Front vs. Rear Lockers?

93XJRay · 07-12-2009, 06:56 PM

My 93 is my DD and i want to lock one of the diffs. Im just wondering what your opinions are on whether i should put it in the front or the rear? which would be a better idea since its my DD. Im assuming front because it would only be used off road but i want some opinions.. i have an 8.25 27 spline rear and D30 front. thanks in advance...

dlundblad · 07-12-2009, 07:02 PM

Make it both so it can be a Rubicon... But I would have to say front too. First of all is your rear diff LSD?

But if the front was locked, that would give great pulling power up hills and over obstacles.

93XJRay · 07-12-2009, 07:05 PM

im not sure if it is lsd. i would imagine because its stock... i have an ax15 manual tranny with a 231 tcase..idk if that helps?

dlundblad · 07-12-2009, 07:07 PM

I would still have to say front.

ol"blue · 07-12-2009, 07:07 PM

Unless it's an air locker put it in the rear. Don't put a locker in the front of a DD with a D30 because of the differing scrub speeds encountered by the front wheels when turning. You're more apt to break something. JMO

93XJRay · 07-12-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol"blue

Unless it's an air locker put it in the rear. Don't put a locker in the front of a DD with a D30 because of the differing scrub speeds encountered by the front wheels when turning. You're more apt to break something. JMO

thats a good point. if i do it in the rear all it will be is like posse right? i know its not a good idea to do both axels when you DD it thats why. its my DD and i put my wife and kid in it, if it was a trail rig id go crazy with it but thats not the case.

fantic238 · 07-12-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol"blue

Unless it's an air locker put it in the rear. Don't put a locker in the front of a DD with a D30 because of the differing scrub speeds encountered by the front wheels when turning. You're more apt to break something. JMO

What if he has the vacuum disconnect?
I would still say rear first, especially with the detroit.

EndlessMtnFab · 07-12-2009, 08:02 PM

I advise my customers to consider locking the rear first.

It's a bit easier to adjust to the slightly changed drivin characteristics and there is less to go wrong if you have sudden traction. That's not to say shafts can't break. But, in theory, a front ujoint should go before a rear shaft.

Not to mention the steeing feedback you could get from a locker up front. Even in 2wd ... you'll still get some minor kickback around sharper turns. Nothing terrible ... but a new-to - lockers person might find it disconcerting.

Joe

ol"blue · 07-12-2009, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fantic238

What if he has the vacuum disconnect?
I would still say rear first, especially with the detroit.

True, with the vacuum disconnect equipped axle it might not be an issue. I failed to verify the year of his XJ and if it was so equipped. Sorry.

93XJRay · 07-12-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol"blue

True, with the vacuum disconnect equipped axle it might not be an issue. I failed to verify the year of his XJ and if it was so equipped. Sorry.

its a few posts up but...93, 5 speed ax 15, 231 tcase, d30 front, 8.25 27 spline rear. im not sure about a vacuum disconnect? any way to tell from the year orrrr...?

fantic238 · 07-12-2009, 09:46 PM

With the NP 231 it's a command trac, so it should.

4.3L XJ · 07-12-2009, 09:51 PM

Everybody loves lockers. But in a daily driver, they can cause some problems you might not want to live with. Back in the day, they were considered dangerous and not to be used on daily drivers. Opinions have changed now and all sorts of bad characteristics are considered acceptable. First of all, if you drive on snow and ice, you will be using 4WD. If the front is locked, you will just steer a nice straight line into whatever ditch is closest. If you lock the rear, you will end up going backwards while going forwards. If a locker is used in a daily driver, it should be a selectable locker. One that can be turned on and off. That way, the daily driver retains its street manners, and then the great traction of a locked axle when needed. Then it won't matter which axle you lock, however it is always best to lock the rear if only one is used.

fantic238 · 07-12-2009, 09:54 PM

Thank you 4.3L xj, i felt too lazy to say all that

93XJRay · 07-12-2009, 09:56 PM

alright. is there a selectable locker?? such as an air locker or something..would i be able to "turn it on or off"??

4.3L XJ · 07-12-2009, 10:09 PM

Yes, there are a couple. You can get the ARB air locker I think for your 8.25, I'm not sure about the ECTED, whether it is available or not.

The ARB is available for the front, as well as with a higher spline count if you want to upgrade axles, which is advisable.

