Locking Differentials Question

[DBHowe]

How do you think the locking differentials will work? Will we turn them off and on along the trail as needed? I know the big boys use them, but my 1980 Scout II only has limited slip front and back. So I have no understanding how we'll need to manage the full locking feature. Seems like they will fight me on tight turns and switchbacks.

 

[Jim Nichols]

Video of E locker:

 

[Logan]

I would expect (hope?) that the lockers will be selectable separately, from one of the dashboard/ceiling mounted toggles.

Most of time on vehicles like this, you do not leave the lockers on all the time offroad, because (as you thought), they have negative effects on maneuverability, and puts additional stress on the drivetrain. The lockers are engaged either preemptively to prevent slippage in certain situations/obstacles (rock crawling), and at other times you engage them if you get stuck/need to extract yourself (more common in mud/snow situations).

Some brands you have to engage "all the lockers" at once. Others you can select which ones. I'd hope that we can individually control them.

Also, while we're at it, I really would like if they offer some interesting offroad modes that are difficult to do in a traditional combustion vehicle. Like FWD/Low (you leave the rear tires with either no braking, or a parking brake on to keep them in place, while you "drag" the front of the vehicle around with FWD to position/line up for things on a tricky obstacle, or in tight situations). And then the trail braking/"Cutting brakes" that allow somewhat similar behavior for turning tighter.

(but both of those are definitely not locker dependent).

 

[LastDayScout]

I would expect (hope?) that the lockers will be selectable separately, from one of the dashboard/ceiling mounted toggles.

Most of time on vehicles like this, you do not leave the lockers on all the time offroad, because (as you thought), they have negative effects on maneuverability, and puts additional stress on the drivetrain. The lockers are engaged either preemptively to prevent slippage in certain situations/obstacles (rock crawling), and at other times you engage them if you get stuck/need to extract yourself (more common in mud/snow situations).

Some brands you have to engage "all the lockers" at once. Others you can select which ones. I'd hope that we can individually control them.

Also, while we're at it, I really would like if they offer some interesting offroad modes that are difficult to do in a traditional combustion vehicle. Like FWD/Low (you leave the rear tires with either no braking, or a parking brake on to keep them in place, while you "drag" the front of the vehicle around with FWD to position/line up for things on a tricky obstacle, or in tight situations). And then the trail braking/"Cutting brakes" that allow somewhat similar behavior for turning tighter.

(but both of those are definitely not locker dependent).

This is only a somewhat educated guess. They will likely be individually and manually controlled, but also have an auto setting as well.

 

[RebelliousPeasant]

I would expect (hope?) that the lockers will be selectable separately, from one of the dashboard/ceiling mounted toggles.

Most of time on vehicles like this, you do not leave the lockers on all the time offroad, because (as you thought), they have negative effects on maneuverability, and puts additional stress on the drivetrain. The lockers are engaged either preemptively to prevent slippage in certain situations/obstacles (rock crawling), and at other times you engage them if you get stuck/need to extract yourself (more common in mud/snow situations).

Some brands you have to engage "all the lockers" at once. Others you can select which ones. I'd hope that we can individually control them.

Also, while we're at it, I really would like if they offer some interesting offroad modes that are difficult to do in a traditional combustion vehicle. Like FWD/Low (you leave the rear tires with either no braking, or a parking brake on to keep them in place, while you "drag" the front of the vehicle around with FWD to position/line up for things on a tricky obstacle, or in tight situations). And then the trail braking/"Cutting brakes" that allow somewhat similar behavior for turning tighter.

(but both of those are definitely not locker dependent).

Based on what they showed at the reveal event it looks like the overhead panel has toggles to select the lockers individually as needed.

 

[LastDayScout]

Based on what they showed at the reveal event it looks like the overhead panel has toggles to select the lockers individually as needed.

I concur. I was looking at my pictures again and it does look like differential controls. The 4th button that I couldn't figure out might be sway bar disconnect after staring at it for a while.

 

[CarTechGeek]

Some brands you have to engage "all the lockers" at once. Others you can select which ones. I'd hope that we can individually control them.

I can't remember any 4x4 with F/R lockers that forced them on together. If you get both, they will be individually selectable.

 

[DBHowe]

Makes sense that they would be manually and individually engaged. I don't rock crawl, but I do go up steep and windy trails. Most of the time it's loose rock less than 12" in size mixed with gravel. But sometimes it solid rock like pavement. I'll just have to get smart about when to engage and when not to. Staying engaged on solid rock while applying a lot of power to climb while making a turn might be too hard on the hardware. But dropping down to only one tire on each corner might not give me the grab I need. So many people prefer lockers so I'm sure my concerns are just because I don't enough about them yet. I do love the idea of lockers on a straight climb or really loose sand and mud.

 

[Mousehunter]

My memory - OEM tends to be rear or all. There is a lot of discussions online when and where what is best. Allowing front only is not hard to do, just an extra switch - but I think OEM avoids it because it means your front locker/axle needs to be able to stand more abuse.

Real issue is there are as many opinions as people. I guess that is why Jeep has so many different Wrangler options. For an SUV, perhaps AWD would be a better fit for a lot of people 99% of the time. But it falls a bit short for off road use. I guess perfect world would be 4 motors...

 

[shnngns]

Based off the reveal and the overhead toggle I was under the assumption it would be selectable. Often times I don't even use my lockers unless absolutely necessary so I would hope it will remain selectable.

 

[Callsign_DISCO]

My expectation is that it will be similar to JK Rubicon, lockers are manually selectable front, rear or both, plus swaybar disconnect that can be activated under specific conditions (low spd, 4 Lo etc.)