Aussie locker in the snow

[Ganders]

So last June I put in a Aussie locker up front. Did my research and read all of the You'll shoot your eye out, I mean all the you can't drive that in the snow stories. So it snowed a bit here yesterday and decided to try it out. Combination of snow covered gravel and paved roads.
Does it under steer in 4 wheel? Yes, but nothing unmanageable. You just need to be aware of whats going on, you know like you should be driving in the snow. As you'd expect its worse going up hill around a turn under power. And doing donuts. Overall it was better than driving in 2 wheel when the back end keep trying to pass the front end.
And yes it really helps off-road.

 

[Sunder]

A person in our Jeep club feels the same way. So much so that he installed another Aussie up front in his new vehicle...after he spun out and flipped his old one merging onto the highway in winter. He still believes the Aussie locker had nothing to do with it.

I used to have a lunchbox up front. I had no major issues with it in snow for several years. Then 1 day it completely spun me around. When it works - it works great. The issue is when it engages when you're not expecting it to.
Granted - it was a freak incident on major black ice, and most vehicles were in the ditch that day.

I honestly hope you never change your mind on auto-lockers in the front on snow/ice.
(meaning you never experience any issues/accidents - no hidden sarcasm or attack)

Combination of snow covered gravel and paved roads.

If you can tell what kind of road is underneath, then you shouldn't have any problems.

 

[astjp2]

I put a lockrite in my CJ in Alaska in 1997, it chattered when traction was different when braking in the winter but was awesome to play in the snow with

 

[Halfstock]

In my 94 YJ several years back, I put a Spartan lunchbox locker in the Dana 30 in the front. I'd had an 8.8 LSD in the rear for a few years with very nice road manners all year around...until the Spartan in the front!

I'm in North Idaho, and most roads are curved on inclined slopes, so you're powering through corners...a certified disaster in ice/snow in 4wd with a lunchbox in the front!

My YJ became a 3 season rig after installing the Spartan. Never again!

My 98 TJ, I went selectable in the front with an Ox Locker. Pure joy in the winter!

I like LSD's in the rear for a lot of reasons, especially snow, so I went Auburn Ected in the rear. Very nice solution. No regrets.

 

[xxdabroxx]

I think it would be more of an issue on icy surfaces than on fresh snow alone. Can't go wrong with a locker on fresh powder. Ice without chains is going to be problematic no matter what though.

 

[JMT]

I've had my PowerTrax on the snow and some ice a few times now in east WA, I'm listening to you @Halfstock. So far it is just ok, I am not convinced it will be safe. I rarely get over 35mph in these conditions and that is the highest speed limit in Spokane year round, so I may be ok. When I find a grand laying around I'll divvy up for a selectable Eaton

 

[Halfstock]

Beware that PowerTrax with compact snow on the South Hill!

Don't ask me how I know!