E-locker/Anti-spin Rear Axle

[Hans627]

What does an e-locker rear axle do? The same question for an anti-spin differential rear axle?

Or would a 2WD with one of these options make sense.

I'm doing some daydreaming about a new TV and see these options and I don't understand why they would be offered on a 4X4.

Thanks!

[Adventure.AS]

Even with four wheel drive but without locking differentials if one wheel starts to spin on an axle then the other wheel has no driving force and won't move. The worst case scenario is if one wheel on each axle of the vehicle starts to spin you have no traction at all. This can happen on slippery surfaces like ice, snow, sand or mud or if the one wheel is raised off the ground when rock crawling. The e-locker is one type of locking diff that will lock the two wheels on the same axle together so that if one wheel has no traction the other wheel with traction will keep turning. You would never drive on the roadway at much over a crawl speed with an e-locker engaged as it can quickly put you out of control.

[wulfraat]

How differentials work:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIGvhvOhLHU

[AlinCal]

E= electronic locker, operates in and out with electronic controls.
there are also air lockers, mechanic cable operated lockers and the old Detroit auto locker.

[dznf0g]

Originally Posted by AlinCal

E= electronic locker, operates in and out with electronic controls.
there are also air lockers, mechanic cable operated lockers and the old Detroit auto locker.

And the long time g80 Eaton governor controlled automatic mechanical locker.

[Hans627]

Thanks guys.

Am I safe to conclude the differential in the front axle on a 4X4 work the same way?

It would appear as thought a 4X4 without some kind of anti-slip differential is kind of useless.

[Adventure.AS]

Originally Posted by Hans627

Thanks guys.

Am I safe to conclude the differential in the front axle on a 4X4 work the same way?

It would appear as thought a 4X4 without some kind of anti-slip differential is kind of useless.

The term 4X4 is a marketing term and does not have a standard definition.

There are locking differentials and then there are anti-slip differentials. For serious off-roading you would want at least one locking diff. There is a debate as to which axle benefits most if you can afford only one locker. Anti-slip is better than a completely open diff and can be driven on the highway whereas a locked diff shouldn't.

When pulling a trailer (as well as daily driving) there are some situations when a 4X4 with at least one locking diff would be useful. I have seen some campsites where 4X4 rigs have been stuck in some mud and required a tow truck. A locking diff may have made a difference in self extraction, however even vehicles with locking diffs on both axles sometimes require a winch to get out.

[Kevin245]

A 4wd without limited slip or locking differentials isn’t useless, but it does not offer the pure 4wd capability of a locking system.

Our 2016 2wd is equipped with a 3.73 electric locking differential (ELD). It proves useful in slick, or muddy conditions as long as there is weight in the truck bed. If I were to purchase a 4wd I would definitely have a locking differential.