Ordering a locking differential on a Big Bend

[mzman]

Hi..

i just ordered a 24 BB this past week and wanted to get ya’lls opinion on getting a rear locking differential which is $750 extra. I’m going to do some light off roading but nothing too crazy and hopefully not in places where I could get stuck. I live in NC so weather is rarely a factor. Is it still worth it to get it?

Thanks..

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[PSUTE]

Hi..

i just ordered a 24 BB this past week and wanted to get ya’lls opinion on getting a rear locking differential which is $750 extra. I’m going to do some light off roading but nothing too crazy and hopefully not in places where I could get stuck. I live in NC so weather is rarely a factor. Is it still worth it to get it?

Thanks..

Better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. The biggest reason I went with Squatch, could not option it on a base, but then again I buried an F250 with locking rear trying to get up my road in winter, so I need it...

 

[Fortydegnorth]

To me it’s well worth the money. If you never use the locker, you at least have 4.27 gears and that’s much Better with larger tires, if you choose to go that route down the road.

 

[mzman]

I'm sorry..what's the advantage of having 4.27 gears?

 

[lakesinai]

Hi..

i just ordered a 24 BB this past week and wanted to get ya’lls opinion on getting a rear locking differential which is $750 extra. I’m going to do some light off roading but nothing too crazy and hopefully not in places where I could get stuck. I live in NC so weather is rarely a factor. Is it still worth it to get it?

Thanks..

Absolutely. I have it on my OBX along with the Advanced Transfer Case. Makes the car better in sand & rocks, increases value, reduces chances of getting stuck. Push a button to turn it on, or its automatic in Mud&Ruts and Sand modes. The upgrade changes the 3.73 gearing to 4.27 axles, giving you more torque, while losing about 1 mpg. As others have said, it helps make the car more capable of running larger tires.

 

[lakesinai]

I'm sorry..what's the advantage of having 4.27 gears?

Compare the models. The larger the tire, the lower the axle gear ratio should be. This is to prevent strain on the drivetrain. Like when bike riding, you go to a lower gear to go uphill . . . The pedals turn faster the more strain you put on it. From high to low:
Stock BB & OBX = 3.73 axles (32" tires)
Locker Upgrade BB & OBX = 4.27 axles
Black Diamond = 4.46
Badlands non-SAS with 33" tires= 4.46 axles
Sasquatch = 4.7 ratio, 35" tires

 

[Heelabaloo]

Another vote for it here. You can add it later but it’s easier and the price is fair to have the factory install it. I added it to my OBX for the same reasons others have mentioned. Did not feel I needed the SAS package to get the front locker too since it’s doubtful that I’d do enough heavy off-roading to justify a front locker and a rear locker is much more likely to be used.

 

[mzman]

Another vote for it here. You can add it later but it’s easier and the price is fair to have the factory install it. I added it to my OBX for the same reasons others have mentioned. Did not feel I needed the SAS package to get the front locker too since it’s doubtful that I’d do enough heavy off-roading to justify a front locker and a rear locker is much more likely to be used.

Have you used yours yet?

 

[mzman]

Have you used your locker yet?

 

[Heelabaloo]

Only once. We have some land in NC and I played around with it there but I’ve only had the truck for about 5 months and I’ve not been wheeling it. Been planning to do a bit more off road and also take down it to the Outer Banks for some beach time, so it will get some use. Nevertheless, for $750 I’d rather have it than not. Also got the towing package and used it only once as well. It was handy to have and feel I’m set if I want to get teardrop camper in the future.

 

[mzman]

I’m assuming you can always add the towing package because it’s now a dealer installed option..so i’m gonna get it just not at first

 

[dgorsett]

It will be the best $750 you spend on your Bronco.....other then the better $600 you'll spend on the tow package.

The 4.27s are much better, you'll be surprised how handy the locker will prove and even if you don't plan on towing , get the package, you'll end up using it or recouping in resale.

 

[bronco_billy]

Hi..

i just ordered a 24 BB this past week and wanted to get ya’lls opinion on getting a rear locking differential which is $750 extra. I’m going to do some light off roading but nothing too crazy and hopefully not in places where I could get stuck. I live in NC so weather is rarely a factor. Is it still worth it to get it?

Thanks..

Don’t hesitate on this, get it factory installed. I have a non-SAS BB. I don’t do any wheeling, but I tow a camper. I got the locker “just in case.” Well I’m glad I had it added as I have needed it on several occasions. Better to have it and not use it, then don’t have it and need it! Cheers!

 

[mzman]

is there a switch to turn it on? where is it located?

 

[GI_Jo_Nathan]

Compare the models. The larger the tire, the lower the axle gear ratio should be. This is to prevent strain on the drivetrain. Like when bike riding, you go to a lower gear to go uphill . . . The pedals turn faster the more strain you put on it. From high to low:
Stock BB & OBX = 3.73 axles (32" tires)
Locker & Black Diamond = 4.27 axles
Badlands non-SAS with 33" tires= 4.46 axles
Sasquatch = 4.7 ratio, 35" tires

Almost, Black Diamond has 4.46.

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