Locker or transfer case gears first?

[Kevin B.]

On an otherwise stock truck, and assuming that you could only have one, would you install transfer case gearing or a locker first? I'm just curious. I've got both, and I think I would do a locker first in an automatic but lower gearing first in a manual.

For bonus points, lock the front or rear first? I've seen arguments for both.

 

[dutchman]

After riding in your truck, I would do t-case gears. I don't have any issues with wheeling open/open and have no problem taking a strap to get up obstacles.

 

[TJDukit]

I say locker first, it just makes such a huge impact on what you can or cannot do.

I say lock the front first, allows you to climb steep ledges one tire at a time.

 

[skippy]

I think locker first, but i have never wheeled a 22re piece of rust before, I would lock the front because Once your front tires are up the obstacle momentum can do the rest....

 

[jinxspot]

locker first = goes farther (No crawler gears = less finesse in getting there) For the bonus round... I would do the rear locker first if its a trail rig, the front locker first if its a street driver.

 

[dutchman]

I never would have thought to lock the front first, good info guys.

 

[TJDukit]

I never would have thought to lock the front first, good info guys.

A lot of this is preference based on driving style and conditions. And of course the oh so wonderful opinion. I say do the front first plenty will say do the rear first. I actually used to be a rear first type of person but I find that having just the front locked helps more than just the rear with my type of driving style.

 

[sixstringsteve]

Assuming it's a Toyota with a manual, I would definitely do t-case gears first. But t-case gears, an aussie in the back, and 31's can take a stock yota LOTS of places.

 

[TurboMinivan]

In general, I would vote strongly for installing a locker before opening the t-case. As others have said, being locked--even in just one axle--is probably the single biggest increase in capability for nearly any 4x4. Two lockers are better than one, of course, but the increase in capability going from one locker to two is far less than the increase in capability going from open/open to one locker.

I never would have thought to lock the front first, good info guys.

In select situations, it can be an acceptable move. For example, on a TJ with the rear Dana35c it is best to avoid locking the rear since it's already a ticking time bomb and any extra stress is just asking for trouble.

As another example, let's say you want to re-gear your axles down the road but you cannot afford to do that right now and install your locker. Furthermore, let's say re-gearing would require buying a new carrier for the rear axle but not the front. In this case, locking the front first means you could re-use your locker after you re-gear... whereas locking the rear would require you to buy a new locker when you re-gear.

Having said all that, I still feel that it is best to lock the tail first unless there is an exceptional reason like those I just listed. Why? Because a locker seems to be more beneficial when climbing than when descending... and when you're climbing, you'll be transferring a lot of your rig's weight to the rear tires. When your front tires are mostly unloaded weight-wise, it doesn't much matter if you're turning one of them or both of them. Why not send your torque where it is needed most?

 

[jeeper]

On an otherwise stock truck,

Lift first.. The other two are pretty worthless if you can't clear the obstacle you want the gears/locker for.

But then a locker.. Rear first if lunch box, front if Air.

 

[UNSTUCK]

Locker. You can slip a clutch to get a "lower ratio" when needed. And lock the rear. 99% of the time when a locker is needed is when you are climbing up hill, when most of the weight ( ie traction) is on the rear wheels.


Oh, and 99% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

 

[BCGPER]

This is 100% the way to go.

Locker. You can slip a clutch to get a "lower ratio" when needed. And lock the rear. 99% of the time when a locker is needed is when you are climbing up hill, when most of the weight ( ie traction) is on the rear wheels.


Oh, and 99% of all statistics are made up on the spot.

But, since it's a Toyota, you HAVE to get the mandatory snorkel first! I'm purdy sure every Toyota owner must have a secret desire to be a submarine captain.

 

[SLC97SR5]

On my Toyota's I have always, in order:
Lock the rear
Armor
T-case gears
Larger tires
Lift
Axle gears
Lock the front

The above has worked well for me and has limited breakage and remained cost effective.

 

[mombobuggy]

For under a grand you could install a Detroit/Grizzy locked Chevy or dodge dana 60 front. they can be geared down to 6.17 or 7.17 for a couple hundred more.

 

[Marsh99]

If it is a DD I would lock the front then do t-case gears.

 

[Kevin B.]

But, since it's a Toyota, you HAVE to get the mandatory snorkel first! I'm purdy sure every Toyota owner must have a secret desire to be a submarine captain.

A snorkel without an ARB bumper looks lame.

But we're not necessarily talking about my gutless rustbucket. I'm mostly just curious what other guys preferences are and why.

 

[UFAB]

Differential gears and ARB lockers..

 

[spacecase]

i've always heard lock the rear first. i was able to get over radiator rapids much easier in my rig with a rear locker, where as another guy in a similar wheel based rig struggled with only a front.

could be coincidence.

anyway, the major benefit i can see in utah for locking the front first if its a DD is snow. am i right?! i think a rear locker may make it a little wild in the snow.

 

[Kevin B.]

I DD my truck with a Spartan rear all winter. It's not that sketchy in my truck, other automatics in other trucks could be different though. I WOULD be worried about having an automatic in the front though, because with KM2s I use the 4wd on snowy roads a lot.