What is a 4x4 locker?

Automatic lockers are those that lock and unlock in response to changing conditions. They default to a 50/50 torque split but are designed to unlock through corners, permitting the tires to go around a corner without scuffing, and then lock again when a torque differential occurs between wheels.

What is the difference between diff lock and 4X4?

Cars only have one differential, but 4X4 vehicles can have up to three differentials – front, centre and rear. A differential lock secures this differential in place, making all the wheels on the axle move at the same speed. This pushes equal power through to all wheels, which is needed when handling difficult terrain.

Do all 4X4 have diff lock?

Not all versions of all 4X4s have diff-locks. Look for a button like this on a Nissan Y62 Patrol. On the right hand side of the picture there's an icon of four wheels with an X between the rear axle – that's the button to engage and disengage the rear locker.

How does a diff locker work?

By engaging the diff-lock, whether it be factory standard or fitted after-market, the diff is “locked” and begins to drive both wheels evenly. This allows not only the wheel without traction to continue to spin in the hope of gaining traction, but more importantly, begins to drive the well-grounded wheel.

What are offroad lockers?

Locking differentials (generically referred to as “lockers”) can lock the axles together to provide 100% of available torque to the wheel with traction. During turns, a locking differential operates like an open differential - the wheels can rotate at different speeds.

4x4 Lockers - 4WD Explained

Why do I need lockers on my Jeep?

They help in poor traction conditions. There are trails here that a car could drive up when dry, but add rain and you not going anywhere without lockers or a winch. I have seem a 4x4 with open diffs stuck with 2 wheels on pavement.

How fast can you go with diff lock on?

This is a function that many adventurers consider necessary to equip a vehicle. How fast can you drive when the differential lock is engaged on the vehicle? When using the differential lock, your speed should not exceed 25 mph.

Should I use diff lock in sand?

An engaged rear differential lock will ensure there's no loss of forward momentum… However, in soft sand they can cause your 4WD to dig into the sand and become bogged; at the same time in very deep, soft sand they can help you to keep the power poured on and grunt your way out.

What's better front or rear lockers?

A vehicle will steer better with only the rear axle locked than it would with only the front axle locked. The advantages of the bonus traction most often far outweigh the disadvantages of understeer, but generally you will usually find no noticeable understeer as a result of only having a rear Air Locker engaged.

Can you offroad without lockers?

Truth to be told is; even though not everybody needs differential lockers, everybody could use them at some point when off-roading. Most stock 4X4 vehicles come stock equipped with open differentials (Wrangler Rubicons, e-locker Toyotas and some other models will come with lockers as a factory option).

How can I tell if my Jeep has lockers?

A quick way to check is just crawl under your Jeep and look at the pumpkin- one single rubber tube coming out of your differential is the vent tube. If there is a 2nd line coming out (could be either a cable, an air line or an electric cable), you probably have a locker.

Is traction control better than diff lock?

Ultimately a diff lock vs traction control is a personal decision. If you really need the extra traction you can't go past a diff lock (or two). Traction control is certainly a lot better than completely open differentials!

Can you reverse in 4x4?

So to recap on the original question, yes you can engage 4H and safely reverse in four-wheel-drive if the driving surface is low-traction enough like snow, icy roads, muddy roads, and sand dunes. The four-wheel-drive drivetrain system works exactly the same in reverse as it does going forward.

How fast can I go in 4 wheel drive high?

It is not recommended to drive faster than 55MPH in 4WD high on low traction surfaces. 4WD should only be engaged when road surface traction is low. Driving in 4WD-Lo should not exceed 10mph.

Are lockers good in snow?

Lockers are good for snow because they make each wheel move at the same pace. Each wheel moving at the same pace helps you gain traction while driving during poor weather conditions, such as when it is snowing. Without lockers, one wheel can spin freely after losing traction.

Do lockers help in mud?

Lockers will definitely help in mud. However, front being locked will make it hard to steer left and right and sometimes you have to saw the wheel to get unstuck. So, use as necessary. In my years of experience, the #1 piece of equipment you need to plow through mud is a big fat set of mud tires.

How do you get out of sand 4x4?

When should I use diff lock on my truck?

First, a diff lock should not be engaged for on road driving, unless weather conditions such as snow or ice mean that extra traction is required. Use your locking differential when you want to go off road, for driving on difficult terrain, such as dirt, gravel, mud or snow.

Why would you lock your rear differential?

A locking rear differential, once engaged, does not allow both wheels to spin freely. By ensuring that both wheels spin at the same rate, and applying unequal torque to each tire on the axle, the risk of losing traction or spinning out decreases dramatically.

Can you lock differential while moving?

Never lock while you have a drive wheel breaking traction. You should be stopped or at a very low speed (15 mph or less) when you throw the switch. Max safe road speed is about 40 mph with the lock engaged. You can unlock them while moving.

How fast can you drive with air lockers?

At what speed can I engage my ARB Air Lockers? An ARB Air Locker can be engaged at any speed as long as both wheels are spinning at the same rate. If one wheel is spinning faster than the other, what is called “crash locking” will occur and can cause damage to the internal gears.

Does a limited slip differential help in the snow?

The limited-slip differential was conceived to improve motor vehicle mobility in situations where the traction conditions are not the same for both driving wheels. More driving force is directed to the wheel having the better traction to improve the ability of the vehicle to pull out of mud or snow.

Which Jeeps have factory lockers?

Rubicon's are the only Jeeps to come from the factory with lockers and Dana 44 axles - front and rear. That alone is what makes the Jeep Rubicon the ultimate factory off road vehicle.