 

Now have FULL Detroit's (not selectable) FRONT AND REAR on the 72' CJ5. Would not have it any other configuration. Have gotten use to the bump-steer... ;o)
As in past... the Warn manual hubs can deselect the front axle... do caution any Drivers on rear Detroit on pavement though... rig will crawl well... very dependable!