Rear locker can save a front diff.

[AZ_Craig]

Late to this thread, but was really surprised that the "Offroad" GOAT mode defaults to the rear differential being locked, even in 4Hi (at least for the Raptor). I usually turn it off manually since I too was of the philosophy of not keeping things locked any more than you need to.

That being said, I've started to pre-emptively engage my rear when running 4Lo whenever I'm climbing ledges more than maybe 8 to 12 inches. I'm somewhat lazy about airing down tires also in a lot of cases (and usually only drop to maybe 25 psi if I do), which probably has contributed to not quite getting as much traction as I'd expect in some situations.

What are the cases where engaging a front locker pre-emptively makes sense? The only other vehicle I had with a front locker was my 2012 JKU and I think the only time I ever locked the front up was trying to get up the ledges on the upper loop on Top of the World in Moab.

I think the only time I've locked up my front on the Braptor so far was getting myself out of a snow drift last week on Georgia Pass (after about 90 minutes of self rescue work, ugh).

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[userdude]

Late to this thread, but was really surprised that the "Offroad" GOAT mode defaults to the rear differential being locked, even in 4Hi (at least for the Raptor). I usually turn it off manually since I too was of the philosophy of not keeping things locked any more than you need to.

That being said, I've started to pre-emptively engage my rear when running 4Lo whenever I'm climbing ledges more than maybe 8 to 12 inches. I'm somewhat lazy about airing down tires also in a lot of cases (and usually only drop to maybe 25 psi if I do), which probably has contributed to not quite getting as much traction as I'd expect in some situations.

What are the cases where engaging a front locker pre-emptively makes sense? The only other vehicle I had with a front locker was my 2012 JKU and I think the only time I ever locked the front up was trying to get up the ledges on the upper loop on Top of the World in Moab.

I think the only time I've locked up my front on the Braptor so far was getting myself out of a snow drift last week on Georgia Pass (after about 90 minutes of self rescue work, ugh).

I would say there's not really a time to pre-emptively enable front locker. The times I have were off camber, sandy/pebbly terrain and once when I almost flopped on my side (and that was really cuz only the driver side wheels were gripping). The rear I feel like most of the time I can predict when I need it, but the front it's usually at-need, cuz I need the grip for some short period of time.

 

[SierraBronco]

I would say there's not really a time to pre-emptively enable front locker. The times I have were off camber, sandy/pebbly terrain and once when I almost flopped on my side (and that was really cuz only the driver side wheels were gripping). The rear I feel like most of the time I can predict when I need it, but the front it's usually at-need, cuz I need the grip for some short period of time.

Same obstacle, same car, same line. One try with front and rear, then again with front only and rear open.

 

[Fordified1]

So our anniversary is this weekend and I asked my wife jokingly what she was going to get me. Walking out of the restaurant I looked at the Bronco which I had just washed and said “damn that thing needs 37’s don’t you think?” She looked at me and says “Well get your 37’s! Happy Anniversary!
I really think this is a trick statement because a month ago she said she wanted me to fly her to Cabo for our anniversary., I said we could not afford to do that and instead rented a house with a pool on the beach.

Well, 37s are definitely on hold anyway until I get an upgraded diff and steering. And I explained that to her and she just looked at me with that one raised eyebrow like she does and that was that.

 

[AZ_Craig]

So our anniversary is this weekend and I asked my wife jokingly what she was going to get me. Walking out of the restaurant I looked at the Bronco which I had just washed and said “damn that thing needs 37’s don’t you think?” She looked at me and says “Well get your 37’s! Happy Anniversary!
I really think this is a trick statement because a month ago she said she wanted me to fly her to Cabo for our anniversary., I said we could not afford to do that and instead rented a house with a pool on the beach.

Well, 37s are definitely on hold anyway until I get an upgraded diff and steering. And I explained that to her and she just looked at me with that one raised eyebrow like she does and that was that.

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