Do I need Lockers?

I went to the Cape in 2011, I did not have lockers, however, I did twist a rear half shaft which go replaced under warranty. Traction control is good, however, we did the OTT north to south, and Nolan's and Mistake creek were are bit of a challenge. Mistake because of the very steep exit, and Nolan's for the very loose bottom - we did not get stuck, but plenty of people do. Warranty is not much good if you drown your car. We had 33" KM2's and had to use momentum and lots of right foot to get up some of the exits. We went to a remote national park on the way up - 4 hour drive off the main road (best place on the Cape IMHO) a couple of the dry creek exits were pretty tough, took quite a few goes to get back out, if it had been just a bit wet, then it would be Maxtraks and the hand winch.

I fitted the ATB lockers front and rear and upgraded half shafts for my next trip out west, and a SD rollcage. We travel solo, want to be as far away from other people as possible. We also carry a lot of weight. With the lockers, I've found now I can just idle up the steep exits with much less risk of damaging anything.

We did the Birdsville track just after the floods, would not have made it without the Tru-track lockers in the Discovery.

So, you don't need lockers for the Cape ( you can bypass Nolans and Mistake) but if you have the money, and want some insurance and to give the missus a bit more peace of mind when you drive into a creek, then get the ATBs and upgrade the half shafts.

Again, I agree with the last statement. Traction control is great. But is in no way a replacement of lockers. It does not perform the same function. If you are in a situation where the traction control is "functioning" then you have already lost traction. It is entirely possible that you will not regain traction and fail to complete the obstacle.

There is the added issue that traction control can cause some shock loading on your drive line when it functions as you lose and regain traction. This can be a whole lot more detrimental to your drive line than lockers. Again, this is taking into consideration that the lockers are used correctly and with caution. Things like, turning them on BEFORE you attempt an obstacle, not while you are on it.

I go back to the example of not regaining traction, this will also cause more damage not just to your vehicle, but to the track as well. I can't comment enough on the fact we as a community apparently subscribe to the "Tread Lightly" theory, but then go out a flog our trucks up\through\down an obstacle until we're through.

If you are going somewhere and the thought "should I have lockers installed for this trip" pops into your head, I reckon it's quite likely you will. Better safe than sorry really. No point going out and wrecking your truck and the tracks. If you can afford it, I say go for it! If you can't then you may need to find alternatives (read: Chicken Tracks) to the way you would "like" to go.

In the end, just my opinion really.

Chris

P.S. I have seen a number of people installing Tru-Track LSD's front and rear, this seems to work especially well with traction control. So not knocking traction control, it can't definitely help.

you dont need lockers for the cape we did it last year in a bog standard puma with the factory tyres on pulling a ton of camper.....we did nolands, and logans a lot of it is all about how you drive..

the biggest thing I believe you should have is winch, then tyres as I said we did it in the general grabbers.

we had to use the winch to winch out of palm creek on the other side (but so did the D4 that had big tyres and muddies, may of also had an E diff cant remember now)...because it had been raining and all the wood that the dumb dumbs had placed in the rutted holes prevented the car from doing what it needed to do, had they have not been there we all believed the traction control would of walked the cars out. but holes and wet wood are not a good mix.

I personally dont believe you ahve to get bigger tyres either there seems to be a trend that if you change your tyres you have to put 33/35s on..yes they have their advantages but its not a necessity IMHO.

Just in repsonse to better to have lockers for travelling through Nolands etc....when we stopped to talk to the campers at the highlight points of the OTT it appeared that most of the people that drowned or seriously damaged their cars were the ones that had spent a lot of money tricking their cars up before hand..so im talking lockers the lot...so just because you have lockers doesnt mean your not going to get in trouble...I also believe that they can install false confidence in people....the good thing about having a car that you know has limitations is you drive more cautiously and perhaps rationalise your decisions better. You perhaps dont put your cars in to silly situations in the first place.

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Originally Posted by dullbird

.......I also believe that they can install false confidence in people....the good thing about having a car that you know has limitations is you drive more cautiously and perhaps rationalise your decisions better. You perhaps dont put your cars in to silly situations in the first place.

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Totally agree with your statement, I had a dual cab Hilux for 5 years with no winch, no bull bar, no lockers but with one tirfor. Yes I got stack a few times but I had to think where i was going.
Save your money for good Tyres and good lights.
Cheers

Couldn't agree with the above posts more.
How do you think people got around before there were lockers? ;)
It's as much about how you drive, as what you drive.

Mr Muppet... Great question!

Technical driving is the best IMHO and really makes driving interesting as you would know!

All those stating that "once you need TC it's already too late..."

Well I don't know many with lockers who turn them on *until* it's too late either.


Learning to pick lines, suitable tyre pressures and throttle and gear choices is FAR more important than lockers.

G-day everyone, I'am interested in these posts as I still have a lot of mods to make to my MY11 Defender for solo touring. Still to do is a winch & draw system.
The "idea" of locked diff/s interests me a lot as I can see benefits for sure but I'am a little unsure of the benefit to locked diff/s on a steep & loose descent. In my very limited experience with steep & loose descents the factors of gravity/weight & poor grip are the real problem ( same as going up hill really ) so if I have my diff/s locked but the tyres cannot maintain a purchase on the surface would I not still be changing my shorts at the bottom:no2:. As I said I have limited experience & would be happy for the education of those more experienced. Regards Chris.

P.S: what are our thoughts on a 9000lb Warn winch for the Defender.

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Originally Posted by Bess

G-day everyone, I'am interested in these posts as I still have a lot of mods to make to my MY11 Defender for solo touring. Still to do is a winch & draw system.
The "idea" of locked diff/s interests me a lot as I can see benefits for sure but I'am a little unsure of the benefit to locked diff/s on a steep & loose descent. In my very limited experience with steep & loose descents the factors of gravity/weight & poor grip are the real problem ( same as going up hill really ) so if I have my diff/s locked but the tyres cannot maintain a purchase on the surface would I not still be changing my shorts at the bottom:no2:. As I said I have limited experience & would be happy for the education of those more experienced. Regards Chris.

P.S: what are our thoughts on a 9000lb Warn winch for the Defender.

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From my limited understanding, having lockers for slippery down hill sections means you're less likely to have on wheel slip and skew you off course, and if all the wheels are rotating at the same speeds it will tend to steer you straighter. Probably also handy to have drive to all 4 wheels if you need a quick adjustment.
That's just my limited take on it :D

9000lb should be okay, unless you're really fossilized.

Thanks Phantom, That makes sense even if the tyres are all struggling to maintain grip they are all at least doing the same thing so I should have better control. I guess there's a chance that at least one wheel may find purchase & start to control the descent even more. Thanks for your input.:)

Lockers for downhill should only be the rear locker...