has anyone used the eaton E-LOCK, i have a x model with 36 inch swampers, i just ordered 5.13s for the front and rear. i want to lock the rear at least, are they any count, and how do they hold up.

 

i had to go up in size with gear, my 33s and 2 inch lift wasnt doing it for me. now i need gears and locker. hope the d30 holds in the front

 

The front Dana 30 unit is a very good locker, in fact, among the best you can get for a 30. You can also get it with 30 spline for the HD axles. The rear, however, is a different story. The front is a 4 pinion design where the rear is a 2 pinion design. It is much weaker than the other selectables on the market and not up to hard core use.

 

So if you only intend to lock the front D30 and not the rear, this is a good choice? been trying to decide what to put up front for a while

 

Why would they do that?
The OEM JK locker is 4 pinion, front and back.

 

Why not lock the front first instead of the rear??? From what I understand the front locked is more effective than the rear being locked.

 

Well i have locked the rear first on some of my trucks and my first jeep, i need to give the front a chance to break, see the boss at home thinks if it aint broke dont fix it. This being said if my d30 explodes i get new axles and better goodies, had to cut my 2inch hockey puck lift with a wheel grinder to prove it was broke last time lol. how do you guys like the abr stuff, i never had a selectable locker just full time.

 

The D44 ELocker was originally designed as an OE product and the OE torque spec requirement was low enough that a 2 pinion design was used. Remember, this is all about cost- Don't build it more expensively than needed. After is was built Eaton decided to push it in the aftermarket. Since it has been released they've had some terrible production issues due to lack of available production capability. They also had it on hold due to a revision of a snap ring groove. These delays really held it back from being readily available. The 2 pinion design is much weaker than a simlar model ARB. They are working on a stronger version but it could be another year away.

The Dana 30 and 35 models were designed for the aftermarket. They are built as strong as possible without being too expensive. Testing was intense and they are much chnaged compared to a 2 pinion 44. The D30 has 4 pinions and the 35 has 3 (can only use 3 due to c-clip access). They also changed the shift collar design for much better engagement. I've seen these 30 and 35 models at on the trail during testing and they are incredibly stout. I have no problem recommending them for any use as they are as strong or stronger than the ring gear.

The 44?..... I've had too many failures with customers to have any faith in them for anything but the occasional light duty off road rig.

The Co. that makes the JK locker also built the electric locker for the Nissan Titan. Nissan spec'd a 2 pinion design and the unit failed in many trucks. The unit was changed over to a 4 pinion design and it is holding up well.

 

The rear axle does much more work and I've seen more difference in adding one to the rear than the front. I've had situations where I've had to come out of the trail on only front and only rear (lockers at both ends). I would much rather have a rear axle than a front. This really illustrated how much more effective the rear axle is compared to the front. With a front axle only, the slightest loose up grade would require a tug, winch or banzai run. I could easily go up the same hill in 2wd rear only.

 

ELocker is a trade name. It is only made by Eaton. There are 2 other electric lockers for the Dana 44, Tru- Lok (the factory Rubicon locker made by GKN) and the Auburn Ected. The Rubi locker won't fit a standard 44 housing (without MAJOR mods and new axles) and the Ected is a...ahem...poor choice. Your best option is ARB. Not electric but better than the current options.

Your Dana 60 electric options are even more limited. The ELocker for the D60 is also a 2 pinion design and is NOT a good option for hard core off road use. There aren't any other options currently.