LOL, I've heard about your balls to the wall open diff methods... You'd definitely save your drivetrain some heartache by having a locker.

After wheeling our Montero Sport in a serious way today, I'd say for SURE get a locker.

I could have run just about any trail if I had been locked up at least in the rear. With out ANY traction aiding device, I was forced to use a strap a few times and use the stupid pedal WAY too much for my liking. WHere I could finesse my Grand Cherokee with open diffs, the IFS just didn't cut it open/open. I made it work, but let's just say it wasn't very pretty!


Go for the locker! For SURE!!

Yeah, I walked right up but I figured it was the spotter. You know, a good spotter can get you places! I would go locker first obviously. I'm thinking a winch first only if you do a lot of solo wheeling. Dough, I would also think about a rev limiter if I was you... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

man, i'm just glad you've got your rig back into shape to take it wheeling again!!

along with all your other mods you've got planned, eventually you'll want both a winch and lockers ... but for now i realize you're contemplating a first priority

i usually have a different philosophy than others do, so i'm not surprised i do on this one, too

i choose winch first

i use my winch on almost every offroad outing, just to keep it in use ... more often than not i use it to help someone else who is stuck, remove a downed tree from the trail, or whatever ... i even have used it with a snatch-block recently to pull my cross-member back into position during a trail run

i don't see the use of a winch as a negative thing, or wimping out or a hassle, in fact mine is usually hooked up and ready to use during all offroad activity

between the winch and the locker, the winch seems to be the selfless first choice for a trail master, because it is a tool that will be used to help others

i've wheeled all up and down the east coast with an open/open rig gaining experience at selecting lines that do not require a locker ... i bypass or winch through stuff that absolutely requires a locker ... when i do get lockers i'll be the better for having been schooled without them

because you wish to use your rig as a daily driver, it makes sense when you do get a rear locker that you get the ARB rather than weld it, because the welded unit is less safe onroad

man it would be a hassle wrenching on your welded third member every time you want to wheel

however, even when you have the locker you will still get into situations where you'll be glad you have the winch ... just ask Lloyd about Hole-N-The Rock: broken left CV axle, ARB air pump o-ring not holding and no spare, loose uphill rock climb, without his winch we'd probably still be there

Simple, Work a little harder/longer, and get both!!!!
Does your email work??
Kary

I do have to say that for some reason most people that wheel (at least in the U.S.) don't use their winches near enough if so equipped. I personally like the control you have with a winch. Less likely to cause vehicular damage like you can with a snatch strap. Winches are nice and smooth and don't jar the vehicle when used to get past an obstacle.

For most of the wheeling I do, a winch would never be needed if you had one end of your rig locked.

Kary,

Yeah as long as the overtime keeps coming, I will still take it. But it is the Navy, and you never know when the over time will dry up. We can work three or four weeks of twelve hour days and weekend over time, and then BAM it is done, and you wont get another single hour of over time for weeks. Hopefully they keep giving it to us. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

The email still works, dhamel@eden.rutgers.edu. I get email from alot of people, so it should work. But Guy can never email me, maybe it is conspiracy. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

That is a tough descision. To me, logically I say go with a winch first if you have atleast a LSD, and ALWAYS go for a winch before adding a front locker, which most here seem to except. BUT, with open diffs you are severely limited in capability, and relegated to sevier vehicle punishment, easy lines, bi-passes, lots of strapping, ect. Sure, a winch saves vehicle abuse BIGTIME, but will that really stop you from atleast making some full throttle efforts? Spooling out cable and dragging it up the hill does use energy, and can be frustrating. At the same time with that 5:29 in hand it seems silly to pay a diff shop to set the rear end up twice, and it would seem to make more sense to get the front 5:29 first and do the locker at the same time from a dollars and sense standpoint. Although, pulling the rear diff is quite easy. With open diffs though, my vote would have to be rear locker first.

I am not open open, the rig has lsd. But it is the same thing to me, an lsd will only get you so far. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" />

Well, I would say go with the locker first then a winch down the road. Lets just say having a locker, you feel like you can do certain tough obsticals and feel really good about it. Having more confidence knowing you have the locker and not feeling weak by using the winch to get through something that the locker would allow you to cruise over and not having to FLOOR your way up everything! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" /> Had to throw that in somewhere, j/k tho <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" />

But dont get my wrong, I'm getting a winch now and I'm sure it will come in handy when the time comes to get that extra tug or pull up something. But I would try for a locker first, its nice knowing your vehicle can do it without anything or anyones help <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

later,
Angelo