07-12-2009, 06:56 PM	#1
93XJRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 547 My Photos 1993 Cherokee Year: 1993 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 H/O I6 Transmission: 5 speed ax-15 Transfer Case: np231 Front Axle: d30 Rear Axle: 8.25 27 spline Tires: 31" A/Ts Lift Specifications: 3 inches soon to be 5 Misc Accessories: custom painted interior, cobra cb, lights, rx7 headlights...etc etc...	Front vs. Rear Lockers? My 93 is my DD and i want to lock one of the diffs. Im just wondering what your opinions are on whether i should put it in the front or the rear? which would be a better idea since its my DD. Im assuming front because it would only be used off road but i want some opinions.. i have an 8.25 27 spline rear and D30 front. thanks in advance... __________________ My Jeep Doesn't leak. It Marks It's Territory 1993 Blue as hell XJ 5" lift 33"s cragar soft 8s cut up fendahs Cobra CB Straight piped exhaust 2 bumper mounted off road lights Hood vents Homebrew roof rack

07-12-2009, 07:02 PM	#2
dlundblad CF Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Larwill, Indiana Posts: 7,518 My Photos 2003 Silver WJ Laredo Grand Cherokee Year: 2003 Silver WJ Laredo Model: Grand Cherokee Engine: 4.0 Power Tech Transmission: 42RE Transfer Case: NP-242 Front Axle: D30 Rear Axle: D35 Tires: 245/75/16 (30.5") Lift Specifications: 2" BB Misc Accessories: Mopar Splash Guards	Make it both so it can be a Rubicon... But I would have to say front too. First of all is your rear diff LSD? But if the front was locked, that would give great pulling power up hills and over obstacles. __________________ David "Grand Cherokee'er" *2003 Silver WJ Laredo w/ 4.0 Litre "the Country Queen"* Beep Beep... I drive a silver Jeep. http://www.cherokeeforum.com/showthread.php?p=271758&posted=1#post271758

07-12-2009, 07:05 PM	#3
93XJRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 547 My Photos 1993 Cherokee Year: 1993 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 H/O I6 Transmission: 5 speed ax-15 Transfer Case: np231 Front Axle: d30 Rear Axle: 8.25 27 spline Tires: 31" A/Ts Lift Specifications: 3 inches soon to be 5 Misc Accessories: custom painted interior, cobra cb, lights, rx7 headlights...etc etc...	im not sure if it is lsd. i would imagine because its stock... i have an ax15 manual tranny with a 231 tcase..idk if that helps? __________________ My Jeep Doesn't leak. It Marks It's Territory 1993 Blue as hell XJ 5" lift 33"s cragar soft 8s cut up fendahs Cobra CB Straight piped exhaust 2 bumper mounted off road lights Hood vents Homebrew roof rack

07-12-2009, 07:07 PM	#4
dlundblad CF Veteran Join Date: May 2009 Location: Larwill, Indiana Posts: 7,518 My Photos 2003 Silver WJ Laredo Grand Cherokee Year: 2003 Silver WJ Laredo Model: Grand Cherokee Engine: 4.0 Power Tech Transmission: 42RE Transfer Case: NP-242 Front Axle: D30 Rear Axle: D35 Tires: 245/75/16 (30.5") Lift Specifications: 2" BB Misc Accessories: Mopar Splash Guards	I would still have to say front. __________________ David "Grand Cherokee'er" *2003 Silver WJ Laredo w/ 4.0 Litre "the Country Queen"* Beep Beep... I drive a silver Jeep. http://www.cherokeeforum.com/showthread.php?p=271758&posted=1#post271758

07-12-2009, 07:07 PM	#5
ol"blue CF Veteran Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Dandridge Tennessee Posts: 13,981 My Photos 1997 & 2004 Grand Cherokee Year: 1997 & 2004 Model: Grand Cherokee Engine: 5.2 V8 ; 4.7 V8 Transmission: 4 spd Auto.; 5 spd. Auto Transfer Case: Both Have Full-Time 4WD Front Axle: D30 w/3.73 gear Rear Axle: D44 w/3.73 gear Tires: 245x70x16 Lift Specifications: 97 Orvis Fact. Up Country Misc Accessories: Both have HD Cooling Systems & Tow Packages, '97 has Fact. Skid Plates	Unless it's an air locker put it in the rear. Don't put a locker in the front of a DD with a D30 because of the differing scrub speeds encountered by the front wheels when turning. You're more apt to break something. JMO __________________ '97 Grand Cherokee Limited Orvis Up Country 5.2, 4X4 '04 Grand Cherokee SE 4.7, 4X4 '04 Saturn Vue 250 WHP V-6 AWD '85 Dodge Omni GLHTurbo T-2 282 WHP '86 Dodge Omni GLHTurbo T-2 397 WHP If you're not breaking parts you're not making enough power!!! "I NEED MORE TRACTION, NOT MORE BOOST" http://i562.photobucket.com/albums/s...r54_2048_0.gif

