Limited slip or locker?

[LONGJP2]

How often are you driving icy, off-camber, mountain shelf roads?

I had multiple spotters recommend turning lockers off on the Rubicon Trail to keep from getting sideways.
The quartz dust can make the rock surface slippery.

 

[Tob]

Like he said. A wheel that isn't spinning has its tire treads gripping a surface. That can make the difference in not slipping sideways downhill when the other is spinning.

If both are slipping then gravity can influence the vehicle since it isn't anchored.it is floating and imparting force in a direction. think of both wheels spinning as being like a boat on water. The propeller is pushing it but not much is stopping the wind from pushing you off course and making you correct for it

@UKTJ this whole discussion boils down to the fact that the static coefficient of friction is greater than its corresponding kinetic coefficient of friction.

Thus, a wheel that is not slipping against a surface has more grip than a wheel that is slipping against a surface. In a slippery off-camber situation, grip is of crucial importance.

As for the OP, I’d recommend the selectable locker(s).

 

[spiccolli]

I have to disagree with Jerry based on where you are wheeling in BC and suggest selectable lockers. In off camber situations when it's slick due to mud, snow, or loose rock a locker can draw you downhill and being able to unlock is the key to getting through or back out.

Wondering about mechanical front/rear and staying in 2wd in the snow. I'm in AZ and I think it would be pretty cool to do some wheelin up north in the winter where we do get snow and ice - sometimes a lot! Would the front wheels help to prevent the downhill draw by staing in 2? Thanks!

 

[jjvw]

I had multiple spotters recommend turning lockers off on the Rubicon Trail to keep from getting sideways.
The quartz dust can make the rock surface slippery.

Which is my point of understanding the potential of what can happen and why so you can better react effectively to it.

Regardless, the fear of lockers possibly slipping the rig sideways is overblown. Especially when compared to how often those very same lockers keep you from getting stuck in the first place.

 

[UKTJ]

To what end does it matter? One way or another, you need traction. If you can't get enough traction with lockers, you need different tires, a winch, or a second rig to drag you out.

Not sure where you are heading. A statement was made regarding the behaviour of a locked axle in slick, muddy conditions. I merely asked questions to try and better understand that statement. Can you expamd on the pojnt you are making?

 

[UKTJ]

Which is my point of understanding the potential of what can happen and why so you can better react effectively to it.

Regardless, the fear of lockers possibly slipping the rig sideways is overblown. Especially when compared to how often those very same lockers keep you from getting stuck in the first place.

OK. To summarise my understanding from the thread.
1. An automatic locker is better than no locker more often than not, but in some situations can be a disadvantage and result in being pulled down a slope.
2. A selectable locker is the best option, because when a locked diff is best you can switch it on and when an open diff is better you can switch it off - albeit the frequency of the latter is not universally agreed upon.
3. Unless one tyre has some grip even turning the locker off won't help, or put another way turni g the licker off won't create grip where it doesn't already exist.

 

[reddvltj]

Wondering about mechanical front/rear and staying in 2wd in the snow. I'm in AZ and I think it would be pretty cool to do some wheelin up north in the winter where we do get snow and ice - sometimes a lot! Would the front wheels help to prevent the downhill draw by staing in 2? Thanks!

In a word, no!

Being in 2wd will actually make it worse, with or with out a locker in the rear. Why? Because the front tires are helping to pull the vehicle (and rear tires) down the trail. The fronts are also the only ones with directional control (unless you have rear steer) so you can turn slightly uphill to try to compensate for gravity pulling down on a side hill. (On that note, too much steering input can also make side slippage worse). There are things that can't be taught you have to experience/feel the way your Jeep reacts. Find someone who has experience and go wheeling!!

 

[steelhd]

Wondering about mechanical front/rear and staying in 2wd in the snow. I'm in AZ and I think it would be pretty cool to do some wheelin up north in the winter where we do get snow and ice - sometimes a lot! Would the front wheels help to prevent the downhill draw by staing in 2? Thanks!

In 2WD you are probably more prone to the rear sliding of the road.