When I go wheeling in my 2wd tracker, I have to hit mud holes or whatever I'm going through a lot faster than guys with 4x4 who can just crawl through stuff... if I lose momentum, I get stuck. I've heard that if you have a locker you have to take things slower, or you will end up breaking an axle. My tracker is also my DD, and right now I'm leaning towards minispool because of price and installation ease. Can anyone comment on having to take things slower with a locker? Do you have to go slower with a minispool too?

A mini spool will break axles on the street,
especialy if you run bigger tires.

I wouldn't say I ever had to run slower
thru something because I had a Locker,
you just don't need to hammer the throttle
so hard because the traction is so awesome,
it just isn't needed, not that you couldn't if you want to

Wild

Ok so a mini spool is basically like welding your differential... which means I should get a locker.

How exactly do automatic lockers work, when do they turn off and not lock?

The auto lockers turn "off" when you
let up on the throttle, or have one wheel
spinning faster than the other, like cornering
with throttle off, and lock when you accelerate.

Ok I understand now, looks like locker is the way to go... a shame they are harder to install, do they come with good directions?

Mine came with good directions, I got one from
Genuine Gear, not Lock-Rite, tho the seller said
it''s the same thing (and it is) I just don't know if
it's the same Manufacturer as lock-rite brand

I used the stock crosspins (what the spiders gears ride on)
because the new parts looked like they would fall out, but
other than that, it was an easy (nerve wracking) but easy
install.

Once you get the hang of what these funny little parts
do and how it all works, you stop worrying about it and
just know the traction is going to be awesome, even  in
2WD you can go up stuff most open 4X4s have trouble with

This is a definite do it mod, you will not be disappointed

How much did you pay for it? The lockers I've seen run about $200 or so, that a good price?

I've got to get a new exhaust setup, wildgoody you wouldn't happen to have an opinion on the Calmini performance exhaust kit. I've been thinking about getting that as well as a K&N cone air filter, or getting the calmini exhaust kit that comes with the air filter.

I got a cat back 2" system welded on
for $140 with a quiet muff from a local
shop, but I know the exhaust is a good
mod. As far as the cone filter, just get
a K&N that fits the filter box, it keeps
cool air comming into the engine, where
an under hood cone sucks hot air instead

Wild

Ok I'm gonna start calling shops and seeing how much an exhaust installation would run me, and I will look into that filter. I think I'm going to pass on the header because I don't really need more power, and I need the cash for a locker, lift and tires.