After much debate in my mind which locker to go with I decided to go with the Spartan locker for the front axle. Few reasons why were easy install, comes with a new pin, and no need to reuse thrush washers. I figured it was a win. $255 shipped to my door.

Also bought some Alloy USA outer axle seals when I get my gears installed in a couple of weeks. Still working on the beefy shackle relocation brackets. Those are almost done and ready for install.

 

Here is a couple shots of the shackle relocation brackets. I still have a few more things to do to them before install but they are almost done. I made them so they would catch a couple of the hitch bolts in addition to being bolted up in the shackle pocket.

 

Well after who knows how many months since I purchased my 4.56 gears and Spartan locker and after much debate whether to install them myself or have them installed, they finally got installed this past Friday.

Will pick up the Jeep tomorrow from the shop that did it. Looking forward to this upgrade. Can't wait to see how well the locker works up front. Hope to see an increase in fuel mileage as well.

 

Got these bad boys to go with the new gears. Will be installing them after the 500 mile break in period/fluid change. They seem pretty beefy. I am happy with them.

 

I'm going to have to look over this whole build but for now I'm ready to go find the other four heater core bolts on the firewall

thank you

 

If you read through here, I wrote up the heater core replacement procedure. Its time consuming but not too bad of a job.

 

Well, picked up my Jeep this past Monday from getting the gears swapped. Stupid mechanic forgot to put friction modifier in my rear end. It went to squawling and carrying on. Picked up a tube of friction modifier, added 4 ounces to the rear and ta da, problem solved.

Also having some issues with the front diff. Actually the Spartan locker. Stupid thing is louder than what I think it should be. Left turns are not too bad but right turns cause the locker to really pop and crunch loud. I am hoping some thicker gear oil will resolve this issue. Will be changing out the diff fluids next weekend.Going 85w140 on both front and rear. Also installing the new Solid diff covers with higher fill plugs. Hoping the extra fluid in the front will quiet down the locker.

 

Been a while since I updated this thing. Guess I better get busy on some more mods/upgrades...

 

Did the thicker oil help with the noisy locker?

 

Yes it did. It made an immediate difference. Now that I have had it in a while it has gotten broke in and I don't even notice it unless maybe I get the steering in an extremely tight turn and then you get the usual pop when the springs unload. But that rarely happens.

I am happy with it.