September 7, 2004

-stupid I've always heard that you should have the same gears front and rear.

September 7, 2004

definitly change both at the same time, lockers are a good idea at that time since everything will be apart anyways, I've only seen different gears in compition mud rigs and 4x4s running different size tires in the front. I did everything at the same time, costs less cuz its all done at once and then it'll only be tied up in the garage for 1 weekend instead of 2.

September 9, 2004

Thanks for the info i did not know that so i will probably go with 410 or 456. With that size gears do i really need to lock them? I 4x4 in the sand and the desert and drive daily to and from work. i don't want to end up breaking stuff i want this done right the first time.

September 9, 2004

lock it up and forget about it....trust us on this.

September 10, 2004

You also need to realize that once you put a locker in the front and rear you will be MORE prone to breaking axle shafts/u-joints/ring & pinions. This is because there is no where for the torque shock to go. Instead of the torque load going to the wheel with no traction, it goes to the whole axle with not any give in the driveline. Lockers are a lot more stressful on your drivetrain, not just your tires.

It's just something to consider. I think with your truck you'd be fine with a front and rear locker and getting regeared. just don't go crazy with your gearing because as you get a lower gear (numerically higher) the Ring gear gets thinner and taller, which is weaker and more prone to breakage.

September 10, 2004

depends on what his truck is and what axels and tires he is running

September 13, 2004

Thanks again for the advise i have a 2004 4x4 1500QC dodge with 3.55 gears and just added 35" tires. i am watching the post and thank you for the help.

September 13, 2004

I have one question do you have IFS? If you do then you may have some trouble with lockers in the front, and you may not be able to find any that are design to use on your truck. If you do have IFS you may want to consider a solid axle swap first.

If you change your gearing you should do both front and rear or you will take the risk of destroying one of them (as posted earlier in this thread).

Having lockers on normal streets can also cause problems in it’s self. More important you should consider lockers that are selectable as in have them in or out. Most of the people I know that live in the Sierra Nevada Mountains (snow country) year round that off-road do not like having lockers at all unless they are air or hydraulic lockers where they have the choice of having them in or out. I really don't know but they have told me lockers and snow don't mix and since they live in snow country I am taking their word. I have never had lockers in the snow so I would not know so this is second hand info.


George

September 14, 2004

Yes i have IFS and no a swap is not possible i don't 4x4 that much to justify it. i do drive it daily so i am leaning towards not locking the gears, just upgrading them and if i upgrade the gears i am leaning to the 4:11 but still thinking of 4:56 but i hear the gas mialage will suck. i would like to have this done by pismo next month.

December 8, 2004

if it were up to me id do rear first.

December 8, 2004

there is a reason it is all but impossible for you to find a front ifs locker...unless you have manual locking hubs one tire will be turning the front drive shaft and the tire drivers side tire not only will be spinning the shaft in the transfercase but will be spinning the ring gear in tyour front housing of course all the time.... front locker if avalable only if you have hubs that can be unlocked manual or auto.. front the factory most have all time lock in hubs or blanks as some call them and when not in 4wd the spiders take up the job of not spinning the gears due to the fact of the one side not being engaged..so you need to find out if you have or maybe you know already if you have a hub that locks out or if it is always engaged...jack the front up and spin the tire....if the cv shaft or rubber booted piece spins you do not want to get a locker assuming you could even get one.....even on older chevys with the 203 transfer case and some dodges did and do have the blanks so the ujoints in the front solid axles spin all the time...they also should swap out the hubs for some parts time hubs so as not to wear the tire and gears...bearings ....etc...out

as for the rear its up to you most snow and ice guys dont use lockers unless they are in competion and they use spiked tires....doesnt apply to I don't think...so if you are going to use a lot in the ice and snow I would hold off or ask if a buddy that has a limited slip or locker would let you drive their rig so you can feel the diff...I run a detroit locker in rear and soon to be locked up front for sand and mud but I don't ever deal with snow.almost never....

December 15, 2004

go with the front first, when your hubs arent locked it wont affect your steering. and in my opinion if your off road you might as well lock it in 4 because when you realy need 4 wheel your on the side of a hill or your hubs are under water (or mud). Just my opinion.