front locker advice?

Actually with welded lockers I have no problem at all with binding. And when your on the trail esp rocks the traction is always there. You never have to even a mili second for teeth or cluches to engage. That means less load impac on you diff internals. I think the biggest difference I have felt on rocks and ledges is with the front end locked. Made a big difference
in the ablity of my jeep.

 

I'd say if you lock the front first, you might consider the TruTrac for the rear. I know a few people who run locked front / open rear and they do good for mild to moderate wheeling, the LSD can make it better. My new setup will be ARB's front and rear because I don't like the handling characteristics of a Detroit in the rear, open is very comfortable. I ran Detroits for eight years in my Bronco, with two different rear axles and three suspension setups, and it was all over the road when I got on and off the gas. The Aussie in my Jeep doesn't jerk around quite as much, but it sure is noisy

 

That wouldn't be an issue with mine... the exhaust is so loud I can't even hear myself think!R)
So if I'm understanding the general consensus, selectable front and rear, doing the rear first.
(Hmmm... New exhaust, shocks, brake lines... now lockers. I think my budget for the year is shot!)

 

selectable lockers would be great...but cost a lot more, and depending on your knowledge and how mechanically inclined you are, will most likely require an expert to install for you. i am running d30 front with detroit ez_locker (same as a lockrite), and a d44 rear with a detroit locker...AWESOME. yet to break an axle...knock on wood... used to have a lockrite in the rear as well, but broke that to hell and went with a detroit (looking back, i should have just put a spool in the rear-but i am trail use only), i also have a very heavy gas foot.

i have no regrets with a full locker in the front, in 4wd, i definately notice a wider turning radius, but it doesn't bother me a bit. i would steer clear of a limited slip in the front, i feel those act funny at displacing power, and would really be wierd if mounted in the front, limited slips belong in the rear, and on the street for that matter, if you USE it on the trail, 'LOCK IT UP'!

as far as locking the front before the rear...DON'T! WAY too much stress for a little d30 axle if only that is locked. you WILL be breaking axles and joints constantly on hill climbs, decents, etc, you will need that rear locked to take lots of the stress off the front end. if locking just one axle, DO THE REAR, then when you are ready for both, lock the front.

i don't know what all terrain you drive, if it is all technical and lots of tight turns, a selectable would be best. if it is a general mix of all, either will end up suiting you just fine. here in southern CA, i ocassionally hit the desert and some dunes. 4 wheel positraction is a HUGE asset to blowing up large dunes.

a lockrite will work just fine in that d30, and extremely easy to install yourself, even if a novice mechanic. for the rear, a lockrite will work...for a while, should last you at least a couple years, but rear gets a lot of abuse, and the best option will be an indestructable detroit. i mentioned i broke a lockrite in the rear of mine, that was when i was on 31's as well. now i'm pushing 33 swamper boggers...no problems YET with the axles and locker... but it is a matter of time for my d30.

hope this helps.
happy wheelin'

 

i forgot to add to my book of a post above...
yes, a full locker will provide a harsher ride (one guy said all over the place when on and off gas)...yep, that's about right. mine is rugged on the road, sometimes loud, but can't hardly hear it over the exhaust, so whatever. but, you get this thing off road, i'm doing things in 2wd rear locked that other jeeps are struggling with in 4wd with open diffs. go with a detroit, or other full locked in the rear first if you are primarly trail use, some street ok. if you use this for daily driving, or a LOT of street use, then go selectable. arb's have a great reputation, i only know one person who had issues with one in the rear, he broke 3 different ones! went detroit, never had a problem again...only person i know that had these issues..?

again, some people on here say lock the front first or only, i will not say they are wrong, i'm not that arrogant, i just completely disagree. especially with the d30 front. that axle can't take all the stress. 'front only locker' applications i feel are for the trucks--> long wheelbase, they get the front end over, then pull the *** end through. jeeps are different, NEED that rear posi-power.

i'll take the pepsi challenge.
happy wheelin'

 

lordy lordy lordy, how did we ever get along with 25s, 27s, and 30s, doing just fine locked up ? and a lot of those Jeeps locked in the front only ?
it's not the axle or the locker or LSD or whatever you want to call it....

it's the DRIVER and the way the DRIVER drives

4 cylinder + air = broken axles/spiders
6 cylinder + air = broken axles/spiders
8 cylinder + air = broken axles/spiders

anyone see a pattern here ?

axles just don't break because they had nothing better to do that day

 

wow, this guy was WAITING for me to post that one to ambush it!! (just kidding, don't take that the wrong way, or read into it too deeply, seriously)

i'm just going by last 15yrs experience (sure, thats not much compared to most you seasoned vets out there), different rigs i've (and my group) been through, with all different set ups, configurations, etc...

like i said, i have a heavy gas foot, i use the hell out of my rigs, and yes, I AM HARD ON THEM. and yes, if i were to tenderfoot around, and pick the smoothest points/lines on trails, i could run small axles with no problems, i just tend to pick the hardest thing i can find,or is pointed out to me, and hit it. my purpose of bulletproof is so i can blast at it. if that makes sense to you..?

small dana axles are great, always have been, and will continue to be...for me though, d60's are in the near future.

anyway, nice to see a (semi)local on here. by chance will you be attending tds safari this year? we almost always do, but this year, we will be out at truckhaven, then swing by the area for just a bit...

happy wheelin'

 

I personally can bust up an anvil with a rubber mallet.

