I have a 2005 2wd Ford Ranger Sport and was looking to put on a new locker in hopes of essentially making it a 4wd. What locker would you suggest and what kind of performance should i expect?

 

Totally agree!


I love my E-locker, but its not exactly good for someone on a budget....

 

well do you think a locker will improve performance from just a basic 2wd?

 

What did you do to convert to 4wd and what was the cost?

 

If you want a 4x4 its alot easier to just go and buy one.

 

A locker will help with traction but only if you are coming from an open diff. The locker will be very helpful. The only reason I ever use 4x4 since putting in my locker is to get the truck muddy (the front tires cover the sides of the truck).

If you want something thats cheap and works get an automatic locker or lunchbox locker. You could put it in yourself if you have a little mechanical ability. The gears won't have to be set back up and you can do it with the truck on the ground.

 

yes i am coming from an open differential thats why i am considering something to give me a little more traction in muddy/snowy conditions. Money is not an option for the locker, if i'm going to do this i want to put a nice one in, i was thinking Auburn?? what do you think?

 

you see with 04 Edge is that his truck is an edge. Its basiclly a 4x4 truck without the front diff and axles and such. The suspension is a 4x4 setup, they have t bars to crank and such thats why he was able to make it 4x4.

 

If you have the money get some kind of selectable locker then. ARB air locker would be a dream of mine.

This way when on the street you don't eat up tires but when you need the traction push a button.

 

Well i have the Sport and it has the torsion bars to crank, the sport is basically the edge.

 

ya my uncle had suggested the ARB air locker . How much do they run, like $800? also with performance lockers are there any downsides? I heard you can't make sharp turns with them while engaged but I'm not too confident in the source that told me this lol, is this true?

 

The Sport is the Edge. Ford had to change the name due to the fact there crossover is the Edge.

 

Yeah ARB costs something like that.

The thing about sharp turns with a lock engaged is the rear tires will both be turning forward at the same speed. So the outside tire is traveling a further distance than the inside tire. Well they both can't move different distances at the same speed. So you will tear up the tires.

I try and take turns slow and wide. Even still I am wearing my tires out faster than before the locker. With a selectable locker you won't have this problem.

I think your informant about not being able to make tight turns is partly correct. If you were locked in the front turning is very difficult.

 

An aussie locker is only $250 shipped, roughly. Works well on road and off, it's an automatic locker. If you can change brakes, you can install it. Being that you are 2wd, you probably have a 7.5" rear axle? If you do, don't bother spending any money on it. Upgrade to an 8.8 before spending money on lockers and such.

 

I already have 8.8 stock on there. I do think i want a push button in the cab though to activate and de-activate, are there other companies besides ARB that have this feature?