FRONT AND REAR?

OPTING for either a front or rear locker ultimately depends on the type of vehicle and the equipment already installed. For example, some vehicles have a limited-slip differential (LSD) from factory, and therefore it may be a wise decision to opt for a locker in the front and leave the rear unchanged. For vehicles with open differentials, a rear locker is by far the more popular choice, as it’s more suitable to a diverse range of off-roading situations.

“If the vehicle only has open differentials we typically recommend a rear, which will be more effective when off-road hill climbing,” said Sebastian Civitarese. “If the vehicle has a factory LSD in the rear, it is a much better solution to install an Elocker in the front and retain the LSD in the rear.”

According to Mark Berger, rear lockers will give you best bang for buck, as the rear suspension will flex more and keep in contact with the ground, keeping that all-important momentum going. However, front lockers aren’t without their benefits, as Berger explained: “A front locker is perfect for climbing hills or pulling you through the last bit of a bog-hole or over a rock ledge. But front lockers can also restrict your steering ability when weight is over the front axle (i.e. flat ground and downhill), so you have to be careful when you use them.”

A third – and more effective – option is to install lockers on both the front and rear differentials.

“Why can’t we just have both?” asked Berger. “A locker on one axle will improve your four-wheel drive from 50 per cent drive to 75 per cent drive, while installing lockers on both differentials will provide you with 100 per cent drive.”