93XJRay

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

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

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

I would still have to say front.

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

93XJRay

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

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

EndlessMtnFab

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

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

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

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

4.3L XJ

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

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

93XJRay

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

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.