SUBARU TORQ LOCKER Off-road Testing | Does it make a difference?

Our gnarliest climbs BEFORE and AFTER installing the TORQ locker. Stay tuned until the end for our thoughts and a brief discussion that may be helpful to anyone considering an R160 autolocker for their off-road Subaru. Check out the rest of our TORQ locker-related videos (links below) and subscribe for more!
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[@stevenstiles1]

As soon as this is available to the public it's going into my daily!

[@therootedprogress]

Just purchased mine today for my 02 outback! Can't wait to get it installed!!

[@Tklinedesign]

Can't wait for more videos on this. Especially interested in the on road handling/performance in different driving conditions.

[@focalimaging7083]

Install mine in my 12' NA on Thursday! Thanks for producing all these on it.

[@JCO65]

Awesome video! I like the way you guys compared the same spots on the trail for comparison. A group of mtn. Roo guys did a video demo of this locker, but it hardly showed any rear diff action. This video is great!

[@powerofyourbrains]

Thanks! It's great to see everyone liking it so much. We've got a library of archived footage from our many many exploits out there so we should be able to dig up some more in time

[@aaronmyers4951]

Thanks for posting the video. Building my own SG Forester now. I would have gone with an LSD before watching this. Temporarily on 300 Lb/in coilover shocks and Grabber AT² tires, powered by a Z25 engine and auto tranny. 300 Lbs per inch is very street livable, and dropping off steps I don't have to worry about the undercarriage bottoming the shock and causing damage. I did have to disconnect the sway bars for articulation, or there was only about 2 inches. In the middle of a move from AZ to OK panhandle. Sadly, no mountains or real hills here, but it's only about 160 miles to some good hilly terrain in East OK or Northwest Texas. I am attempting a 6.5 inch lift. Hope we can meet up as I travel the country to meet other lifted Forester owners and try out their favorite playgrounds. Thanks for all the motivational videos. Looking forward to your locked roo @ other locations, especially a group trip places stock Foresters can't go. Subscribed.

[@tonyrdr7207]

Amazing video guys love the before and after it says it all. I have an old l series with a Detroit rear and it has allowed me to get away with with a lot including dragging my mates real 4WDs out of bogs. Your set up looks great 👍 now with the lockers. If you are ever in Australia and the L is still alive you are welcome to borrow it for some trails Cheers Tony

[@powerofyourbrains]

Thanks Tony, glad to here it. From our encounters with SxSers recently we're definitely about at the level of a moderately modified RZR 900 in terms of capability, which is hilarious. Thanks for the offer, hopefully we'll make it down there some day

[@softroadingthewest]

Brilliant approach to demonstrate the difference the locker makes. I hope to get more firsthand looks at it in action on some real terrain. Even the tiny bit I got to see was impressive. This video reeeally sells it though. Looks like a fun trail too.

[@powerofyourbrains]

Thanks! More to come. Fun trails indeed. Not exactly softroading though...the two trails you see in this video are really pretty brutal. Having seen modified Jeeps and 4x4 trucks struggle or fail to make these climbs really sells the locker for us 👍 Glad we were able to communicate that.

[@softroadingthewest]

@@powerofyourbrains Not softroading indeed. And me personally, I'm not out offroading for the sake of offroading, I just need capability for the difficult spots I encounter on wilderness excursions. My Forester's AWD + traction control gets me *almost* everywhere I need to go, though it does happen that I have to abandon planned routes, backtrack, detour, etc. because I'm usually solo and can't take chances without a recovery vehicle along. I think having a locker and/or low range would greatly increase my capabilities, but I'm not super interested in getting into a larger 4x4. I love the size and MPGs of my Forester. If only that new Jimny were available in the U.S. 8^)

[@powerofyourbrains]

@@softroadingthewest Same. Our stomping ground isn't really a recreational area...moreso just a region full of mining and weird randomness. It's a little bit banjo out here if you know what I mean. It's fun to explore and blaze trails though, but we have to remember that many of the "trails" we come across out here were never meant to be driven on. They are pipelines or some other sort of clearing that was only ever intended to pass through industrial equipment over rough terrain...backhoes and excavators, not cars and SxSs. As such, we do value the low COG of the Subarus. There have been times where we probably would have rolled it in another vehicle.

