What do I have when the diffs aren't locked?

[bassist]

They are for sure open differentials. I once turned off on a trail that had a huge washout where it met the road- was a huge ditch. It was not even and I end up getting high centered in 4WD- one rear and one front wheel off the ground opposite sides. I had to lock one of the differentials to get out. Sure glad I had the push button locking differential option!

Never forget that stacking rocks is another option.

Sponsored

 

[GoHawks63]

You have a tach.

I don’t understand why people have such a hard issue. You’re not driving a high performance car - you should be able to shift from feel and sound alone.

My first motorcycle didn’t have a tach. Things were fine.

I’ve had friends with MT cars without a tach. Again, they were fine.

Agree. My first car was a manual with no tach and I knew when to shift just by engine sound and feel. In my retirement job I have the opportunity to drive many manual cars and hardly ever have to look at the tach to know when to shift.

 

[zuke]

2. No, you can't have an e-locker and posi at the same time.

Yes, You Can...

I've run the Auburn ECTED, (Now called a Select-A-Loc) in older jeeps, and it's exactly that, it operates as a limited slip differential up until you press the button, Then it locks up.

Pretty sure they aren't making one that will work in the newer Dana Advantek axles in modern Wranglers and Broncos though.

https://auburngeardiffs.com/select-a-loc-ltd-slip-to-lock/

 

[Jdyount]

Yes, You Can...

I've run the Auburn ECTED, (Now called a Select-A-Loc) in older jeeps, and it's exactly that, it operates as a limited slip differential up until you press the button, Then it locks up.

Pretty sure they aren't making one that will work in the newer Dana Advantek axles in modern Wranglers and Broncos though.

https://auburngeardiffs.com/select-a-loc-ltd-slip-to-lock/

I added "that I am aware of" in a later post.

You're right, doesn't look like they have an option for the Advantek axles either way.

 

[indio22]

Never forget that stacking rocks is another option.

Or the driving skill option. Only time I used a locker on the Ford course I attended, was when the rep had me purposely get "stuck", to show me the value of the locker in getting unstuck, lol. (And even then I could have backed up a few feet and continued on with proper use of momentum.)

It's a shame rear and/or front lockers aren't separate stand alone purchase options, for people to choose who legit have a use for them. A limited slip or better brake lock diff functionality is arguably better for majority of users.

 

[CalvinT]

They are for sure open differentials. I once turned off on a trail that had a huge washout where it met the road- was a huge ditch. It was not even and I end up getting high centered in 4WD- one rear and one front wheel off the ground opposite sides. I had to lock one of the differentials to get out. Sure glad I had the push button locking differential option!

This is a situation where a hand activated emergency brake can help. Gradually apply the emergency brake and torque will transfer from the rear wheel that is spinning to the one that has traction. Can't do it with an electric parking brake. It's on or off.

 

[crzyhawk]

Or the driving skill option. Only time I used a locker on the Ford course I attended, was when the rep had me purposely get "stuck", to show me the value of the locker in getting unstuck, lol. (And even then I could have backed up a few feet and continued on with proper use of momentum.)

It's a shame rear and/or front lockers aren't separate stand alone purchase options, for people to choose who legit have a use for them. A limited slip or better brake lock diff functionality is arguably better for majority of users.

The jaded side of me says they do it deliberately; if people had better traction control, fewer people would feel the 'need' to option lockers at an upcharge.

Then I go look at another thread of people looking to add 37s to their sasquatch broncos drive to starbucks after the kids' soccer practice and remember that it's more about status and flexing on plebs than it is actually needing capability that you pay for. They're gonna pay for those hero switches whether they need em or not.

 

[EasternSierra]

Agree. My first car was a manual with no tach and I knew when to shift just by engine sound and feel. In my retirement job I have the opportunity to drive many manual cars and hardly ever have to look at the tach to know when to shift.

My first car was the same and I had the same experience. However, with my first truck sometimes it got so noisy on trails that I couldn't hear the engine very well. That's when I was glad I had a tach.

 

[zuke]

I added "that I am aware of" in a later post.

You're right, doesn't look like they have an option for the Advantek axles either way.

Honestly, I think modern awd/4wd systems have supplanted the need for them, it was a nice combo in mixed trail rides where we would encounter both slick conditions and rocky obstacles, but now 4H with traction control will handle pretty much everything the LSD was really good for...

Sponsored