questions about lockers...

[jmyers73]

i have a 2003 X SE 2x4 with the open diff. that i bought in GA. i recently moved "back" to PA where winters can be brutal and have some great back roads.
i am not a big 4 wheeling fanatic but i do like having the security of extra traction if needed (for snow, mud, back roads, fields, etc). my 2x4 does ok, but have had more than one occassion where i needed 4WD to get out of a sticky situation cause of rain or snow.

my questions are:
i am a newbie to lockers and am not very mechanical, so excuse my ignorance...can i get air lockers for both front and rear axles even if i have a 2x4 or do i need the 4x4 drivetrain to use lockers on the front?

if i get the lockers installed, would i need to look at a larger alternator or battery back up since the compressor would be pulling an extra 12V or would the factory equipment work ok?

i have looked at a limited slip diff. also but like the idea of the lockers. has anyone had any problems with lockers that could pass some information on?

and last, when looking for a mechanic, are there any certain questions that i could ask to ensure i get someone who knows what they are doing and doesnt screw up my X?

any other helpful info would be great.

thanks!

[Schludwiller]

You can only get a locker for your rear axle as you don't have drive shafts up front with a 2wd. No you don't need any electrical upgrades as there is minimal draw to run the air compressor when you run the locker (not like inflating big like a tire or anything).

Members in our club have gone by word of mouth on who is good or bad for installs. You might try your local 4x4 shop, or ARB might be able to direct you to someone trustworthy.

A locked 4x2 can be very capable if you know how to use it correctly.

[OffroadX]

Aw c'mon Schlud, it's not a matter of missing drive shafts, there's no front diff to put a locker in in the first place in a 4x2.

A locked rear can also be a handful in snow and slippery conditions. Given the choice, I'd take an open-diffed 4x4 over a locked 4x2 in the snow any day.

If you are interested in an LSD, a friend of mine has an extra one that I modified to perform much better than the factory one (same as I've done to mine). He never got around to installing it before he suddenly had to sell his X.

Brent

[jmyers73]

ok. this brings up another question:
since i am only able to get lockers for the back, would a limit slip diff. do just about the same job? it just wouldnt be manual (with a button in the cabin), it will just happen automatically? or are there other pros and cons that i need to know?

if thats the case, brent, i might be interested in the diff. your friend has....

we can discuss that through email if so.

[Schludwiller]

Originally Posted by OffroadX

Aw c'mon Schlud, it's not a matter of missing drive shafts, there's no front diff to put a locker in in the first place in a 4x2.

I was looking at it as there were no driveshafts to "lock".

[OffroadX]

An LSD, especially the modified one I can point you to, will make a difference, but it doesn't "lock" like a locker. Think of it this way, an LSD is "locked" initially, and takes a certain amount of torque difference from one wheel to the other before it unlocks. The factory Xterra one initially called for 150 ft-lbs. (give or take 30) before one tire started spinning, and was later reduced to about 50 (useless). The modified one is built to the older Pathfinder spec of over 250 ft-lbs. of breakaway torque.
The higher the breakaway torque, the more inclined the rear will be to misbehave on slick surfaces, but the more it will be able to take advantage of available traction. An ARB really can't offer more than an LSD in winter conditions, there's just not enough traction for it to work like it's really meant to, and I don't imagine you would be out off-road in conditions where a locker would really be needed over what a good LSD can do for you.
Mind you, if the traction is really low, a tight LSD like this one would result in both rear tires spinning, getting you nowhere while possibly causing the rear to fishtail, whereas an open diff will spin one tire getting you nowhere, but the other tire at least provides an "anchor" to keep the rear planted laterally. Being mindful of this and feathering the throttle appropriately can make the best of things.

If you're interested the LSD, my friend near Baltimore and is looking to get about $150 for it. He has a complete third-member that normally you could swap in your driveway with no special tools or techniques, except it's from a 4x4 and doesn't have the ABS sensor built into it like the 4x2, so you will have to have a professional shop swap the LSD unit from it into your third member and re-adjust the gear backlash and pre-load again. You should be able to find a shop that can do it for $200 or less.

Brent

[OffroadX]

Interested in the LSD?

[jmyers73]

i think i'm going to pass on the LSD, offroad X. i decided to go with the lockers. thanks.