Budget lockers

[Johnny Utah]

I put an aussie locker in the rear of my old `73 40 and it worked great. Once you're used to driving with them, clutching around tight curves, turning, etc. they don't bang or load up or anything. Just the click click click like Jeff described. Imelda-the-pickup was mine for awhile too and I daily drove it. Never recall it banging either. I always thought they were fun in the snow in 2WD.

One of these days I’ll get in there and see what’s making noise.

 

[MDH33]

One of these days I’ll get in there and see what’s making noise.

The issue is usually the nut connecting the seat to the clutch pedal.

 

[Rzeppa]

It’s certainly arguable that not having lockers forces one to learn how to drive their vehicle through obstacles with more skill and finesse. I am of the opinion that if you can learn how to negotiate obstacles without mechanical assistance in place, you will become a better driver overall.

^^^ This, 100%! I wheeled for almost 3 decades (I started in 1972, got my first locked cruiser in 2000) open/open and definitely became a better driver by learning how to get through without a locker.

 

[unimogguy]

I’ve have a Detroit in the rear 14 bolt of my ‘86 CUCV and a Trac loc up front in the 60 both factory installed. I’ve now put 40k+ miles on the truck since 2010 with 2 drastically different engine/trans/transfer combos.

The Detroit is heavy duty and mindless…no air compressors or lines, or wires to worry about, no clutches to fail, or special gear oil that you have to use, you don’t have to consider slowing down going into curves. I drive the truck normally and make no considerations for altering my driving behavior.

Now are these factors minimized because the vehicle weighs 5800lbs and is a long wheel base full size pickup? Maybe?

I’ve never had a Detroit in a 40 so I can’t speak to that.

If you’re really on a budget a good ole Lincoln Locker worked for me when I was a younger man and the funds were non-existent.

 

[Crash]

I’ve have a Detroit in the rear 14 bolt of my ‘86 CUCV and a Trac loc up front in the 60 both factory installed. I’ve now put 40k+ miles on the truck since 2010 with 2 drastically different engine/trans/transfer combos.

The Detroit is heavy duty and mindless…no air compressors or lines, or wires to worry about, no clutches to fail, or special gear oil that you have to use, you don’t have to consider slowing down going into curves. I drive the truck normally and make no considerations for altering my driving behavior.

Now are these factors minimized because the vehicle weighs 5800lbs and is a long wheel base full size pickup? Maybe?

I’ve never had a Detroit in a 40 so I can’t speak to that.

Longer wheelbase definitely smooths the actions of this type of locker.

 

[baileyfj40]

I've had lock rights front and rear in my 77 fj40 for 25+ years. No complaints. My 89 fj62 has ARB's front and rear for a long time. Again no complaints. My 01 Tacoma has factory rear as part of the TRD package. No complaints. My 08 200 has factory a-trac. Side from a malfunctioning cdl actuator, no complaints. Now need to learn how to use it...

 

[Lastresort576]

Currently I'm just wheeling around Westcliffe, CO. Good trails but nothing changeling. Thinking of doing Red cone. Per the videos I have seen on Colorado Mallcrawlers, it looks a bit gnarly!! I'm looking for a good in and out trail since I need to trailer the 40. Max speed 60 MPH with a tail wind.

you definitely dont need lockers for redcone. and honestly for the vast majority of trails in CO all you need is a decent lift(which is debatable) and a good set of 35's. I could go on a rant about my thoughts, but ultimately just get seat time. Find out what your rig needs through its short comings on trail, not what someone in a video says you may or may not need.

And most importantly, just have fun.

 

[Rzeppa]

I found out the hard way that 35" and larger tires are too much for the stock drivetrain and started breaking stuff. I have been able to negotiate most trails with 31s and 33s and a rear locker, without breaking stuff.

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

Thanks Kevin and Tim. I guess I'm trying to push the 40 to its limits. We will see what it can do w/o lockers...

all depends on the wheeling you do... i use my lockers 95% of the time when wheeling.

 

[Notyourmomslx450]

I’ve have a Detroit in the rear 14 bolt of my ‘86 CUCV and a Trac loc up front in the 60 both factory installed. I’ve now put 40k+ miles on the truck since 2010 with 2 drastically different engine/trans/transfer combos.

The Detroit is heavy duty and mindless…no air compressors or lines, or wires to worry about, no clutches to fail, or special gear oil that you have to use, you don’t have to consider slowing down going into curves. I drive the truck normally and make no considerations for altering my driving behavior.

Now are these factors minimized because the vehicle weighs 5800lbs and is a long wheel base full size pickup? Maybe?

I’ve never had a Detroit in a 40 so I can’t speak to that.

If you’re really on a budget a good ole Lincoln Locker worked for me when I was a younger man and the funds were non-existent.

I always ran Detroit lockers in all my trucks for the same reasons you mentioned until i bought the 80.

 

[DaveInDenver]

One of these days I’ll get in there and see what’s making noise.

I'm pretty certain I got that locker (Aussie if memory serves) around 2002, ran it in the stock 4.10 3rd for a couple of years.

Went to FR/RR Marlin-built (edit: it was actually Robbie when he was at Slee) 5.29 with Air Locker 3rds in 2007.

Went back to the stock 3rds and small tires again around 2009 or 2010. To add to the mystery, almost positive the Aussie was used when I got it in the first place.

It would not surprise me at all that the Aussie needs eyeballs on it by now. It's got to be around 25 years old and, who knows, 150k miles on it?

When I first put it in it was smooth, no clunking, nice ratchet.

 

[Johnny Utah]

Good to know Dave! Thanks for the input.