Rear Locker

I presently have a limited slip in the rear of my CJ5. I'd like to go full locker after I get my SM420 installed. I had a buddy that had a Lockrite in the back of his '55 CJ5 and it was an adventure on the road at times. My preference would be a Detroit full case. I have run these in the back of YJs & TJs with no issue but they are a bit wider/longer. I'd like to not add the complexity of a selectable locker. Is anyone running a full case locker? How does it behave for you? Thanks

 

I've never run a full case locker, but I did have a Powertrax lunchbox locker in mine for a short time. Worked good off road but it was TERRIBLE on the street, bad enough that I spent almost $2K putting an Eaton E locker in mine instead. I really like the E locker, the ability to switch it on and off was very helpful on my recent trip to Utah. Not a lot of added complexity, just a switch, relay, and some wires.

 

I have a spartan lunchbox. Not great on the street if your tire pressure isn't exactly even or you drive with a heavy foot. It's been surprisingly ok with the snowplow up front.

With the 19spline shafts you can go cheap with a lunchbox or swap to a 30spline and get exactly what you want. It does not make much sense to invest into the 19 spline.

 

I run the Powertrax in my CJ and my XJ, yeah, ya gotta be aware on the street and go easy on the skinny pedal when turning, but other than that I like them.

 

I have a 30 spline rear axle. Also, I have the LSD carrier so I have to swap that anyway.

 

I have a cable operated OX locker in my rear axle. It works perfectly. It is not very difficult to install, and there are several types of activation systems. Air, electric or manual. You can make it as simple or complex as you need.

https://ox-usa.com/product/D44-373-30/

 

My experience with a full locker in the rear of a short wheelbase vehicle was not pretty. I'll ditto what colojeepguy said!
An Eaton Truetrac is also a good choice for the rear. Take a look at this thread.
Eaton Detroit Truetrac In Front Diff Good Or Bad Idea? | ECJ5 (earlycj5.com)

And you can still get Powr-Lok for the Dana 44 30 spline rear axle. That's what I run and it's excellent!

 

That is the LSD I have now, the stock Powr-lock. Its OK as long as you are on flat ground

 

You may have a more 'spirited' driving style than some folks. A full locker may be fine for you.
I built my CJ for exploring old mining roads and reaching remote locations. I don't rock crawl with it, even in Moab. By the way, I have the aggressive clutch pack in the Dana 44.

 

In cases where only one locker is to be utilized in the drive train it should go in the front axle.
Your front wheels are most often the wheel that end up in the air and thus need the full traction benefits of a locker. Lunchbox, selectable ect.....
The rear will often do just fine with a limited slip, PowrLoc or Tru Trac will both get the job done without sacrificing daily drive ability.
Having setup 2 very successful Rubicon rigs in this fashion, I would never consider running it the other way around.
Of course the ultimate setup is selectable lockers in both the front and the rear, which is how I ended up setting my personal jeep up.

 

I have a Lockrite on my rear D44 and hardly ever notice it. I sometimes makes a clicking noise when I'm driving slow and turning in the driveway or parking lot.

 

Front locker rear posi makes a lot of sense from a driveline perspective. When turning the rear inside wheel rotates the least and the outside travels more. The front inside wheel is rotating something between those depending on the sharpness of the turn but the driveshaft to it wants to turn the average of the rear. The front outside wheel (which travels the farthest) is wanting to ratchet ahead.

 

Ditto on the full auto locker. I tried a Detroit two different times in my 3B and came to the conclusion it was eventually going to get me killed. A Powr-Loc, IMO, is the best of the limited slips and work reasonably well if up to spec. However, even those require some focused attention if driving on packed snow or ice. I finally bit the proverbial bullet and the B presently sports ARB's on both ends. My bottom line opinion is good selectables are definitely worth the expense in any Jeep that sees more than just trail use.

 

Thanks for that feedback. That’s what I was looking for. I’ll pony up for a selectable.

 

I'm running a Detroit Locker in the rear. I had to go Full Float set up with custom axles to do it. It's not cheap.

 

This usually gets me in trouble, but what the hell. Detroits all the way. I have them in 2 jeeps, front and rear, and rarely notice them. Pure traction on the trail. Now, if you decide halfway through a turn to gas it, you will notice it. But is it dangerous? No. They are only locked while under power, is where a lot of people misunderstand them. (Unlike an ARB or Ox). The well known "Detroit pop" will get your attention, but then you laugh. (That's usually in some nasty rocky spot, catching you off guard). The best part though, is there is no cable, solenoid, wiring, compressor, button, fuse, air line, O-ring, excuses of "I forgot to push the button" blah, blah.

 

Detroit in the rear and PowrLoc in the front on my Jeep.

 

X2