Winch or Diff?

[El Jason]

Thinking of adding one of these options to my 2008 Tundra. My budget won’t accommodate both a winch and diff work right now.

Pretty much stock pickup except for about two inches of lift. 33” Duratracs. Chains for the rear. Compressor so I can air down. I always carry a coal shovel and am thinking of adding traction boards.

Which is your choice and why?

 

[Southern Elk]

I would add a receiver hitch to the front of your truck and get one of the winches that slides into the receiver. That way you can winch from the front or the back and take it off and use it for other applications.

 

[MTLabrador]

When I’ve been stuck in something ATRAC and my tires couldn’t handle, a locker wouldn’t have been able to handle it either. I vote winch.

 

[Deleted member 22670]

If you can only have only one, my vote is a winch. You can get your self unstuck, you can help your buddy get out, move a tree that has fallen across the road, etc. I think it is more versatile.

 

[El Jason]

When I’ve been stuck in something ATRAC and my tires couldn’t handle, a locker wouldn’t have been able to handle it either. I vote winch.

Would the winch handle tent recoveries?

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

I originally voted locker, but changed it to a winch. They are just too handy even beyond vehicle extraction.

 

[MTLabrador]

Would the winch handle tent recoveries?

We could use the winch to pull the tent tight and hold it down in the wind.

 

[Addicting]

When you do a locker do a Eaton E locker. I have ran them in some of the hardest conditions without fail. Arburn air lockers are nice but not needed with the extra compressor and lines for your set up.

 

[marksjeep]

Daily driver? Selectable locker? Regearing? I'd rule out the LSD, not enough of an improvement over an open, regardless.

I drove my jeep with a detroit in the rear as a DD for years. It's ok if you don't need to drive in the snow on the roads. You learn how to feather the gas/clutch to let the locker unlock on turns. It was awful during the winter on snowy roads. Did an ARB after that, never looked back, ARB is awesome. Also have older Warn winch on it. Only used it a handful of times. Locker had way more bang for the buck. But the few times I needed the winch, I needed it.

If you need to regear anyway, I'd go selectable locker all day long. If you are not regearing, maybe just the winch.

 

[MarvB]

Winch like S Elk stated, great for moving logs/crap in the road. Use around the ranch for a variety of things. We use a winch a lot firewood cutting.

 

[El Jason]

Not re-gearing. Semi daily driver. Certainly not a dedicated off road vehicle.

 

[marksjeep]

That's a lot of $$ on labor if not regearing. Winch, with rope.

 

[TheTone]

Choice D: stay home when the weather stinks

 

[El Jason]

Choice D: stay home when the weather stinks

That’s not hardcore bruh.

 

[TheTone]

That’s not hardcore bruh.

I got kinda stuck in town today. Took a few minutes of spinning to break free from the slush and snow. I’m sure it impressed my new boss on our first day together

 

[Arcola]

Winch. The locker will just give you the false confidence you need to get into a position where you need a winch

 

[Deleted member 28227]

Let’s be honest we’ve seen how the winch strategy plays out…

 

[Carl 9.3x62]

Choice D: stay home when the weather stinks

That is not an option

 

[44hunter45]

Timely thread. I had to chain up to get out of the driveway this morning.

 

[44hunter45]

I love the ARB system. Plus the compressor is there for blowing up stuff and re-inflating if you air down. It's on the list for my '83 Toy make-over.