[Gwagensteve]

Almost 12 months - that's quite a dig you've done there.

[greenzook89]

12 months without 'Dan. Bliss.

[Gwagensteve]

Seems like only yesterday.

[CalZook]

Aww I got all excited when I saw this thread again!
Was good for the laughs

[Myles]

Ahaha couldn't help myself. Such a good read

[ak47]

In fear of starting this up again... yes, I have just read it all. I seem to be in a similar situation to original poster.
Have bought a car (96 coily) that has the rear Spartan auto locker in, I clearly have come to the zook from a car that is unlocked and am occasionally suffering from the bang mentioned. I will admit my complete ignorance and say I am very new to air lockers. Took the zook for a fun time on the beach, and it was great, however, around town get the occasional bang and feels a bit uncontrolled cornering (it’s been a while since I have driven a zook, so highly likely it is also user error ). This car will mostly be a daily driver and very very occasionally used for adventuring (sorry). From what I have read, in my situation I would be best to remove the Spartan autolocker???
Thanks to any and all who reply (differing opinions expected...)

[sideways]

Yeah I'd certainly look at removing it for that use.

I've had the lockrite in the back of the LJ for 7 years and I also have a spartan in the front of my Sierra. Overall if set up right I think they're much better behaved than people make out. Personally I probably wouldn't fit an autolocker in the rear of a street driven 4wd again but I'd certainly be happy to have one in the front of anything with part time 4wd/free wheeling hubs.

[Gwagensteve]

I broadly agree with you there Sideways, except about running one in the front. In our local terrain, a front auto locker is such a disadvantage 95% the time that I’d question if it’s really better than a open diff. They’re a complete nightmare when descending, for example

[sideways]

Gwagensteve wrote:

I broadly agree with you there Sideways, except about running one in the front. In our local terrain, a front auto locker is such a disadvantage 95% the time that I’d question if it’s really better than a open diff. They’re a complete nightmare when descending, for example

Yes I knew you'd post disagreeing. I thought it would be shit as I bought it like it. Aside from the steering being heavier I don't think it loses anything in maneuverability. The rear is still open, I think that's key. I've never had it push or understeer any worse than I think it would have open.

The PO actually installed the locker wrong (didn't remove the side gear shims) so it acts like a spool and never unlocks.

I like it, with the hubs unlocked it drives like a stock sierra, with the hubs locked it's very capable. The biggest downside for me is I can't drive around with the hubs locked which is handy for work, I often drive it with just 1 hub locked.

[MrRocky]

Rocks with a front auto locker and no powersteering especially steep downhill is a bit of a nightmare.
The chances of bending steering arms and tearing rag joints are very high

[Gwagensteve]

That’s true of any front end that’s locked though. The reluctance of auto lockers to unlock on slick surfaces (like wet clay) is what I dislike about them, they significantly reduce manoeuvrability and directional control in those conditions.