Is the ARB rear locker worth adding to my build?

[Tapatio]

Originally Posted by SFfranky

Is the rear locker necessary?

A Sportsmobile is not necessary but we all felt the need to buy one....

The standard Dynatrac D60 comes standard with a trac-lok limited slip differential so for most situations you should be good. It all depends on where you want to explore and how far you are willing to push your SMB. If you are planning on going places that have a lot of steep off-camber situations I would add a rear locker. You can never have enough traction, especially with a 4-5 ton rig.

some previous discussions on this topic

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=45

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=12227

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=10466


I would want front/rear locker for this trail



Front locker with limited slip rear for this trail

[macmcintire]

I have an ARB rear locker. It works wonderfully in deep sand but horribly in deep snow. Some mechanical savvy person can probably tell you why.

[SFfranky]

Wont my SMB be limited slip in the rear whenever the rear locker is not engaged?

Frank

[geoffff]

Congrats on the new SMB! I share your passion for off-the-beaten-path camping and avoiding campgrounds.

I have limited slip on the rear, and ARB locker on the front.

For the kind of travel I like -- rough/deteriorated roads, beach sand -- I am totally happy with this setup, and have never wished I had a locker in the rear.

-- Geoff

[rob_gendreau]

My limited slip is basically wearing out, I've noticed. Just had the van up on some bumps at Carnegie and found I had 2WD...bummer.

Probably when I have to do some other work I'll consider a locker. I would probably go with a rear, though; the rear of my van is significantly heavier, so that's where I want traction (especially going uphill), and I'd prefer not having it on steering wheels, especially since steering in my van stinks anyway.

But necessary? No.

[Pntyrmvr]

Originally Posted by macmcintire

It works wonderfully in deep sand but horribly in deep snow.

Hi;

My experience with any setup that has both rear wheels locked together in deep snow is that once both tires are spinning the vehicle loses traction sideways and slides downhill on even the smallest slopes. Sand would limit this lack of sideways traction.

The trick is to avoid spinning the tires. A difficult task in warmer snow conditions where the moisture content of the snow acts like a lubricant. Many times I have left a stuck 2wd during daylight and returned at night to drive right out. The colder snow has less moisture and more traction.

Regards,

Gavin

[macmcintire]

Interesting. Thanks Gavin!

[E350]

Gavin knows snow. Look at his album.

Hey Gavin is that the aftermath of a propane explosion in the van in the following picture in your album?

"Wed May 02, 2012 4:58 am"

[Pntyrmvr]

Hi;

Yes that's a photo from my album. It was a plumber's van and it was an acetylene tank that leaked out and caused all that damage.

Sorry to hijack a rear locker post!

Regards,

Gavin

[ANZAC]

Originally Posted by Pntyrmvr

Hi;

Yes that's a photo from my album. It was a plumber's van and it was an acetylene tank that leaked out and caused all that damage.

Sorry to hijack a rear locker post!

Regards,

Gavin

Tell me more about the acetylene tank issue. I have one sitting in my garage I haven't used in years.