Bigger Tires or Lockers???
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Lockers but keep in mind, lockers do help ALOT but just because you have them doesn't mean you still can't get stuck. They may help but I'm not sure if they would have gotten you out of that. I don't have lockers but my dad who is on 35's and locked front and rear with Detroit lockers has been stuck like you multiple times. Just fell into a mud hole and couldn't get out. Ice and mud are no fun. If you don't wanna be stuck like that get a winch IMO. Like I said big tires and lockers don't always get you out but a winch will!
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Ok, so off-road with the auto locker will I still be able to turn? I read some people saying that because the wheels are turning at the same speed it makes it very hard to turn?
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 1,185
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I drive a lot in the snow in the mountains in Colorado and chose to put a detroit locker in the front first. I did so because I knew that I could always drive in 2wd and not have the locker affect anything. I am from Michigan and have spent a lot of time on icy roads and don't see a great reason to leave my vehicle in awd. My cherokee "pushes" noticeably more now in 4wd with the locker in than it did before. You can get around fine, but it is smart to slow down a bit. This doesn't bother me because I don't put it in 4 wheel unless I actually need it like on steep hills or 6" plus of snow. If you are going to drive in full time 4wd put a rear locker in. You will spin your rear wheels, but that is no real big deal. Just be easy on the gas around corners. All that being said, I love my front locker. With my sway bars disconnected and the articulation of the front end along with the extra weight of the engine up front, the front locker is amazing.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 562
Likes: 1
From: Pagosa Springs, Colorado
Year: 88-ish
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
For whatever reason, no one on here has brought up spools either. You can pick up a rear spool for $100 and you'll be locked for sure. You will wear through tires faster on a daily driver but you def won't have to worry about something in your locker going wrong. If it goes wrong then you will have a mess a broken metal in your pumpkin.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Golden, CO
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You can turn offroad fine. just take it slow. On really sharp corners on really steep climbs it pushes a bit, but no big deal. In the snow it is noticeable. If you are not the only one driving the jeep, they should know the compromises too. You know how when you push on the gas with an open diff you never know if it will spin the tires or not, well with a locker, it will. Just plan on it. You have to be careful, but it is fine, just be sure all drivers know what they are in for.
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,258
Likes: 0
From: Hamburg, NY
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
I was going to put a Spartan in my front D30, but sold it & am going with the Yukon Zip locker up front. Driving in Snow all winter it just will work better for me (and my wife, she wouldn't know what to do if the front didn't act "normal"...
Either Way Good Luck
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 79
Likes: 0
From: Louisville, KY
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
what you and alot of other guys commenting on this thread are forgetting or not realizing is that lockers don't significantly reduce your chances of getting stuck...they just make you get stuck in worse places hahaha. locker are awesome...i have an aussie locker ready to go in the front of mine.
But if you use lockers...front rear or both, your gonna need to upgrade your recovery gear as well...because chances are you won't be able to get out of the places that lockers get you into easily with nothing but a hilift and some elbow grease. you'll need some serious 
Just my two cents. if you really want to be effective, get a auto locker for the front at first...but save up so you can do the locker and a winch at the same time or close to each other at least.
anyways happy wheeling and hope it all works out for you!!
But if you use lockers...front rear or both, your gonna need to upgrade your recovery gear as well...because chances are you won't be able to get out of the places that lockers get you into easily with nothing but a hilift and some elbow grease. you'll need some serious Just my two cents. if you really want to be effective, get a auto locker for the front at first...but save up so you can do the locker and a winch at the same time or close to each other at least.anyways happy wheeling and hope it all works out for you!!
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 798
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From: Mt. Vernon Washington
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L Renix and tube header
I highly recommend Mile Markers newer series of winches. I have their SEC8 (8000lbs), its fast and reliable and has gotten me out of countless stuck situations. It also makes wheeling far more fun, knowing I have a quick and reliable recovery system. Without a winch, you're just another civilian!!
!
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