[@softroadingthewest]

@@powerofyourbrains Haha...as it happens I watched your little sideways-on-the-muddy-hill video last night. 8^D Low COG FTW!

[@MrNcmatt]

Awesome!

[@powerofyourbrains]

It is. The difference is almost like moving from fwd to awd, and I'm sensing another disaster series on the horizon if we're not careful lol

[@NotSoFlatAdventures]

Looks so good. This before and after comparisons are super helpful. Loving seeing all the test vids of these lockers coming out. My biggest concern is the ratcheting noise for general driving, and also on-road handling. How have you found that?

[@TylerScranton]

The racheting noise isn't bad, really. It can be helped by using a heavier gear oil as well. However, if your diff bushings are worn out, you can pretty nasty noises from the diff moving around more. On-road drivability is good, particularly in the manual. You do need to change your style of driving a bit however, or if your center diff is locked (that mod should be done before a Torqlocker anyway), you can jsu tmodify the switch to run it in a FWD mode if you want.

[@NotSoFlatAdventures]

@@TylerScranton cheers! I still haven't ruled the idea out. With a 4EAT and VDC (2009) I'm not sure we have a straight forward way to do the centre diff lock mod like the earlier models.

[@d0stawca]

It's on first place of my "to buy" list after I change a job :)

[@Whiteandsonsgarage]

Paweł Młocek looks like it’s going make a big difference

[@powerofyourbrains]

​@@Whiteandsonsgarage Massive difference. With as light as the car is, a locked rear is a huge improvement. It's so much better in fact that it may or may not be a good thing. Time will tell how successful we are at using this thing responsibly lol.

[@JT-or3ok]

awesome video demonstration. my question is having the lockers, will it affect your daily driving on street road and freeway can you still do 80 mph normally? i saw your other video about the clicking noise, will it affect the speed and truing radius of my car?

[@zipzit2go]

Nice video. Great before / after comparisons. I do have a couple of questions. What size are those tires? Is there an installed lift kit? Looks like skid plates and rock rail added. Are those DIY builds from scrap metal you have in the shop? Can a torq locker be added to front differential? What I'm really asking, what is the cost to modify a Subaru Forester for going offroad and having fun? Again, many thx for the efforts here...

[@Whiteandsonsgarage]

Wow that goes really good off-road, I have seen a couple on the beach in soft sand but not never in the mud

[@TylerScranton]

Subies are pretty great on sand just because they're so danged light compared to a traditional 4WD. In mud, you have power and diffs becoming an issue. This fixes a good part of that. Plus, if nothing else, the diff doesn't hang down to get hung up on stuff.

[@powerofyourbrains]

Thanks, and yeah she does. It's quite fun to watch SxSers bemused disbelief. Since we got the MTs mud hasn't been an issue. Swims right through.

[@genso3065]

Haven't really took my sf to off-roading yet. but, considering doing this to the sf as well..

[@TheCraftyTech]

thats pretty insane the difference it makes! to bad i need mine for daily use. i just uploaded a video of my trip out to the bush up here in canada, took a trail i used to do in my lifted jeep. guess a stock forester makes it too!

[@kruelzombieful]

Do they make a full mechanical locker for these or just this lunch box locker style one?

[@jasondonnelly6966]

Now this makes me want one on my outback

[@Whiteandsonsgarage]

Jason Donnelly this makes me want to buy a Subrau just so I can do it

[@powerofyourbrains]

@@Whiteandsonsgarage Do it. Beaters are cheap entry to off-road foolery.

[@sonnyrico]

Can they go in the front also?

