DaddyCat

Faraonico, read this link. I think it'll answer some (or all) of your questions.
http://www.rockcrawler.com/techrepor...x_tj/index.htm

Faraonico

Locker installed... the cross pin was kinda hard to insert,but with a little rubber mallet it got in.
I used the measuring part that the locker brought ( a little metal part used to make sure that the distance between some parts is okay). It was ok to go.

First run- A little bit scary. While turning left it made a big bang that sounded like someone crashed into my Cherokee.The bang was loud enough to scare a man walking his dog.

Turning right the noise is greatly inferior to the one that it makes when turning left.
In straight line there is no problem,I drove for a few minutes and it doesn't jerk or make noises.
The clicking sound it makes is similar to a roller coaster cart.


The only bad thing is the loud banging it makes when turning left.

Faraonico

The "Offroading" moment:
I tested the locker in a hill with wet grass and in muddy terrain.

Grass hill- With a little momentum the Cherokee made it half way but I felt as the two wheels started pulling and actually managed to get me over the hill.First accomplishment with the locker ( and some guys amazed guys that though that a 2wd couldnt make it.)

Mud- My A/T tires as expected got smooth and became as useful as normal street tires ,NONETHELESS I actually managed to get out because the rear wheels started spinning and the Cherokee started fishtailing ( like a dog trying to dry itself I could say hehe)
I got the Cherokee out ,almost sliding diagonally.First time the Cherokee gets action like that.


The locker is sure functioning,but the loud banging when turning left is really annoying. I used 2 quarts of Mobil 75W-140, is that enough ? Or was another kind of oil a better option?

Faraonico

Bad News: Loud sound and jerk was caused by a broken spacer paddle.

Now I have to get a replacement...

Lyon

Any pics of the damage? I'm having the same noise but I have a bad ball joint as well. Not sure if that's what's causing the pop though. I'm curious to see what broke on the locker.

Faraonico

That picture is not mine, but what happened is similar. The spacer on the left is broken. Mine looks very similar.

Faraonico

Locker installed!
It is great and silent.

Reece

So, it's better to go 4WD stock than 2WD with a locker? I'm curious about one thing. Dosen't shifting into 4WD/Low actually lock up all 4 wheels to turn the same speed? If so the Eaton video is a little misleading for Jeep Cherokee 4WD owners, eh?

Gorillaxj

It locks the front drive shaft to the back drive shaft. so front axle and rear axle get the same power/speed input. However with open or lsd diffs the diff can cause one tire to spin faster then the other on the same axle.

If both diffs are locked then all 4 tires are locked to turn at the same speed no matter the terrain.

VTJeep

No. You have open diffs. Putting it in low will not change this. With a 4wd open diff, you have at least one tire in the front that will provide "pulling" power, as opposed to a locked 2wd that has only "pushing" power. This is an advantage. There is the preference of where to install a locker as well. If you lock the front, the locker will remain unused untill the 4wd is engeged, whereas in the rear it's a bit more versatile (IMHO) and therefor usefull for daily driving. With an auto locker in the rear, as soon as there is wheel spin, the locker engages and gives you full potential traction. But if you have a locker in the front, you would have to engage 4wd to benefit from it. So like I said, it's preference, mostly.. But I'd say for about 500, you can lock the rear with an auto locker and be real happy.. Especially when you do engage 4wd

Reece

Faraonico, was your first locker installed incorrectly?
Is Powertrax the way to go?

So will my 4WD take this trail with open differentials?

Faraonico

Last Saturday I went offroading with some friends, all were 4wd. My 2wd with locker actually managed to go to cool places, but heavy mud is a no-go.
I was very happy when I saw the two rear wheels spinning on a dirt hill that I couldn't reach before. The locker makes a good difference.

xj_maniac_newb

Now if you get sum beefy tarz then you'll be good to go

djb383

This video will help explain 4X2/4X4 and the benefits of a locking rear diff. Dis-regard Eaton G80, that's just the brand name and model. Obviously one or both diffs being locked is better than 2 open diffs in 4X4.

Gorillaxj

That shows why I would never run a LSD, especially offroad.