Member - Troll 81 (QLD) replied:

Morto

I have never had the need for a winch I have front and rear ARB lockers and have used them allot. If I was you I would go for the locker

Teabag (Queanbeyan) replied:

If it was me I would go the winch, it will get you out of trouble most times.....A locker is great but they tend and can get you into trouble and generally deeper because the vehicle is more capable.......I would seriously go the winch....IMO

Member - Bruce and Anne replied:

Depends on if you have a decent LSD in the rear, if so put a Lokka in the front (cheaper of cause than a air locker and work pretty good) and then maybe a winch if you are going to get that extreme.
Cheers Bruce.

Grungle replied:

Both have their good points but for different reason.

Lockers are great because they are effortless to engage and can get you out of a sticky situation quickly (if you know how to use them properly) but they are expensive to buy and setup once you take into consideration their initial cost, aircompressors (for airlockers) and fitment which entails setting up gear and pinions etc. A positive is that they are maintenance free - sort of set and forget.

Winches are very cheap now-a-days and will get you out of desperate situations where lockers will sometimes fall short. However winches usually fail when you need them most (except if you keep the maintenance up to them and check periodicaly) and they take time to setup to execute a recovery which can be the difference between a swampped car or not. A positive is that you can use a winch to recover others that are in a dire prediciament but not put you vehicle in the same situation.

Personally I would go a winch first and then a front locker later on if the rear LSD is a good unit.

A point on winch maintenance - you can buy a Top of the range or a an El cheapo which has the same warranty but if you do not look after them and check them every month or 2, you will end up like quite a few people I have seen with 1-2 year old winches which don't work despite never being used because the armeture has oxidised or water has been caught in and around the brake mechanism and it refuses to work.

Regards
David

Member - Phil G (SA) replied:

Both winch and lockers are "luxury extras", not essentials. If money is an issue, then give them both a miss.

If you're into solo travel, a winch may be useful.

If you're into having fun in the high country, then go the lockers.

Member - Roachie (SA) replied:

If you're considering a air locker, I assume your budget must be about $1,300- (give or take).

Although I have a front air locker on my Patrol, I know a lot of blokes who swear their Lokka or Lock-rite etc are equal to the task.....and they are much cheaper than the ARB unit (maybe $800-).

So, why not get both....... a rear auto locker of some sort and a cheaper brand electric winch (maybe $700-)......or even a tirfor type hand winch......

blue one replied:

Go the winch, great when you make a boo boo. Only used it once for myself and was I happy I had it.

Also good for pruning the garden.

LOL

Cheers

Member - Brenton H (SA) replied:

Had both over the years and have finally settled on the air locker as more useful.
A winch also adds a lot of weight to the front of the vehicle which needs to be accounted for by the suspension setup.

Morto replied:

Thanks to everyone. Your opinions are appreciated.
Morto

Scoey (QLD) replied:

Just given the fact that you're driving a hilux and your wheel travel will probably let you down first, I'd go a diff lock. As people above had said, in anything other than mud, a diff lock would be the go. If you're like me - I'll drive a mile to get around a mud hole. Good luck with your choice!

btw, for the price of an air locker you could prob go front and read lokka type diff locks? Food for thought?

Cheers
Scoey!

3F62 replied:

Well a Locker "might" get you out of the poo.....but a winch will have a better chance of getting you & a freind out of it......... AAHHHH it's only money get both....." You know you want it".

Cheers

rbt replied:

go the lockers, walk the line & dont go where a whinh would be needed...

Member -Dodger replied:

My 2 Bobs worth,
I have had both on my Patrol and found that the locka in the front the way to go and have even sold the winch from the front.
Reasons.
When bogged or cannot go any further forward it is most often the case that rearward is the way to go = front winch useless.
An electric winch on the front will not pull one sideways as I have found to my chagrin often there is no real anchor point to winch off.
The locka is auto and usually gets me out of trouble however when stuck a hand operated winch will work in all directions. It is hard work but one learns a valuable lesson.

My advice If you cannot afford both go the locka air or otherwise.
The lock rite is one of the best accessories or necessities I have installed.
The best has been the Engel for the liquid of life.