 

not trying to ambush anybody......
I just like to point out that the equipment isn't always at fault , yet it gets the most blame.
A front locker will be better than none.
Go ahead I say.

Wicked4x4: there was a nice little tenderfoot trail some of the members here ran in August 2007. You can read about it in the Nov 2007 issue of JP.

 

The bottom line here is you need to match the running gear, limited slip, locker, or whatever to your driving style and the terrain you will be traversing. If it's a daily driver then an automatic locker may not be for you. A selectable locker or limited slip may be a better choice.
Anything can be broken. A Detroit full case locker is NOT indestructible. I've seen many of them broken with 33" tires but they are probably the strongest of the full case automatic lockers. Steer away from the Detroit EZ lockers and stay with an Aussie or Lock Rite if you go that way. The Aussie and Lock rite have a much better track record for longevity and surviveability than the EZ locker.
There's the saying about the 10/90 rule. 10% vehicle and 90% vehicle. I very much believe in that as I've seen bone stock flatfender's with just one Powerlock in the rear go places with very much finesse and ease where fully locked rigs were struggling.
If you are a throttle driver, then you better plan on upgrading the axles anyway. If you are easy on your rig then there are lots of choices and only you can choose what is right. We are here to lend our experiences to you, but remember, opinions are like noses, we all have one and they all smell! Nickmil

 

100% vehicle, eh? R)

I know what you mean, 10% vehicle, 90% driver. So, so true

 

so, with all the opinions and messaging back and forth, not to mention personal messages floating around here, what are you thinking might be right for your jeep? i, and some others on here have mentioned that it is mainly dependant on 'what you plan to use this jeep for'. is it a daily driver? do you occasionally drive it on streets? do you only use it on the trail? these are major decisions to consider in purchasing a locker.

keep us posted as to what you end up doing, and also, how it works out for you and your jeep. i wish you the best of luck...

happy wheelin'

 

Back in the early 80s I drove a full time 4X4 jeep as a DD with gear drive lockers front and rear. The lockers worked very well. I would recommend one to a friend. They hold up as well as the rest of a dana 30 M20 axle. I was pushing them with a 401/turbo 400 auto with a shift kit. In high range it would turn all four tires shifting into second gear on pavement.

The street manners of the gear drive are very good. Can't even tell it is in there until you loose traction with one tire. I haven't kept up with the manufactures since the 80s. There was a tru-trac and a gleason torsen available then. Neither made by Detroit.

I have a lock rite in the front of black jeep now. It jerks the wheel now and again. It also pushes hard on tight corners. But you get used to how it performs. The advantage to the front locker is it isn't there with the hubs unlocked.

I don't break parts on the D30. For those that have issues breaking parts on the D30 I think your better off to go to a D60.

Selectable lockers are nice for those that can afford them. Black jeep isn't worth as much as a pair of selectable lockers.

I also wouldn't toss a whole pile of cash into a D30. If you want to run 33 or larger tires with a locker your really pushing the limits of the D30.

 

Thanks to all of you for your input. Waaaaaaay more than I expected, but very cool. I think I've got enough info & opinion to make a decision...I think? Money is always a huge decision maker so now I have to decide if I want to put a high $$ selectable in a d30. as for now I think I am leaning toward an Aussie for the rear first. Ride on that a while & see if I really need to lock the front. selectables would be nice but not quite ready do drop $700.
Once again thank you all for the help you guys/gals ROCK!!!!!

 

Doh! That's what I get for typing in early in the morning. Yup, 10% vehicle 90% driver....

 

i agree with many that the reliability of a locker, in whatever axle, is mostly about the driver and driver input (throttle). i've been very happy with just a lock-right in the rear 44. i've had it for at least 7 years, probably more (can't remember exactly when it was installed). but i also put about 2,500 miles per year on the cj, so it sees plenty of road travel.

i don't have high horsepower (258 motor), i'm light on the throttle, and i generally don't thrash and bash. i quickly got used to the handling characteristics of the l-r. i really haven't considered putting a locker or any other traction device up front. for what i do, i just don't need it. pretty hard to beat the "bang for the buck" of a lock-right, especially since i know the complete installation came in under $250.

wally

 

I completely agree with that. i have had different vehicles with lockrites. i've had 3 of them and only broke one. not bad. great bang for your buck, and EXTREMELY easy to install yourself if you know how to turn a wrench.

good luck, let us know how it goes.

 

Here's my last Lock Right. I got about 7 years out of it though. I sheared all four pins and they took out chunks of the cases.

 

wow, nice pic!

come to think of it, my buddy had a lockrite in the front of his toyota, he broke 3 of the side gears on his.-3 different times. each time, he just called the company, they sent him a new side gear each time as free warranty (i believe they overnighted them to him as well). i will say they are great with their warranty. turns out, on the third replacement, he found that his carrier was bent, sort of oblong, or rhombused-this was a result of his old open diff gears busting to hell before he got the locker. quick replacement housing install, install the locker with the new part-never had a problem again. i think lockrites are great, worst case is they break, and well, that happens. some won't ever, some will, that's wheelin'.