Posted: 10/30/2011 5:17:11 PM EDT
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Does any manufacturer offer a locking rear axle on 2WD versions of its pickups or SUVs?
If not, why not? Seems like being able to lock the rear axle could improve traction in some situations - with little of the extra expense and weight of a "real" 4WD configuration. |
| A locked diff is actually not safe on the street. There is probably a liability issue, besides, the aftermarket probably preferes that the manufacturer leave something for them. You can get a "lunch box locker", like lockright, for a couple hundred and install it in your driveway with a few hand tools, so no biggy really. |
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GM might have put a Gov-Loc in a 2WD, but in reality there are very very few situations where a rear locker would be an advantage. Especially in pickup where most of the weight is up front and the front wheels act as a plow.
The only time I have seen 2WD work well in off-road situations is when there is a high power to weight ratio, such as an ATV, dune buggy or trophy truck and those vehicles generally will have momentum on their side. Even if you don't regularly use 4WD, there are situation where you cannot do without it. |
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Quoted:
A locked diff is actually not safe on the street. There is probably a liability issue, besides, the aftermarket probably preferes that the manufacturer leave something for them. Several manufacturers (Toyota and Nissan) offer it on certain 4WD vehicles, as a factory-installed item. IIRC, it's an air-operated (vacuum-operated?) system that can be activated or disabled with a dashboard switch. |
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A locked diff is actually not safe on the street. There is probably a liability issue, besides, the aftermarket probably preferes that the manufacturer leave something for them. Several manufacturers (Toyota and Nissan) offer it on certain 4WD vehicles, as a factory-installed item. IIRC, it's an air-operated (vacuum-operated?) system that can be activated or disabled with a dashboard switch. Toyota used to offer this as an option. Back in the day, Dorf made the "Camper's Special" a regular cab long bed truck with a 460/4 bbl auto or stick with a lockered 4.11 geared Heavy Duty rear. Had 1 ton springs and the bed had storage compartments built into the outside of it. Designed to have one of those in bed campers and tow a heavy trailer. |
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A locked diff is actually not safe on the street. There is probably a liability issue, besides, the aftermarket probably preferes that the manufacturer leave something for them. You can get a "lunch box locker", like lockright, for a couple hundred and install it in your driveway with a few hand tools, so no biggy really. A truly welded diff or a full spool that cannot unlock may not be safe but we're talking factory lockers here. Most of which are selectable. And for that matter a Detriot is safe on the street. Sure you may have a tire chirp going around a sharp corner but it's far from not being safe. OP, look at models marketed as "prerunners". There's probably little available from the factory since most people haven't a clue what a locker is in the first place so they opt for the 4WD model instead and in the process pay thousands for something they'll probably never use. |
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Virtually every make/model that has a factory rear locker only allows operation in 4wd low up to a certain speed (usually below 12 MPH or so). I know of no 2wd with a factory locker. I'd imagine because someone seeking a locker is usually someone who also desires the increased traction of 4wd.
I have a Ford F150 Raptor, it is the only vehicle I'm aware of from the factory that allows the rear to remain fully locked in 2wd or 4wd at high speed travel (up to 100 MPH). |
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OP, look at models marketed as "prerunners". There's probably little available from the factory since most people haven't a clue what a locker is in the first place so they opt for the 4WD model instead and in the process pay thousands for something they'll probably never use. That's kind of my line of thought, too. I really can't justify spending $4K or so for a "real" 4WD system that I'll probably never use - but could probably justify spending $500 or so for something that's capable of getting me stuck 40 percent further in the mud than a 2WD vehicle with a conventional rear axle. 