[@SatanBeHatin]

This has probably been answered a lot but I can’t find a comment on it where did you buy the bumper guard/scrape plate thing? I just got my 2000 Forester I can’t find that

[@byronboost]

Drag application on this?

[@thatpoorguy]

Still a bit salty that I can't have one yet. I have a 5 bolt diff sitting in the garage ready to jam this in so it can go under Trasharoo lol

[@powerofyourbrains]

Your time will come soon kemosabi

[@JYTherapy]

Have you guys experimented with a welded rear?

[@powerofyourbrains]

Not really. Gotta drive to get to out to our favorite spots

[@microsnook3]

How would these do in the snow? I live where it snows a lot and I'd want this for summer but maybe not the snow driving.

[@powerofyourbrains]

Probably similar to how they were in our last video on gravel...throttle oversteer

[@Romassj2]

I guess this rear locker doesnt have too much sense on a manual transmission due to the "open" center diff, am i right?? ... (i know the center is a Viscous coupler 4kg .. some kind of a joke)

[@procrastinator1842]

What diff bushings are you running? Mine appeared to be good but they make an almighty THUMP THUMP THUMP when ratcheting at slow speed turning!

[@powerofyourbrains]

They're crappy old oem bushings. You might benefit from watching our on-road video. We talk about it quite a bit, especially at the end. If you're doing everything else right (gap check, equal tire pressure, etc), it could still be the bushings, the oil level, or lack of break-in. Yeah...just check out that video, and bear in mind that the WRX was sort of the same way at first

[@procrastinator1842]

@@powerofyourbrains What oil level do you recommend? I am using 85W-140 at about 1/4 inch above factory level. Tyre pressure is equal. Gap check was fine. The ratcheting under coasting is quiet, hardly noticeable, but under normal amounts of throttle it sounds like someone hitting the spare well with a mallet....hard. I watched the etc video and it seemed acceptable?

[@MinimaDomum]

I didnt think i needed one before but now I definitely do. I cant afford this shit, damn you guys

[@powerofyourbrains]

In all fairness, we do a lot of diy too 😁

[@MinimaDomum]

@@powerofyourbrains Thanks to your centre diff lock video i took my Legacy in the mud for the first time and broke it lol, but at least i could get home in rear wheel drive haha How does the locker go on road? Would there be a significant increase in tyre wear and scrubbing in shopping centre carparks and the like?

[@powerofyourbrains]

Good question. This is something we're still working out. In autos its definitely not a problem because you can just wire a switch to the fwd fuse or set up your center lock switch to go between locked and fwd instead of locked and auto. Jury is still out on manuals which do not have such luxuries

[@MinimaDomum]

@@powerofyourbrains so when there's no Torq (pun intended) on the diff this device unlocks, then when it's loaded up (when a wheel starts spinning) it locks up?

[@powerofyourbrains]

Basically, yes. More right foot = more lockup. Not to say that you need to mash the gas. Once a decent load is transferred to the ground you're as locked as you'll ever need to be.

[@ZacharyZBowBowles]

Was the ground wet on the first attempt, and dry with the torque lock?

[@TylerScranton]

Ground conditions are pretty much the same out there, but if anything it was more wet the second time. We've had tons of weight lately. You can see in the second climb, no locker, that Granny was throwing all sorts of dirt and dust in the air. Plenty dry out there.

[@powerofyourbrains]

Fair question, but no it wasn't. Pretty much the same conditions actually; ideal for a fair comparison. We've been to both of these locations several times which allowed us to use best one terrain-wise, and fortunately the comp has all the same climbing mods except the locker.

[@Zcypot]

so even with that center diff lock mod you can do on some Fozzys, is this superior method of going about it?

