For the past two weeks I have been working 70-80 hour weeks, so now I have some cash to burn.

I am stuck on which to buy, a winch, or buy a locker.

I have a guy at work that can install the locker for free. So I dont have to worry about setup cost.

A locker will get me alot further on trails. But a winch will save alot of heart ache.

I could probally get a winch, and then find an open 3rd member, and weld that sucker up and swap it in on trail days. Atleast until I get the cash to complete my 5.29 set.

I thought about selling my front 5.29... but it only fits auto rigs, 92-94, dont think I would end up with any buyers. So I am set on running the eventually.

If you had the choice between the two, what would you buy?

I am looking at a 9000 or 10500 mile marker hydro. No electric, if I sink up to the snorkel there is no hope anyhow.

Traditional thought say's...

Locker 1st, Winch 2nd.

Plus a locker will be cheaper overall w/ a buddy who can install it.

A winch will require fabrication and the purchase of various fittings (unless you have connections for that too... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />)

Another plus for a locker is you don't have to get out, and run to the nearest anchor to use it, then spool it back in. I'm sure that would get old real quick. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Yes, I know $$$ wise. But I could pull my truck up obstacles with a winch, that I couldnt do with two lockers. And although you shouldnt wheel alone, I do, and it might save my arse now and then.

Then again, having an arb would be way nice. I wouldnt need to beat the snot out of the truck so much.

By the way, I just me with east coaster who had good things to say about you.. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh keep it down. I dont want to ruin my bad boy image. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

What is he doing out in your neck of the woods?

Hee, hee... how about your... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" />

He's out here visiting friends and his folks.

Ray

I'd definitely go the rear locker first.
Then I'd go the winch, with twin lockers by the time you get stuck you will need the winch as most likely no-one will be able to help you out. My winch has mostly been used since I got the front Detroit because when I'm stuck I'M REALLY STUCK !!! Tyres are my issue now...........
The dilemna you have is the 5.29's and fitment of a front locker.
Aki in Japan has just converted his Gen 2 swb front 5.29 (same size as yours) to a Gen 1 V6 front diff. He bought a Gen 1 V6 wreck that was used for some short course work and found it already had 5.29's with a front lsd !!! How lucky is that !!! Anyway the Gen 1 front diff went in quite easily (drill a few more holes and plug the active trac vacuum lines) and has the lsd (he already has rear 5.29 with factory locker). He knows the front ARB will bolt straight in at a later date.
You have to decide what you want to do with your build up.

Locker, then get a high lift jack. 2 for 1 man!

Locker...but...

Unfortunately, most people don't know about the hazards of winching until it is too late (present company excluded)...nor do they know about proper care and feeding of a winch. A poorly maintained winch used improperly is like pointing a loaded gun at yourself and pulling the trigger.

I have several winches, and here's what I would suggest:

1. If you buy used, send it to get a CERTIFIED clean bill of health from one of the winch manufacturer's authorized service centers. This includes solenoids (if electric) and cable (unless you are using RockStomper Rope) or buy a new cable that has been certified by the manufacturer as being free of defects at the rated load for the winch and have the service center spool it onto your drum under load.

2. Winch mounting instructions come with fastener torque specifications. Use them. Once a year. Paint mark your bolts across one flat and the mounting point. Inspect the paint marks BEFORE going out on the trail EACH TIME and retorque any fasteners that have moved.

3. Diesel fuel is your friend. Unspool your cable into an oil drain pan (the kind that holds 3 gallons and has a drain spout)and fill the pan with diesel until the cable is fully submerged. Leave it this way for 24 hours, then drain off the excess diesel. Wait another 24 hours and drain off the diesel again, then install your cable. Do this once a year.

4. Properly installed and stretched winch cable will lay flat on the ground when you pull it out. Cable that has not been stretched will coil up into a hairy mess. a 100' 5/16 wire rope can stretch eight feet under tension.
Stretch your cable by spooling out all except five turns and attaching to an anchor point. Back your vehicle away until the cable is under tension, set your parking brake, and leave your truck that way for 24 hours. Come back, tighten the cable by either backing up or spooling onto the drum, leave it another 24 hours. Repeat one more time for a total of three (3) days, then spool it on. It will lay flat when unspooled.

5. Buy a Danforth anchor rated for the same load as your winch. You may get out there and have nothing to which you can anchor...and it beats burying the spare.

6. Buy a "recovery kit"...consists of a snatch block, a tree strap (which is different than a recovery strap), two
(2) "D" shackles, a towing chain, and leather gloves.

So...to sum up...buy a locker and a recovery strap UNLESS you are willing to make the full committment (proper winch, proper training and technique, proper maintenance, healthy battery/charging system (if electric), etc.

There's nothing worse than a cable breaking or a planetary set fragging right in the middle of a recovery. Property gets damaged and people get injured...or killed.

Rob in Hell

Hey Doug, join the club! I've worked three 15 hour days in a row this week. UPS is trying to kill me. But I'm heading down to your neck of the woods (meadowlands) every day next week, which is good duty, so I'll catch up on my beauty sleep.

Go for the ARB first. It can't be that hard to install yourself, after all you've done so far, and just remember how easy Charlie walked up that Killer Ledge on Tunnel Road last year! Made it look like nothing, after we had to balls-to-the-wall it.