Yes, I was wheeling. The one I put in my D30 just flat broke, and quit working, not good!! Upon removal, I found that 2 of the alignment pins had sheared completely off, and that was end of that one. It has been replaced by a Detroit Locker, and I have been very happy with it. The rear D44 started making stranger noises than usual after I had a rough climb up a pretty hairy section. I had to apply generous amounts of skinny pedal to clear it, but it should not have damaged the locker. After that, when I turned right it would "ratchet" considerably louder than it did when turning left. Upon it's removal, I could find no obvious damage, but I hated the way it sounded. I actually hated it the entire time I owned them, but after this outing, it was intolerable!! The front was a Quick Lock, and the rear was a Lock Rite. After this little experience, IMHO, LBLs are junk, and good for nothing more than a paperweight!! I now run a Yukon spool in the rear, and a Detroit Locker in the front. The spool chirps tires, lurches a little while turning, but is as quiet as a mouse otherwise!! My rig is not a DD, so I can live with this, until I can afford selectables. HTH!!

 

Thank you that is the info I'm looking for. One question when you say brake application is this to attempt to lock up the wheel that is in the air?


Sorry about your luck... sounds like you had a really bad experience. I'm sure all lockers and LSD have their downfall. I don't plan on doing hardcore off roading... I mostly need more traction in the mud and snow. I believe selectable lockers might be a bit overkill for my application.

 

Do not put a dime into your Dana 35. Take your time, contact junkyards, use Craigslist...and get yourself a complete axle. You can find an Explorer 8.8 with disc brakes, 4.10:1 gears, and a limited slip. Then have the housing brackets set up to bolt into your XJ. Do the swap in one day, or look around and get a Dana 44 out of an older XJ. There is a reason Dana 35's have an earned reputation as a weak axle.

I had a detroit in my TJ with a 5-speed and an aftermarket Dana 44. Yes, it was quirky. I did not let just anybody drive it. The first time it unlocks and goes 'bang' it gets your attention, and when it unlocks on the freeway and changes lanes, well that wakes you up real fast. As far as driving on snow, I loved it. Traction that regular diffs did not have (lived in Pennsylvania for 8 years, so I have lots of experience driving on snow/ice covered roads). I suppose if you tried to drive like a NASCAR racer, you would have problems. But it is a Jeep not a race car. No, I will not put another Detroit in a street driven Jeep. Short wheelbases and Detroit lockers do not play well on the street. Excellent traction, lousy manners.

Anytime you talk about a trutrac, Detroit Locker, ARB air locker or Ox Locker, they all have full cases. The carrier gets replaced with a stronger one. Such is not the case with a lunchbox locker as all you are replacing is the spider gears with a small locking unit. So you put a replacement case in a 35. The problem then is a weak housing and weak axleshafts. If you are dead set on modifying your Dana 35 have spare shafts and know how to change them. I have seen many 35 axles snap, the strangest was in a left turn lane on a street.

My son in law has a rear trutrac in his F150. Has had it now for 4 years. He loves it. Just think an all gear limited slip (most factory limited slips have cones or clutches, they do wear out, not the trutrac). Yes, lift a tire and you do have to use some braking action. Chances are real good the trutrac will serve you well. It is a good solid unit with decades of usage.

 

Yes... such as here...
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member.../15650-040.jpg
and here...
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/member...75-2080001.jpg

 

Errrmmmmm.... change of plans everyone... turns out I have a C 8.25" not a D35 like I thought.

 

No change, still an open diff... Just peace of Mind. Now you don't have to worry about the axle breaking on you. The aftermarket choices are less for the 8.25 and a little more expensive.

 

That's good you have the 8.25. You have the better axle and one worthy of investing in.

This is what I did.

I found a used Truetrack for the front. I bought an Aussie for the rear. My rig is only driven once or twice a week aside from wheeling, but the times I have driven it, I have not noticed much difference than when it was open, aside from the ratcheting. I really like the way it drives. I let off the gas on corners and accelerate again when I'm straight. My wife has even driven the rig, and she has not noticed a difference.

I have driven in it snow, in some pretty BAD conditions. It has handled well, but I just toss it in 4HI when it gets slick.

As far as on the trail, I love it. My rig is so much more capable. I have not lifted a tire too many times, but I know that is a con of the Truetrack.

As far as install. I did the Aussie myself, and it was pretty easy. I am as new to these installs as you can be, and it took me about 3 hrs. I had the Truetrack installed by a pro.

Like COSXJFAN said, if you can afford it, I would go a Detroit in the rear and Truetrack in front. But if you can't, I would say the Aussie is still a good LBL. I paid about $200 for my Truetrack used, and $240 for the Aussie shipped from northridge4x4.com.

 

Options from Quadratec.......

I have started my project thread. I am not in a huge hurry with the locker but would like something before winter hits. I guess it is down to either lunchbox or Detroit locker. the lunch box is 450 the locker will be 700 plus parts to install.

 

That's the locker I'm running now in my rear. I've got a 99Xj with 8.25 axle. Honestly man. Just get it. I've done alot of things in this jeep. That locker allows me to do quite a bit of wheeling only in 2wheel drive.
My jeep prior to this one. I had a rather stock 2000 XJ. I ran 30" BFG M/T with a locker in the rear. It performed very well. You are aware of it in the axle. Like this other posted put. It pops and creeks. You can't gun the gas pedal. It will get sideways on ya.
I'm not a hardcore off roader, but that locker is super awesome. I think I paid $500 for mine and installed it. When you do need new tires. I'd say go with something a little more aggressive. I don't find the BFG M/T's to be loud like alot of guys will tell ya. especially if your running stock tire size. It really is a great combo. Locker and good tires. You only need a lift if your driving over that kind of terrain. I did alot with my stock jeep with just tires and locker alone.

 

I think I may go with trutrac up front and detroit locker in back.

Now to save my money

 

Shop around, QT is the most expensive source in the modern world for Jeep parts, IMHO!!