As one of the best upgrades for work and play, a differential locker can be a real game changer. It’s considered a particularly valuable asset for off-road travel, with your vehicle’s capabilities and performance levels enhanced, whatever the terrain. But, how do differential lockers, or diff lockers, work and why might your 4×4 vehicle need one?
In this blog post, we answer those very questions and more as well as reveal some of the best differential lockers on the market.
What is a differential locker?
A differential locker is a 4×4 upgrade that changes how your vehicle’s differential distributes power to the wheels. It’s installed in your vehicle’s differential and can essentially lock the left and right wheels on an axle together, meaning both receive equal torque and turn at the same speed.
This is a very different effect to standard or open differentials. These are designed to allow the independent movement of each wheel and can cause problems when driving off-road.
Why should I add one to my vehicle?
While some of the newer 4x4s are already equipped with diff lockers, this isn’t the case with most 4WD vehicles. Differential lockers generally don’t come as standard on 4×4 vehicles, which means you may be missing out on the many benefits this essential upgrade can unlock – especially when it comes to performance.
With a differential locker, you can tap into increased traction, even in off-road situations, and reduce wheel spin to protect your drivetrain and keep your vehicle moving.
You can also save momentum, with the ability to tackle obstacles slowly and safely without relying too much on speed – saving your gears from wear and tear in the process. All this adds up to improved performance, better safety and optimum versatility.
When should I use a differential locker?
A diff locker is ideal for off-road use. Off road, open differentials and the independent movement of individual wheels place a major burden on your vehicle’s engine, with engine power taking the path of least resistance. This results in little to no traction, making tough conditions like rock, clay, snow, sand or mud difficult to negotiate, and situations that involve one wheel being stuck or airborne hard to escape from.
There’s an art to knowing when to use your diff locker and when to leave it disengaged. Unsealed 4×4 explains when to put your differential locker to work:
“Use lockers when
- your progress is likely to be impaired by having a wheel on the axle with lockers spin. For example, a rutted hill climb or some muddy ruts. The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon pictured below has its lockers engaged as it ascends a hill. You can tell because the front right wheel isn’t spinning.
- Descending a rutted hill where one wheel is likely to be in the air or lose traction.”
Which types of diff lockers are available?
There are two types of diff lockers to explore – air lockers and Elockers. Both alternate between open and locked differentials, and are controlled by a switch in the cab. The difference is that an air locker requires a source of air via an on-board compressor, while an Elocker is fully mechanical using an electromagnet to lock and unlock the differentials as required.
When deciding which is right for you, consider the pros and cons of both options. Elockers for example are simpler and regarded as more robust as a result. They cannot however be engaged immediately or at speeds above 5mph. Air lockers can be engaged at any speed.
Take a closer look at the features of each traction aid by exploring our range of air lockers and Elockers.