Topic: opinions on lockers please

[sharpxmen]

ok so from what i gather: lock the front and add 32s..no problem. auto lockers/selectable have pros and cons ( im goin with selectable) rear d35s wont mind the 32s, but dont lock the rear cause it will prob break. i wanted to make sure the fronts could handle a locker and 32s (u guys have put me at ease on that topic) and i guess ill just leave the rear unlocked ( i dont mind) and be careful when on the trail.
thanks again guys.
stan

hmm, i understand the concern with D35 but in front you face u-joint issues - not saying you shouldn't lock it, but for traction purposes i would thing that since usually (or the most demanding scenario) you need traction when you go uphill the more loaded axle would be the rear, and if you lose traction on one of the rear wheels you are virtually left with only the front pulling - i would say lock'em both and use good sense when engaging the diffs (you can always leave both or one unlocked but if only one wheel in the front has traction you risk of blowing the u-joint there as the whole torque trying to move the vehicle will be on that wheel). I would think that if both axles have lockers then the stress would be distributed between the 2 (front and rear), if your rear is unlocked and one of the wheels in is off the ground or has no traction then that rear axle is not pulling at all. Just a thought.

oh, and imo you should always use a selectable in the front (actually that was your option, so just like you said).

[Bounty Hunter]

I'd rather have a Detroit. Spools push to much.

Push when?  You said yourself it's best to drive a detroit in a manner that keeps it locked.  What's the difference other than you don't get the quirks and bangs of a detroit?

The spool runs KISS smooth and predictable.

[Jeffy]

Push when?  You said yourself it's best to drive a detroit in a manner that keeps it locked.  What's the difference other than you don't get the quirks and bangs of a detroit?

The spool runs KISS smooth and predictable.

When it's locked and your going around a corner.  You will then able to induce a bit of over-steer.  For those of us who have had our Detroit(s) for a long time, they too are very predictable.  They may not be as simple as a spool but they are fairly KISS and have a history to back it up.

[FourbangerYJ]

Push when?  You said yourself it's best to drive a detroit in a manner that keeps it locked.  What's the difference other than you don't get the quirks and bangs of a detroit?

The spool runs KISS smooth and predictable.

There are times when you don't want it to be locked. Tight turns are a prime example. With the spool you don't have a choice thus it pushes more. All lockers have their +'s and -'s overtime you learn how to adjust to them. The spool is very KISS and predictable but it might not be the answer for everyones needs.

[C.Redbeardd]

what is KISS?

[jfrabat]

what is KISS?

Keep It Simple Stupid

[chrisfranklin]

I would think that if both axles have lockers then the stress would be distributed between the 2 (front and rear)

I'm guessing the same.  Therefore chance of rear-end breakage would presumably be reduced, right?   But that's one study that will never get National Science Foundation funding

I figure with two auto-lockers, then the four banger powering the entire front/rear locked drive-train at the same time isn't going to be the same power to the ground per wheel vs when powering just a locked rear end. 

Even if momentum leaves you with just one tire on the ground in the rear and the front tires both in the air, you'll still not be putting the same torque to that one back tire with traction as you would with just the rear-end locked. 

But I guess the rear-end 35 breakage is more of a no-traction, then sudden-traction thing.  And even with the 4banger driving both axles due to two lockers, you might not be talking a significantly reduced torque burden on a locked rear end paired with a locked front-end (unweighted or not).  Maybe 5-10-15% if you are lucky. 

I'd still probably go with a rear-end swap just to be on the safe side if you are locking the rear.

[aw12345]

All I know is this a super35 with a locker is still prone to breakage.
One of my wheeling buddies is a wush and is very easy on the pedal with an auto even and still managed to break 2 super 35 axle shafts. One on an easy obstacle that I have ran more times than I can remember. So is it worth the 1000 bucks plus for a super35 kit? That is for you to decide. Me I would not and did not and I am pretty happy with my choice of axles and lockers, they have and are still taking a good weekly beating

[stan98tj]

All I know is this a super35 with a locker is still prone to breakage.
One of my wheeling buddies is a wush and is very easy on the pedal with an auto even and still managed to break 2 super 35 axle shafts. One on an easy obstacle that I have ran more times than I can remember. So is it worth the 1000 bucks plus for a super35 kit? That is for you to decide. Me I would not and did not and I am pretty happy with my choice of axles and lockers, they have and are still taking a good weekly beating

what is your set up art? and if you dont mind giving me a ballpark $$ estimate...

[radark1]

My little 4 banger has done John Bull, Dishpan Springs, and all the trails in Big Bear and even the Notch at Cleghorn.....without lockers. I had to basically power up.....give it the gas and go....hope to fly over the big rocks......some carnage....but I still made it.

Now with Aussie lockers on the front, a Rubicon rear end with air locker (electric switch on the dash) on the rear with 4.88 gearing.....I can now keep up with the 6 bangers....and crawl over and up pretty much anything. The only real restriction I have right now is height....and I am working on that as I type this e-mail.

Lockers are the best thing I could have done to my 92 YJ.....and I even got my 5th gear back....well somewhat. You can't go wrong by doing this mod.

[C.Redbeardd]

Just ran holcomb creek yesterday with my club, so much fun. They are running John Bull today as well.