Any LONG TERM drivers with lunchbox lockers?

I'm going to be mostly street but some big weather and snow travel for a couple months each year. I drive cross country one or twice a year but don't get into any tight spaces.

I had a pre runner with the e-lock and LOVED it. Love having the on/off option. NOT going to source and build a new rear end from salvage parts but I can do a lunchbox.

I can get used to the quirky engagement - any wear issues?

 

Ive had a powertrax no slip for 2 years now on my daily and its been flawless. In almost every situation besides turning from a stop on a uphill its un noticable. It doesn't click or pop like other lunchbox lockers and it is basically the most street friendly of them.

I drive in snowy conditions most of the year and its not really any different than driving with a regular lsd rear as there isnt enough traction to make the lsd "slip" anyways. Maybe because im used to it but it IS pretty predictable. it doesn't ever make the truck do anything i dont expect.

As for tire wear ofcourse its worse than just an open diff. But after you get used to driving with it and get a feel for keeping it unlocked in turns you keep that tire wear to a minimum (especially with regular tire rotations).

I actually prefer an auto locker over a selectable and have no regrets installing the no-slip.

 

Great response. Thanks for your time - all good points. Any change to mileage?

 

just get a used elocker setup. nobody likes a autolocker more then a selectable lol

 

No. not sure how it would affect mileage.

 

Its totally personal preference but i HATE a full time locker. There are more times when i dont want both wheels spinning than when i do. This is especially true when on packed snow/ice on the asphalt and there is alot of turning goin on. It can be finessed but that rear end can very squirrelly if you're not on your game. In offroad situations and again in the snow if you are on a road that is slopped to the down hill and forward progress is stalled for whatever reason having both tires spinning it will start to send you right off the road down into whatever abyss awaits your trucks arrival. Sometimes having that one tire not spinning is beneficial cause it will keep your rear end planted and not wanting to whip around to the downhill or to the outside of whatever cornering situation you might be in. I offroad alot even have an offroad specific tacoma and run in the snow the most out of any other terrain. I have a locker, wouldn't have it any other way! It is a selectable one though, an arb. I seriously use it 100x's more in the dirt during the summer or when there is no packed snow/ice on the ground. More often than not in situations i encounter a locker does more harm than good when the conditions are super slick. When there is just a tab bit better traction a locker is the best thing in the world! Another thing i have also found is sometimes in tight areas that require technical driving(again typically in the snow) that your tight turning is compromised because with both rear tires engaged it wants to push you forward and you cant get the front to turn as well as it should. I dont like not being able to hit a switch and make these slick condition symptoms go away...again all personal preference though. In all seriousness though i find lockers to be so much more useful when there is better traction. I know that sounds stupid and people get lockers to gain traction....no substitute for good ole 4x4.

Some things to think about....

PS...i went with an air locker cause i love having on board air, that in itself is quite useful. Atleast for me...

 

Thamks everyone (except the e-locker guy!)

 

just wait till you get one of these bad auto lockers lol. mine lasted 1 month before i got so tired of how it worked. the banging and shit going around corners just got old

 

In all reality that really is the easiest fastest option. Swapping the whole axle and running a power line from a switch is pretty damn quick and easy. Its undoing the u blots and the drive line then running the power to it...id rather do that then mess around inside the rear end. I suppose what where and hiw you get either component it might be cheaper going elcheapo locker though.

But man the selectability.....???

 

I'm also running a powertrax no slip locker.
5-6 yrs now. (Prerunner).
Granted, we dont have alot of snow here in south carolina but I travel to southern michigan for the winter holidays and have never had any issues.

It can be tricky to drive and you really have to alnost "re-learn" how to drive in snowy situations. Of course...im only 150 hp so its not like I have a ton of power. But it will definatly throw you sideways if you arent working the skinny pedal properly.

No loud ratcheting except maybe once every 4 months I will get a huge bang in the 3rd member. Its just the clutch mech and springs adjusting. Its normal.

No change in gas miliage, no weird tire wear issues.
Ive installed 2 of them.

So in conclusion....if you have a prerunner and live in snowy climates, I would avoid it all together.
In warmer climates with little or no snow...I would highly reccomend.

4x4...I would probably go with one in the front before the back. Just my opinion.

 

Well said...

 

Settled - I am going with the Powertrax No-Slip. Thanks for the feedback!

 

We all need to annoy Wavetrac until they make a unit for us. They have the best one for low traction environments as far as I know

 

As far as i know and what ive seen the truetrac is better for offroad applications.

 

I've put 30 or 40k on lunch box lockers in my 4Runner and Tacoma and loved them. They make some noise turning but I've never wished I didn't want one in the snow.

I got a screaming deal on an ARB and I actually wish I had just gone for a Spartan instead now

 

I have an Aussie locker in my 5 lug and its been great for probably 8 years now. Slippery situations can be interesting but still better than an open diff once you get used to the way truck will handle.

 

2+ yrs on a lockrite here and I have no regrets and I live in utah so I definitely see snow. There is a bit of a learning curve on throttle control in corners on dry pavement but it's not bad. I have a 5spd and it's not that bad and I've heard autos are more forgiving. There is a bit of noise on occasion like some clicking sometimes and the occasional bang if it unlocks under some load. Install is a piece of cake as well.