[@powerofyourbrains]

It's a complement to the center locker in automatics (you'll definitely want to have the diff lock mod done if you install this on an auto), but it works in manuals as well. This is a mechanical rear locking diff vs the locker switch which is an electronic hack for the transfer clutch that directs power to the rear. It works like welded rear diff when you're on the gas, but off throttle it has the ability to unlock itself.

[@Zcypot]

@@powerofyourbrains awesome, thanks for the info!

[@kartboarder22g17]

By the way donuts are incredibly easy in the winter too with this mod.

[@powerofyourbrains]

@@kartboarder22g17 Totally. Granny throttle steered like crazy on the gravel roads

[@thatpoorguy]

Did you get any understeer on the gravel roads because of it?

[@trevorthomas6043]

Only thing left to do is tighten up the center diff

[@lifeisgood070]

Kinda seems like this thing needs to spin a bit before engaging? Wouldn't a LSD be better? What's the cost difference? And why would a LSD not be used? I've seen LSD lock up before 70% of a single wheel rotation, and that's probably a loose setting.

[@TylerScranton]

These are much better than an LSD, especially the stock Subaru. They engage immediately once on throttle (technically, it's only unengaged off throttle and with a speed differential between the wheels. So it's already engaged). A comparable performance LSD would cost well over a grand, while this is $400. And that LSD will work great until you lift a wheel...

[@DeePPurPleLemoN]

Hi guys. will this locker somehow worsen driving ON ROAD? (for example: will it worsen cornering, handling on wet or snowy asphalt etc.etc)?

[@powerofyourbrains]

If you have an auto, you can wire a FWD switch and only use the locker when you need it. In manuals and without the switch you'll need to change the way you drive by giving it more or less gas on tight corners to avoid partial lockup. In snowy or icy conditions the locker will literally give you 50% more traction with more of an oversteer bias. Hope that helps.

[@braulio1o4]

@@powerofyourbrains i have a manual transmisión with hi-lo manual lever, and i think it also have the FWD switch (extra fuse) So i'm my case it could be possible to use the Locker when i need it?

[@powerofyourbrains]

@@braulio1o4 I'm only really familiar with Subarus sold in the states, but I believe that all manuals send power through a vLSD center. In vehicles like the STi with a DCCD (eg, a vLSD + MPT), I think some power still goes to all wheels regardless of the setting. Were you to "pull the fuse" for that, you would just have the vLSD splitting torque 50:50. I don't think your manual has this setup necessarily, and I don't think it would matter if it did. The fuse you're thinking of probably controls traction control - manual center diffs are fundamentally different from those in autos.

[@microsnook3]

@@powerofyourbrains can this be done with a crosstrek 2018?

[@jimpaladin6033]

I am curious if this would be livable in a daily, I know the clicking would get annoying but if I could get used to that are there any other issues?

[@powerofyourbrains]

We're still working it out. Before we set up our center lock to be in fwd when in the off position we did experience some tire scrubbing and clunking when turning from a stop. In autos this is a simple fix. In manuals it's too early to say how drivability will be affected. The clicking isn't that bad either. It's sort of like the off-road equivalent to a blow off valve noise except it actually does something.

[@TylerScranton]

From the limited road testing I've been there for, the clicking itself wasnt bad. I actually enjoyed it, truth be told.

[@jasonchall3766]

In FWD, you can hardly hear the clicking over road noise above 15MPH. In the autos it's totally streetable, I wouldn't hesitate to daily drive it at all. Testing to come for manuals.

[@jimpaladin6033]

Thanks! I have a JDM DR 5 speed so I'll have to see what you guys come up with for stickshifts

[@jasonchall3766]

@@jimpaladin6033 A couple of folks have tested with manuals and reported good results, but we are looking forward to testing ourselves too.

[@ziaveyphotography8892]

did you had the center dif locked ?

[@powerofyourbrains]

Yep

[@ziaveyphotography8892]

@@powerofyourbrains i ' m asking because youre front wheel is spinning much faster than rear see at 1.30 min in video why is that ?

