To lock or not to lock.

[dimo]

Greetings and salutations,
Currently pondering my next upgrade. While trying to keep my car as legal as possible (2-2.5 inch lift, 33 etc), is it worth while to get lockers for the JKU? I've been out a few times with JKs that have much more aggressive tyres and lifts that can easily overcome obstacles that I struggle on (or don't make at all). Will lockers even the playing field a little bit?

[rang0]

My experience with lockers are that you need to learn how to use them because it can put you in trouble quick. They are awesome on ledges, rocks and driving straight. When your in mud you have less steering and the front can whip around on you quick.
They are a awesome to have and make a big difference when they are used where they absolutely are needed.
When you have lockers there is huge amounts of pressure on your axles so you do run the risk of breaking the next link.
The trick is keeping the wheels on the ground rather relying on being dragged by your tyres.
Thats my thoughts any way.
My experiences with the new style arb is ill never used them again. I had to rebuild my front locker 4 Times. But thats not saying that its the same with all of them just what happened to me.

Sent from my SM-J100Y using Aussie Jeep Offroad mobile app

[NTRubicon]

If you are having traction issues, lower tyre pressures, change to more aggressive tyres, add swaybar disconnects or just try a different line.

Lockers don't make better drivers. I have lockers but avoid using them unless it's either absolutely necessary to move forward, or my efforts to negotiate a part of a trail are going to damage the trail enough to hinder the progress of the vehicle behind me. Having said this, they are great to have because everything difficult becomes a lot easier

If you do go for lockers, just the rear should be enough, unless you are regearing for the bigger tyres, then consider whether you want both

[dimo]

Thanks guys, I already have fairly aggressive ATs (MTs will come when these wear out) and disconnects. Just wanted something that might help out that little bit. Was actually thinking just getting fronts, feel like most of the time I am stuck I am at the crest of the hill and would get more help from having the front pull instead of having the backs push, if that makes sense.

[rang0]

If you were wanting to do one do the front if you already have a lsd in the rear

Sent from my SM-J100Y using Aussie Jeep Offroad mobile app

[Johnboy]

tyres are best bang for buck with traction, then longer shocks to allow tyres to stay in contact with ground more,then lockers I've found that rear locker is used more than front usually lose traction when climbing as front gets lighter so most weight on rear therefor if locked guarantees max traction. Also when front is locked the steering becomes laboured and the inherent weakness of unis and cvs causes failures more often but ultimately both is better. Ive run both and that was my finding.

[wranglertj]

If u r struggling compared to others because of clearance lockers will make little difference and may just drag your belly through further. In saying all that and after owning locked and unlocked vehicles lockers are one of the single most effective ways to make your vehicle go further. However, as mentioned they can get u in deeper troubles if u don't know how to use them correctly or don't look further ahead and may get further but maybe stranded further along.
To answer your question your vehicle will be considerably more capable and less likely to damage vehicle as u do not need to go as hard on obstacles but beware of the cautions