I endure the shame of driving a 2WD Jeep because mine has been in the family for 3 generations (we're half Polish... go figure) and has been taken very good care of, especially the engine (only 151,000 miles) which I am very proud of.

Actually I've done quite a bit of wheeling in this thing, at least more than you'd expect a 2WD is capable of, especially one with an open diff. I live in central Florida so although we have plenty of mud and clay, the trails are mostly a treacherous sand. I'm probably preaching to the choir here but it never ceases to amaze me what the right tire pressures and a gentle throttle can do, and I've climbed massive hills of sugar sand my buddies SWORE was impossible.

Anyways, all that aside I'm definitely going to convert this turd into a 4x4. Now, while wheeling I've gotten stuck so many times its not fun anymore, and they've all been because of my open diff. So, I figured that while I don't have the time to convert to 4x4 right now (I DD this Jeep) I could at least install a lunchbox locker and not have to endure the embarrassment of getting stuck in moist grass or whatever because of this horrendous open diff.

At the same time, when I think about all the places I've been with 2WD and an open diff just by being smart with my tire pressures and driving techniques, I wonder if I wouldn't be perfectly happy with the comparatively immense capability I'd gain with a 4x4 conversion alone, without having to deal with the street driving complications of a lunchbox locker in my rear diff.

What do you guys recommend? Install a lunchbox locker now so I'm decently capable until I can convert to 4x4 in a few months, or wait until I'm done with the 4x4 conversion and decide if I still want the locker?

 

I'd throw the locker in before I'd convert to 4wd.

The difference between locked and open is so vast that most people can't comprehend till they've experienced it.

I had a 4wd 04' tacoma with a selectable locker. I virtually never used the 4wd with the locker engaged because I simply didn't need it. It handled the dunes and the mud and most trails with ease with a locked rear differential. The exception being the rocks.

I took a tremendous amount of joy watching my friends bury their lifted "4wd" diesels with open diffs in the sand while I spun donuts around them in 2wd.

I'm willing to bet good money that simply locking your rear will 99% of your needs. It's also a lot cheaper and wayyyyyy les work.

 

Thanks for the response man. Have you tried any steep inclines in 2WD? Sand, gravel or anything wet? I've only had a chance to try sand inclines, which actually seem to get easier after it rains.

Also, in what kind of terrain or situations do you absolutely need 4WD?

I'd still like to eventually convert to 4x4, but knowing I could get far enough (for Florida trails) with a locker would be nice peace of mind until then.

 

Momentum is your friend in 2wd.

It's the gnarly trails and rock crawling that truly need 4wd

 

Define gnarly trails? Compared to most everyone here I'm new to wheeling.

Surprised there aren't more people weighing in on this matter, in fact I nearly expected a debate. Are lockers that powerful?

 

As stated above, I would recommend a lunchbox locker hands down..

Best $300 mod you could do with some friends and basic tools.

The best mod I ever made to my trail rig was a 2wd Low Range coversion... most of the time in the summer I don't need 4wd.. so technically with some larger tires, clearance and a lunchbox you could get around, but again as stated above momentum is your friend!

It all comes down to your end-game plans and money....

 

Good stuff. My end-game plans are to keep this XJ running well and in decent shape for the next few years until I'm done with school and can afford to buy another car as my DD, at which point the XJ will become a dedicated trail rig.

 

I dont own a cherokee yet. But you should consider what size tires you wanna run. If you wanna run bigger tires in the future you should get a stronger axle and lock that instead of locking your stock axle and than deciding you wanna run bigger tires because it will probably not hold up.

 

Good point. I've got the Chrysler 8.25 rear axle. Is this strong enough for 33" tires and a locked diff?

 

Yep. Ive got the 8.25 on my 2wd XJ.Im locked an have 33's an she does fine. Just dont smash the skinny peddle like it ows ypu domthin.
You may want to regear down the road.
Ypu can do a lot with a 2wd locked. An its always fun to tell folk you made it through in a 2wd. Heres a pic

 

Yep the 29 spline 8.25's hold up to 35's locked with no issues I've ran mine locked in the rear on 33's for few years and on 35's. And I'm not easy on my rig either

 

If you don't own a XJ don't give any advise espically without knowing how stout the stock components are. The 8.25 is just as strong as a d44