Lockers vs. Open Diffs - Observations from the Rubicon

[goodtimes]

I can't understand why someone would discount a Jeep Jamboree mechanic who makes his living fixing busted rigs.

The reason people disagree is because the information he provided is wrong.

[willys2004]

Ok

OK, if you say so. Not trying to debate anything life and death. I just wanted to point out the observations of someone very experienced who you guys happen to disagree with. No probem. Happy trails to all. :wink:

[brokenujoint]

personally, i have a detroit in the rear and a arb up front. when i wheel straight obstacles like rock waterfalls or general rock gardens w/o a bunch of tight turns i keep both lockers ON.

when i run tight twisty trails i TRY to keep my arb off because it binds up a whole lot and prevents my front end from being able to turn left or right when bound. this can get me in trouble on certain off camber hard right/left turns. id have to sit there after i turned off the arb and rock back and forth a lil til the compression in the locker went away then i could easy get out of the problem.

heavy mud i stay locked. sand, locked. fire roads heck i barely even put it in 4wd...

theres no real "Do this, or do that". it depends on the obstacle and terrain at hand and if you were an experienced wheeler you'd know what works for you and what doesnt. nuff said.

[Mtbikbob]

'I Don't Need No Stinking Lockers!!!'

[Matt Pascoe]

Different perspectives cause different opinions.

That Jeep mechanic is correct given his perspective. If your goal is to get MANY underbuilt, underexperienced Jeeps through the Rubicon, I agree with him. Lock only when needed and when going straight. My trip through the Rubicon I drove mostly unlocked, partially because it's fun picking lines that don't need lockers.

On the other hand, hardcore trails that actually require lockers also require a rig that is built enough to run the entire trail locked. This includes steering full left/full right while locked. At JV, I lock front and rear at the trail head and don't turn them off till i exit the trail.

[blackZZR]

Feel free to disagree if you want to. I can't understand why someone would discount a Jeep Jamboree mechanic who makes his living fixing busted rigs. The guy is a hard core wheeler himself. I saw the wisdom of his advice with my own eyes as I looked at a shattered D44. You guys can do what you want, drive around with your lockers engaged at all time, even when you are cranking your wheels left to right.....hey, many of us are nice guys and will not leave you stranded if we wander by and find you broken down on the trail.

so those of us who use detroits are just stupid?
humm
seems that 20 years of experiance with detroits on 3 different vehicles riding around locked all the time and I seem not to break down on the trails.

[Old Fart]

What he said - just add 10 years

[paultyler]

so those of us who use detroits are just stupid?
humm
seems that 20 years of experiance with detroits on 3 different vehicles riding around locked all the time and I seem not to break down on the trails.

1. Willys2004 is talking about a front axle ujoint bust. If the front locker was off, that wheel might not have spun and would not have broken.

2. Those of you who say you run open and are glad you do are just plain nuts! :geek: Lockers will always be better than open. Period. No debate.

3. The most common front axle breakage problem I have ever seen is when guys have big HP, turn the wheels at full turn, and hit the gas. It will break everytime when you put the ujoints at that extreme of an angle and hit the gas hard. This is one reason I like my 4 banger. Less likely for this to happen.

4. Ultimately I like to run with my axles locked all the time. I did that when I had Detroits (obviously) and I tend to do it now even though they are air lockers.

[blkTJ]

Lockers will always be better than open. Period. No debate.

except in the snow. or on a slick off camber. or on pavement. or on slickrock.

[Sfisher]

I'm sure those u-joints broke on that rig for several reason. Can't discount those 35's on that thing.

[JeepGal]

Ive run the Rubicon and all the other Trails in CA, as well as moderately difficult trails in Moab unlocked for the past 3 years or so.

I DO recommend learning to drive your Jeep unlocked first.

This year at the Rubicon, was my first run locked...WHAT an experience. It definitely allows me to be less worried about the line, and enjoy it more. I drove up alot of things struggled with before. I didnt however, leave them locked. I run ARBs front and back, and thoroughly enjoyed having the ability to pick and chose when to use them.


Tam

[freewaydan]

I had true tracks front and rear in my YJ until a few weeks ago.Now I have a Detroit Locker in the rear. I can tell you it does make a difference.I was in 2wd on most of the trail (pontiac sluce) untill it was needed. It does make trail driving nicer no matter what line you may pick.I did drive with open diffs for a long time, and that makes for good practice. But thats just my thoughts.....Oh besides i wanted to hear the bangs,and clunks!!

[goin big]

Some of the trails I've run require you to unlock to make hair pin turns or you'll climb walls and wind up with much more body damage than you expected. The only way to make the turn on some trails is to front wheel burn the turn only, with rear drive completly disconnected. Some trails require that you are fully locked up front and rear. There is no one right or wrong way to drive every vehicle. I have seen open front and rear flat fender Jeeps do amazing things and fully locked up Knuckle heads go no where. There is something to be said about only running your selectable lockers when needed to reduce unnecessary drivline stress and excessive heat build up on steering etc.

[Brice]

must....restrain.....myself.



hahahahahhaha

[brokenujoint]

There is something to be said about only running your selectable lockers when needed to reduce unnecessary drivline stress and excessive heat build up on steering etc.

You couldnt of put it better in my opinion. There is skill to be had when you can do things with finese and get up stuff that heavy footed guys who assume they can just because they are locked cant!) Been there done that. My style of wheeling is idle and tap tap tap the throttle. if i stall, i back up and go a lil more agressively and then lock up the front arb. if i have to hammer it, i just dont! i'd rather winch through something rather than waste a carrier.