I want to know a good set of lockers. What's better: mechanical, electric, or air powered? And how much are they going to hurt my wallet?

07 Wrangler Unlimited X
Rough Country 4" X-Series Lift
Other small changes

 

I prefer a selectable, either air or electric but they will cost you the most and figure $1200-1500 per axle if you can't install yourself. You can do something like an aussie locker for a few hundred and install yourself pretty easy since you don't have to reset the gears.

 

I run Aussies in mine. Selectables are obviously more convenient but work no different than the Aussie when engaged. If you're running a Dana 30 up front I don't see the point in investing into a selectable unless you find a good deal on a used one.

 

My preference is OX mechanical locker which can actuated by mechanical shifter, electric actuator or air actuator. Solid positive lock with no airlines or electric switches inside the diff to worry about.

 

Until the cable hits the exhaust. The plastic sheath will fail, and you have no locker. It happened. After the ox debacle on my yj, I will stick with electric. They have been consistently reliable in our offroad circle. No airlines. No cables.

 

You could say the the same for your electric wire or your air line. If you don't run them in a safe place you loose them. Bad instal is not OX's fault. There is a small plunger you can purchase that threads into the diff cover and locks the diff for emergency use if you really need it.

Up here E lockers are the ones that seem to fail especially in the cold.

 

You can have failures with any of them, the whole which is better argument really comes down to personal preference. Properly installed air lines or wires should not be any more of an issue then a cable actuated one.

 

Well, I do not worry about wires or hose, since I went with Trutrac's front and rear! Also, not turn front on and off to make a turn and have worked great from snow covered roads to soft sand on outer banks, to many trips to Uwharrie.

 

You can't go wrong with any selectable locker upgrade. I have Eaton's and can't be happier with them. Its going to be up to you to decide on what route you do. Do it Right the first time and it will save you the labor of redoing it because you put in the lockers that didn't work out.

 

I would agree but also i don't think the value in putting a selectable in a 30 is really there. If you could swing it I would put a selectable in the rear and put a lunchbox in the front. For the cost of regearing/adding a selectable in the 30 you're right there with a crate 44, especially if you pay for labor. For the strength of the shafts and ring gear it'd be a much better investment to go that route imo.