Like a new engine, the ring and pinion need to get acquainted with each other and learn to operate under heavy load without excessive friction and gear killing heat. Even though the gears are finely machined at the factory, if you look at them through a microscope you'll see they have lots of sharp surfaces. The first 500 or so miles wears them in and eventually these gear surfaces become fairly smooth. If you consider your gear break in like a new engine you'll be just fine. New gear oil around 500-1,00mi will seal the deal. Lockers should be used sparingly, mostly in rocks or where you're losing traction when one or more wheels are off the ground. If you can get by using only the rears, chose that route. When you lock up the fronts, which you have to do sometimes, steering accuracy is more difficult. For that reason it's generally not a good idea to use lockers in snow. After you break in the gears take it out and on a trail you know and practice. Good luck.:twocents:
