I'm wanting a locker for the front axel of my 2000 Cherokee 4x4. After talking to the local pros, I've decided for a locker that, when turned off, reverts to an open differential. Anyone have experience with the 3 I've listed? Are there any other good units? Which is cheapest to buy and install?

BTW, I was told that auto lockers are both rough and unsafe for highway driving in snow and ice, and that lockers that revert to limited slip are more likely to cause vibration problems with my Dana 30 low pinion axel. I have a 2" lift and 31" Goodyear MTRs.

Thanks, Bob

 

ARBs and OX are both good and strong, Eaton states that it will not warrant the E-Locker with anything but stock size tires.

I've never had any problems with lockers front or rear in snow and ice, but then I drive a lot in snow and ice and as they say you learn by experience.

Check out the Yukon Zip locker at Randy's Ring & Pinion. It is an air locker and has models for both the 27 and 30 spline Dana 30, cost is $629.00

 

I've run the Ox Locker....hated it. Cable was a pain in the *** to keep adjusted

Installed many ARB's...replaced a few broken ones, replaced multiple o-rings, repaired air lines. when they aren't leaking air or broken they work as advertised.

Running Eaton E-Lockers front and rear in my heep. No problems...ever. 35" tires too.

 

Just installed a yukon zip locker. So far so good. Im not big on counting on air for my locker to work though. I ran an ox on my old chevy, cable adjustment was kind of a pain sometimes, but if you check it before you play its no big deal. I know that the OX is way strong, I was running 42 inch boggers and a blown small block and it never broke, everything else did but not the locker. Granted they were in way bigger axles than our jeeps have but, i broke almost everything else that was selectable. Ox and Detroit so far were the strongest. Theres tons of people on here that run the ARB with excellent luck though.

 

I think we have talked about it before. Eaton states that they will not warrant the E- Locker for oversize tires, period, that is all I stated, I didn't say that I thought they were not a strong locker. As far as ARB locker, yes some of them have broken, but thousands out there haven't broken. Ox lockers were a pain to keep adjusted, but that is suppose to have been addressed with the upgrades on the newer lockers and I know guys running the newer ones and having nothing but good thing to say about them.

 

What locker reverts to limited slip? What traction enhanced diff doesn't require "a little getting used to" on snow/ice?

 

None.
Now before anyone jumps in a screams ECTED, it's not locker. It DOES NOT mechanically lock the axle shafts together.

None, they all require a little re-learning.

 

Thanks for the clarification......the myths abound (OP).

 

I don't know much about them but what does the eaton revert to then? It's advertised to act as a LS when off and fully locked when engaged. At least that's what I've seen. Just curious

 

The Eaton E-locker is an open diff when not engaged.

 

You are thinking of an Auburn ECTED which is a LSD that sort of locks if the clutch disc are in good condition. sort of

 

I've been running my ARB's for over a year now and I love how instant they are. I have not had any problems at all, flawless operation no matter where I am.

 

Hi, The ECTED electrically activated locker reverts to positraction. I guy tells me they are so good, hardly ever have to actuate the locker function.

 

How does it do that????????? "Posi-traction" is a chevy/gm name/term for limited slip.

Read FrankZ's post #7.

 

eh i say none of those, i vote a detroit, my detroit doesnt have air lines that leak, an electric motor to hurt in water, or a cable to get out of adjustment, it just locks when you hammer on it otherwise its great,
oh and my dad bought a detroit used from a guy in 92 and he still hasnt rebuilt it so id give it a 10 for durability