Seriously. I bet lockers will do all you need to do. A winch is for extreme conditions or recovery of another vehicle. I have a lot of friends with snow crawlers. They drive around in 5 feet of snow. Lockers are essential, the winch an insurance plan. mtmuley
Winch or Diff?
- Thread starter JLS
- Start date
Dakotakid
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2014
- Messages
- 817
Last time few times I was stuck, I think the locker would have made it through. So periodically I have researched an elocker for my truck, but sorting reviews between periodic user and hardcore wheeler are a challenge.
I do know my buddy’s taco with front locker was great during hunting season.
I do know my buddy’s taco with front locker was great during hunting season.
Addicting
Well-known member
Also know that Eaton elockers mainly used in the Jeeps to be a 3 pinion design. There were problems with a lot of weekend warriors doing what they shouldn’t and breaking them. About 10 years ago Eaton redesigned them stronger and alot of the issues went away. There is still alot of the older version out there in axles. Guys don’t do any research and just bash them for being bad. Sorry 37” tires on something designed for 30” tires is going to break.
I purchased the new design and had them installed on my Jeep. I run 35” and a healthy V8. I beat the snot out of it every time it starts. Never has let me down.
Irrelevant
Well-known member
I'll also add, I'm a fan of not getting stuck to begin with as opposed to sorting out ways to get unstuck, so the winch would be last on my list.
Rzrbck918
Well-known member
Id start with a winch. Muley is right a set of lockers will work but the winch is so useful.
Elkmagnet
Well-known member
Buy one of these and let me know what you think 
jryoung
Well-known member
Late to the party, but I'm a fan of a receiver mount for a winch with wiring front and back.
It's great for those of F@#$ times.
As well as those "hey babe, can you move those rocks to the front yard?" times.
It's great for those of F@#$ times.
As well as those "hey babe, can you move those rocks to the front yard?" times.
Dakotakid
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2014
- Messages
- 817
I have not found consistent information on the Eaton for my gm ifs.
An elocker is what I was looking for.
With the weight of my big block and a ranch hand out front, both front tires turning would go through most reasoned spots.
What the heck is a locker? This? https://www.4wheelparts.com/the-dirt/what-is-a-locker-and-why-do-you-need-one/
Here's an article on the air jack: https://www.tlv4x4.com/how-to-use-a-brand-of-tlv-air-jack.html
and a few for sale on Amazon.
Some suggested a come-along for a winch substitute. I have both a come-along and a farm jack- you can get hooks that hook into your wheels and jack to lift it up. This way you don't have to add hi-lift bumpers to your vehicle.
Here's an article on the air jack: https://www.tlv4x4.com/how-to-use-a-brand-of-tlv-air-jack.html
and a few for sale on Amazon.
Some suggested a come-along for a winch substitute. I have both a come-along and a farm jack- you can get hooks that hook into your wheels and jack to lift it up. This way you don't have to add hi-lift bumpers to your vehicle.
This article is a great starter to cover the basics of both tools and techniques:
www.themeateater.com
The Best Tools and Tricks for Getting Your Truck Unstuck
This feels like bragging but probably isn’t: I’ve gotten my truck stuck way more times than I can count. It’s a badge of honor, like a battle scar, if you value venturing to very remote places in order to find really good hunting and fishing. It just happens—when rain turns roads to gumbo...
Poor driving skills. mtmuley
jryoung
Well-known member
As always, thanks for you support.
BucksnDucks
Well-known member
AHHH. This explains everything
Sorry. Looks like too much speed on a corner. mtmuley
jryoung
Well-known member
How'd you guess?
We should go on an elk hunt
So a year ago my buddies and I were in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness here in CA and we decided that and elk hunt would be fun.....which means "J.R., plan it and tell us what to buy and when". Fast forward to March and 6 apps were in for elk combos in MT and come April, we find out we all drew...
www.hunttalk.com
Ummmm, the pic tells all. Stuff happens. mtmuleyHow'd you guess?
We should go on an elk hunt
So a year ago my buddies and I were in the Yolla Bolly Wilderness here in CA and we decided that and elk hunt would be fun.....which means "J.R., plan it and tell us what to buy and when". Fast forward to March and 6 apps were in for elk combos in MT and come April, we find out we all drew...
elkhnter
Well-known member
Well, my F250 came with a locking differential, so I added a 12k winch to the front.
Elkmagnet
Well-known member
This reminds me. If you decide on a winch make sure you do the math and get an appropriate sized one. Usually 1.5 the weight of the truck.
Hertervillian
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 23, 2019
- Messages
- 174
Without the lockers you’ll use the winch more often. Without the winch you’ll be walking more.
Lockers are much easier on the vehicle and the land when deployed properly, allowing you to slow down in a bunch of places that would require speed for momentum to get through.
The winch? 2 words… self recovery.
Lockers are much easier on the vehicle and the land when deployed properly, allowing you to slow down in a bunch of places that would require speed for momentum to get through.
The winch? 2 words… self recovery.
