Front or Rear Locker First
#31
JK Enthusiast
Few guys in the local Jeep club went out and literally tested front locker only vs rear locker only.
Long story short, the reports and videos were conclusive.
Front locker is more beneficial than rear when crawling rocks.
I was surprised.
longer version; when trying to climb ledges, steep waterfalls, rear locker only would spin/dig in... front locker only would climb. Of course the best option was to have lockers front and rear, but their testing was pretty clear that if you could only afford one, front is the way to go for the trails around these parts... rocks.
Last edited by Mike H.; 03-16-2016 at 08:31 AM.
#32
I would have argued this until I was blue in the face until a few months ago. Few guys in the local Jeep club went out and literally tested front locker only vs rear locker only. Long story short, the reports and videos were conclusive. Front locker is more beneficial than rear when crawling rocks. I was surprised. longer version; when trying to climb ledges, steep waterfalls, rear locker only would spin/dig in... front locker only would climb. Of course the best option was to have lockers front and rear, but their testing was pretty clear that if you could only afford one, front is the way to go for the trails around these parts... rocks.
#33
JK Jedi Master
I would have argued this until I was blue in the face until a few months ago.
Few guys in the local Jeep club went out and literally tested front locker only vs rear locker only.
Long story short, the reports and videos were conclusive.
Front locker is more beneficial than rear when crawling rocks.
I was surprised.
longer version; when trying to climb ledges, steep waterfalls, rear locker only would spin/dig in... front locker only would climb. Of course the best option was to have lockers front and rear, but their testing was pretty clear that if you could only afford one, front is the way to go for the trails around these parts... rocks.
Few guys in the local Jeep club went out and literally tested front locker only vs rear locker only.
Long story short, the reports and videos were conclusive.
Front locker is more beneficial than rear when crawling rocks.
I was surprised.
longer version; when trying to climb ledges, steep waterfalls, rear locker only would spin/dig in... front locker only would climb. Of course the best option was to have lockers front and rear, but their testing was pretty clear that if you could only afford one, front is the way to go for the trails around these parts... rocks.
Just curious: Is there any OEM vehicle that is sold with a front locker only?
#34
JK Junkie
I would have argued this until I was blue in the face until a few months ago.
Few guys in the local Jeep club went out and literally tested front locker only vs rear locker only.
Long story short, the reports and videos were conclusive.
Front locker is more beneficial than rear when crawling rocks.
I was surprised.
longer version; when trying to climb ledges, steep waterfalls, rear locker only would spin/dig in... front locker only would climb. Of course the best option was to have lockers front and rear, but their testing was pretty clear that if you could only afford one, front is the way to go for the trails around these parts... rocks.
Few guys in the local Jeep club went out and literally tested front locker only vs rear locker only.
Long story short, the reports and videos were conclusive.
Front locker is more beneficial than rear when crawling rocks.
I was surprised.
longer version; when trying to climb ledges, steep waterfalls, rear locker only would spin/dig in... front locker only would climb. Of course the best option was to have lockers front and rear, but their testing was pretty clear that if you could only afford one, front is the way to go for the trails around these parts... rocks.
#36
Super Moderator
This is probably true if the obstacle is lower than the axle of the front tires so that as the rear pushes, the fronts can roll over the obstacle. If the obstacle is higher than the axle (and near vertical) then I suspect the rear would just push the front into the obstacle and not over. With the front locked, then it's trying to climb the obstacle. Wow... that sounds mostly like BS.. but maybe...
#38
Super Moderator
That's a misleading photo. It's a freez shot of a video. The ledge just behind the front tires was holding me up. I had the rears locked and was spinning. Engaged the fronts and immediately climbed it.
#39
I've been in a situation actually a couple weeks ago where I was straddling a wash out where each side differed in height causing the jeep to articulate a lot and at one point it is about a 4 foot ledge to climb over. With 35s and open diffs I crawled it with ease, fast-forward to a couple weeks ago and with 37s and a rear only locker I couldn't get it. The rear pushed the front into the hill and bound up the front tires causing them to not spin. If I had a front locker it would've been cake. Thinking more of it, I agree with you. I would say front - rear is 50/50 depending on the situation.
#40
If in the snow, engage the front locker if you're driving in thick powder to help get you through.
Last edited by DJ1; 03-17-2016 at 02:37 AM.