Sidekick automatic with lock-rite

[RockMolester]

Does anyone have experience driving an automatic Sidekick with a Lock-Rite? Or specifically, experience driving a Lock-Rite in vehicles with both an automatic and manual trannies? I've driven lock-rite's for over a decade now with manual trannies so I'm totally used to how they drive, but I'm wondering how the automatic affects the lock/unlock of the locker as you drive, because I'm considering putting one in my daily driver LWB 'Kick.

Without the complete disengagement of the drivetrain as you get when you step on the clutch, I'm guessing that the torque converter and constant torque on the driveline will make the locker "misbehave" less. I'm also wondering about how the increased backlash affects shifting and/or drivetrain longevity with the auto. I'm hoping somebody here has firsthand experience driving a Lock-Rite with an automatic, and can give me some specific examples of how it affects the driveability. I'm totally familiar with how the locker drives with a manual tranny, but not with an auto, so that's what I'm looking to hear about specifically. Thanks!

[4x4Buddy]

It works the same, I have had it in both.

[RockMolester]

It works the same, I have had it in both.

I know the locker itself physically works the same, but in terms of driveability, what differences/similarities are there? Does the locker cycle (lock-unlock-lock-unlock) if you get on the gas mid-corner with an automatic like it does with a manual? Does it bang and pop and cause the whole truck to lurch to one side randomly on the freeway when changing gears? In other words, would my mother or girlfriend or whoever object to how the truck drives with the automatic and a locker?

Thanks!

[RockMolester]

This is the problem I've had....nobody seems to know.

BTT

Anyone have any experience? Thanks again!

[Bobzooki]

This is the problem I've had....nobody seems to know.
Anyone have any experience? Thanks again!

Could it be because Real Men drive Manual Transmission equipped vehicles?
And Real Manly Men put REAL lockers in their vehicles, with manual "On/Off" switches, manufactured by a tiny outfit in Australia, by the name of ARB?

:confused:

Hell if I know. :D

EDIT: Can somebody tell me what these dash switches are for, in my Sidekick?

[skyhiranger]

I had one in an old DD sidekick I use to have. I had the one that replaced the stock sidegears. I thought it drove smoother than one in a manual tranny vehicle. It would ratchet when going around a corner, either coasting or slightly on the gas. The only way I could get it to lock up going around a corner was to step on the gas hard enought to "jerk" the drivetrain.
I don't recall it doing the "popping" and "banging" that the newer lock-rights seem to do.
I also don't recall that it made the 'kick jump or lurch on the highway too bad. It would do it occasionally, though.
It did seem to eat the tires pretty fast too. So I don't know if it just stayed pretty much locked on the highway or if once it locked it wouldn't release until I slowed down/got off the highway.

[RockMolester]

I had one in an old DD sidekick I use to have. I had the one that replaced the stock sidegears. I thought it drove smoother than one in a manual tranny vehicle. It would ratchet when going around a corner, either coasting or slightly on the gas. The only way I could get it to lock up going around a corner was to step on the gas hard enought to "jerk" the drivetrain.
I don't recall it doing the "popping" and "banging" that the newer lock-rights seem to do.
I also don't recall that it made the 'kick jump or lurch on the highway too bad. It would do it occasionally, though.
It did seem to eat the tires pretty fast too. So I don't know if it just stayed pretty much locked on the highway or if once it locked it wouldn't release until I slowed down/got off the highway.

Cool, thanks! That's exactly what I was looking to hear. Having driven manual tranny 4x4's for 13 years, I'm quite used to how a Lock-Rite drives. But this is my first auto tranny and you're the first I've heard from who's had one with a Lock-Rite.

So having driven with an auto in your auto 'Kick, would you do it again? Or would you rather have kept it stock or coughed up the dough for an ARB?

[skyhiranger]

Well, that was when I was first getting into 4 wheelin'. So my DD was also my off-road toy.
If I had to do it again, I definitely would NOT spend the $$$ for an ARB in a sidekick. Hell, I wouldn't even use a sidekick for an off-road vehicle. An occasional, play on the beach or drive down some dirt roads vehicle, yes. That was the worst excuse for a combo DD/off-road vehicle I ever had (auto tranny, 4 cylinder engine, locker--so it had to try and spin 3 tires). I know, I know, I could've got lower t-case gears, different engine, manual tranny, etc, etc.....but it was a sidekick.

I now have a Samurai that is strictly off-road. Lock-Right in the rear and open front (might put in a Lock-right in the future). 5.12 diff gears, 31s, manual tranny (of course). It does very well off-road. Although I am thinking of putting in lower t-case gears.....we'll see.

Oops, kinda getting off the subject here. Bottom line, I would leave the sidekick stock (no locker) and get something else to play off-road with.

[RockMolester]

Thanks again for your opinion! I had a couple Samurais for about a decade, well built for off-road. I have a 1985 4Runner on 37's as my off-road vehicle. The Sidekick is my daily driver, which will see snow and mild trails, but nothing Rubicon-caliber. I'm wondering if it'll be worth it to do a Lock-Rite, ARB(s), or just keep it open-diffed. Since a Lock-Rite is so cheap, I can't see a reason not to toss one in unless it drives like hell.