How capable a 2WD becomes with a diff locker?

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

hi guys, well i have a 2wd ranger with the 7.5" differential and 3.73 gears, on my plans for next year is save money to get me a diff locker, im looking towards the automatic lockers.
my truck has 2" susp lift and 30" all terrain tires.

I guess thats a good start.
well i do like wheeling, a light wheeling, nothing to hard core, just hanging around on mountain trails and some mud. ive heard that differential lockers are a good aid for 2wd trucks to improve traction. A friend of mines has a TRD tacoma, its a 2wd but has an electric locker, and once the thing engages that little truck transforms lol.
so here's my question: how capable a 2wd becomes with a locker?? is it really worth it?
thanks in advance
RSH

 

[frankserrano]

well, buddy, i don't have any experience in lockers, but i can tell you that in my RWD, on the occasions that both of my wheels are working together, i plow through decently thick stuff. nothing too serious, obviously, but you get my point.

my guess would be that if a locker does good work in a taco, i don't see any reason why it wouldn't help you out a lot in a ranger.

that's just my two cents worth

 

[LittleBigFoot]

Extended shackle (and shocks that perform at that lift height) to free up articulation.

Keeping both shoes on the ground always helps.

A locker will help in the times you don't have both tires on the ground.


I've got posi in my 72 3/4 ton and that's really helped in the snow here. (RWD, Big Block, No ABS)

I wheeled my Ranger for a summer in 2wd with a trac loc and extended shackles (couldn't afford gears, missmatched ratios after replacing a bent axle so no 4wd)


Do it.

 

[MountainMike]

I just got to agree with these guys. One wheel peels are not cool. Hence my truck became known as 'spinny' when I tried to enter the sand pit in 2WD.

 

[bsmithbyitch]

definatly get the locker. you will notice a huge difference as soon as you hit the hole that once made you slow down

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

yeah im thiniking about longer travle shocks, mim about to install(custom work ) an jeep cherokee rear sway bar, that will improve traction by keeping both tires on ground i hope, and i hope God first that i can get the locker.

is either a locker or a 4Wd ranger, but thats a bit more expensive lol

any more input is welcome!

 

[Hahnsb2]

In my experience, a locked 2wd will only out perform an open 4x4 when articulation is required, everything else (hill climbs, mud, ect), a 4wd will do better. Now lock a 4wd and you've got something to behold.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

yeah, so for some light use i guess its a good choice?
and a locked 4x4...
i'll see how this new year develops, if i can get the locker, or if i really find a 4x4 ranger in the conditions i want it i could go for it, but the locker is cheaper and i dont know if im gonna be able to mantain a 4x4 truck, since its a bigger engine for a start.

 

[cooljman1]

a locker will relly help I have forgot to lock my front hubs before and the truck pulled through the sand relly well with just the rear locker. now I would suggest getting a winch soon so that when you do get stuck you can get out.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

thanks for the tips, ima keep the winch in mind...but im going slow n' easy on my wheeling lol,


keep posting!!!

 

[bobbywalter]

cheap dropin locker and an expensive winch.



a locked 2wd will not outperform a 4wd ever where 4wd is needed. period.

i have purposly and recently left idiots saying otherwise so in the woods because i dont violate the 4x4 stuck rule when doing that....

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

i didnt said i wanted to outperform any 4x4, in fact someday ill get me a 4x4. i just want to improve my 2WD.
im aware that a 2wd isnt as good as a 4x4.
i want it for light trails, nothing that may need winch

 

[bobbywalter]

i didnt said i wanted to outperform any 4x4, in fact someday ill get me a 4x4. i just want to improve my 2WD.
im aware that a 2wd isnt as good as a 4x4.
i want it for light trails, nothing that may need winch

a winch is the first thing i suggest. more then one reason for that. if you do happen upon a guy stuck and you have 2wd you may not be able to get enough traction to tug....though generally you can. this requires strapping or chaing off to some other solid object sometimes as well.

but a winch needs a good battery and alternator to be reliable and the operator to be patient and study what duty cycle means and involves to get the most reliable use. this is very pricey...


so the best bang or the buck is a drop in locker.

then theres the rest of it....actually being prepared for trail riding is pretty serious to keep from injuring or killing yourself or others...you need to invest in chains, tree savers, straps, shackles, tow points ect ect ect.....and most importantlystudy and train to the proper uses of these devices.


my statement of the 4x4 vs locked 2wd is just to clarify....toooo many guys think a locked two wheeler will out perform a reg 4x4.

 

[Ranger Sport Honduras]

a winch is the first thing i suggest. more then one reason for that. if you do happen upon a guy stuck and you have 2wd you may not be able to get enough traction to tug....though generally you can. this requires strapping or chaing off to some other solid object sometimes as well.

but a winch needs a good battery and alternator to be reliable and the operator to be patient and study what duty cycle means and involves to get the most reliable use. this is very pricey...


so the best bang or the buck is a drop in locker.

then theres the rest of it....actually being prepared for trail riding is pretty serious to keep from injuring or killing yourself or others...you need to invest in chains, tree savers, straps, shackles, tow points ect ect ect.....and most importantlystudy and train to the proper uses of these devices.


my statement of the 4x4 vs locked 2wd is just to clarify....toooo many guys think a locked two wheeler will out perform a reg 4x4.

thanks for the specified tips now i know that wheeling involves some better skills, its not just jumping around in dirt and molehills.
as for the winch....thats a really expensive upgrade, and im gonna keep it in mind, i need to install some tow hooks too.
as for the shackles...any advice on those?? can they be...

rememeber that this isnt happening THAT soon, i just want to know if a locker is a good investment.
and i know good that my 2WD when locked(hopefully) maybe will chase some 4x4x's in easy terrain, once the hard stuff shows ima get to a side and snap pics

continue posting guys!!

 

[MountainMike]

jeep cherokee rear sway bar, that will improve traction by keeping both tires on ground.

Doesn't your truck already have a rear sway bar? My '98 does

Maybe look into traction bars if you want to keep the tires planted and eliminate axle wrap.
http://www.jamesduff.com/broncoII/tracbar.html