Rear locker or both?

[P52Ranch]

The Bronco front locking differential can only be engaged when you are in 4 low. And traveling below 25 mph.
So you need to be in a pretty gnarly situation before you could take advantage of it.
That bit of info may impact your decision.

Depending on the goat mode being used, the rear locker has different maximum engagement speeds. (No limit for Baja, 4L Rock Crawl, and direct selection of 4H (off road).

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[GI_Jo_Nathan]

The Bronco front locking differential can only be engaged when you are in 4 low. And traveling below 25 mph.
So you need to be in a pretty gnarly situation before you could take advantage of it.
That bit of info may impact your decision.

Depending on the goat mode being used, the rear locker has different maximum engagement speeds. (No limit for Baja, 4L Rock Crawl, and direct selection of 4H (off road).

Yes and no. If you add the front locker yourself there are no restrictions. And the rear can be used in 2h or 4A. So if I was driving in a blizzard, which actually happened back in April in a mountain pass in CO, I have both available.

And as for the OP, if he was stuck in snow or helping someone else get out of snow, it wouldn't be unreasonable to shift to 4L to do it.

 

[lakesinai]

I've got the rear only (4.27) and have only needed it once. In the snow melt, dirt parking lot, sunk into some mud. 4H, was stuck. Hit the locker, and it rolled out of the mud like it wasn't even there. Otherwise I've not had a use for it at all. I'm a mall crawler that sees some farm land, sand, and kid's cross country races.

The rear locker is particularly wonderful on the beach, where I use it.

 

[TruckCamper]

Bigger question is what size tires will you plan to run? Stock then no big deal. 33-35" tire then you want the locking differential for the larger CV Axles and Front Differential. It will cost WAY WAY more to swap the differential / CV axles down the road if / when you want larger tires. Plus you get better gearing for 33"+ tires.

 

[HPNQ420]

I wanted to replace my bronco with a new one. Was think of just a black diamond with rear lock..I do light offroad and live in a in the snowy arera. .So do I really need a front locker.?

I have a 2023 Black Diamond 4 Door Manual Transmission:

• First season I ran as is.
• Second season I lifted it about 1 1/4" (Bilstein 5100's) and went to 33" Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT's. On tight WI woods trails with the occasional rocky sections and climbs, this combination outperforms Broncos on 35's and open differentials. On these trails you will eventually have a tire unweighted and spinning.
• This year I am changing gearing to 4.88 and adding the M210 front locker. The main reason is I am going to 35's (actually 285/75-17 Nokian Outposts for the non-wheeling season and Falken RT's in 35 x 11.50 -17 for the trail season) as my MT's need to be replaced before winter. I want the M210 for the larger tires. I want the gears because I don't want to lose too much performance with the 35's. I Have run into only a few times when the front locker would have really helped. A couple of times I needed a tug, once I needed to run cable, and the remainder a better line or a tad more momentum got me through. So, for light offroad, a rear locker is more than enough.
• If you want a front locker in the future it is easy enough to add and is available in the Black Diamond stock 4.46 gearing. That gearing is perfectly fine for 32-33" tires and likely livable for 35's.

If you go with the Black Diamond, you will be able to do a ton stock, then easily add equipment as you need it for less than a Badlands or Sasquatch (depending on how much work you do yourself. I am having the regearing and M210 swap done by a shop...if I weren't regearing I'd do the M210 by myself. I figure at 57 I might be regearing a total of four axles in the rest of my life so the tool investment and learning curve aren't worth it.)

 

[MNBigfoot]

I have a 2023 Black Diamond 4 Door Manual Transmission:

• First season I ran as is.
• Second season I lifted it about 1 1/4" (Bilstein 5100's) and went to 33" Mickey Thompson Baja Boss AT's. On tight WI woods trails with the occasional rocky sections and climbs, this combination outperforms Broncos on 35's and open differentials. On these trails you will eventually have a tire unweighted and spinning.
• This year I am changing gearing to 4.88 and adding the M210 front locker. The main reason is I am going to 35's (actually 285/75-17 Nokian Outposts for the non-wheeling season and Falken RT's in 35 x 11.50 -17 for the trail season) as my MT's need to be replaced before winter. I want the M210 for the larger tires. I want the gears because I don't want to lose too much performance with the 35's. I Have run into only a few times when the front locker would have really helped. A couple of times I needed a tug, once I needed to run cable, and the remainder a better line or a tad more momentum got me through. So, for light offroad, a rear locker is more than enough.
• If you want a front locker in the future it is easy enough to add and is available in the Black Diamond stock 4.46 gearing. That gearing is perfectly fine for 32-33" tires and likely livable for 35's.

If you go with the Black Diamond, you will be able to do a ton stock, then easily add equipment as you need it for less than a Badlands or Sasquatch (depending on how much work you do yourself. I am having the regearing and M210 swap done by a shop...if I weren't regearing I'd do the M210 by myself. I figure at 57 I might be regearing a total of four axles in the rest of my life so the tool investment and learning curve aren't worth it.)

How much will you be into it, with new shocks, front locker, and gearing, including what you paid for the install?

 

[Nc211]

The rear locker is particularly wonderful on the beach, where I use it.

I believe it!! I thought I would need it when I was on the beach the last time (year ago...way too long), but it never seemed to need it and didn't really want to use it if I didn't have to. It was super hot that day and was being a gentle as I could with it.

 

[lakesinai]

I believe it!! I thought I would need it when I was on the beach the last time (year ago...way too long), but it never seemed to need it and didn't really want to use it if I didn't have to. It was super hot that day and was being a gentle as I could with it.

I think it's better for the car to keep the rear locker engaged on beach sand, less spinning and coupling/ decoupling for the rear. Overall less stress since sand is so loose. Off the beach, I dont use the rear locker.

 

[Valhalla]

I'd agree, in a straight line, turning sharp maybe shut it off.

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