Lockers front and rear but, rear first...

[Highatop]

Ok, I'm getting ready to buy a rear locker. I know we have threads on here about them. But, I was wonderin if things have changed in the market as in the latest and greatest. I have seen or read about the Ox, seems very hardcore tho. Again, not sure yet and I'm still open to whats out there now.

I also, will be lookin into a Rancho lift and front locker. I think rear first for the biggest bang for my buck. My rig is a 06 base.
Thanks or any thoughts

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

more power? lift? the traction control in the H3 works as well as most limited slip differentials - so I'd start with what will immediately improve... that said, I didn't buy a 2006 in 2006 because I thought they were underpowered - so adding taller tires seems like a recipe for disaster.

I got a smoking deal on my Alpha, otherwise, (and knowing what I know now) - I'd have bought a 10 with electric lockers, then a winch, then a lift. If I couldn't have found a '10, I'd have bought a '07 (fewer airbags), put a detroit locker in back and an e-locker in front. I like my set up now, but I'm not convinced that a good locker (e.g. detroit, lock-rite) isn't as useful with one less thing to go wrong.

Again, I'd start with more power, even the 20 or so hp of the 3.7 would be enough more then a winch, then lift, then tires...

do you mind my asking? - why not upgrade to an 07 or newer than upgrade?

 

[Highatop]

I don't mind at all. I own mine out right and do not want a payment. I also haven't thought about upgradin to an Adv package. It is somethin to ponder. But for now, I'm researchin piece by piece. Thanks

 

[rsc]

I thought I had read on one of ghe Hummer forums that you couldn't run a lunchbox locker in a H3. Maybe that was on the front with a locked rear? The LocRite is a nice bit of kit though. I think that the lower range transfer case may be more useful than the rear locker as a first upgrade from the base model. Maybe even before 35's.

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

I thought I had read on one of ghe Hummer forums that you couldn't run a lunchbox locker in a H3. Maybe that was on the front with a locked rear? The LocRite is a nice bit of kit though. I think that the lower range transfer case may be more useful than the rear locker as a first upgrade from the base model. Maybe even before 35's.

why not? it's simply an 8.6 GM axle... (rear, front you have two choices - both actuated lockers)

 

[Highatop]

I already have 35s. So your thinkin a 4-1 Adv TCase would service me better? My thought was lockers then when my Tcase breaks.Then replacing it w/ a 4-1. If its not broke why fix it, yet. Just a Tcase would help w/ better traction and climbin?

 

[SuperBuickGuy]

you don't have to flog it so hard with a 4:1 case - you have better control

 

[06 H3]

IMO if I was to do it again I would go OX locker for the rear. The eaton 4pin design is new and much stronger then the old 2pin design I have but with ox you get a badass diff cover, the design prevents deflection in the carrier, it's bomb proof tough and best of all it's the most simple and versatile. You can run cable locker, electric or air and if one of those fail they sell a 25 dollar "drive away lock" that you screw into the cover and it will lock it for you.

They are more expensive then the eaton I have which on sale and the eaton I got for super cheap but I gotta rebuild my eaton now and that takes time, a pain in my ass and about 150 bucks. If I rebuild it again in the future I'm entering the price of an ox....

 

[rsc]

why not? it's simply an 8.6 GM axle... (rear, front you have two choices - both actuated lockers)

I know it would physically fit and work mechanically. I was talking about whether a lunchbox would play well with the TCS or cause issues as the wheel loaded and unloaded and TCS was trying to apply differential braking to control wheel spin. In Low-Locked it may not be a problem, but the computer does not expect an axle to be locked up in Hi-Locked so I'm not sure what would happen. Would the two end up fighting each other?

edit: found the old thread that started me thinking

http://www.hummer4x4offroad.com/forum/showthread.php?2462-has-anyone-used-a-CHEAP-locker

 

[06 H3]

I have run a locker in 4 hi locked and unlocked off road with no issue and none of the electronics went crazy never really tried it on road because I am a selectable and when its locked its locked. The thing with detroits and auto lockers is that they only lock when power is applied to them. so it takes a learning curve on how to drive with them. When you corner avoid the gas pedal, it will unlock and you will turn without issue. Personally I wish I had tried it just to see if it works.

