Lunch box lockers

[Omgbecki]

Does anyone run a lockrite or powertrax on a tj? I'm trying to get some ideas about this. I'm wondering what my jeep would feel like with a lockrite in the front. Should I do front or rear first? I've been reading a lot of stuff about just doing a front locker what's your guys opinion.

Please try to keep this subject on these type of lockers, I like the idea of getting the most for my dollar so I can put money elsewhere. Thanks.

 

[TJDukit]

I've got a Spartan in the front of mine. On road in two wheel drive you cant tell its there and it has worked great on the rocks.

 

[BCGPER]

As was said, you won't even know it's there in two wheel drive.

Also, if you're just doing one axle, do the REAR. An open rear, locked front, and off camber climb is an accident waiting to happen.

 

[Omgbecki]

What about mud and plain trail riding what is the steering feel like? Snow is around the corner have you driven it in snow?
Thanks

 

[Omgbecki]

As was said, you won't even know it's there in two wheel drive.

Also, if you're just doing one axle, do the REAR. An open rear, locked front, and off camber climb is an accident waiting to happen.

I have the stock trac lock in the rear. I know it doesn't compare but it's still tight. This isn't a case of front or rear it's a which one first. Logic tells me that if i have a front tire up against something and the rears (locked) are in something soft then they will dig, but if it's in the front they will just pull me up

Thanks

 

[jeep-N-montero]

After watching a few rigs this weekend in Moab on tight turns I would never run anything but a selectable locker in the front unless you have a 2-lo kit installed.

 

[Tacoma]

It'll be a lot of fun in the snow, if this is a driver. Trail rig, who cares.

I did a rear locker first and it's been wonderful. Slides a little in snow but it's not awful.

 

[Omgbecki]

2-lo kit? Could you explain how that would help?

 

[Omgbecki]

Tacoma, yes this is a daily. You said your rear is locked are you using either locker I mentioned?

 

[Tacoma]

I've got a Detroit, in a 14bolt, which some consider a "lunchbox" locker.

I've also driven a 4x4 ambulance, with a lockrite in the front and drive flanges. It pushed like a mother. Hubs made everything alright though... but not in the snow, at all.

 

[Omgbecki]

Alright I'm guessing I'll stick with putting one in the rear. Which selectable would you suggest for a d30 in my tj on a budget?

Nothing question for you tacoma, how do I get involved with u4wda

 

[Tacoma]

I wouldn't suggest spending any money at all on a d30.

PM incoming for U4 info.

 

[littlyota]

I run my 4runner in the snow locked front and rear. No major issues. It is noticeable sometime, but would not change a thing.

 

[jackjoh]

In my old Scout II I used a Torsen-Gleason in the rear and it really made a big difference. I then put a Detroit Tru-trac in the front and things got even better. I like the gear driven units but they do get hot.

 

[DOSS]

The end result is - some people hate them, some people don't notice them and some people notice them and just don't care... Now what one you will be is hard to decide at this juncture in time..

I wouldn't throw money at a D30 but if I was it would be a lunchbox locker as it is cheap and I wouldn't be throwing much $$ at the axle ..

Locking front or back first will also open up the ford/chevy/dodge type debate and it will depend on where you are going to be driving and how you drive as to what is going to make the biggest difference..

Please note that getting the best bang for your buck would entail knowing your driving style where you are going to drive and many other factors such as being able to see into the future to see if you decide to upgrade later.

 

[Omgbecki]

I would say I'm more of a finesse drive I'm light on the foot. As far as terrain I'm sure it will be varied as I'm going to start traveling for trails.

 

[gorillaxj]

remember with a LSD you will have to buy the carrier, locker and set up the rear diff for a lunchbox locker. at that point your close to $400 installed yourself. not to far from a full case locker (stronger, more reliable and quiet) grizzlies/detroits run about $480+

Also what axle is in the back of your tj? if its a D35 I wouldn't put any money there.(I don't know if they still came with them in the tj or not)

I have a spartan in the rear D44 on my cherokee. I love it, I would recomend a spartan to anone thinking of a lunchbox locker. a lot bigger pins then my lockright front....

If its a matter of which one first and changing axles is out of the picture... I would lock the front. keep the rear LSD and see if you want the rear locked. I would think a LSD rear and locked front is better then a locked rear and open front, but could be wrong.

 

[Omgbecki]

Thanks gorillaxj. I'm kinda confused on your first paragraph, are you stating that to put a lunchbox in my rear (d44) that not only do I need to buy the locker but I need a new carrier, or are you saying if I went a lsd like a detroit that I would need to change that stuff? What did you need to to put the spartan in? Also jeep had the d35 in the wrangler til I believe 07. My biggest like about a lunchbox is you don't need to take the gears out. As I said the stock trac loc is still pretty tight and works decent. You also mentioned you have a lockrite in the front. How do you like it?

 

[jeep-N-montero]

Thanks gorillaxj. I'm kinda confused on your first paragraph, are you stating that to put a lunchbox in my rear (d44) that not only do I need to buy the locker but I need a new carrier, or are you saying if I went a lsd like a detroit that I would need to change that stuff? What did you need to to put the spartan in? Also jeep had the d35 in the wrangler til I believe 07. My biggest like about a lunchbox is you don't need to take the gears out. As I said the stock trac loc is still pretty tight and works decent. You also mentioned you have a lockrite in the front. How do you like it?

You could get a d35 or a d44 throughout most years of the Wrangler, just depends which package you buy. And to answer your earlier question, a 2-lo option allows you to disengage the front drive line in tight corners while still retaining a lower crawl ratio to the rear axle. Google it if you wish to know more.

 

[Omgbecki]

I was just trying to see what you were saying black_zj, I got you now.