Looking at a used truck that is a 4 x 4 but does not have E-locker. Is that normal or was it dumb to have not ordered it with it? Not sure I know enough about this to know what the implications are. Little help please

 

Unless you’re going to be in sloppy mud or 4 wheeling in spots that will have you articulated to an extreme where you have a front wheel on one side and a rear on the other off the ground you will never need it. Even then the traction control will apply the brakes as needed to shift power away from the wheels off the ground.

 

I can't tell you what percentage of 4x4s have elockers but, it isn't really unusual to see on one that doesn't.

The elocker is basically useless for on road driving and, since most people will only ever use 4wd in the snow,
it's really not helpful to most people.

 

Normal for a basic 4x4. Even if you have an e-locker, it only operates if it is turned on and is limited in it's operation. Most of the time, our 4x4's are running in 'one wheel peel' under normal driving conditions. If you care at all about having a rear locker, you won't want this truck unless you would plan on changing this arrangement.

 

Like I said I don't know much about the pros and cons. I just thought it odd it wouldn't have it. If I was buying a 2 wheel drive I'd want it for steep boat ramps. So buying it without is no big deal then? I'm not going to be any serious off roading----only fishing and hunting spots a bit off the pavement. Having 4 x 4 without it on a slippery boat ramp will not be an issue?

 

if you have a 4wd truck and ever find yourself really needing the elocker,
you were probably going to get stuck anyway.

( I agree with you about wanting it in a 2wd truck, as it could possibly be useful in that application )

 

I think it is common on the lower trim levels to not have it. Like others said it doesn't help in normal driving situations. You can't turn it on with speeds over 20MPH and if it was turned on at that speed or less, once you hit 25 MPH it will turn off but once below 20 again it will lock up. Where it is helpful is really off road stuff. Not just some basic trails or going down a gravel road. It is in the deeper mud or when you are basically rock crawling where you might get to a point where one rear tire has very little traction or is off the ground. That is where having the rear end lock up will mean that wheel with traction can drive you out.

I will say with my tractor when plowing snow I use 4wd but not the diff lock. I save that for my oops I got stuck insurance to try and get out myself. Sometimes it works to get me out, sometimes not.

 

When I was used truck shopping last summer it was about 50/50 with the locker or not, I looked at Lariats only. I ended up with a Lariat with no locker.

 

I needed the elocker once in 5yrs on my last truck and it was when I internationally got stuck playing around in a snowbank. I didn't bother seeking one out for my '18.

 

I use it more than 4x4, mostly with the boat and camper.