Hey Dan,
You're right. If this is the Allen I think it is....he showed up at our Rowher Trail event and tried blasting up a really steep hill. He failed on his first attempt and I consulted with him on his selection of t-case modes and other stuff. He indicated to me that he had the front-locker "ON"...so I told him he had no front locker and only a rear locker. He then looked confused and gestured to his TC2 button and.....you can imagine the rest. He did make it up that hill on his next try!!!
I've considered a front-locker. There are 2 things I have no seen discussed here....so let's crack the books and chew the fat:
First, the traction control can in fact simulate a locker-like effect. If driven carefully and you understand the dynamics of your traction control system...then you can sorta work with your TC and almost stop/reduce the wheels from spinning. I consider the TC system 1/2-a-locker.....it's about half-way as effective as a true locker.
Bear in mind we still have a locker in the rear and the rear does most the work. Still...I've found situations where a front-locker would realy be nice. Particularly in this instance:
Often you want to crawl or creep over stuff. The tires may be up against a rock or small boulder: if you apply more and more power the tire will come up and over the rock...but you tend to "pop" or jump up when you finally get enough power to get up that obstacle. I've seen many people keep pushing on the gas and then literally thrust up and over the rock...only to come crashing down on their frame or rock rail cause they sorta overshot the rock. I'm sure you offroaders know exactly what I mean!!!
The H2 can be like a giant freakin' marshmellow. The rock won't budge so people just keep giving it more and more power...the tire starts to climb...and just as quickly you get on top of the rock and lurch forward! NO GOOD!!!
Sometimes you want to get right on top of that rock/boulder and re-direct your heading. Control is critical!!!!
The primiere technique I use is to apply braking and modulate the gas with the brake to create a very slow and solid progression forward. I slowly and deliberately creep up and on top of that rock: control!!!!
Here's the catch with our TC's: if you touch your brake...all TC functions are OFFLINE!!!! Now you've got nothing but an open differential in the front: one wheel slips/spins and it's all over for the front pulling!!!!
TC and braking can't work at the same time. A locker would resolve this issue and allow someone to seriously crawl, creep and maintain exquisite control...all the while having total turning of all 4 tires.
Front locker...a waste of money??? HELL NO!!!!! I've been waiting for one to come out and it would seem my ship has come in!!!!! I'm in line! Tell me more R2
What else you got going on with your rig???? Inquiring minds want to know!