To lock or Not to Lock?
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 5
From: Albuquerque, NM
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yes but mounting an obstacle does not need lockers, open diff work fine to climb up something, but with open diffs once you loose momentum you loose grip. The rear keeps everything moving. I originally planned on going with one in the front, thinking exactly what you said, spoke to many people who went fronts first and even drove one, they all said they wish they wouldve done the rear first, now ive been in a budds rig with only a rear, and that thing goes up anything you point it at
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 10
From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'll tell you right now that's wrong. when it comes to rocks you need a front locker more than you need a rear
are all your friends rigs tiny light weight cherokees too? when you lock a cherokee front diff it will pull you over way more things than a rear locker can push you over. period
as soon as you lift a front tire on an open diff on uphill rocks you're pretty much done
are all your friends rigs tiny light weight cherokees too? when you lock a cherokee front diff it will pull you over way more things than a rear locker can push you over. period
as soon as you lift a front tire on an open diff on uphill rocks you're pretty much done
Last edited by Atmos; Jan 10, 2014 at 03:52 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 5
From: Albuquerque, NM
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'll tell you right now that's wrong. when it comes to rocks you need a front locker more than you need a rear
are all your friends rigs tiny light weight cherokees too? when you lock a cherokee front diff it will pull you over way more things than a rear locker can push you over. period
as soon as you lift a front tire on an open diff on uphill rocks you're pretty much done
are all your friends rigs tiny light weight cherokees too? when you lock a cherokee front diff it will pull you over way more things than a rear locker can push you over. period
as soon as you lift a front tire on an open diff on uphill rocks you're pretty much done
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 10
From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
so they were all rear locked? so you've never tested a front locked cherokee? because if and open front diff rig can make it over the obstacle, it's probably not all that difficult of an obstacle
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Carson City, NV
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Exactly what Atmos is saying. Locking the front helps pull you over rocks rather than pushing them with the rear. Once an front tire hits a rock and the rock is big and steep, that locker will help drive you up it. If the rear is only locked then you will just push your way around the rock or not even get up it at all. It's almost the same thing with driving in the snow. If you don't have 4wd or AWD, then your best bet will be FWD only for the sheer fact it is easier to pull something through slick surfaces then RWD and try to push you through said slick surfaces. Locking the front first makes more sense if you will be using the rig for rocks.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 5
From: Albuquerque, NM
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
You think what you guys want from Experience im telling you youll get more use from the rear. Idealy you want both. But like I said from 20+ year jeep owners specifically xj, they all say the rear first
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 87
Likes: 0
From: Carson City, NV
Year: 1989
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
And from my experience I am telling you the front is the way to go. I have a couple buddies with cherokees and one is locked in the rear and one in the front and the one locked in the front does better in the rocks then the one with the rear locked. Same with my friends who drive built yotas and wranglers through Fordyce and the Rubicon. They will tell you the same thing. Front lockers are better in rocks the a rear locker.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 10
From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
your buddies with 20 years experience aren't here to tell us. have them join up and we'll get some rig and trail specifics. a cherokee on 35's with a front locker will out-wheel multiple 1 ton rigs on 38's that are only rear locked. all day long. I've seen it
when you get to 40's, that's when the front locker doesnt matter quite as much. because 40's dont give a ****
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 5
From: Albuquerque, NM
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'd rather be speaking through my own experience than no experience at all. you've never witnessed a rear locked cherokee try an obstacle then watch a front lockeed cherokee walk the same obstacle with ease. I have
your buddies with 20 years experience aren't here to tell us. have them join up and we'll get some rig and trail specifics. a cherokee on 35's with a front locker will out-wheel multiple 1 ton rigs on 38's that are only rear locked. all day long. I've seen it
when you get to 40's, that's when the front locker doesnt matter quite as much. because 40's dont give a ****
CF Veteran
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 14,553
Likes: 1
From: Carrollton, GA
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6 4.0L High Output
I'd rather be speaking through my own experience than no experience at all. you've never witnessed a rear locked cherokee try an obstacle then watch a front lockeed cherokee walk the same obstacle with ease. I have
your buddies with 20 years experience aren't here to tell us. have them join up and we'll get some rig and trail specifics. a cherokee on 35's with a front locker will out-wheel multiple 1 ton rigs on 38's that are only rear locked. all day long. I've seen it
when you get to 40's, that's when the front locker doesnt matter quite as much. because 40's dont give a ****
your buddies with 20 years experience aren't here to tell us. have them join up and we'll get some rig and trail specifics. a cherokee on 35's with a front locker will out-wheel multiple 1 ton rigs on 38's that are only rear locked. all day long. I've seen it
when you get to 40's, that's when the front locker doesnt matter quite as much. because 40's dont give a ****
This. I walked obstacles all day in front of a rear locked LJ with my locked front XJ on bald 33's.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 10
From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 2,820
Likes: 5
From: Albuquerque, NM
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Im saying when climbing a rock the weight is being transferred from the front axel to the rear, ive seen people with dual lockers climb hills while there rear is pushing them up, while there fronts are skipping around
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 7,387
Likes: 10
From: City of Trees, CA
Year: 93 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
why is ONLY a rear locker better than ONLY a front locker. it's not
sure the weight goes to the back but as soon as you lose traction to the front you're hosed
unless you are doing real trail work it would be a waste of money to install lockers just for hunting.


