Lockers - fit to front or rear?

Coyote

If it were me, I'd be going with option #2. The limo in the GQ/GU is arguably one of the best in the business - so why get rid of it? One of my GQ's has 340,000km on it now, and the diff still churns up the gravel big time in a full-lock turn. Awesome after that many kays :)

I hear people going on about the type of terrain they normally like to do (i.e. rock work vs. sand and mud) determines whether a single locker would go front or aft. Any comments on this anyone?

Patrol got very good LSD, so I would put one in front only.

Also have a look at this article Locker Test

Its a shame to waste the best LSD in the business, but no doubt -> Locker in the Rear.

Usually when you need a locker going up a hill or something, all the weight is on the rear of the truck.

also on off camber slimey hills with both fronts spinning up, and no rear traction, I have seen incidents where the front of the car turns suddenly and points back where ya came from.. A real 'remove the seat cover from your date' situation

An SA 4wd magazine did a pretty exaustive test on that exact subject matter with a twin locked patrol and it showd conclusivly greater benifit was to be had with just the front lockers in than just the rear

I've fitted mine in the front (2002 GU) Works really well.

Peter

I have one in the front - very good and the best option.

Coyote ,
If I was going to be climbing rocky terrain I would put them in the front .
If I was going to be doing lots of sand work , I would put them on the back as you cannot steer with the buggers in the front , except at really low speeds .
The front are a fair bit more expensive than the rears - much more labour time.
Cheers ,
willie .

Definately in the front.

Works a treat.
Ange

I have front and rear and if I have to get rid of one set I think it will have to be the rear...I have had many times where I have one front wheel in the air and if I did not have lockers then it will just spin and not move..but with the front lockers on they both turn and away I go

Depends on what you want to do in the Patrol, just bear in mind that if a REAR locker is fitted and you prehaps snap a front axel or break something in your front diff, a rear locker will probably get you home in the patrol. However if you have a locker in the front and the diff snaps you are most probably stuck. As your patrol will become a one wheeler in the difficult spots. In my opionion I would put the rear locker in, however the front diff of the patrol is huge so either way your patrol will go just about anywhere.

You have, as has been said before one of the best LS Diffs on the market hung under the rear end of that Patrol, it is very nearly as good as a diff lock. On that basis most people put their only diff lock in the front.

A good friend of mine put his in the rear for this reason, I think it has merit. By putting the lock in the rear you convert the LSD into an open diff, unless you lock it of course. This results in much better tyre life.

I often hear my rear wheels spinning on the balck top as I make a tight turn, manouvering into a tight spot or making a "U" turn, particularly in reverse. This is the down side of that great LSD putting an ARB diff lock in the rear removes this downside.

Just something else to think about. :0)

Duncs

I'd go the front also.
Have both, I put the rear in first and regretted it as it was little better much of the time than the LSD, which is outstanding, even after many klms.
Don't forget that in that test referred to above, the rear unlocked was worse than with an LSD fitted, ie: the result would have been even more one sided.
Cheers

Hey coyote, I have a GU IV 05 mod, I went the FRONT ARB AIR Locker the LSD is great, yeah like someone else mentioned the tyres chew on a hard turn, but I have over come it by slowing the turn down. The way I look at it I have front and rear lockers with only the price of one, great hey.

Babs.