Auto front lockers and full time 4wd are iffy. Some ZJ guys do with with their full time 4wd. I am pist at myself for not trying it with my detroit that was in my dana 44 when I did my SAS. I just ran it with no front driveshaft till I got a selectable and sold the detroit.

 

[06 H3]

Please do remember though our t cases will send power to the least amount of resistance in 4hi unlocked, like when your front diff is shredded up to pieces and you dont move unless you lock the t case with 4hi locked or 4lo.

So if your running an auto in the back it may just send some more power to the front. Who knows, someone has gotta try it and for cheap you can a spartan locker

 

[skeptic]

Personally I'd trade it in on a newer one with Adv package. More power, rear locker, front locker depending on year.... I haven't checked the price difference between adding a locker vs. trading it in, but I'd bet it's close enough to at least think about.

 

[kflips]

Pretty sure that I have 410 gears fron and rear with 10k miles if you are looking to do a rebuild within the cover

 

[Highatop]

Upgradin really not an option. My trade in would be low and havin a payment doesn't work for me.

I am now thinkin that a 4-1 Tcase would greatly help, maybe even more then lockers as posted above. If so, would that put more pressure on my frontend. So, would I have to beef it up as in tierods

 

[digglesworth]

I contemplated this for a while. I too have an 06 base. I decided on the 4:1 t-case first. You can benefit from the t-case all day long vs the locker you may use only a few times a trip. The t-case will let you maintain a more controllable speed and be easier on your truck. Plus the descent control is awesome with the 4:1. Now don't get me wrong, a locker will help you a lot. I've had a few times a locker would've probably gotten me through. Once I took the bypass and once I winches myself through.

 

[alrock]

I'm on the fence as to t-case vs. locker first. I did t-case first and enjoyed the benefits. I'm momentarily on a base t-case and hating it. I do think for Moab wheeling the 4:1 will do more for you than a locker, but there may be other examples where a locker would be a better upgrade. Personally, I'd just take advantage of whatever deal was best for me at the time and not overthink it, especially if you think you'll end up doing both over time.

Heck, it took me about three years to get the 4:1, another 2 to get the locker and now that I'm coming up on eight years I'm getting a winch. Guess you could call this a slow build.

 

[06 H3]

I agree with Alex, I think it depends where you wheel. In moab a 4:1 will help with steep climbs, moab is usually high traction terrain so a locker is not as benefical compared to loose rock out here in socal.

For me I did a locker first because they were going for cheap on iwerearendsonly.com and it was half the price of a t case. I then was lucky enough to get a t case that we thought was broken for free and it turned out it wasnt.

Either way, whatever you do the cool factor of seeing the improvements is an awesome feeling.

 

[MaxPF]

I don't have an H3, but I can toss in my loose change. With an automatic trans I never felt like 2.72:1 low range (NP241) was inadequate. Keep in mind this was with 35 and then 37" tires with 4.56 gears in the axles. OTOH, locking both axles made a massive difference. I could climb damn near anything without spinning a tire, and I feel like this was the reason I never broke a front shaft in my heavy pig of a truck. Locked axles let you walk up obstacles that you would otherwise need skinny pedal to overcome.Usually, the rear locker alone was enough to scale an obstacle. Sometimes both were needed.

That said, I did have a V8 in the truck when I had the lockers. First a TBI 350, then a 6.2L diesel. Both had plenty of low-end grunt to get the truck up and over stuff. An H3 with an I5 might benefit more from extra t-case gearing. Also, I can't comment on Moab since I've never been there, but the terrain where you commonly wheel should be the deciding factor. Do you find yourself spinning tires often, or do you usually have traction but not enough torque and/or speed control? In my case it was the former, so lockers were a better option, but if you find the latter is more an issue for you than choose the 4:1 case.

 

[skippy]

my 2 bobs is to do the front first if that is all you can afford.
it protects the drive shafts. you can always btw if you get stuck.