lockers for a 4 cyl ,91 yj

[Gennybro]

Ive got a 91 yj 4 cyl with 33x12.5 tires,I had intended on putting lockers on the front. But I got talking to a guy yesterday that claimed to have worked on a lot of jeeps,and he told me that with a 4 cyl I would be wasteing my money ,that it wouldnt have enough power to move the jeep. I would like any input from anyone with experience with this matter.
At one time I had questions about useing chains,some folks didnt think that with the size of my tires I wouldnt do very good. But I put chains on all 4 tires and drove uphill in about 18 inches of snow and it didnt have a problem. But the lockers might be a diffrent issue.Any input would be appriciated. attached is a photo of my jeep.

 

[jeffc0123]

I think people are real quick to say the 4 cylinders are to weak to move the vehicle, but in all reality if you are needing to use the lockers, chances are you are in four low. My jeep has plenty of power in four low. Just my opinion.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Lock it up, won't affect power at all. Ask around here when you try to decide which lockers you want.

 

[xt master]

The locker should not make a difference.Also depends on what gears you have.The weak link would be the axle unless you have all ready upgraded it.

 

[BaconYJ]

You said you were thinking of putting a locker in the front, why not the back? In the front it will make turning a little more of a chore. While in the back of the rig you will benefit while in 2wd and 4wd. Also when climbing, the weight of the Jeep will shift to the rear making the front lighter and not have as much grab as the back half.

Bacon

 

[Gennybro]

Front wheel drive cars are better in snow than rear wheel drive cars. I dont know about the steering issue,but haveing power steering should minimize that effect if there is any. I tend to disagree with your theory about the weight transfer when climbing a hill.
Ill want to be getting a locker that I can disengauge,I feel that the only time Ill be useing it is on the trail,or the occsional snow storm . I need to do some research, and pick the brains of the rest of the brothers that like to play in the dirt and go where the wild things go. Thanks for your input,I hope we get more responses to this thread.

 

[xt master]

Having a locker in the front can make tight turns harder to do.Since both tires are spinning,the outside tire has to go further then the inside tire and will cause the jeep to buck some depending on the terrain.Soft loose soil will not cause a problem,but pavement or rocks will cause some hopping.

 

[Gennybro]

Would putting lockers on the back have any negative side effects?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

None if you go with a selectable. If you go with a less expensive auto locker you will feel some engagement during driving, especially when accelerating through a turn. It may pop & bang a little during engagement/disengagement, but it's not bad.

What was mentioned above about locking the rear first due to weight transfer is absolutely correct. You will see the most benefit.

 

[Rubiconrich]

Hey Your 4CYL has 4:10 gears why not put in 4:56? while you are adding
a Truetrac L/S to the front and a locker in the rear. That's what I'm talking about.

 

[Gennybro]

Thanks a lot for the info,think Ill go for the selectable locker in the rear. I got a 4.11 inthe rear.dont think I want to change it.Any suggestions on lockers,I'd prefer to stick with a manually operated one,{or perhaps electrical,Ithink it would be good idea to stay away from anything with vacume hoses if they come so equiped.

 

[xt master]

Ox Locker are nice cable selectable system.

 

[BaconYJ]

Selectable will be more expensive than a detroit or a spool but it will give you more traction on ice becuase you can unengage it and allow the diff to spin and not break the tire's "grip" on the ice.

Bacon

 

[jfrabat]

I also have a 4 banger, and I run ARB front and rear with 33's as well (mind you, I did upgrade to alloy axles). Regarding power, the lockers will not affect your power AT ALL. Especially if we are talking about a selectable locker, which we are, as when unlocked, it actually works like an open diff.

Now, regarding WHICH selectable locker, that's really up to you. I run ARB, and I am extremely happy with them, but some buddies run Ox, and they are also very happy (I persoannly prefer the cleaner installation of an electrical switch over s shifter, but that's me). The fact of the matter is that both are tough lockers, but the ARB is a bit pricier.

Regarding chains, tire size will not affect the effectiveness of a chain. What you DO need to worry about is clearance, as the chain will expand to a larger size than the tire, meaning it can rip out brake lines, and hit the inner wheel well. I have used chains (in mud, not snow), and if you are just a bit careful, it will greatly increase traction and you will not have any issues. But go crazy with chains and you will regret it... But then again, if you go crazy on the skinny pedal with a locked D35 with 33's, you may break the axle before you get to damage the Jeep with the chains!

Now, if I had to lock just one end, I agree with Bounty and Bacon and would put it on the rear. But it is also true that the D35 is weaker than the D30, but if you baby it a little, you should not have problems with 33's and the I4 with a locked D35.

Felipe

PS: Regarding gears, I would not waste my time (or MONEY!) to go from 4.11 to 4.56. In all honesty, I went from 4.10 to 4.88 and I wish I could have gone to 5.13's (of course I cant because neither axle will take gears that low, and I dont plan on changing axles until the ones I have break). All the charts will tell you that 4.88 is the right size for 33's, but that's just math and does not account for aerodynamic drag or rolling resistance.

 

[jps4jeep]

if it were me, I'd just weld up the diffs (or lunch box locker), TJ shafts in the front (with new seal) and go have a blast.

as for the chains, one of my clubs members had a jeep, similar to yours actually, 4cyl, stock axles but had 35's, he blew up the rear locker and the only thing we could get in prior to our annual snow run was an open diff spyders, so we also put chains on the rear, worked awesome.

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Welding the rear is a good option for a rig primarily ran on the trail. I had my 4banger welded on bot ends and it did great onroad and off, but it's not for everybody. I currently run spools in both ends of my daily driver.

 

[JohnnyO]

Selectable will be more expensive than a detroit or a spool but it will give you more traction on ice becuase you can unengage it and allow the diff to spin and not break the tire's "grip" on the ice.

Bacon

A front locker on snow-covered roads is generally a bad thing because when you turn, the Jeep will want to go straight. Either get a selectable locker or if you have hubs you can unlock one hub when you're on snow. Ours will be built with the primary purpose of getting around in snow, not off-roading so much, and I plan on getting True Tracs front and rear. A front L/S will still plow straight somewhat but not as bad a locker.

 

[Gennybro]

Thanks a lot folks,dont let the wave die.Keep positive attitude.
WINNERS NEVER QUIT,QUITTERS NEVER WIN!

 

[jps4jeep]

A front locker on snow-covered roads is generally a bad thing because when you turn, the Jeep will want to go straight. Either get a selectable locker or if you have hubs you can unlock one hub when you're on snow. Ours will be built with the primary purpose of getting around in snow, not off-roading so much, and I plan on getting True Tracs front and rear. A front L/S will still plow straight somewhat but not as bad a locker.

1. yes you are correct, but with a front locker, you need to moderately accelerate when negotiating a turn as opposed to a open front where you can let off the throttle or gas it and the vehicle will still want to turn.

2. He lives in Virginia, for the 2" of snow a year they get, the benefits of a locker over a open diff offroad is well worth the extra cautious driving. (a LSD is really not that much better than an open diff imho)

 

[jfrabat]

1. yes you are correct, but with a front locker, you need to moderately accelerate when negotiating a turn as opposed to a open front where you can let off the throttle or gas it and the vehicle will still want to turn.

2. He lives in Virginia, for the 2" of snow a year they get, the benefits of a locker over a open diff offroad is well worth the extra cautious driving. (a LSD is really not that much better than an open diff imho)

I agree, except that, at least when I lived in VA (back in the early 90's) we got a LOT more than 2" per year...