I had the Richmond locker in my garage for about a year before I got around to installing it. Anyway when I was installing the 4.88 gears in place of the 4.62s, Don prompted me to go ahead and install it (we had the rear apart anyway). Pulled the side bearings and ring and then took it apart and surprisingly the side gears (and everything) were in excellent condition. So... in they went.
As far as on road/off road performance... I have no complaints. YES it does ratchet in turns while I'm off the power and occasionally will pop REAL loud as the torque unloads and the side gears override... but I can honestly say I don't have and have not had any problems while driving with it. Even in the snow this past winter, although we didn't receive anywhere near the snow accumulation we normally receive here in the midwest. The ratcheting sound is more prominent in warm weather than the cooler weather because of the gear oil thickness. I would advise anyone considering a Lock Right who lives in a snow belt to install it in warmer weather, then get used to driving your truck with the new torque quirks, before winter comes to your neighborhood.
Off road... the only times I have had it off road to date was in 2 wheel drive and lo range back in the woods. I had changed the BFG ATs for the Courser C/Ts and wanted to see how much traction difference there was and another time a couple weeks ago when I was pulling logs out of a ravine so they could be cut up (again in 2 wheel drive lo range) and I've had no problems with it. I have no doubt an ARB air locker would be great, but for about 30% of the cost, I can't and won't complain. I'm thinking the Richmiond Gear lock Right states their locker is good for vehicles with tires up to 31" diameter. I don't know where I read that, but my truck should never exceed those parameters.
Short wheel based trucks (2 door) might have more pronounced handling affects, but I'm good with the locker in my 4 door with the 5 speed tranny.