lockers

[cszap]

I read somewhere in here a winch and lockers are a good place to start and since im on a budget lifts/tires and gears r on hold. I have a 94 with IFS and 31/10.5's. In the rear what should i use and should it be electric/air or other?. And in the front can i put a locker in IFS withought it costing a fortune and also dont want to buy a locker i cant re-use if somewhere down the road im able to do a SAS.

Thanks for any advice,

chuck

[rockcrawlintoy]

if you are go to do air i would regear since the diff is goin to be re set up

look into an aussie locker for an inexpensive locker

DRew

[94cnytoy]

What is your actual budget?
Do you deal with snow/ice?
Is this truck your DD?

Winch and strong charging system is your best start.
What you don't make it through under drive power, can always be had under winch power.(or get you out of trouble)

For the cost of the Aussies, consider them disposable.(in a good way)
I'd only lock the IFS for mud and trails. To lock the iFS for rocks...your looking at breakage. It can handle straight line when locked, but with the wheels turned, parts will break.
If you lock the front, I'd strongly suggest new IFS shafts(remans) and fresh hubs(Aisins).

Don't get me wrong...the IFS is strong and can be locked. Especially if used wisely under std gearing and 4-banger power.

More power, lower gears, larger tires and "confidence" of front and rear lockers will make you go places beyond your abilities and beyond the capacities of the equiptment. We've all done it. At least most of us. It's hard to stop on a tough trail or obstacle when your truck doesn't want to.

Stew

[cszap]

no the truck isn't a my DD and for the most part im just into trails and mud. We do get some snow and ice out here and i would like to be able to wheel in it. Budget id say around 1k for the both of em, could come up with more if i had too but have lots of other goodies in mind too LoL.

chuck

[94cnytoy]

Lock'r up front and rear then.
I mentioned snow/ice due to the lockers on the street.
Not a good thing.
I'd still only go with a cheap locker in the front, with you planning an eventual SAS.
Go with something good out back... That's going to stay.
If budget allows go Detroit or ARB.

Get a winch and the rear done and you'll go 5 times further than ever before.(and 5 times deeper into )
For me, 33's were the perfect size (2''BL and fender trimming on my 94PU)
I always wanted 35's or 36's...but didn't want to regear or want the breakage.
I ABUSED my truck w/33's and 4:10's. It never flinched.
I never got the chance to lock it up F+R, but I made up for it in driver skills. I took my friend on a powerline run here that he lost two trucks on (broke severely). I just read the terrain and took advantage of any available traction....

Stew

[cszap]

Sweet, thanks for all the advice stew. Would u still reccomend that I replace the IFS shafts and do the hubs if i lock the front even if its just trails-n-mud?

[94cnytoy]

I would at least pull things apart and inspect.
You're going to find any and all weak links in your driveline really fast with lockers.
Check bearings, clips and lubrication.

Don't get me wrong. Lockers aren't that big of a deal.
Should be an easy, fun install and 200% worth it.

Stew