I just got back from a little camping and wheeling trip to up American Fork Canyon here in Utah. Some pics for your viewing pleasure!





The Taco Pics are my friend Ryan's rig. He just got a 2.5 inch lift and 33's, and we were testin er out. Can you tell who has a locker and who doesnt! Let me just tell you: It's me. Oh well. I was still pretty impressed with the "flex" that my front end was getting here; it wasn't enough to keep my tires from spinning, but with some help from the stupid pedal I got up just fine. The tires were a BIG help in the crossed up, loose rock hill climb. What I wasn't impressed with was how hard it was to get through to rock garden with out stopping and starting all the time. So, here comes the question.

Next mod- In the not so near future- rear locker or tera lows?

Rock sliders <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

After that, its a toss up. I have a rear locker and Tera Lows and they are both equally worthwhile mods... just for different reasons. Buy either one and you will be happy; and you will still want the other one ASAP <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Those Destination Mt's are cool looking tires. I was looking at them at one time, but they don't come bigger than 33s.

Gears or locker huh? To me, depends on how much low speed rock crawling you do. Gearing is definately beneficial there. Rear locker is beneficial everywhere, except on road in the snow (although I think its fun there too)

Btw, I had my cb antenna mounted in same exact spot. You will have to move it when you get 35's <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Not having either, i would have to say the one i would like the most is a rear locker. Slipping and sliding all the way up muddy hills sucks. And itd be easy for you to get, having the D44...
Rock sliders are next on MY list though...
-J <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />

Being that I have both and tried them both at the same time. I'd say there both about the same. And they make a great combo <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. I really really like the gears though, what a difference!!!!!!! Before we had to rev up my troop then dump the clutch, which made the troop bounce around ....alot!!! Just ask the people that seen it at uwharrie <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/ignore.gif" alt="" />. Now I can just idle over pretty much anything at idle. But the locker also helps out alot too. I've only tried it with th gears and locker in 2wd, and It does pretty good for just being in 2wd. once I get my front gears in and/or front locker its going to be great <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />. Ether will work but gearing helps alot to me. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

Well, if any of you have doubted the prophetic abilities of the moderators on this forum, I bring you proof now.


I discovered this when going out last night. I'm guessing it happened in the rock garden on the way down, Just 100 yards from the end of the trail. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/angry.gif" alt="" />
I knew this was a possibility, I just thought I beat the odds. Rocksliders it is then. Or tie rods, because mine are now round and NOT possible to adjust for alignment. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Oh and that leak? That's antifreeze, it's been leaking for awhile, but in the last month the leak has gotten much worse. I have posted another thread if anyone will help me trace it. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I agree that Rock Bars would be a very good mod to do next - but, keeping between the two items in your question...




It's a really tough call.

A Locker will significantly improve your traction capabilities. --- A set of Tera Lows will drastically improve your ability to control whatever amount of traction you have available.

Having one-or-the-other (either one) would be a considerable improvement over stock...
Having BOTH just plain flat-out ROCKS! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />


<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I'd go with the gears its alot easier to crawl over the stuff (at your pace) than to bounce over it (at vehicle pace)plus its easier to see where your going when your not bouncing so high, of course both would be nice.

I vote locker after the sliders. I don't care how slow you go, if you can't get traction you aren't going anywhere.

The locker can also help you to move more slowly through terrain, because you don't always need momentum to get you through.

The gears are a definate advantage, especially with the manual trans. With an auto, I wouldn't hesitate to get the locker first though. In the end you want both.

Of course after a couple of years even the terra lows aren't low enough <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

EDIT: Something to consider with rear locker when choosing, is that an auto locker (Detroit, lockright, etc) will tend to cause the vehicle to slide around more in slippery situations, such as side hilling in mud, muddy hills or icey roads. You learn to deal with it, but it something to consider when choosing.

<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />
Mike

Here is some white hot sat imagrey from that area. Cool huh?

Image