Locker: Front or Rear?

[csangster]

I have a situation,

I am trying to decide which axle to put a locker in.

What are the Pros/Cons of putting a locker in the front or rear?

If I were to put an automatic locker in, should I put it in the front or rear?

If I were to put a demand locker in, should I put it in front or rear?

I've had people tell me to put it in the front so I can pull myself up on obstacles........I've had people tell me to put it in the rear because your weight is on your rear axle most of the time.

I am conflicted to say the least...

Any input will help,
Thanks,
Chris

 

[thegreatjustino]

If you are only going to have one locker, I would definately put it in the rear. My $0.02

 

[CrazyHorse70]

A lot depends on how you are going to use your Bronco. I had limited slip/locker front and rear until I changed gear ratios, now only on rear. On snow/ice it can be a little squirrly. Works well in dry dirt, hills, etc.

 

[swingle61]

I put mine in the front axle for a couple of reasons. First the short wheel EB base can be exciting to drive with an auto locker in the rear in the best conditions. Add snow and ice like we've had alot of on the front range lately and good luck keeping it on the road. Second offroad, just having a locker in either axle will make a huge difference. Front or back will not really matter. If you install a selectable locker like an ARB, Just whatever floats your boat because when turned off it will not affect handling at all. Hope this helps. My .02 from driving short wheel base vehicles in the snow for a long time.

 

[wildbill]

;D ;D ;D Locker in the rear and in the front use a true track works a little more friendly on the trails good luck with your choice.;D ;D ;D Bill %)

 

[76Broncofromhell]

Why do people keep saying a locker in the rear makes the Bronco scary? Mine drives the same as when it had a limited slip in the rear except on sharp u-turns the locker rengages for a second. If you drive smoothly then you'll never notice the rear locker. If I were to put it anywhere it would be in the rear. You'll find like I did that once you have one in the rear your Bronco will go almost anywhere. I mean dual lockers mean you can just go places that gravity tells you not to, then body damage. It's up to you.

 

[brutis72eb]

I would vote the rear, that is where im putting mine. I have a friend who has a locker in the front and it sure does Pop alot and drives kind of squirely, now I know some might disagree and I also know it depends on what kind of locker but the rear is all that I need as far as off roading. Like 76broncofromhell said, 2 lockers I think are a little overboard unless you are going crazy and dont care about going places that you know will cause body damage. for me that is not practical because I am putting alot of time, love, affection, and money for a nice daily driver/weekend crawler. just my 2 cents;D

 

[Steve]

I mean dual lockers mean you can just go places that gravity tells you not to, then body damage.

So THAT'S why I keep getting body damage! ;D Yes, I do try to go places that gravity (and rocks) don't want a vehicle to go, but it's great fun!

If I only had one locker, it'd be in the rear, no question.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I would vote rear.
That lockright in the front makes turning a B*tch at times. feels like the power steering threw a belt until the tires hit something soft trail and give a little.

As for the detroit in the rear, there is a little twitchness to it.

If you are doing that and keeping it a snow machine, I would recomend a selectable the rear.

The open (deselected) diff in the snow lets one tire not spin and act as a rudder, keeping you straight on the road.

A locked front end tends to plow straight in the snow (no steering)

As for my rear detroit, I have run some good trails in 2WD often able to pick up a tire at times and keep moving

 

[75]

if it a trail rig- spool the rear and detroit the front. detroit are expensive, spools are not

 

[Rustytruck]

Locker in the rear and if you seriously deal with snow and Ice then it should be selectable but still in the rear. Rarely will you need a locker going down hill so in the front is marginal gain at best. when climbing up on stuff all the weight is on the rear and that is where you will find traction so put the locker there. I run a detroit rear and tru-trac front. The front has never given me problems in the snow and Ice but the rear has. The mechanical limited slip of the tru-trac has always done its job of helping the rear end span the really bad spots. It has none of the steering problems of a locker in the front. This combination has gotten me through everything I had the balls to go through and quite a few spots I wish later I hadn't. In the envoronment i play in this is the perfect combination for me if I had to deal with snow just to get to work i would change the rear to a selectable.

 

[694play]

Just pony up the extra $$ for selectable and you solve all the issues with handling and traction.
IF you want to know where to put the ARB push buttons, take off the plastic cover under the steering column and viola! You can install the three switches in that cover and reinstall.

 

[Raskew]

Sorry to jump in on this post, but who sells selectable lockers?

Rick

 

[Steve]

Sorry to jump in on this post, but who sells selectable lockers?

Rick

Most common is ARB's air actuated. Detroit Electrac is electric actuated. OX is cable actuated. Lots of places sell them. Each has its own unique properties and pros/cons.

 

[bootron]

anybody know about Eatons knew selectable locker?

 

[68 351 bronc]

lockers front or rear?

I am running true track front and rear. Now I know most don't consider truetracks lockers, But my 68 with 340 HP 351 wants to spin a back tire trying to cross an intersection in a hury. The true track doesn't let it do that. With a selectable locker you are 100% locked or unlocked. I like the true track because on the street it is so smooth you can't feel it. on the trail I can get one front and one rear tire off of the ground and not spin a tire.
I like the true track becuse It not only off roads good. but in hot rod street stuff It reallty hoojs up

 

[csangster]

Locker location

Locker in the rear and if you seriously deal with snow and Ice then it should be selectable but still in the rear. Rarely will you need a locker going down hill so in the front is marginal gain at best. when climbing up on stuff all the weight is on the rear and that is where you will find traction so put the locker there. I run a detroit rear and tru-trac front. The front has never given me problems in the snow and Ice but the rear has. The mechanical limited slip of the tru-trac has always done its job of helping the rear end span the really bad spots. It has none of the steering problems of a locker in the front. This combination has gotten me through everything I had the balls to go through and quite a few spots I wish later I hadn't. In the envoronment i play in this is the perfect combination for me if I had to deal with snow just to get to work i would change the rear to a selectable.

Thanks to everyone for their feedback,

Looks like a locker in the rear is the way to go.

Has anyone heard anything about the Aussie locker??

Seems to get good reviews.....

Thanks,
Chris

 

[Unregistered]

I dont think aussie makes a locker for the 9" yet. Just wanted to get this back up top to hear some more.

 

[csangster]

Aussie Locker

I ended up buying an Aussie Locker for my front Dana 44 swap, still trying to figure out what I want to do for a locker in the rear.

I should have the axles in within a month and then I can tell you how it performs.

 

[civilgee]

I went to the Aussie Locker website and I thought I saw that it had a listing for a ford 9". I could be mistaken. Anyway, any feedback about the Aussie would be greatly appreciated. I am also considering lockers and I like the Aussie.