Topic: Need opinions on Powertrax lockright locker in front (D30)

[oldjeep]

One more question...

I dont know for sure what gears I have, but I think theyre 4.56.  Will the lock right work with 4.11, 4.56, and 4.88s?

Your gear ratio does not matter with a drop in locker, they take the place of the spider gears which are the same no matter what carrier you have.   With some ratios you have to either file a tooth on the ring gear or use a notched cross shaft to get the cross shaft past the ring gear.

[jagular7]

Here is an inside picture of a differential. The ring gear is the gear sticking out. It is attached to the carrier. The carrier is also the backwards looking darkish colored 'C'. The bearing caps are on both sides of the carrier holding it in. Inside this 'C' is the side and spider gears. As the ring rotates, the carrier rotates. That rod directly in the center is the center pin. This is secured within the carrier by a holding bolt. The center pin rotates as the carrier rotates. The little gears at the top/bottom of the rod are called spider gears. These circulate around as the carrier rotates. They ciruculate on the side gears. The side gears are splined to the axles. Underneath the carrier in the picture, you can barely see gear teeth. This is the pinion. This is a low pinion axle D30. If it was a hi pinion, the pinion would be above the axle centerline.

Ring gear rotates over pinion. Carrier case rotates with ring gear. Center pin rotates with carrier. Spider gears spin on center pin transferring the rotation to the side gears. The side gears rotate, thus the axle shafts rotate.



If a locker was installed, ie. LockRight, it replaces the spider and side gears with another set of side gears that work with no spider gears but another 'carrier' which clamps onto the center pin. The center pin is the main component that transfer the ring rotation to the axle shafts.

Hope this helps.

[omnisi]

Thank you...would you beleive ive been working on and building CJs since 1990 and never changed a set of gears or installed a locker? 

[dexetr30]

Here is an inside picture of a differential. The ring gear is the gear sticking out. It is attached to the carrier. The carrier is also the backwards looking darkish colored 'C'. The bearing caps are on both sides of the carrier holding it in. Inside this 'C' is the side and spider gears. As the ring rotates, the carrier rotates. That rod directly in the center is the center pin. This is secured within the carrier by a holding bolt. The center pin rotates as the carrier rotates. The little gears at the top/bottom of the rod are called spider gears. These circulate around as the carrier rotates. They ciruculate on the side gears. The side gears are splined to the axles. Underneath the carrier in the picture, you can barely see gear teeth. This is the pinion. This is a low pinion axle D30. If it was a hi pinion, the pinion would be above the axle centerline.

Ring gear rotates over pinion. Carrier case rotates with ring gear. Center pin rotates with carrier. Spider gears spin on center pin transferring the rotation to the side gears. The side gears rotate, thus the axle shafts rotate.



If a locker was installed, ie. LockRight, it replaces the spider and side gears with another set of side gears that work with no spider gears but another 'carrier' which clamps onto the center pin. The center pin is the main component that transfer the ring rotation to the axle shafts.

Hope this helps.

Great explanation jag. I also have had questions lately as to how all of this works.

[Sidscan]

Thanks Jag.  You just made me more dangerous.  In a good way.  That explaination was great.

[dexetr30]

Jag, I gave you a +1 Karma for that.

[omnisi]

The guy dropped the price to $75...cant find a reason NOT to put it in now!

So, Ive decided "what the hell" and am going to put the lock-right in tomorrow. I really dont have enough 'hard core' off road rocks and such around here and dont have time to travel right now, and probably will never upgrade the rear D35 unless/until it breaks. So I really dont see a reason to spend a lot of cabbage on selectable, or high dollar lockers.  When I have more time and want to get into more hard core off-road, then Ill go from there.

But for now, the locked front will help traction on the stuff I do get into around here. I have a few install links, but do you guys have any good, detailed D30 install links I can refer to as well?

Thanks again, I appreciate all of the replies/info

[jagular7]

For install to the front, you won't need to break the large nut on the end of the axle. Just undue the 3 star bolts (12mm IIRC) for the unit bearing, remove the caliper, rotor will come off, and pull. You may have to get a slide hammer to help pull the unit bearing off the rusty knuckle. You don't have to pull the axle all the way out of the tube, but it would be best. Debri could be in your tube.
Good luck. Down in FL its going to be bluster hot and scorching tomorrow. So protect yourself......no wait that's in a couple more months when we have it good here in the midwest.

[omnisi]

Thanks for the heads up...

Weather-wise...Im used to it.  50-60s here at night now.  I grew up here...I usually NEVER put a full top on the Jeep.  But, I spent 5 yrs in Maine....lots of fridgid atv and snowmobile rides...