TJ Dana 30 Open or Trac lock

[Elkhunter96]

I am going to put a Powertrax locker in my 97 TJ dana 30. I always thought that I had trac lock in the front, but I am not positive. Is there a way to tell if I have an open diff or a limited slip short of pulling off the cover and looking at the part numbers?? If it is a Track lock then I need to find a open axle carrier, because it appears Powertrax are made for open carriers

 

[bobdog]

I am pretty sure the traclock was only ever offered in the rear of Jeeps of that and most any vintage. I would bet a dollar you have an open carrier. Why do you think you may have a limited slip?

 

[bobdog]

One more thing. If you are thinking of the Powertrax Noslip then don't waste your money. Just get the LockRight The extra hundred or more won't buy any more performance just slightly smother operation which will never be noticed on road in 2WD and probably not offroad either. In the rear it might be justified but no way in the front. If you have the budget for the Noslip then why not just get a full carrier Detroit?

 

[Elkhunter96]

D 30

I think you may be right about the track lock being only in the rear. I actually am running a Powertrax no slip in the back d 35 and have really liked it. I can install it myself and it seems to work great. Eventually I want to get custom D 44's so I am looking to get the best bang for the buck.

 

[jrpcinders]

Track lock

I have an idea for you and if you plan to get a custom 44 don't spend your money on the 35 and 3o if you plan on upgrading your axles in the future. I have a 97 tj and upgraded my axles from a 35 with an arb wich I blew in moab to a 44 with an arb wich I blew the grears in moab also to a 14 bolt. In others words save your money and do it right the first time and go with the 44 and don't spend money on the 35. Do it right the first time and you will be glad you did. I loved my 444 though when I had it in my tj and the reason I blew it up was my fault so do it right the first time and you will be dollars ahead.

 

[Elkhunter96]

Dana 30

I bought the 35 to replace my other 35 that I blew out for a good deal, and it came with the powertrax locker already installed. I plan on replacing one axle at a time(dana 35 first) It will be a couple of years before I get enough to do the 30 in front. That is why I will put a little money right now into the Dana 30. I go to Moab quite often and would like to have something in the front. When I do custom axles I will put ARB's in front and back, until then I have to make do with what I have

 

[morty]

Just get the LockRight The extra hundred or more won't buy any more performance just slightly smother operation which will never be noticed on road in 2WD and probably not offroad either. In the rear it might be justified but no way in the front.

I run the no-slip in the front of my tj and I love it, you don't know's it's there until you put it in 4WD, I have good freinds that thought the same thing save the 100 bucks and get the cheaper lock-right they can not turn there jeeps even in 2WD, One of these guys has now up graded to an ARB because of the lock-right just will not unlock. This might be okay for a dedicated off-road vechical not if you are drive'n your jeep on the road.

As for the carrier it is an open type.

 

[Elkhunter96]

Dana 30

How does the No Slip handle off road?? Does it handle as good as the ARB or Detroit?? I barely notice the No slip in the rear and it seems to be a huge improvement over trac loc in the rear. So far I have been very impressed with the No Slip, even though some people give Lunchbox Lockers no credit.

 

[bobdog]

I run the no-slip in the front of my tj and I love it, you don't know's it's there until you put it in 4WD, I have good freinds that thought the same thing save the 100 bucks and get the cheaper lock-right they can not turn there jeeps even in 2WD, One of these guys has now up graded to an ARB because of the lock-right just will not unlock. This might be okay for a dedicated off-road vechical not if you are drive'n your jeep on the road.

As for the carrier it is an open type.

I think something may be wrong with your friend's lockright. I had one in the front of my jeep for years and it was compleately transparent, except for a very faint noise, when the transfer case was in two wheel drive. You don't know it is there at all untill 4WD is activated. Even in 4WD they should be able to turn. I am glad you like your Noslip but You would like the Lockright just as much.

 

[Marshall]

I have tried several different lunch box lockers, and currently run a no-slip in the rear of my XJ, I love the no slip mostly because my lack of knowledge on setting up ring and pinions keeps me tied to the easy way. I ran a lock right in the front of a TJ I had and loved it also, I would however recommend staying away from the Genuine Gear Quick Lok due to personal bad experiences with them. And your front carrier is open, (I'll bet TWO dollars)

 

[Bud]

One more thing. If you are thinking of the Powertrax Noslip then don't waste your money. Just get the LockRight The extra hundred or more won't buy any more performance just slightly smother operation which will never be noticed on road in 2WD and probably not offroad either. In the rear it might be justified but no way in the front. If you have the budget for the Noslip then why not just get a full carrier Detroit?

agreed!

 

[Bud]

I bought the 35 to replace my other 35 that I blew out for a good deal, and it came with the powertrax locker already installed. I plan on replacing one axle at a time(dana 35 first) It will be a couple of years before I get enough to do the 30 in front. That is why I will put a little money right now into the Dana 30. I go to Moab quite often and would like to have something in the front. When I do custom axles I will put ARB's in front and back, until then I have to make do with what I have

I'd drive it until the rear locker starts banging and clunking on you, which it will once the teeth on the locker start to round the edges........

 

[Bud]

I run the no-slip in the front of my tj and I love it, you don't know's it's there until you put it in 4WD, I have good freinds that thought the same thing save the 100 bucks and get the cheaper lock-right they can not turn there jeeps even in 2WD, One of these guys has now up graded to an ARB because of the lock-right just will not unlock. This might be okay for a dedicated off-road vechical not if you are drive'n your jeep on the road.

As for the carrier it is an open type.

Most of the lock-rights I installed in fronts of Jeeps over the years had no problems. But, occasionally one would be a binder and some would want to pull to the right or the left a little....
I've used them in the front of all my D-30s

 

[Bud]

How does the No Slip handle off road?? Does it handle as good as the ARB or Detroit?? I barely notice the No slip in the rear and it seems to be a huge improvement over trac loc in the rear. So far I have been very impressed with the No Slip, even though some people give Lunchbox Lockers no credit.

I used a D-60 no-slip in one of my early Comp rigs(to save money) and had no complaints and worked just as well as a Detroit!

 

[mikeswrangler]

ok.. one thing to remember.. the d30 is a weak system.. I know you hear it alot.. but i have one ...lol

if you put a locker in it.. change out the vacume disconect.. and put in a manual disconect.. and then carry extra axle shafts for it also.. you will break them...

 

[Elkhunter96]

Well the funny thing about jeeps is you run with what you have untill you break it. I would bet three dollars the dana 35 goes before the dana 30!!