Hey Im looking into getting an Aussie for my front D30.

For those of you that have experience with them please let me know..

Are you happy with it?

 

Subscribed. I'm thinking about ordering one also. A buddy and I are going to install it in my front Dana 30 one weekend. The only thing I did to prepare myself is scheduled with the local shop to weld me some C gussets for extra strength before I go wheeling. I'll be watching this post to see what others say about the Aussie locker.

 

I have an aussie in my dana 30 front. I have been happy with it and it did help out on my last trail run in the Sierras before the snows came. I installed it back in October and haven't had any problems with it. You will get the signature ratcheting of an auto locker in tight turns, think u-turns or pulling into parking spaces, but it is really not bad. I personally think that driving in 2wd it is almost invisible.

When you do the install make sure to put everything back exactly where you found it. The install estimates that I got before I started were from 4 to 6 hours, but I never been inside a differential before so it felt like open heart surgery to me. Ended up taking me around 10 hours but I also ground all the paint and rust off my diff covers and repainted them while I was at it. Also getting the carrier shoved back in the diff. housing was the worst part for me. I actually ended up putting some parts in the freezer to shrink them just a tiny bit and it was enough for me to get all the screws started on the clamps that hold the carrier in the housing. Also make sure the punch you have to remove the roll pin on the carrier to remove the center steel shaft is long enough, I ended up breaking one off and using another one to push the roll pin fully out.

From what I've heard if you live in a snowy area an auto locker in the front diff. is not a good idea, but I have never attempted to drive my JK in snow so I really can't comment on that aspect.

I plan on keeping my aussie until I settle on a tire size (33s or 35s) and determine the gears I want (4.56 or 4.88). Then I'm going to put a Detroit in the rear and and a Truetrac in the front. But until I do that I plan on keeping an open carrier in the rear 44 and the Aussie in the Dana 30.

Hope that helps ya.

 

Ericker, did you have to take the carrier out? I've read and some places where you can remove everything without having to remove the carrier.

Thanks -

 

I've been running my Aussie for almost two years now and I love it. It has never failed me out on the trails. The ratcheting that you'll hear and the every now and then clunking are not big deals to me at all. If you've ever run an auto locker before it isn't much different for on road manners.

 

Yeeh you need to pull the carrier because the ring gear needs to come off to install the locker and I can't imagine trying to get the roll pin out while it is still is in the differential.

Here is a link to the install in a TJ dana 30. http://www.4x4xplor.com/aussielocker.html

The install in the JK is almost the same but make sure you buy the JK specific aussie kit or if you already have the locker make sure you have the washers specific for the JK carrier as the ones that are factory are replaced.

 

I'm ordering the Aussie for the JK Dana 30 so no worries. When I add the diff oil, is there some type of additive from the dealership that also needs to be put in?

 

i like mine. locks the wheels. does what its suppose to do!

 

Thanks for the input guys.. Looks like I will be putting one of these in!

 

The only time I notice mine (in a bad way that is) is when I am making tight turns. Think parking lots, parking garages, etc. Then, unless I finesse the gas and gearing, I feel the "clunk-clunk" of the locker.

But other than that one little minor issue (which I've learned to deal with), I love my Aussie. I'm even considering buying one for my rear D44 before next winter.