Rubicon Lockers — How to Use and Maintain Your Factory Lockers

How the Factory Lockers Work

Rubicon Wranglers come with electronically locking front and rear differentials as standard equipment. When unlocked, they operate as standard open differentials that send power to the wheel with the least resistance. When locked, both wheels on the axle turn together regardless of traction. This provides maximum traction in situations where one wheel has no grip — rock crawling, deep mud, steep climbs, and snow.

The lockers are engaged by switches on the dashboard. The rear locker can be engaged at any time in 4-Lo. The front locker can only be engaged when the rear locker is already locked. The lockers will not engage above a certain speed (about 10 mph) to prevent drivetrain damage. An indicator light on the dash confirms when the lockers have fully engaged.

When to Use the Lockers

Use the lockers when you need maximum traction at low speeds. Rock crawling is the primary use case — when one tire lifts off the ground and has no traction, the lockers ensure the other tire on the same axle keeps pulling. Deep mud and snow are other situations where lockers make a significant difference. On steep climbs, lockers prevent the spinning tire from losing momentum while the other tire tries to find grip.

Do not use the lockers on high-traction surfaces like dry pavement or gravel roads at speed. With the differentials locked, the inside and outside wheels turn at different speeds during turns. On a high-traction surface, this causes the tires to bind and hop, which puts extreme stress on the axle shafts and differential gears. Disengage the lockers immediately when you return to paved roads.

Maintenance for Long Life

The factory lockers use an electric motor and gear mechanism to engage the locking pawl. These components need clean differential oil to operate reliably. Change the differential gear oil every 30,000 miles and use a quality synthetic gear oil. When you change the oil, inspect the locker mechanism through the fill hole if possible.

Use the lockers regularly even if you do not off-road. Engaging and disengaging the lockers once a month keeps the mechanisms from seizing from lack of use. Drive in a parking lot or loose gravel surface, engage 4-Lo, engage the lockers, drive forward a few feet in a straight line, then disengage. This keeps the locker components lubricated and prevents corrosion from building up.

Bottom Line

Factory Rubicon lockers provide maximum traction when you need it. Use them in 4-Lo at low speeds on loose surfaces. Never use them on dry pavement at speed. Change the differential oil regularly and exercise the lockers monthly to keep them working. With proper maintenance, the factory lockers will last the life of the vehicle.

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