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

[omnisi]

'99 TJ, susp lift, 33s, stock axles...

A guy I know has a Powertrax Lock-Right he will sell me for $100.00....good deal?  Does anyone have an opinion on, or experience with, this locker?

He said the number on the box was #2210, which does reference for the '99 D30.  What are your opinions on installing this on the front?  Will it interfere with highway driving?

I do a lot of highway driving in my Jeep, and intend to do a lot more mud, sand, and trails...no mountains/rocks here in Florida.

I appreciate your thoughts and experience...

[lanulos89]

lock rights go for like 250ish new so yea 100 is a good deal, but for the front i'd think you want a selectable lock.  i just got a rear lock right for 125 from a friend.  im not too sure someone will be along to help

[chrisfranklin]

I use an Aussie D30 in the front (not currently locked in the rear).  The alloy and design of the Aussie may be slightly different than the LockRite, but the Aussie basically functions the same.

The front Aussie is invisible on the highway, so I'd guess that the Lockrite would be the same, give the design similarity.  The Aussie, however comes with a replacement warranty regardless of what tire size you are running.  I don't think the Lock-Rite does and I've read that people have had gripes with breaking the Lockrites and a couple of gripes with noise (at least when running one in the rear).

D30 Aussie runs $230 at Northridge4x4.com.  If you really want a Powertrax lunchbox-type locker, maybe you should try the higher-end Powertrax No-Slip.  It tends to run $400, but is made of a tougher alloy and is supposedly quiet versus the standard Lockrite.  I was considering one of the No-Slips for the rear end on mine, but may do another Aussie there, too.

So, buy your friend's $100 LockRite?  Well, sure, $100 is better than the usual $250 sticker price.  But, you've got a lot more non-carrier replacement locker choices on the market these days -Aussie, No-Slip, Detroit EZ - versus 5 or 10 years ago, when LockRite was the only game in town.  And, you don't really need a selectable because you are in consistently warm country.  I'd personally spend another $150 and get the Aussie in the front - I don't think I've heard of one person having a beef with it and the warranty may come in handy sometime

[omnisi]

Thanks...I wanst even really shopping for a locker.  he just happened to mention that he had one chaep.

If thats not the ideal front locker for a lot of pavement driving, as well as off-road, then maybe Ill pass...

[chardrc]

we have lock rights front and rear in our cj3a. they work good but do click allot on road.. used to have a lock right in the rear of our old 1/2 Chevy dessil truck. it clicked allot and never actually Brock but go close and we had to send it in 2 times before getting a different locker for it. 

just my experience with them.... work good off road but on road is tough on them

[Jeffy]

I believe the Powertrax was the first.  Then a bunch of the guy's who worked on the Lock-Right jumped ship and joined with Tractech and made the EZ-Locker.  There was then a lawsuit and a settlement.  There is now several other variations but they are all basically the same so go with whichever is cheapest.  For a cheap locker it should be a problem.  Front applications of the Lock-Rights (and other lunchbox lockers) tend to last longer then in the back.

I doubt you'd feel the locker on road with a TJ,  The locker will unlock in turns like normal.  You don't ahve to worry about the front driveshaft like on YJ's since TJ's are designed to turn all the time anyway.

[omnisi]

Thanks...look at the note at the end of page 3.  Will this be a prob on the TJ on the highway?

http://www.powertrax.com/jeep1lr.pdf

[jagular7]

Thanks...I wanst even really shopping for a locker.  he just happened to mention that he had one chaep.

If thats not the ideal front locker for a lot of pavement driving, as well as off-road, then maybe Ill pass...

What is really nice about this entire thing is that you can install the locker in the driveway on a sunny afternoon. It's not difficult. You can remove the locker in the same afternoon if you didn't like it on the street drive. Simple. Basically the locker replaces the spider and side gears within the case. If you don't like it there, simple reinstall the side and spider gears.
I'd suggest that you use new springs and pins. These are the bread and butter of the locker. Any fatigue will make the locker misfunction - make noises, bang its teeth, lock-n-release, etc. Same for the case rod.


Too bad you are in Florida. I've got these type of lockers in my TJ and I drive it on the street. Only time it saw a trailer was when I had a broken rear axle (completely another story). The front locker is not noticeable as a locker. There are some steering influence but its like you are low air pressure. The spinning of the axle when turning is at different speeds. This places a very slight drag on the steering. If you didn't know there was a locker you would think you had low air pressure. Its nothing at all.

For a $100 and probably another $10 for the springs and pins with gear oil and gasket, I'd install it. If you don't like it, you would definately get your money back out of it on resale.

[oldjeep]

If you pass on that $100 lockrite, pass on the contact info - I'll take it.

[omnisi]

Thanks...I wanst even really shopping for a locker.  he just happened to mention that he had one chaep.

If thats not the ideal front locker for a lot of pavement driving, as well as off-road, then maybe Ill pass...

 
I'd suggest that you use new springs and pins. These are the bread and butter of the locker. Any fatigue will make the locker misfunction - make noises, bang its teeth, lock-n-release, etc. Same for the case rod.

It this necessary if the locker has never been installed?  Its still in the box.

OK, I pass on the info if I dont get it.

[Jeffy]

It this necessary if the locker has never been installed?  Its still in the box.

OK, I pass on the info if I dont get it.

No new or NOS is still new.  There is no wear on it. Since you said it's new, that makes it an even better deal.

[chrisfranklin]

Course, for a hundred bucks brand new, why not?   

[omnisi]

Does it affect mileage in any way?

And, you guys are sure its OK to run this thing in front WITHOUT installing manual locking hubs?  Just want to be sure! lol

Thanks,

Mark

[Jeffy]

Does it affect mileage in any way?

And, you guys are sure its OK to run this thing in front WITHOUT installing manual locking hubs?  Just want to be sure! lol

Thanks,

Mark

No more so then spinning your front driveshaft when you don't have to.

[omnisi]

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?

Also, Ive seen two different install guides.  The one for the rear does not require the whole carrier to be removed, but all the ones Ive seen for the front D30 do require the whole carrier to be removed... anyone know for sure on the front?