Topic: Which Locker?

[Chad]

Well I am really interested in getting a locker for my front axel.  I have heard thats better than getting a rear with the D35 and the that the front is only engaged when 4x4 is on so i figure its better.  Anyhow I read ChrisFranklin's review of the Aussie D30 and he sounds very please, no buyers remorse.  I have also heard that ARB makes a boss setup any opinions or links would be helpful, note this is for a 99 TJ

[SMC4WD]

Personal opinion (and a bit bias)...  The ARB 30spline D30 with Alloy USA axles...

The D30 is an understanded axle. It's a bit tougher than one might think.  Upgrading it to 30 spline axles and a selectable locker would make a world of wheeling difference.

Except for the overall cost..  ARB

[chrisfranklin]

The Aussie in the front has worked fine so far.  I don't think I'd be too eager to go run in 4WD Hi at 55mph with it on a ski trip.  But, if you are in a warmer area and don't run 4WD Hi at speed a lot to accomodate slick conditions -snow, ice - and you go off-road, the an Aussie or No-slip in the front doesn't seem a bad way to go.  In the three years since I've been in California, I've never once had to use 4WD Hi onroad, at speed, or confronted snow/ice, so this whole front autolocker/slick condition issue wasn't a problem that I needed to address.

However, if you are in Canada, the Pacific Northwest, Colorado, Utah where they have real weather - basically areas with higher latitudes than California/Arizona  - you may want to go driver adjustable ARB/OX, at least in the front, if not front and rear.  I probably would - either that or run that Detroit in the front that slips a bit.

Another thing is what kind of trails you plant to be doing off-road.  Detroits, ARB, OX are probably the way to go when you are running big tires.  The Aussie is warrantied for whatever tires you want to use - so you can use it with 39s and they'll replace it if you break it.  It's a nice warranty and shows a little manufacturer confidence, but who wants to waste a day to pop open their diff cover and pull a busted diff out and then leave their Jeep idle for several days until the new one shows up in the mail?  I'd have a little more confidence in the ARBs, OX Detroits versus Aussie w/ big tires, 33s-37s, etc

[Mozman68]

Just ordered my axles today....ARB front and rear...woot!! :twisted:

[dunklervogel]

I was looking into a locker for the d30 as well.   Only issue I am worried about is my jeep is a DD... not sure how much of a problem that would make things.   I am also a lil worried about driving it on pavement.  I use 4wd occasionally on the road up here through the snow.  Like Chris said I'm the one that runs it at higher speeds to accomodate for slick conditions.

[Jeffy]

I currently run a TrueTrac and a Detroit.  My next axles will probably have ARB's.  They have been out the longest of the selectable lockers and have proven themselves to be as good as the Detroit.

I'll be waiting for my ARB discount coupon...

[Guardian7]

Chad, on a TJ the front is always engaged between the left and right side wheels they do not have a disconnect system like the YJ to disconnect the front axle when in 2HI so a limited slip or selectable locker is better otherwise you may find a full locker up front causing some steering difficulty! Take note if people have YJ's or TJ's, Selectable is the best way to go up front but the Detroit Truetrac may be a good choice for your front since selectable lockers are still very pricey!

[chardrc]

ok i have a question.. in my yj i don't have a locker in the front but when i had it in 4hi with the front axle connected the front axle binded adn i thin kyou call it bump steer when on asphalt(slow speeds).. why does that happen if the front axel is open.. i do have a locker in the back which i assume contributes to this abit but this was kinda weird to me..

[Jeffy]

ok i have a question.. in my yj i don't have a locker in the front but when i had it in 4hi with the front axle connected the front axle binded adn i thin kyou call it bump steer when on asphalt(slow speeds).. why does that happen if the front axel is open.. i do have a locker in the back which i assume contributes to this abit but this was kinda weird to me..

No, that is not bumpsteer, it's just binding.  You have binding between the front  axle and the rear axle.  Here is what happens in simple terms...  

You have two independent systems working at slightly different speeds and you're locking them together with the transfer case.  The weaker system is going to bind and release the pressure.

Ok, here's a more complicated answer.  Your engine rotates at a constant speed.  It is bolted to the transmission and then to the transfer case.  When you're in 4WD BOTH output shafts turn at the same speed.  This in turn rotates the driveshafts and that rotates the pinion gear.  Now, here comes the tricky part.

Whenever you turn, all 4 tires will rotate at different speeds.  The tires on the inside of the turn will have the shortest distance to go while the outer tires will have to go a longer distance.  Now the rear axle never follows the exact path of the front axle and will take a wider arc then the front.  This slight difference is what causes binding in the drivetrain.

To get around some transfer cases have a third differential.  These are usually found on trucks with a full-time 4wd.

[chardrc]

ic..

[iismet]

Selectable is the best way to go up front but the Detroit Truetrac may be a good choice for your front since selectable lockers are still very pricey!

 Would you consider an ECTED instead of the TrueTrac up front? I realize it is clutch based, but I'd get locker capability and still get the LSD for snow.  The pricing is not too far out there.

[Guardian7]

The ECTED is a selectable unit, it just depends how much the limited slip tries to grab when you pull a U-turn on pavement. I would prefer an ARB or OX in the front of a TJ. It's an expensive decision so take your time and do your research. I will be putting an ECTED in the rear of my friends TJ shortly which should workout well.

Electronically Controlled Traction Enhancing Differential. It allows a user to flip a switch to either limited slip or full locker mode. When selected “off”, the ECTED functions as a limited slip differential for street use, and when selected “on”, it functions as a full locker/spool and ideal for off-roading.

[iismet]

The ECTED is a selectable unit, it just depends how much the limited slip tries to grab when you pull a U-turn on pavement.

Even when in 2 wheel drive?

[Mozman68]

The ECTED is a selectable unit, it just depends how much the limited slip tries to grab when you pull a U-turn on pavement.

Even when in 2 wheel drive?

Yep...that's what's so cool about it....you get a selectable locker that returns to the standard Jeep limited slip that you are used to on a stock vehicle when it's off.

[Jeffy]

One problem with a Truetrac up front is if you don't have a front axle disconnect.  The LSD is pretty tight and will cause some understeer.  I notice it right away but it might be something you could get used to.