Topic: Auto Locker in front, D30 install

[chrisfranklin]

After barely making it through the Rowher Trail OHV (around Santa Clarita, Ca.) drive last Saturday, I definitely reaffirmed my need to get at least one locker.

I was looking at an article on installing a front PowerTrax No-Slip locker in the D30.  This is from Rockcrawler:  http://www.rockcrawler.com/techreports/powertrax_tj/front/page3.asp.

Now, the only thing that bothers me in this article is the following comment:

 

Lock Right lockers instal in a similar fashion to the Powertrax, yet while in 2WD, a front Lock Right would ratchet noisily as the vehicle turns. With a Powertrax No-Slip Traction System in the front, you might hear a single click, but otherwise it is invisible and feels just like an open differential until you try to use high range 4WD. Then, it is very noticable and almost unpleasant. If you need to use high range 4WD for many months out of the year, then you may want to consider a switchable alternative, such as the ARB Air Locker.

Now, No-Slip auto-lockers are supposed to be quiet.  I thought this meant for 2wd, as well as 4wd Hi/Low.  But, Chris Shontz of Rockcrawler basically says that  the front No-Slip locker gets noisy as soon as you engage 4WD Hi.  

So, question is, do any of you guys running an auto-locker  such as the "quiet" No-Slip in the front D30 encounter "noticable and unpleasant noise" in 4wd Hi?  If so, I gotta ask, "what's the point of spending the extra 200 bucks getting a No-Slip?...Why not just stick with the cheaper and only slightly less durable Lock-Rite clicker?    :?

[ratherbejeeping]

I ran one of those until I broke it (less then a year) and it wasn't noisey ever.
Personally I'd just get the Lock Rite and call it good if I were you.

[SMC4WD]

I ran one of those until I broke it (less then a year) and it wasn't noisey ever.
Personally I'd just get the Lock Rite and call it good if I were you.

I ran one and never broke it.  Then, when I upgraded to ARB, I sold it.  

Loc-right is a commodity!!

[arkypyro]

I have had my lockers in place for a bit over a month now.  I have a lak-rite in the rear and an aussie in front.  The lok-rite went in first and I noticed a bit of a change driving on pavement.  The back end just seems to torque to one side a bit under acceleration but noting I would call severe.  I think those that have big problems with it have I6's or bigger and alot more power than my 4 banger makes.  The worst problem I have is when turning sharply in a parking lot when the rear tries to bind up.  Since I don't have enough power to out right spin the inside tire it will buck a bit.  Again not that big a deal.  When I installed the aussie up front i began to hear a subtle clicking in turns at low speed.  In 2HI I otherwise don't even notice it is there.  When driving in 4HI on any surface the steering is a good bit stiffer, but the lockers seem to work properly and unlock smoothly at the appropriate times.  The same goes for 4LO.  All of my offroad driving is done on dirt or loose shale.  I have a 2 acre shale pit on my property and a 75 horse 4WD tractor so the shale piles can be changed often to keep it challenging.  The difference is amazing.  I frequently climb what seem to be sheer sides of a huge shale pile 15 feet tall and rarely spin.  The tire may dig a bit ah they crawl up but not what I would call spinning.  All I can say is that the lockers are worth every dime.

[chrisfranklin]

Arkypyro, it sounds like the Aussie works ok in your D30, in 2wd, 4wd hi/low; no bipolar behavior: silence in 2wd and then a harsh racket in 4wd hi/lo.  "Clicking" doesn't really bug me that much, probably because I am using a Borla exhaust which will basically drown out any noise in turns anyway  

I figure my YJ4 is, even with all the upgraded gear, would still probably only fetch $4000 to 5000 in a sale.  Buying something which isnt an upgrade for a part needing repair, ie. a locker, makes me a little uneasy about spending more than maybe 10% of the value of the Jeep for the locker and install.  That leaves me with with the choice of either a Lock-rite or an Aussie in the front.  

And, I have heard only good things about Aussie (price, durability, warranty, reasonable noise, and great customer service (received an email respopnse from the Aussie Presidentt, Bill Cole, two hours after I sent a question out to him))

Only thing I might add to this buy is a set of sway disconnects.  But, that's probably it for my modifications to this YJ4, barring repair/replacent upgrades or ludicrously sweet deals.