limited-slip or locker

A full locker is for strictly off-road use. In a turn, the outside wheel spins faster than the inside wheel. A full locking differential will not allow this as it locks both sides together applying power to both wheels at all times. For on-road driving this will result in accellerated tire wear.
A limited slip diff applies power to both wheels but still allows one side to slip. So it's better traction than and open differential but not as good as a full locked one.

If what you're wanting is for part time off-road use I would recommend a selectable locker such as ARB. There are others but I can't think of the names right now. Essentially they allow you to manually engage the locking diff whenever full traction is needed.

Thanks tymont. I was thinking about putting an ARB air locker in the front and limited-slip in the back because I don't want to have to worry about engaging it if I run across some ice, like I did the other day leaving the parking lot at work. Does that combination usually work or would it be better the other way around?

Depends on how much you are planning to off-road it. That combination works very well for the not quite hard core wheeler.

Trails, mud, snow. Not a lot of rock climbing, maybe some small ones or fallen trees if I come across them on the trail.

Sounds like a good setup for what you're going to use it for.

By the sound of it you should be good with a limited slip. The ARB's are nice but may be to much for your needs. Take a look at the Auburn limited slip I used one on my old 92 Dakota it worked well.

relyt said:

Trails, mud, snow. Not a lot of rock climbing, maybe some small ones or fallen trees if I come across them on the trail.

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Ok, having read this. Is this your daily driver or play toy or both. The ARB would probally work well for you.

nfd538 said:

Ok, having read this. Is this your daily driver or play toy or both. The ARB would probally work well for you.

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It is my daily driver but I live in central Iowa, so you never know what kind of terrain one might come across at any given time. And I'm always looking for places to go wheelin lol.