EATON FRONT E-LOCKER

[Steve R]

DAMN GOOD SCHTUFF GUYS!!!

Just so ya know...the two of you are my favorite technical guys when it comes to knowing about 4x4 mechanics (I'd say collectively we rule the roost on this forum).

My thoughts are this: I will DEFINITELY get a rear-locker as soon as a good/reliable one is made available, and I will wait for the E-locker for sure!!! ARB is like 8-track/beta.

As far as switches, definitely seperate controls for each individual locker. I've been told, and to some degree have experienced the lack of steering when you have front & rear lockers on. You lose about 15% good steering with the rear locker on....but when you activate a front locker you lose about 75% your ability to steer well. Definitely gotta have seperate controls and use front-locker sparingly for certain special situations that only demand it. Anyways.....

Here's my thought on the traction control and the rear-end. The traction control works similar to anti-lock braking (but in reverse): it modulates braking to the free-spinning wheel...it inhibits all the torque from going to that one loose wheel. By stopping that free-spinning wheel from turning, the torque is redirected to the wheel on the opposite side.

(sidenote; the Range Rover has an amazing traction control system...the moment a tire looses contact with the ground, the brake is applied to that wheel causing the opposing wheel to keep turning faithfully...it's impressive)

Now, if we lock-up (E-locker) the rear-end you basically have one solid axle. The braking of one wheel ENTIRELY effects the other wheel...because each wheel is essentially now attached to the same axle. You can't individually brake each rear wheel AND for that matter the computer can not distinguish which wheel is slipping: each wheel moves 100% consistent with the other. THEREFORE it stands to reason that the traction control (at least for the rear section) MUST be turned OFF when the rear is locked!

I'd like to think the front-end still has a traction control system working....but who knows???? I did see my air-tire spinning freely while the other sat on the rock. I think that is what happened at least.

This makes me want to take some car jacks and play around in the driveway!!!!

Any thoughts gentlemen?????

As you know, when you have an open differential and one tire is free-spinning (in the air per se)...the other tire not only turns...but rotates at twice the speed of normal