Locked? Front, rear, yes?

[Mudderoy]

Okay here's an oldie but a goody.

Are lockers a good thing to do? (I think everyone will say yes).

Should you lock the front, or the rear, or both?

Which should you lock first? Why?

What locker do you like? Why?

Personally I've decided on the ARB air lockers. I DON'T like the idea of having air lines, compressor, etc... I'd rather have a cable like on the OX, but keeping in mind that my rig is a daily driver I really don't want to cut up a bunch of the center console to install the controls. The rockers for the ARBs will work great and I actually might be able to teach my wife how to lock when necessary.

I've already decided I'll lock front and rear, most likely at the same time. I am hoping to get the 30 spline kit from ARB for the Dana 30. If I ever just have an insane amount of money I'll replace the Dana 30 with a Dana 44 with ARB air locker.

[Jesse-James]

I run a Detroit in the rear of mine and it's on road manners are excellent. I'd fork for an ARB in the front, but not worth it in the rear IMHO. Mine is a DD as well.

[Mudderoy]

I run a Detroit in the rear of mine and it's on road manners are excellent. I'd fork for an ARB in the front, but not worth it in the rear IMHO. Mine is a DD as well.

I thought about going with a lunchbox locker in the rear, it would be a hell of a lot cheaper. Then doing the ARB in the front later. It would meet that requirement for ease of use for the wife as well. I even considered getting the lunchbox now (soon-ish) and then later replacing it with the ARB. It would be very nice to have at least the rear locked.

[Jesse-James]

I don't think that a lunchbox locker is as predictable on the road as a full auto locker. I won't run one.

[Mudderoy]

I don't think that a lunchbox locker is as predictable on the road as a full auto locker. I won't run one.

I'm not sure where you are located, but if you drive in snow, does the auto locker cause you any grief?

[Jesse-James]

A little bit in 2wd, fishtails much easier and has a general squirrely feel. As soon as you engage 4wd it goes away and drives fine.

[Polarbear]

The lunch box locker could possibly act worse on the Street. They Both work ok in the snow I run a Detroit in the rear no problems but i live in Socal. Lunch Box can only hold up to 32" then you run the possibility of breaking them.

[Mudderoy]

The lunch box locker could possibly act worse on the Street. They Both work ok in the snow I run a Detroit in the rear no problems but i live in Socal. Lunch Box can only hold up to 32" then you run the possibility of breaking them.

Great information. I did not know about the tire size limitation, but it makes sense.

[Tinknocker]

mine are both lincoln locked!!! if i ever get Carol's jeep where she wants it and i had the money I'd put a selectable locker in the front of mine!!! with it being full width and locked all the time turning in tight spots sucks!!! with a selectable i could turn it off till i needed it!!!

Carol has a Eaton electric locker in the back of her TJ!!! the axle is a JK 44 that we shortened 5 inches so it would be the tj width, a buddy of mine resplined the shafts for us!!! she has a lighted blue switch i put in her jeep in the steering wheel shroud down and to the right of her steering wheel!!!

i'll let her tell you about the difference it made, i just wanted to get some of the technical stuff posted that she may not know!!!

here is a pic for you to ponder!!!

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8dd06b3127ccec3e2f473a20100000010O02Bcs2ThmzZA9 vPgQ/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D550/ry%3D400/

one of these is her Dana 44, one of these is my dana 60!!! which is which???

[Jesse-James]

Lunch Box can only hold up to 32" then you run the possibility of breaking them.

Where did you get this info, first time I've heard it.

[muddeprived]

I ran all three combos in my TJ. Front, rear, and also both. I prefered BOTH of course cuz of the ultimate traction but If i had to choose one it would be the rear. I like the added traction at a stop in winter driving because usually one tire spins until the jeep takes off but with a locker both spin and get you goin faster.

I like the auto lockers. Ease of install and removal and pretty predictable once you get some driving time with them. People say manual lockers can be shut off for better turning radius and stuff but come on, no one likes to keep shutting off lockers on every tight turn. One more turn in a 32 point locker turn isn't gonna hurt. :D :smiley-laughing021: