now, I know from time to time the question pops up about lincoln locking the front 10-bolt IFS and I'm usually one of the first to offer the general consensus of this is a bad idea, but hear me out... can there be a time and a place for taking your welder to one of these?

I've been slowly (read: a steady Randii pace) working on our '89 Trooper RS which we love to much to part with even now that its been retired from daily driving. With my Rodeo on deck, I don't need another monster project, so the direction the RS has been taking is to become a bottom dollar, very capable, 33" tire class, weekend warrior... to double as backup play toy while the Rodeo is out of comission on larger projects.

With those parameters, i've already decided to work with the IFS on 33x12.50's tires, weld the rear 12-bolt, and strengthen up the front with a possible 2" drop axle and some heavier duty tie rods or shieldz.

So, with the short wheelbase of the RS combined with the 33" tires, I think she'll pack the needed punch on moderate trails, but she'll need to be locked... the rear at a minimum. Now, we all know the benefit of adding in the second locker, but does that extra performance come at too much of a cost with the fragile CVs?

Whats your take? I won't be putting out the coin for an ARB. An Aussie would be in the realm of possible, but my experience with that style locker in the front application is they almost rarely ever unlock on the trail, so really, how much less dangerous would that be? my driving style is pretty subdued, and I'll accept failure, but I do want her to hold together for the most part on moderate trails with a moderate right foot.

Since I don't have any garage time right now... I'll take opinions?

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-Rob