I see there is much more to consider with the lockers. I will do more research as the day gets closer.

I doubt that I will change my front axle and most likely will not lock it since that is not necessary.

As it stands, the trails I have hit, I am do and clear with my stock 3.21 without lockers. I am afraid that if I build it up too much, then I am going to start taking more risks. I shouldn't do that. I will be very angry if I roll my Jeep.

I do plan to regear to 4.88s and I am looking forward to more power when driving to Fairplay or other mountain towns. I am excited to see what that is going to do for me on the trail as well.

I love Moab, and plan to head there again this year. I'm thinking the 4.88s will make that a more pleasurable experience.

I sure do appreciate the advice.

I like the price on the TT, but I am leary about the possibility of them trying to lock when I am taking turns. I assume that was ment when not in 4 wheel drive.

I am excited that next week my lift kit arrives, it is my first start.

 

Because the OP mentioned it in his post?



Are you sure it was truetracs and not detroits? The detroit is a locker, which would act like you described. The truetrac is a limited, and does not. At least I never noticed front/rear truetracs acting like front/rear detroits.

For those that spend more time in the rocks, and less time driving on snow and ice, detroits are great. For my needs as a daily driver in Colorado, replacing detroits with TT's was a good call. Much more user friendly on-road, perform great for everything short of wheels-in-the-air terrain offroad, and no comparison on ice.



This is a good place to start your research.
http://project-jk.com/jeep-jk-tech/d...ts-lockers-101

There are quite a few threads on the truetrac, if you think you might go that route. Should be easy enough to find a few and get more opinions. But for your concern, don't worry about it with a TT. A full locker may bind your turns, but even up front, a locker (like a detroit or a lunchbox), will not be working in 2wd, only 4wd. Not an issue with a limited, unless you jump on the gas and throw it into a tight turn, I guess?

 

You're probably right. I bet they were detroit's.

 

I read the post on Lockers 101. It states that Eaton for Dana 44 are not as good as Eaton for Dana 30.

It also states that if ARB is correctly installed, then they are the leader of the industry. The write up suggested the majority of failures with ARB is secondary to incorrect install.

That is scary.

I am not real sure what I would need them for. If I am in four low, aren't all four of my tires turning with power? If so, why would I need a locker?

What is a circumstance that lockers would be a huge advantage?

Thanks,
John

 

If you had lockers in both axles, then yes, all four of your tires have power. Open diffs, the tires with the least traction get all the power. ie, two tires in the air, 2 on dry pavement, the tires in the air get all the power. (this does not take the bld into account). Having a locker or limited will divide the power so both wheels on an axle can turn.


Any time you don't have enough traction to continue moving?? One comment from Dynatrac that I liked was something to the effect of "most people do not actually need lockers, but they will find themselves in situations where they need something more than 'open' diffs ".


For the ARB - it uses air lines. If the line leaks, the locker doesn't function. Could be that they routed the hose near the exhaust and melted it, or snagged it on a trail, or whatever. Extra parts is a weakness of selectable lockers.

 

I ran a lunchbox rear (non selectable) and TRUTrac front for years. The TT helped tame the rear in the rain and snow (in 4hi on road, yeah not ideal but I did it). In 2hi, its just like any other open diff and didn't cause funky steering. It was awesome offroad and definitely helped in the traction department. Not as much as fully locked, but way better than open.

People talking about front lockers or LSD causing steering problems in 2wd do not know what they're talking about or had screwed up rigs. If its working Properly and you're in 2wd, a non-selectable locker or LSD will not be noticeable in the front. Once it gets power to the wheels, then yeah, you'll notice it. SpOols are a different story too.

 

After reading the Locker 101, I tried to look up specs on the Eaton's website, but failed. They just boasted how great they are without air lines getting in the way.

Since I have had three of the four shops recommend them vs. ARB, I am thinking to go with an Eaton Elocker to the rear and nothing to the front.

I am guessing that lockers are something that I will only need once; but when that once hits, I will be very glad to have them.

I still have time to continue researching the subject. I will not do the regear until Feb or March, I am thinking.

-John