Was looking into the possibility of having lockers put in when I took the truck if for the gear swap. Wanted to do with some type of e-locker setup front and rear. Found out it was good for the rear but really a no go for the front unless it is a dedicaded off road rig. This is where I got lost! A lot of guys were saying to go with a limited slip front end. What is that? What do the trucks come with? Would it be better than what we have up front already? Also are the detroit electrac better than the eaton e-lockers? What would be good to run up front as far as limited slip if not a locker. Wanted the e-type locker because the truck still sees a good amount of on road driving,(have to get there). Sorry its pretty long but I just wanted to include all the questions. Thanks in advance, guys.

05 fx4

 

I would do either a electric or an air locker for the front, maybe even a soft locker. But if you go with a locker or a limited slip you can screw yourself if your solenoid for your hubs fail or if you lose vacuum to them, then you are trying to steer a truck with a solid front end which is not easy at all. Right now your front dif is an open diff no locking action at all.
Hope this helps, I'm sure somebodyelse can shead some more light with more knowledge on this subject.

 

About the only thing that would make it a "no go" for putting a E-locker in is if they don't make one for the fronts of our trucks, otherwise that is the best thing that you could put up front next to a an air locker. Like Ayresusn said, I wouldn't put a limited slip or regular locker up front since there is no manual option. I have a limited slip in the front and a locker in the rear of my work truck (see sig) but I also have manual hubs and manual T-case so I dont have to worry about losing any vacuum or anything like that. But that only thing about having a "locked" front and rear, is that ice and packed snow is a little interesting But in mud and powder snow, I wouldn't trade them for the world!

 

Skip the locker on an IFS front end, you will break it if you stress it offroad. Go with a detroit in the rear and a limited slip up front. Brands are up to you, I haven't used any on the 9.75" or reverse front or I would help you out there.

 

This all depends on how large your tires will be, fill us in.

 

It is true that a locker does put extra stress on the front end but as long as you dont abuse it (turning with it locked) you should be fine. My 88 4Runner had an ARB in the front and we never had any problems with it and we used it for rockcrawling. It is really nice being able to go completely open on the road and having the ability to lock it up front and rear for maximum traction.

 

Thanks for the replies.

JOSIAH
I am going to go with 35s when all is done. Probably Mickey Thompson Baja Claws. I have them on right now in 33s and I love them.

How much would it be for limited slip up front? Who makes it? Where can I find it? I had never heard of that (havent heard of a lot of things till I read them here). Would a limited slip affect it while in two wheel on road? Also, what is a soft locker?

 

only locker i have found for our front ends are soft lockers, but i'm not sure what it is. it is probably just a glorified open diff, I wouldn't do a limited slip if you find one just for safety reasons on the way are hub system is made.

 

Thanks. Think just putting one in the rear will help? Ill probably stick to that if it would be worth it. I just hate seeing the one tire you need to spin just sit there! What do you guys think about just having one in the rear with the stock open-dif in front?

 

I would go with a selectable lockers front and rear if you drive on any type of snow. You will not like a locked rear end in the snow. It is good for donuts and kicking the rear end.

 

In my Jeep Grand Cherokee I was on 35" with a Detroit locket in the rear and a Detroit Trutrac limited slip i nthe front, I loved that combo. The locker in the rear didn't bother me at all, just a little extra tire screaching on some corners, thoough it does significantly increase stress your suspension and driveline.

I also drove in the snow a lot and never had any problems, it did very well in the snow.

 

Does the rear screach when the locker is disengaged? I thought that it would go back to limited slip in the locker was not engaged. I dont do ANY driving in the snow. I live in the southermost tip of Texas. Although we did have a freak snowing about a year and a half ago. So I guess I can say that this truck has driven in the snow. Pretty cool but it probably wont happen again in my lifetime. Anyway mostly mess around in the sand, small dirt and gravel hills in an old gravel pit, and mud when it does rain down here.