I want rear lockers...

[06 H3]

Serge, your H3T or H2?

 

[alrock]

I would be hard pressed to pick which to upgrade first, if I had to choose one: TC or rear locker. I did go from a base, added t-case and later added rear locker. Money and timing played factors in the decisions - though the rock going through my t-case made the decision a bit easier.

Either one will significantly improve your wheeling. Personally, I think the rear locker does more but I can see the argument for the t-case. Think of Pinzgauers etc. with ridiculously low gearing - they climb over everything. Gearing is huge. But gearing doesn't get me out of spots when I only have two wheels with traction (one front, one rear) which I think is a pretty common scenario. I was very rarely successful with BTM (brake-throttle modulation, one foot on gas, one on brake to control wheelspin) before I put in the rear locker. Now that I'm essentially only controlling three wheels with BTM (since the rear two are locked) I have more success.

There are many examples of how each one can benefit you. One example is Hell's Gate in Moab.

The way to get up Hell's Gate is slow and steady, with all wheels on the ground at all times, if possible. Easier in a Jeep than a Hummer. Texas Mike, for example, likes to go up without lockers but he has the flex to keep all four tires on the ground. He doesn't need a locker, though I think last time he put on the rear as he was getting too much wheelspin as one tire wasn't getting much traction.

Without the 4:1, you don't really have slow and steady. Each little press of the gas moves the wheels too much which can lead to a break in traction and bouncing. One of our minor mishaps on Hell's Gate was an H2 that was a bit too aggressive with the gas pedal and he slid off the wall, damaging his D pillar. That can happen regardless of gearing but it's easier to control the throttle with the better gearing.

For my H3 on Hell's Gate, there are undulations near the bottom that require a lot of flex to keep all four tires planted - more flex than I have. Gearing alone would not get me up that obstacle and I need a rear locker to overcome it.

Basically what I'm saying is try and save up for both, but take advantage of whichever good deal comes forward first. If it's a tie, I would vote for the locker. It was four years before I upgraded the t-case, five years before I got the rear locker. Lots of wheeling in that time.

 

[digglesworth]

Thanks alrock.... That sheds lots of light on the subject for me... I'm new to the H3 game and haven't done any serious off road driving. I hope to change that with my H3. I'm slowly doing mods to help its overall performance and UCP and sliders are up there on top of the list before I really get off road.

 

[Zach]

Serge, your H3T or H2?

Probably both silly rabbit

 

[06 H3]

I will gladly buy and pick up the Cast iron front diff w/ locker. That should hold me over until I chop off the front.

 

[kitty]

i run a detroit locker in the rear and eaton truetrak in the front . i love it

 

[atvspeed4]

i run a detroit locker in the rear and eaton truetrak in the front . i love it

Then you do not have an h3?

 

[ABNTROOP]

Then you do not have an h3?

 

[atvspeed4]

...it was relevant....the OP was asking for suggestions of what to add to his H3, specifically in regards to a rear locker/ 4:1 transfercase. I have never heard of a trutrac being available for the AAM 7.2 front diff and did not want the OP to consider that as an option (I wish it was an option-our H1 build has factory torsen diffs and they are amazing when properly BTMing). There was a member on another forum that I thought installed a detroit in the rear of his base model H3 but I think that would be a little aggressive for a DD. Ive driven in a few vehicles with autolockers like the detroit and it takes a little while to get used to.

 

[3Hummers]

I had a Detroit in the rear of one of the H1s when I bought it. I took it out. Hated the way it drove in town and it tended to eat up half shafts.

 

[alrock]

kitty has an H1.

 

[Highatop]

I would be hard pressed to pick which to upgrade first, if I had to choose one: TC or rear locker. I did go from a base, added t-case and later added rear locker. Money and timing played factors in the decisions - though the rock going through my t-case made the decision a bit easier.

Either one will significantly improve your wheeling. Personally, I think the rear locker does more but I can see the argument for the t-case. Think of Pinzgauers etc. with ridiculously low gearing - they climb over everything. Gearing is huge. But gearing doesn't get me out of spots when I only have two wheels with traction (one front, one rear) which I think is a pretty common scenario. I was very rarely successful with BTM (brake-throttle modulation, one foot on gas, one on brake to control wheelspin) before I put in the rear locker. Now that I'm essentially only controlling three wheels with BTM (since the rear two are locked) I have more success.

There are many examples of how each one can benefit you. One example is Hell's Gate in Moab.

The way to get up Hell's Gate is slow and steady, with all wheels on the ground at all times, if possible. Easier in a Jeep than a Hummer. Texas Mike, for example, likes to go up without lockers but he has the flex to keep all four tires on the ground. He doesn't need a locker, though I think last time he put on the rear as he was getting too much wheelspin as one tire wasn't getting much traction.

Without the 4:1, you don't really have slow and steady. Each little press of the gas moves the wheels too much which can lead to a break in traction and bouncing. One of our minor mishaps on Hell's Gate was an H2 that was a bit too aggressive with the gas pedal and he slid off the wall, damaging his D pillar. That can happen regardless of gearing but it's easier to control the throttle with the better gearing.

For my H3 on Hell's Gate, there are undulations near the bottom that require a lot of flex to keep all four tires planted - more flex than I have. Gearing alone would not get me up that obstacle and I need a rear locker to overcome it.

Basically what I'm saying is try and save up for both, but take advantage of whichever good deal comes forward first. If it's a tie, I would vote for the locker. It was four years before I upgraded the t-case, five years before I got the rear locker. Lots of wheeling in that time.

Yes, Hells Gate is a perfect example of what I'm wantin to do. In pics and on video before goin, I thought I could run Hells Gate, until I got there and seen it. Holy crap...pics and video do not do it justice. Not only goin down, flex and good traction but then goin up. I was not really able to see the start at the bottom but, seein and watchin some well equipped rigs come back up. I would want rear lockers, at least...
Rear lockers is what I'm leanin toward. My rig is kindda a DD but, not used for that everyday. Not sure of the future but not now.
Alot of great info and I thank you all for your input. I don't have to do this mod...I just really want to...and then another one and another and so on and on and on. You know whats happenin here...

 

[skippy]

i have front and rear art and love them

 

[bebe]

There is a rear ARB in my future as well.

 

[Mb30sdl]

Serge, your H3T or H2?

H2 some of it look like rear end will be used on H3T
H3T most of the suspension will be for sale