Aussie lockers
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 172
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, MD
Auto locker pros:
Cheap
Easy DIY mod
100% traction
Auto locker cons:
They are audible (you hear the ratcheting)
During really tight turns you can even feel the ratcheting
They are always "on" in 4WD... For some terrain (ice, tight wooded trails) this may not be desirable.
Selectable locker pros:
You can choose when you want them on/off
Selectable locker cons:
They are a LOT more expensive
For most Jeepers they are NOT a DIY project
They need a means of activation (air, electric, cable) which carries each their own pros/cons
Cheap
Easy DIY mod
100% traction
Auto locker cons:
They are audible (you hear the ratcheting)
During really tight turns you can even feel the ratcheting
They are always "on" in 4WD... For some terrain (ice, tight wooded trails) this may not be desirable.
Selectable locker pros:
You can choose when you want them on/off
Selectable locker cons:
They are a LOT more expensive
For most Jeepers they are NOT a DIY project
They need a means of activation (air, electric, cable) which carries each their own pros/cons
I'm adding aussie lockers for front and rear to my mod list.
JK Junkie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 2,911
Likes: 0
From: Broken Arrow, OK
A rear Aussie is also on my wish list... as in, I WISH they made one
Unfortunately nobody makes an autolocker (yet) for the JK rear open carrier. To get an Aussie in the rear you'd need to change out your open carrier for another (non-JK) open D44 carrier, and then install your locker...
Unfortunately this blows one of the biggest benefits of the autolockers in that this quickly leaves the realm of most people's DIY project abilities. The reason is, is that with a new carrier comes having to adjust your gears, shims, backlash... a whole lot of nasty.
At this people most people (my self included) would probably just take it to a professional... but if your going to pay to do this (unless you are already doing gears at the same time) you might as well just poney up for a selectable locker.
Me... I'm leaving my rear axle open until Aussie comes out with a JK D44 version of their locker. Some reports put that at (or around) this summer
