I am regearing (5.38 richmond gears) my 2011 Jeep Sport in the next couple weeks and putting a locker out back, but was planning to hold off on the front... But then thought about just doing a lock-right or aussie since its a Dana 30... Are they worth the extra $200-300 or should i just hold out until i get an elocker and shafts in a year or two? I will be doing sleeves and gussets with the gears too. Also wondering if you guys think or know if sleeves are available/ necessary in the rear too?

 

Popular opinion is a locker in a 30 is not advisable especially with 5.38 gears and particularly an auto locker that you can't turn off. The ring and pinion gears are so small on the 30 that it is a weak point. Lockers can create a lot of torque when in use which will likely grenade your weak r&p. That's not exactly an easy trail fix and expensive to fix. IF you want to run a locker, then a selectable would be safer. You can shut it off so you can be more selective on when to use it. Also I don't think the rears need to be sleeved. You hear of less breakage on rears.

IMO, I would run the 30 open especially with 5.38 gears.

 

TrueTrac. $375ish, full case, very strong, less stress than a full locker, good winter weather road manners, good offroad for anything short of wheels-in-the-air crawling. To me, a much better option than dumping a grand into a selectable for a d30.

But to answer the question you asked, yes, front lunchboxes have very favorable reviews from pretty much everyone that has them.

 

I run a Truetrac on my D30 with 5.38, sleeved and gusseted and think it's the best solution for my needs. I don't do a lot of tire lifting, and run 35" Pitbull Rocker radials so for me traction is not an issue anymore.

I went with Truetracs for the above mentioned, not as stressful on the D30 as a full locker, and they act open until I need them and then they just magically hook up.

People in my club thought I was an idiot for not putting in lockers until they watch me go right up and over everything, and they are never waiting around for me to figure out why my lockers (air / cable / electric etc.) aren't engaging.

 

A friend of mine ran a Easy Locker w/33's on a D30 in an XJ for 3 years without too many problems, and we are talking HARD wheeling (it was towed to the trails Rubicon, Moab, Tellico, ect. ) I think he broke 2 or 3 stock shafts then went cromo before going to 38's and completely destroying the axle.
If your going to run 33's I think your fine, 35's kind of iffy, any bigger forget it.
Just my opinion.

 

I run an Aussie up front in my Dana 30. I think it is a good, economical solution. In 2wd it won't tear up anything and makes almost no noise even in sharp turns. Although it is still rotating in 2wd there is no torque on it so shredding gears is not an issue. My opinion is lock up the front first with a lunchbox then save up for a selectable in the rear. I have 33s btw. 35s would probably be a different story.

 

Have you ever had it on snow or ice and if so how did it drive?

 

No. I live and wheel around Phoenix, AZ so not really an issue. When I was researching the locker there was mixed reviews regarding snow and ice with an Aussie up front.

 

I have a 92 YJ that I put a Lock-Right in the Dana 30 in 1995 and have not had any problems running 33's. I have a Detroit in the rear Dana 44 (replaced the D-35). I have never driven it on snow or ice and don't think I would want to, more because of the Detroit. If I were to do it over again I would have an ARB front and rear. The shop that did my lift recommended the Detroit even though they had ARB advertising at the shop. Assume you are talking about a Dana 30 in a JK but just wanted to say that my L-R has been good for me in the YJ. Also have 08 JKUR and new 12 JKR.

 

MKJEEP runs a Lockrite and has for 2 years and still going strong. My advice, if you run a locker of any type up front run chromaly shafts or carry stock spares.