Lockers or no lockers?
 

I have a 2010 unlimited sport with 1.75" coil spacer lift (going soon with old man emu 2" lift) and 33" tires (285..17 Toyo Open Country AT2). I do 95% road and 5% country road/mild off road.
I live in Canada, so lots of ice and snow in winter (don't know if lockers are good idea in those conditions).

I was thinking of putting lockers on but when I saw prices, I don't know if it make sense for my needs.

I looked at the ARB but front and rear would be very expensive. So I was thinking maybe only the rear one or the front one....can I do that or do I need front and rear? If I can only go with 1, is better rear or front?

I also looked at Detroit (Eaton) elockers. They are less expensive but not sure I understand the difference on the field between them and ARB?!?!

I also saw different comments about "lunch box" kit 😐. What is a "lunch box" kit anyway? To me it sound like what I give my kids every morning to go to school (sorry I had to make that bad joke).

So I need help with this, to find some good options.

Thanks in advance, I appreciate :)

The cool thing about ARB, Eaton, and Aubrun Ected Lockers are that they are selectable. So if there is a lot of ice and snow and you want traction control to do all the work, you just keep the lockers disengaged. When offroad, and tires start spinning, you can engage the lockers only when you need them. The difference between ARB and Eaton is that the ARB's are powered by compressed air while Eaton's are powered by electricity. Other such as OX can be either air, electric, or cable. Yes, you can use just the front or just the rear. You don't need to install lockers on both axles. Yes, they are very expensive, that's why I'm saving up to pay for them in full! I have heard arguments for both sides on which axle would benefit more from a locker, some say the rear because on hill climbs, more weight will be on the rear axle. But sometimes the front may be better since pulling weight is sometimes better than pushing. If you have a sport with limited slip in the rear, it may make more sense to lock the front (some with D30's are not comfortable with lockers in this housing) since the rear is already "half locked" with LSD. Now, do you really need lockers? I think the only way to answer this would be to think back to your wheeling trips and remember if your tires were constantly spinning and loosing traction. I could use lockers every now and then but I don't think I want to pay at least $800 per axle at this time. I've been really surprised with how capable my sport is with just the factory limited slip. However, if you have the money and think you may use them in the future, then go for it!

^ thanks a lot

A cheap easy option that doesn't effect street driving is a front auto locker like an Aussie. I would not put that in the back. You could grab a limited slip from a junk yard in the back and with that combo, you have a very capable jeep. The front axle you can do your self. The back will require that you revisit your backlash.

I wouldn't recommend a front auto locker as he stated he's in Canada and gets lots of snow and ice. Do as alot of others have done and go with a trutrac front and rear. It is a very good limited slip that doesn't require special additives as its gear driven not clutch. Plus they r very reasonable priced

How would the front auto locker do in snow?

lol answered as I posted.

If I want to do only 1 to start, should I do front or back? I saw that Qtec sell them for about 500$, not bad but are they expensive to put in? Is every JKU coming with limited slip?

I know mine does not have the own limited slip. The bld has saved me numerous times but would love to have actual locking diffs for peace of mind.

Don't power through turns and a auto locker is fine. I agree, it is more challenging but works quite well.

For mild offroad and back country roads, I don't know if a locker would be high on my list. I would see how your rig reacts to having the ome lift. Will you be getting the LT Shocks? You might need to look at extended brake lines (if the kit doesn't come with them) and a front drive shaft.
This will be a big improvement in my opinion. Keeping all 4 wheels planted on the ground was night and day for me - more so than lockers. That lift with long shocks and lots of droop will do wonders for the type of wheeling you're describing (mild offroad is kind of subjective)

Are you even running disconnected with the set up you have now?

Just something to think about.

With the OME kit i Will get the regular (shorter one of the 2) OME shocks, not the sports one.
I put on the Terraflex quick disconnect last month and didn't try them yet...

Save the money and do both or your paying to setup gears twice

I think I would get your lift on, and get that portion sorted out. I think you'll be amazed how much better you'll do once you disconnect, and are running even the standard ome shocks. Don't forget to air down if the going gets tough! I'd get some more wheelin under your belt before jumping to a locker. Get to know your jeep its (and your) limitations first - then upgrade. You got a winch?

Like what was suggested above - you may end up wanting to go to 35’s after you get in to it - then you'll want to regear and that will be a perfect time to add lockers if you still desire....

I never run front lockers on. And as i live i canada the need for it never exists. The rear i use consistantly. I wheeled for years with a limited slip rear and no lockers in the front. And ran in mud bogs this wasnt my jeep but as the terrain here is mild. I would have never bothered. Wirh or wirhout the jeep. I use stock rubi lockers as they were with my rubicon. But we have many people in the jeep club without full locking diffs and they go every where we do. I would spend money other places. And use your jeep that will give you siginificant info on which will be the best upgrade. Tires imo are the biggest upgrade one can do. Lockers and all terrains would be useless. In an offroad background. Well not completely. But an aggresive tire will almost be the same with a locker and a all terrain. Just take your time. I hate airlines and air lockers annoy me. But so do electric. Locking hubs are the way to do it. Imo. But its also alot of work and on a weak dana 30 amd dana 44. I wouldnt bother. Good luck

No, it doesn't. IF you do decide that you want more traction, follow the advice of the folks suggesting the Detroit Truetrac. There are a bunch of threads talking about them, with very favorable reviews. For your location/use, they will work just fine both onroad and off.

No idea of the pricing up where you are, but try Summit Racing. (Northridge4x4 has a canadian shop also, so you might send them a message too)

These are the part numbers
Front D30 - 912A585 - $390 (US)
Rear D44 - 913A589 - $415 (US)
** if you have 3.21 gears, you may need a different number for the front? Not sure.

The new lift will go on in April. First I was thinking of the sports OME shocks but not to sure because I read they are harder and since they are also longer, they would probably be better with the 4" lift?!?!? As for the springs, I'm not putting the HD ones because they give more like 3"-3.5" of lift. I'm going with the MD (softer one) since I don't have any metal front or rear bumper or any extra weight. Also the MD give exactly 2"-2.25", the best for me since I don't want higher then 2" (with my 33" it would look better and I don't want to go to 35" tires).

I don't have a winch, but was thinking of getting one and hide it in the stock bumper (I have to find more info about that one)...

Just know, a true track makes a really lousy off road limited slip. It loses a lot of its effectiveness when on wheel is in the air. Go with a clutch type. The additive is no big deal.

True tracks are really good for on road which is why its so popular with the muscle cars. So, yes a limited slip will work better in the snow. But I don't believe its a whole lot better than a auto locker in the ice. With limited traction, its effectively a locker.


So, if you really want a limited slip, get a clutch style set up. That said, I have always had a auto locker in the front on all my jeeps. Living in Northern Va and Missouri, I have never had an issue an auto locker in the snow or ice.

Ultimately the best option is a selectable locker... While we all have opinions, a true track is a lousy alternative for off road. If you really want a limited slip... go with a clutch style.

Thank you

Canadian here also. Auto locker on my front D30. Limited slip that came with the Sahara on the back. Yes, it's different in ice and snow, but not even close to the disaster everyone says it is. I drive it all year. Installed the locker myself so it only cost around $200. Knowing how good it is off road makes it easier to put up with. Yes it is a compromise. If I was regearing I might go Detroit TrueTracs front and rear, or selectables.