which end to lock?

[jeep-N-montero]

I'm debating if I should lock the front HP30 or rear 44a. Locking the front makes more sense due to no c-clip, no chirping or binding when turning in 2wd, price is roughly $150 less, and should last longer because it only locks up when under load in 4wd. Plus the rear 44a can bend a bit easier when locked. I carry spare axle shafts for the front and rear, but c-clip axles are a PITA to work on! I pretty much answered my own question, but feel free to give me advice from your own experiences with locking your front d30.

Another thing, I'm not one to gas it much to get over things. Luckily my longer wheelbase has saved my bacon on trails that would have likely required a locker with a shorter wheelbase vehicle.

 

[Cody]

rear....but I'm not sure it's a huge difference. Really, you should just lock both and not worry about it.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

And the front would be a lunchbox type locker.

 

[_Auzzy_]

had a lock-rite in my front end and didnt have very good street manners in my ol D30, it constantly pulled to the left sense i couldnt disengage that tire. that and i think the springs that came with it were waaay to stiff, probably should have took the small ones out and just ran the big ones so it disengaged better. it wasnt as bad though once i did the BTF cross over steering bracket and threw on a stabilizer. it was good for traction though except when it would unload, always felt like something blew up lol

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I may be able to pick up a selectable locker, but a wedding and buying a house in the next 3 weeks may take a toll on my bank account.

 

[_Auzzy_]

I may be able to pick up a selectable locker, but a wedding and buying a house in the next 3 weeks may take a toll on my bank account.

maybe just a little....

 

[STAG]

Rear first. when going up inclines (when you need traction) most of your traction comes from the rear end, and therefore a tire slipping hurts your climb worse if it's a rear tire that is slipping. also rear because it usually the stronger of the 2 axles in everyones rig.

 

[Gravy]

you won't lock it anyways so why talk about it...ha just kidding. Lock both.

 

[TJDukit]

If I had to pick one I would go with the rear. Just like Chocflip said most of your traction when doing climbs will be coming from the rear. When you are going down most of the traction will be in the front but you won't need lockers so much because of gravity.

Otherwise just lock both.

 

[larrybenny]

I agree with the other comments. Lock the rear if you have to choose. I installed a power trax lunch box locker in my front d30. It then became a non daily driver since the front drive shaft turns all the time, in 4wd or 2wd. And I never could get it balanced good enough to go over 60 mph. So unless you have manual hubs be prepared for this. I would strongly suggest you wait until you can afford a selectable locker for the front. I have a Detroit locker in the rear, and after a short time getting used to it, don't even notice anymore that its there.

 

[iamsparticus]

rear

 

[WayneXJ]

another vote for the rear if you are only doing one locker.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I just wish Aussie wasn't the only company to offer a locker for the 44a.

 

[thenag]

I did my front first, I think that is the way to go for getting up stuff.

The front will help you out more. When you climb the weight shifts to the rear so you are far more likely to have both rear wheels with traction.

With the weight shifting backwards the a front tire is more likely to have little traction, without a locker the front becomes useless as soon as one tire unloads.

My brother in law has an fj-40 with a locked rear and open front and he will sit on things with his front diff spinning and his rear tires both turn but they would do that even with an open diff in the rear most of the time.

Of course don't lock anything if you think it is going to break it (d-30...)

And a locked front on a snow covered road is no good so if you plan to be driving in the snow do the rear.

Has anyone who has selectable front and rear lockers done some experimenting? Lets make that a spring RME project we can take some video...

Pay attention when you are wheeling I would bet that a front tire starts to spin before a rear tire, that is what I remember when I did this about 10 years ago.

Nathan
-stock xj, 1-ton axles sitting in the yard...

 

[N-Smooth]

^^^ i believe that's the stance that a lot of people and even a locker company takes on which end to lock and i disagree with it. some long-time rockcrawlers on here have already said rear or both and i will throw my hat in the ring with that as well.

OP- what's wrong with aussie lockers? i have one in my front and i have been pleased with it. i searched the interweb like crazy before getting one and couldn't find much of anything that was negative. the price is great, install is cake and i like mine so far

 

[jeep-N-montero]

^^^ i believe that's the stance that a lot of people and even a locker company takes on which end to lock and i disagree with it. some long-time rockcrawlers on here have already said rear or both and i will throw my hat in the ring with that as well.

OP- what's wrong with aussie lockers? i have one in my front and i have been pleased with it. i searched the interweb like crazy before getting one and couldn't find much of anything that was negative. the price is great, install is cake and i like mine so far

I wish more companies made a 44a locker to give Aussie some pricing competition. $399 for what is essentially a glorified lunchbox locker seems a bit high to me. I am aware that they make a good product.

 

[benjy]

but c-clip axles are a PITA to work on!

How so? as long as you have spares, it's easier to change out a c-clip shaft than a semi or full float IMO. Either way the diff cover is coming off...

 

[N-Smooth]

WOW! mine (d30) was $255 shipped! that's crazy...

I wish more companies made a 44a locker to give Aussie some pricing competition. $399 for what is essentially a glorified lunchbox locker seems a bit high to me. I am aware that they make a good product.

 

[GOAT]

I lunchbox locked the front of my old ZJ first and it made a huge difference. IMHO, the LWB ZJ wont suffer front the same weight transfer issues as a SWB TJ so the front is where I would start. I also like locking the front to help with ledges and undercuts.

I lincoln locked my 44a a couple of months later.

 

[RockChucker]

personally i would start with the front. especially if you have a limited slip in the rear. i had a limited slip in the rear and a pop-right in the front up until about 4 months ago. I went everywhere that my dad and uncles went, and they were locked front and rear. bonus was that i could steer better. the rear locked is what pushes you through a turn. but either way you look at it, you will be getting a huge increase in capability. lockers make a huge difference.