[Hoyt71]

Does a locker help much with traction in ice, snow, or mud when used in a 2wd truck? Anyone have any experience with them in those situations?

[327NUT]

I've never ran a locker on the street, some guys do and say they have never had a problem (????) In the rain, snow or ice ? you had better have good insurance....5 point harness.....a good roll cage and a LOUD horn.

[Rhansen]

I ran a locker in a street driven (2wd) S10 for about 5 years. Never took it off road but it kicked butt in the snow/rain, expect it to oversteer some and drive accordingly (don't mash the gas when the roads are slick........)

[Hoyt71]

Not real serious about it, just curious. I figured they would work better on a 4wd.

[Cape Cod Bob]

"Truck U" has ashow in them in a jeep. They first added to the rear, then to the front with electric clutch. Worked much better then stockmin 2wd and with the front was super. Catch the show repeats aon sat sun am. Just have to keep watching as the guide don't always tell whats on. Maybe available on line.

[prostreet6t9]

The lockers now have great street manners. And YES you would be very pleased in how they perform.

[75gmck25]

The only disadvantage I found with a limited slip rear axle on a street 2WD vehicle was that once the tires break loose you can go sideways very quickly. When you spin the tires on a 2wd open axle on ice or snow you are spinning one side and just dragging the other wheel along, so the car moves sideways fairly slowly. When you spin both axles and apply a little too much throttle, 180's and 360's can happen very quickly. It doesn't work out well if there is another car in the lane next to you, or a big curb to run into.

Also, one thing to watch out for is that the term"locker" can mean a variety of different differentials, depending on who you are talking to. If its a full locker it will actually lock the two rear wheels together, which makes street driving on pavement very tough when you go around corners. You can even make your own by building a Lincoln Locker, where you physically modify the axle so it is permanently locked.

Then you have the Detroit Locker, which was used on many performance cars from the factory. From there you go to the Ford Traction Lok, GM Gov-Lock, and other types of limited slip or locking axles. You can also buy a switchable locker for the front of a 4WD, so you can lock the front differential only when you need it.

Bruce

[bentwings]

I have a Detroit Locker in my Willys. It works great on the street. Do remember that it drives the inside wheel on turns untill it slips enough to drive both. This makes for carefull cornering when it is wet or slippery. Hense the rep for beening hard to handle when slippery. Actually I drive in all weather even snow and without the locker the car is helpless as a one wheel wonder.

As for straight line 0-60 and the like it is hard to beat the locker. It drives both wheels equally so it is easy to tune the chassis. Almost like a spool.

They do click occasionally going around a corner....I guess you can hear it outside but I sure don't notice it. they also can have a lot of drive line wrap...about 45 deg I'm told. Mine has plenty. If you are drag racing be sure to give the unit a few feet to lockup after turning or it will clang really hard. Doesn't seem to hurt anything.

They also will cause wide tires to squeel slightly going around corners. Giving a little more gas and they will screech nicely. haha