[@davydod]

It's impressive for what it is but it looks like you have to beat the crap out of it to get it over most obstacles that a fwd with low range would crawl over.

[@fredbell3773]

Bring on the Carnage 🤣🤣🤣 so how long is the test period before the decide to let the subi world get one????

[@powerofyourbrains]

Good question! For us the test period is indefinite, but supposedly these lockers are gonna be available soon. We'll let you know if we hear anything from TorqMasters, but you could always just shoot them an email.

[@bruceyyyyy]

You rang?

[@TylerScranton]

I'm told we're supposed to bully you into an X-mode/locker comparision video now.

[@powerofyourbrains]

@@TylerScranton Yes, you have been challenged, vehicularly.

[@powerofyourbrains]

In all seriousness, just before you commented Tyler turned on the Bruceyyyyy signal light

[@jasonchall3766]

We would really like to compare to xmode. we might even be able to arrange a temporary tire swap so we can try it on the same tires. Have any hills that you've attempted but been unable to conquer with xmode?

[@bruceyyyyy]

@@jasonchall3766 The issue with x mode comes from the grade/steepness of the incline. Diagonal spin isn't an issue. I can yank fuses to overcome it but I'm still ahead to have it on most of the time. You all coming to the mtnroo meet next week right?

[@raymondjohnson8522]

i want a Subaru so bad i will have one some day

[@andrewlangford88]

Try putting smaller wheels and tyres on it. Will make the gearing much better. Oh, just realised it's auto so probably doesn't make that much of a difference

[@3G4Runner_N_Gunner]

I'd love to see how well this locker works with the 50/50 switch.

[@powerofyourbrains]

This car has that. It works excellent. More to come on functionality, but autos are ideal because of the ability to selectably lock the center

[@3G4Runner_N_Gunner]

I plan to do a FXT lift, 50/50 switch, and eventually this rear locker on my 97 OBS.

[@3G4Runner_N_Gunner]

Was this with the center diff locked too?

[@powerofyourbrains]

@@3G4Runner_N_Gunner Yes it was

[@DaHerrKulzer]

@@powerofyourbrains how did you lock it?

[@blindstudios1082]

We’re do I buy?!?!?

[@blindstudios1082]

My 2001 forester is ready

[@TheMr0450]

Dude.. speak english please! Haha.. loved the content and styling.. this locker has piqued ma interest .. cheers!!

[@andrewe7165]

That's pretty ridiculous. It actually bums me out to know just how crappy the stock AWD setup is in my Forester.

[@powerofyourbrains]

I can see why you'd say that, but I don't agree. I do wish that all autos came set up with a diff lock switch from the factory, but they don't because Subaru couldn't afford to warranty all the trashed center diffs from people driving locked on the road so I guess that's understandable. The reason I don't agree is because what makes these cars good off-road is how light they are with a low COG.. Excluding side by sides, they don't really make light weight vehicles with full locking ability anymore, at least not in the states. Put a locker in a Subaru that's already equipped for off-road use and the result is (apparently) a machine that eats most stock side by sides for lunch at a fraction of the price.

[@andrewe7165]

@@powerofyourbrains ya I get all that but there's nothing more frustrating to see 2 wheels spinning with zero traction while the other 2 just sit a dry ground and do nothing. Theres gotta be a better way!

[@powerofyourbrains]

@@andrewe7165 I agree lol. More vehicles should come with locking ability strait from the showroom, not just massive trucks and $50k Jeeps. Fortunately there are companies such as TorqMasters seeking to remedy this, which is great because a $400 locker is way more practical than time traveling back to the 1980's. Even with lockers, I'm confident that the aforementioned vehicles wouldn't be able to beat our time. Hell, the pickup we rode in to go rescue the Blubaru barely even made it up there. The hole is just a super gnarly trail - we've tried, but it'll never come across on video like it is in person.

[@andrewe7165]

@@powerofyourbrains lol agreed. Well keep em coming!