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I have been wheeling for about 2 years. I have now twice wheeled the Rubicon trail courtesy of Jeep Jamboree with no problems. What a blast! First, a little bit about my rig. I have a TJ with open diffs, a 3.5" lift and 32 BFG all terrain tires. Other than the lift and the tires, I'm stock. This year, I had two situations on the Rubicon where a friend gave me a tug backwards using a strap to get me out of off camber situations where my open diffs locked up. A little tug and I was off and running again.
I believe that most Jeepers should start driving with open diffs. I had the luxury of knowing a couple guys who took me out and showed me how to drive. I learned how to use momentum, steering, and yes, sometimes stacking rocks to get myself out of problem spots. Learning to drive with open diffs I believe was a blessing. I have often been able to roll through sticky stituations with no problems that hang up guys with lifts, lockers, and the whole 9 yards.
Do I intend to get lockers? ABSOLUTELY! Lockers are every bit of the safety issue they are made out to be. That's not just b.s. to tell the wife to justify the $$$ of tricking out the rig. As soon as I can upgrade to the right axle/locker/geer combination that I need (and can afford), I will. ARB's are in my future.
A problem I saw on the Rubicon the other day highlights a problem I've noticed with lockers, however. Guys will either install lockers and over sized tires on under strenghted axles or will drive correct axle/locker/geering combos without knowing when to engage them. After our first day of wheeling, a father and son limped into our camp after coming down Cadillac hill. They were driving a 2006 Rubicon with 35" tires, electric lockers, D44 axles and every goodie you can imagine. They had blown away their D44 when dad tried to clear an obstacle with his lockers engaged and his wheel cranked into a sharp turn. Snap! They were very foolish because they were rolling the Rubicon without any other Jeeps. They were very fortunate that there was a Jeep Jamboree going on. A Jamboree mechanic came down and fixed their rig (for free!!!). To give the mechanic a little assistance, the father tried to employ his high-lift jack to raise the vehicle. He did not know how to use it. He also admitted that from the moment he entered the trail, he had his lockers engaged and he never turned them off. He had no idea that he should basically only have them on when he is wheels are pointed straight. Turn them on when you need them, then turn them off again.
The above situation showed me that before you splurge on the very best equipment, you should know how to use it. By not knowing how to drive, his lockers actually became a liability and could have left him and his son stranded in harsh terrain with no cellphone service.
I have had friends and a mechanic or two recommend to me that I put a Detroit locker on my front D30 to get me by until I can afford "the right" package. Now that I know a little more about differentials and what can happen on the trail, I am glad that I have waited. The stress of a Detroit on a D30 could snap my inadequate axle because the stress of the trail should be dispersed primarily to the rear of the vehicle. If I'm wrong, tell me so.
In summary, get lockers but know how to use them, know how to drive, and don't settle for a quick fix that can overstress your rig and leave you stranded.
I believe that most Jeepers should start driving with open diffs. I had the luxury of knowing a couple guys who took me out and showed me how to drive. I learned how to use momentum, steering, and yes, sometimes stacking rocks to get myself out of problem spots. Learning to drive with open diffs I believe was a blessing. I have often been able to roll through sticky stituations with no problems that hang up guys with lifts, lockers, and the whole 9 yards.
Do I intend to get lockers? ABSOLUTELY! Lockers are every bit of the safety issue they are made out to be. That's not just b.s. to tell the wife to justify the $$$ of tricking out the rig. As soon as I can upgrade to the right axle/locker/geer combination that I need (and can afford), I will. ARB's are in my future.
A problem I saw on the Rubicon the other day highlights a problem I've noticed with lockers, however. Guys will either install lockers and over sized tires on under strenghted axles or will drive correct axle/locker/geering combos without knowing when to engage them. After our first day of wheeling, a father and son limped into our camp after coming down Cadillac hill. They were driving a 2006 Rubicon with 35" tires, electric lockers, D44 axles and every goodie you can imagine. They had blown away their D44 when dad tried to clear an obstacle with his lockers engaged and his wheel cranked into a sharp turn. Snap! They were very foolish because they were rolling the Rubicon without any other Jeeps. They were very fortunate that there was a Jeep Jamboree going on. A Jamboree mechanic came down and fixed their rig (for free!!!). To give the mechanic a little assistance, the father tried to employ his high-lift jack to raise the vehicle. He did not know how to use it. He also admitted that from the moment he entered the trail, he had his lockers engaged and he never turned them off. He had no idea that he should basically only have them on when he is wheels are pointed straight. Turn them on when you need them, then turn them off again.
The above situation showed me that before you splurge on the very best equipment, you should know how to use it. By not knowing how to drive, his lockers actually became a liability and could have left him and his son stranded in harsh terrain with no cellphone service.
I have had friends and a mechanic or two recommend to me that I put a Detroit locker on my front D30 to get me by until I can afford "the right" package. Now that I know a little more about differentials and what can happen on the trail, I am glad that I have waited. The stress of a Detroit on a D30 could snap my inadequate axle because the stress of the trail should be dispersed primarily to the rear of the vehicle. If I'm wrong, tell me so.
In summary, get lockers but know how to use them, know how to drive, and don't settle for a quick fix that can overstress your rig and leave you stranded.
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