The simplicity is also appealing - much fewer moving parts to repair than a "real" 4WD system. Quoted:
Virtually every make/model that has a factory rear locker only allows operation in 4wd low up to a certain speed (usually below 12 MPH or so). Not a problem. You'd engage the locker in a rough stretch of terrain, and disengage it once you're safely out of the poo. |
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Virtually every make/model that has a factory rear locker only allows operation in 4wd low up to a certain speed (usually below 12 MPH or so). I know of no 2wd with a factory locker. I'd imagine because someone seeking a locker is usually someone who also desires the increased traction of 4wd. I have a Ford F150 Raptor, it is the only vehicle I'm aware of from the factory that allows the rear to remain fully locked in 2wd or 4wd at high speed travel (up to 100 MPH). i have an 02 Avalanche. the locker definetly engages in 2wd and at higher speeds in addition to all 3- 4x4 modes |
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Virtually every make/model that has a factory rear locker only allows operation in 4wd low up to a certain speed (usually below 12 MPH or so). I know of no 2wd with a factory locker. I'd imagine because someone seeking a locker is usually someone who also desires the increased traction of 4wd. I have a Ford F150 Raptor, it is the only vehicle I'm aware of from the factory that allows the rear to remain fully locked in 2wd or 4wd at high speed travel (up to 100 MPH). i have an 02 Avalanche. the locker definetly engages in 2wd and at higher speeds in addition to all 3- 4x4 modes The Z-66 rear used in the Avalanche is not fully locked by the driver. It is GM's version of an auto locker, but it is never fully locked like a spool or a selectable locker. You are right though, I should have been more clear. My comments applied to vehicles with selectable lockers which mimic a spool once engaged. |
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A locked diff is actually not safe on the street. There is probably a liability issue, besides, the aftermarket probably preferes that the manufacturer leave something for them. You can get a "lunch box locker", like lockright, for a couple hundred and install it in your driveway with a few hand tools, so no biggy really. My GM 4wd came with a locker in the rear from the factory. |
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Virtually every make/model that has a factory rear locker only allows operation in 4wd low up to a certain speed (usually below 12 MPH or so). I know of no 2wd with a factory locker. I'd imagine because someone seeking a locker is usually someone who also desires the increased traction of 4wd. I have a Ford F150 Raptor, it is the only vehicle I'm aware of from the factory that allows the rear to remain fully locked in 2wd or 4wd at high speed travel (up to 100 MPH). i have an 02 Avalanche. the locker definetly engages in 2wd and at higher speeds in addition to all 3- 4x4 modes +1 - '02 GM factory locker, definitly works at higher speeds. |
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I had a 2007 Chevy 2500HD that was 2wd and came with a gov-lock. Just look for the G80 code on the options sticker in the glove box. It's not a selectable locker, but an automatic one. The G80 Govlock is a misnomer in that it's actually a limited-slip and not a locker. The heavier duty versions are some of the best out there but the 1/2 ton types....not so much. |
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My Mercedes G-500 based Interim fast attack vehicle I drove in the Marines had manually locking front and rear axles. It was pretty slick. Two pull knobs by the gear selector operated them. You could pull the rear and leave the front unlocked for good traction and turning radius, the at the yard of a knob, lock the front at speed, or unlock right before making a tight corner and lock back in when you straighten out (locking the front cut the turn radius in half). Manually locking diff's are pretty cool as you don't get into some of the weired stuff that posi-traction/ traction-loc rear ends do (i.e. shifting power back and forth to the axle with traction, or having to modulate and such). Posi rear ends are good to go also, and make a huge (positive) difference over stock open diff's as well (IMHO). While a select locking rear diff will give you the most traction driving on pavement locked in will tear everything up. A limited slip type is the easiest for daily driving (and can be sort of locked by modulation, riding the brake and gas at the same time) and still give you many benefits on dry and wet roads. |
| They are out there. Hell my 69 Chevelle had factory posi. Detroit lockers are out there for most US built equipment and much of the foreign stuff as well. As reliable as it gets and well proven to be. Now days the computers cover the task. wheel speed sensors determine that a wheel is spinning faster than the others and applies the brake to it forcing the opposite to work. Technology works but I'll stick to my locker. |
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Quoted: Several manufacturers (Toyota and Nissan) offer it on certain 4WD vehicles, as a factory-installed item. IIRC, it's an air-operated (vacuum-operated?) system that can be activated or disabled with a dashboard switch. Toy was and is still electric arb is air |
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I had a 2007 Chevy 2500HD that was 2wd and came with a gov-lock. Just look for the G80 code on the options sticker in the glove box. It's not a selectable locker, but an automatic one. The G80 Govlock is a misnomer in that it's actually a limited-slip and not a locker. The heavier duty versions are some of the best out there but the 1/2 ton types....not so much. True, but it functions decently well for what it is in my experience. I stick to real lockers for my 4x4s that get used hard though, the Chevy just takes me fishing. |
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Virtually every make/model that has a factory rear locker only allows operation in 4wd low up to a certain speed (usually below 12 MPH or so). I know of no 2wd with a factory locker. I'd imagine because someone seeking a locker is usually someone who also desires the increased traction of 4wd. I have a Ford F150 Raptor, it is the only vehicle I'm aware of from the factory that allows the rear to remain fully locked in 2wd or 4wd at high speed travel (up to 100 MPH). i have an 02 Avalanche. the locker definetly engages in 2wd and at higher speeds in addition to all 3- 4x4 modes The Z-66 rear used in the Avalanche is not fully locked by the driver. It is GM's version of an auto locker, but it is never fully locked like a spool or a selectable locker. You are right though, I should have been more clear. My comments applied to vehicles with selectable lockers which mimic a spool once engaged. My 98 4runner has a factory locker. The vehicle must be going slower than 5mph to engage it (same as 4-low), but it doesn't disengage if you're going faster. Also, most (all?) of the Toyota Tacoma's branded as "prerunners" have the factory lockers. |