Subaru TORQ Locker ULTIMATE TEST

Side by side comparison of vehicles with and without TORQ Lockers installed.
This video is not sponsored in any way and no compensation is being received for it.
2006 Forester = Stock with limited slip rear differential.
2003 Baja = with H6 engine, added switch for center lock, and rear diff Subaru 5-bolt TORQ locker.
2003 Baja = with H6 engine, hi/low transmission gearing, custom center diff locker built using Subaru 1-bolt auto locker, custom front diff locker using Subaru 5-bolt locker, and rear diff Subaru 5-bolt locker as intended by TORQ.

[@LLJKotaru]

Very, very cool.

[@jimpaladin9799]

Another H6 swapped dual range Baja!? I didn't think one existed! I'm very curious how difficult it was to modify a torq locker for use in the center and front, and how does it perform on the road?

[@BonkersBaja]

The front locker requires making splined and hardened stub axles... which would be prohibitive to most people. The center lock was even more extreme. I did this project as a challenge to myself to prove that it is possible. The handling on road is actually pretty good. I absolutely love it on snowy or icy roads. The center lock clicks quite a bit on sharp turns. The front and rear lockers are nearly silent. I'm working on a syncronizer for the center lock which will eliminate it's clicking.

[@AdventureOutintheWildreness]

Video please

[@NiNjaTurtLe697]

Awesome test. Which torque locker was this... torque masters?

[@fredastaire6156]

oh man!! This video seriously is like a gift from above. I have a 2012 Forester 4EAT with a Torq locker in the rear and plan to get a DCCD Pro for the center diff. By the looks of things, if I find myself with only one front wheel with significant traction Im screwed! Do you know of any other mods that can essentially "close" the open diff in the front so that power isn't lost on the slipping wheel. I know that with the DCCD I could essentially partition 50/50 split torq from the front to the rear but the individual tires...thats where I don't believe we have a feasible solution with our Subarus. Honestly, thank you so much for posting this video. Super helpful!

[@benmerrell81]

Unfortunately, there are no easy kits for front differential lockers. So it takes some pretty serious customization to make one work. Torq is developing a locker for the Ascent rear that may be a better size and easier to modify for a front differential. But it is still unreleased and would still require some modification of the CV cups. If your ride has the 4EAT, why are you planning a DCCD mod? Just curious. Personally, I would just put a computer override button to manually tell the MPT clutch packs to lock. It is significantly cheaper and easier, and I have had very good results from doing this. In fact, the silver Baja shown currently has this for a center lock. I love having the front locked, but comparatively speaking, the rear locker plus an MPT override button and decent tires will get you 95% of the traction you will ever need. The remaining small gains of adding a front locker is mainly just for pride, but if you're a determined nut like me, then don't forget to post anything you build!

[@crazybastid85]

does someone make a product that allows you to manually make clutch packs lock?

[@orion2096]

You can do it electronically by splicing the right wires. It tricks the awd system to think it's slipping.

[@sssnake2332]

Amazing work with the front diff (and H6-swapped Bajas). Does it click or bind up a lot when you're in normal 90/10 power split? I won't try to do it, but it is very interesting. Random side question: Would you happen to know if the TCM freaks out when you change 1) final drive ratio, and 2) change planetary/sun 1st and 2nd gear ratios? I have the parts to get a 3.0 first gear and 4.44 FD but am worried about the TCM behavior. No one in the #4EAT FB group has answered me yet, so it must not be a common thing.

[@CptFUNK1]

I wish there was a way to drop in an auto locking or electronic locking front and center diff in my 2006 MT Forester. I'd like to put a Torq diff in the rear, but it's kind of pointless if the center diff and front diff become overpowered by the rear.

[@carsonsharp319]

is the locking center diff only an option for the automatics? i have 1998 outback with the manual and i think that the front and rear wheels are always locked

[@bcyr-CO]

From my understanding, yeah. The autos don't have a true center diff like the manuals, rather a clutch pack is used. The center e-lock (I've heard this referred to as c-solenoid mod) is just an electronic override to get the clutch to fully engage regardless of traction or gear selection. If you wanted to achieve a similar function in a manual, you could switch to a stronger center LSD, custom modify an automatic locking diff (like a torque locker), or if the vehicle is only used on loose/slick surfaces, weld the center diff.

[@GeoRS7]

Hello, What torque lockers you have installed?

[@benmerrell81]

TORQ Masters Industries produces automatic lockers for Subarus. 2 different models based on which differential you have.

[@joseacevedo5354]

What locker do you have in the front

[@benmerrell81]

It's the subaru r160 5bolt rear locker by Torq Masters modified to fit the front, but it is not a drop-in. Nobody builds a kit that directly fits the front. This front build requires building custom axle stubs and spacers to get the locker gears placed correctly.

[@joseacevedo5354]

@@benmerrell81 I was hoping it would be easier. I won’t even know where to go to get the axle stubs made. Thanks for the info