hey guys just got a 89 xj and i have owned many wranglers but am new to the cherokee side and i love it so far this thing is awesome but i have some questions that i cant figure out first the specs
89 xj
6in rough country long arm suspension in front and 6in leafs in rear and disconect sway bar
4liter high out put motor
dana 60 locker in rear with a ford 9in and dana 30 locker in front

okay more specs later now to the first most ergent question obviously i know its locked so turning on road is a b**ch but when i turn real tight like when i turned in to a parking space this morning it smokes a lil not really sure where from but it smells like burnt rubber any ideas?

also i am very very sure that this is not the original motor considering jeep is 20years old and motor doesnt look drive or sound 6 years old any ideas on how to find out production date like what year jeep it came out of?

 

There will be a date on the side of the block. Can't remember which side. Did you buy it already lifted with the axle swap done?

 

yes i did i just got it two days ago from tenesse i live in florida gainesville 8 1/2 hour drive one way lol it was a long drive back but it actually rides great on road and amazing gas milage suprising enough

 

Well I hate to say that this is the reason everyone says never buy a lifted rig. You never know what the previous owner rigged up to make it work that will cost you big bucks to repair or replace. What type of axles does it have, because you are listing 3 different axles in the original post. Besides that the 89 4.0 had the Renix engine control system, the H.O. system did not come out until 91. If the po swapped the motor out with a H.O. then you could have a whole new set of issues. The blocks are the same, but the head, intake manifold, exhaust manifold, and sensors are different.

 

chairforce, it sounds as if the locker is locking up one of your tires when you turn tight, hence the burning rubber smell. For on road driving a switchable locker is better. I know its just what you got, you didn't install it, but I might try and remove it and put back to stock, or put a switchable locker in. If you don't mind burnin' up your tires however, smoke 'em while you got em!

 

first, make sure your 4wd shift lever is in the 2wd position.

what size tires are on your jeep. cause i doubt the dana 30 would handle anything more than a 31 inch tire if it's locked up and smoking that tire during a sharp turn on pavement. otherwise you'd be snapping axle shaft u-joints.

i think there is a different problem. unless it's the rear tire smoking...

also, if you have a dana60/ford 9 (609) rear axle, and a dana front, you would have two different width axles and different bolt patterns.

if in fact, you're definitely locked in the front while in 2wd, then i'd say your locker is facked and not releasing. take it out and see why. most likely the pins/springs are either fatigued or broken.

but i agree with the others, either return it to open diff, or get yourself a selectable locker as in either air, electric or cable (ox).

cheers.

oh, and pics, or it didn't happen. lol. no, seriously, how bout some pics...

 

This is a classic example of what can happen when locking a front axle with an automatic locker when you don't have locking hubs. They can become a real bear to drive on asphalt. It probably is working correctly, since it only does it when in a hard turn. I know, some of you will swear they have one that doesn't do this, but in reality there are many others that will say they have similar things happening. And of course welding a front end is even worse. If using automatic lockers, the only place to put them on an XJ is in the rear if of course you don't have the infamous D35. But even then, it will affect steering off road and tend to make you go in a straight line.

That is why it is best to just pony up and get the selectable locker in the first place and maintain your streetability, even in a trail rig. There are still times when off road you will wish the thing was off.

 

I just installed an aussie locker in my dana 30, and am having zero issues on the street in 2wd
(other than an alignment problem, which is not related) Some of us can't just go out and buy $600+
lockers. For me at least, this sport is about having fun, not spending money I don't have.

 

Go over your rig with a "fine tooth comb" and find out whats been done to it mod wise.
I think you mean "detroit locker" in the rear?