07-12-2009, 08:02 PM	#8
EndlessMtnFab Cherokee Forum Vendor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Blakeslee, PA Posts: 710 My Photos 97 Cherokee Year: 97 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.7 Transmission: AX-15 Transfer Case: NP203, D300 Front Axle: Hybrid HP 30 Rear Axle: Full Floating D44 Tires: 285/75/16 ProComp Xtreme MT Lift Specifications: Homebrew -- just ask Misc Accessories: too many to list	I advise my customers to consider locking the rear first. It's a bit easier to adjust to the slightly changed drivin characteristics and there is less to go wrong if you have sudden traction. That's not to say shafts can't break. But, in theory, a front ujoint should go before a rear shaft. Not to mention the steeing feedback you could get from a locker up front. Even in 2wd ... you'll still get some minor kickback around sharper turns. Nothing terrible ... but a new-to - lockers person might find it disconcerting. Joe

07-12-2009, 09:46 PM	#11
fantic238 CF provocator Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3,444 My Photos 1988 limited Cherokee Year: 1988 limited Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 litre Transmission: AW4 Transfer Case: np242 Front Axle: dana30 high pinion Rear Axle: dana35 non c-clip limited slip diff Tires: 31x10.50 yokohama super digger Lift Specifications: 3.5 in rough country Misc Accessories: audi A6 electric fans, gibson 3in stainless steel exhaust, tank & tc skid plate, light bar, propane	With the NP 231 it's a command trac, so it should. __________________ Memento audere semper "god said rock and then came ledZeppelin" For CAD geeks here: http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/how...-bumper-27077/

07-12-2009, 09:51 PM	#12
4.3L XJ CF Veteran Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 2,143 My Photos 1986 Cherokee Year: 1986 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system Transmission: 4L60E with manual lockout. Transfer Case: Atlas 4 speed with 2.7, 3.8 and 10.38 Front Axle: D30 going to Toyota 8.25 with ARB Rear Axle: D35 going to Toyota 8.25 with ARB Tires: 31X10.50X15 going to 38s Lift Specifications: 7.5" RE coils on homegrown longarm, Tereflex high steer, bastard pack rear. Misc Accessories: Warn 9.5ti, a bag of goodies and custom onboard air	Everybody loves lockers. But in a daily driver, they can cause some problems you might not want to live with. Back in the day, they were considered dangerous and not to be used on daily drivers. Opinions have changed now and all sorts of bad characteristics are considered acceptable. First of all, if you drive on snow and ice, you will be using 4WD. If the front is locked, you will just steer a nice straight line into whatever ditch is closest. If you lock the rear, you will end up going backwards while going forwards. If a locker is used in a daily driver, it should be a selectable locker. One that can be turned on and off. That way, the daily driver retains its street manners, and then the great traction of a locked axle when needed. Then it won't matter which axle you lock, however it is always best to lock the rear if only one is used.

07-12-2009, 09:54 PM	#13
fantic238 CF provocator Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 3,444 My Photos 1988 limited Cherokee Year: 1988 limited Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 litre Transmission: AW4 Transfer Case: np242 Front Axle: dana30 high pinion Rear Axle: dana35 non c-clip limited slip diff Tires: 31x10.50 yokohama super digger Lift Specifications: 3.5 in rough country Misc Accessories: audi A6 electric fans, gibson 3in stainless steel exhaust, tank & tc skid plate, light bar, propane	Thank you 4.3L xj, i felt too lazy to say all that __________________ Memento audere semper "god said rock and then came ledZeppelin" For CAD geeks here: http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/how...-bumper-27077/

07-12-2009, 09:56 PM	#14
93XJRay Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 547 My Photos 1993 Cherokee Year: 1993 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.0 H/O I6 Transmission: 5 speed ax-15 Transfer Case: np231 Front Axle: d30 Rear Axle: 8.25 27 spline Tires: 31" A/Ts Lift Specifications: 3 inches soon to be 5 Misc Accessories: custom painted interior, cobra cb, lights, rx7 headlights...etc etc...	alright. is there a selectable locker?? such as an air locker or something..would i be able to "turn it on or off"?? __________________ My Jeep Doesn't leak. It Marks It's Territory 1993 Blue as hell XJ 5" lift 33"s cragar soft 8s cut up fendahs Cobra CB Straight piped exhaust 2 bumper mounted off road lights Hood vents Homebrew roof rack

07-12-2009, 10:09 PM	#15
4.3L XJ CF Veteran Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Chico, CA Posts: 2,143 My Photos 1986 Cherokee Year: 1986 Model: Cherokee Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system Transmission: 4L60E with manual lockout. Transfer Case: Atlas 4 speed with 2.7, 3.8 and 10.38 Front Axle: D30 going to Toyota 8.25 with ARB Rear Axle: D35 going to Toyota 8.25 with ARB Tires: 31X10.50X15 going to 38s Lift Specifications: 7.5" RE coils on homegrown longarm, Tereflex high steer, bastard pack rear. Misc Accessories: Warn 9.5ti, a bag of goodies and custom onboard air	Yes, there are a couple. You can get the ARB air locker I think for your 8.25, I'm not sure about the ECTED, whether it is available or not. The ARB is available for the front, as well as with a higher spline count if you want to upgrade axles, which is advisable.

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