Well, here are my impressions, categorized by road surface, hub position/t-case position: (this is a genI, 4d, front and rear lsd's, 33" muds with 2000kms on them)
-On icy roads in 2wd hubs/locked on the highway, it is downright dangerous, IMHO, and I will unlock the hubs next time I encounter said conditions. But on dry roads (AGAIN with hubs locked in 2wd) there is a little bit of feedback from the wheel, but no big change in handling.
-On icy roads in 2wd/hubs UNlocked there is ZERO handling effect.
-On snowy roads in 4WD/Hubs locked handling is predictable, and though slighly twitchy in turns, once you learn to modulate the throttle properly, it handles fine.
-OFFROAD... well, let's just say its a night and day difference. I've only tested it on snowy trails yet, but it was equal and sometimes better than a front locker for hill climbs. Turning radius is affected, but hey, that's why you have reverse... overall it made a huge difference to my truck's capability in the snow...
Having said all this, it appears I lucked out with a very tight unit, and I did not, nor do I intend to put friction modifier in the diff oil. If this was a daily driver I probably would, but for driving to the trail, its fine.
PHIL
The very first thing I noticed was that I accidentally had my hubs locked. In 2wd, dry pavement, it was really scary. It did not want to turn, then suddenly.... Whammo! tip into the turn. Pretty spooky the first time it happened. Dan (HMD) was behind me on our way in to Marble on the first day of the Co. trip. I think he got a good laugh, as I got a close up of the grill of a Ford Superduty.
On the trail, I did not notice anything, hubs locked or unlocked. It drove no different than any other 4x4 I've ever owned. (disclaimer about the monty just plain ole' being better than any other 4x4 I've owned, but just for reference of the topic. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />)
About halfway through the trip, I asked why nobody got out to unlock their hubs when we'd get back to the highway, for the the trip back to camp. I was informed that I was the only one with my hubs locked <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> Anyhow, by that time I had gotten used to the way it drove on pavement. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />
