i have a dana 30 hp front axle i want to regear but i was thinking about putting a locker (powerlock) or a trutrac in the front. but i have heard it will give quirky steering on the road i have the CAD system instead of locking hubs would this be unsafe onroad?? would it be worth the 350 to 450 dollars for the trutrac??
lockers in front??
- Thread starter blown XJ
- Start date
Utah_jeepster
Super Moderator
Personally I like a selectable type locker in the front, with all others they do make your on road and off-road drive-ability quirky.
Save the extra 200 or 300$ and drop in a selectable locker
Save the extra 200 or 300$ and drop in a selectable locker
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
It will be invisible on the road with the vacuum disconnect, throw in a lunchbox locker, cheap and simple.
jtjwrangler
New member
I had a quick lock , powertraks or a detroit ez locker on my tj. You will not feel it on the road. They only lock when the driveshaft is pushing the axle. So in 2wd they are not locked. These all are almost the same. The only problem I had was turning offroad while in 4wd. It makes you turn wider.
currupt4130
VT Hokie
Whatever you do, don't waste your money on a LS.
TwistedCU
New member
I would go with either a LS like the truetrac or a selectable locker. I'm not a big fan of automatic lockers, especially on stock axles.
Don't be afraid of the truetrac or Auburn's LS. They do make a huge difference. Those who advise to steer clear of them usually do so because they can, on occasion, be ineffective with one wheel in the air but that can be remedied by a little brake pressure. I'd install one of those over an auto locker any day on a stock axle. It'll be much less prone to axle shaft breakage.
That said, a selectable is not that much more money and they really are the best way to go.
Don't be afraid of the truetrac or Auburn's LS. They do make a huge difference. Those who advise to steer clear of them usually do so because they can, on occasion, be ineffective with one wheel in the air but that can be remedied by a little brake pressure. I'd install one of those over an auto locker any day on a stock axle. It'll be much less prone to axle shaft breakage.
That said, a selectable is not that much more money and they really are the best way to go.
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
A selectable is at least twice the cost of an automatic lunchbox locker. With his vacuum disconnect, why not have more positive locking on an axle where the locker will be invisible in 2wd on the road?
jtjwrangler
New member
Auto lockers are a lot cheaper and easier to install. I had mine in my tj with stock axles for about 7 yrs now and I thrashed it in the rocks, sand, mud, and hill climbs. I had no problems with it and it was my daily driver.
TwistedCU
New member
He could save money with one, but personally I'd rather have the strength of a selectable rather than have the chance of a quick snap of an axleshaft when that automatic locker engages when the wheels are spinning hard.
I know many people run them with out problem, but it's no secret that they're harder on axles than any other type of differential (open, LS, or selectable).
and what about driving in 4WD on the road? An automatic locker up front would make for ugly street manners in the snow.
Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
I've only seen that being a problem with the D35 due to the thin axleshafts and weight transfer, not a D30 with reasonably sized tires. Many jeepers can't afford selectable lockers (or LS for that matter), so a lunchbox locker is a viable option that works for a lot of people.
Utah_jeepster
Super Moderator
The only difference between installing a "auto" locker and a "selectable" locker is routing either a cable or a air line.
You have to re-set the pinion depth and ring gear clearance, pattern the ring and pinion. No difference there, a axle shop will charge you the same thing about 250$ an axle to install them.
The only difference is cost of the carrier.
Get the vacuum disconect elimination kit (weak link) and go with a selectable type of locker. it will fit any Dana 30 and if you upgrade later on to a Dana 44 or 60 you could sell the locker for 5 bills or so.
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Bounty__Hunter
Super Moderator
True only for a detroit locker, but for the majority of auto lockers, the lunchbox lockers referred to earlier in this thread such as the aussie, EZ, LockRight, etc., there is no added expense of having to set up the gears, yet another large savings over a selectable locker.
You guys have selectable lockers. I have neither. Trying to look at this objectively from my experience, what I've installed and what I've seen work on the trail.
This is a moot point, I think this jeeper wants the most bang for the buck and has made up thier mind.
I agree with Bounty Hunter, the aussie locker slides in the carrier in place of the spyder gears. the carrier does not have to be removed. I just put one in my jeep cause my kid distroyed the spyder gears. He SAYS he was just driving up a little hill and snap it was like it went out of gear. Of course I totally believe that bull storey as much as any parent believes a teen driver. but in anycase the aussie locker, shipping, gear oil, new brakes, about 2 hours and total cost of everything about $325 its back on the road. I went with the Aussie locker due to price and ease of install. right now is not the time for me to spend 800 to 1000 bucks an axle to have ARB, OX locker, or other wise. Fast easy and in my price range for the time, now I'm considering puttin one in the front I'm runnin 32 in mtrs and thinkin maybe the Posi lock cable. I like that due to the fact you can go 2 wheel low if you want. I did that to my last jeep cause the vacuum lines did crack and fail, it worked well but I think its a little over priced for what it is. anyway thats my take on lunch box lockers . Easy ,cheap , and they do work. not as fancy as a button on the dash
ohh My thought on street driving (or dirt) and how it may change that. OH well be carefull learn to adapt to it, over come the difficulty if there is one, Things do change. Lifted jeeps and trucks handle way differant than those left stock, turning, braking, blind spots, gettin in gettin out, among other things. I put lights on my windshield hinges, now I have a blind spot in front of me. Be aware of things around you and understand the changes you have made may make a rough hill easy but driving in a parking lot harder, take it easy and have some safe fun.
Utah_jeepster
Super Moderator
I would also agree with bounty and you hog but the gent said he wanted to "re-gear" Any time you change your gear ratio you have to set up the new gears, and if you go from 3:73 range to a 4:10 or 4:88 you have to change the carrier I think the largest ratio a stock Dana 30 carrier (what most jeeps come with, never heard of one coming with 4:10's) can carry is 3:93's.
It seems that we arguing apples to ornges..lol.
It seems that we arguing apples to ornges..lol.
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mud4feet
New member
What about the 4bangers??? Stock 4:10's!!
currupt4130
VT Hokie
Never seen a 3.93 in a Jeep, in anything for that matter.
If you're going to buy a full case locker, spend the money and buy an ARB. Do not waste your money on a LS that will cost the same, it's not worth it and you'll kick yourself later down the line. If you don't plan to install a full case locker, get a lunchbox locker and use your posi lock cable thing to your advantage. Front ends don't experience the load that rear ones do and therefore don't have the tendency to "pop" and snap shafts like a rear lunchbox would. That being said, wheel spin is a huge culprit for broken shafts. If you're driving with a locker and put yourself in a spot to break a shaft, it's your fault, wheel spin often leads to being where you dont want to be because of lack of control. Get a true locker, do it right and do it once.
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