I'm going from rear lockright to f/r arb in a toyota 94 xtracab. I've got years of experience driving open both ends, and then locked rear, but haven't had to deal with being able to select how and when to lock one end or the other. Right now I'm used to driving rear locked, front open, and might have to relearn how to drive with a rear that can be left open and a front that can be locked...

I figure I'll probably either drive with both ends open most of the time, or perhaps drive with the just rear locked most of the time on the trail. Then just lock up as needed...

I figured I'd ask your experiences to help speed my learning curve with this new flexibility.

Are there times I'd like to be locked up front but not in the rear??? Maybe when I want the front to pull me up an obsticle and not have the rear push me straight when I wanted to be turning. Or perhaps on a steep downhill on slippery terrain? (Trails around here have lots of mud covered slippery mud covered rocks and tree roots). I wired my switches to allow this flexibility but am wondering when or if I'd actually want to use it.

I'm sure with a couple years of trail experience with this setup I'll get used to know when, and which end, to lock or leave open. I just figured maybe you guys could help speed up this learning curve...

Just did my first trip last weekend with ARB's F&R on the con. When you want to climb vertical, or walk over shit with ease, lock it up, you'll know when to use them.

When I think I'm gonna have trouble I hit the switch. Psst, Psst. When I hit the rocks I usually leave the rear locked and turn off the front unless I need it, don't want to pop a birf.;)

Most of the trails we run you pretty much stay locked F/R most of the time. I have found that turning off of the rear locker is helpful when the front end needs to climb with the front wheels turned, and they want to side slip. The locked front end will "pull" the truck up. It works especially well when its wet or muddy.
I am going to experiment with cutting brakes to be able to turn tighter for comps, since I can't go front wheel drive only in the Toyota T-case. This will require the ability to unlock the rear diff.

Originally posted by zags
Most of the trails we run you pretty much stay locked F/R most of the time.

I assume you're talking about the trails around Table Mesa and I would have to agree. For those trails I pretty much kept both ends locked except when I had to make a tight turn. Then I'd flip the lever to unlock the front, set up for the next obsticle, and then lock it in again.
For trails like the Rubicon I usually run them open/open untill I get to a tough spot, then I'll lock it in.


Jes