Jooman07

After my last few trips on the trail I've made up my mind it's time to get some lockers. Looking on here I see where a lot of folks praise the Aussie and Spartan lunchbox style lockers. Most say they use them in their DDs with no issues. It may not be advisable but right now I am only able to do 1 at a time, however I plan on having them in front and rear before winter. I live in NE Ohio so it will see a decent amount of snow. I also have the 242 t-case and I've read some things about not being able to use Full-time with both front and rear locked. I used Full-time a good bit during the winter, but if I go this route, will I really need it anymore?

My question is, I know I have a D30 in the front and the 8.25 in the rear and I'm running 31's and don't really plan on going bigger than 33s if I lift it more than it is now. The ones I've seen offered for my rear are either 27 or 29 spline. Is there a way to tell without taking my diff cover off? (Years they were in, etc...) Mine is a 2000 Sport. I'm not sure what gears are in them either. They're factory I'm sure cause it was completely stock when I got it last year.

Another question is I see D30 lockers and High Pinion D30 lockers. I'm still fairly a newbie when it comes to driveline topics. What is the difference between a regular D30 and a HP D30. I'm not sure what gears would be in the front either.

This is my daily driver and I'm aware of the ratcheting noise they make in turns and such. From what I've read on here, I'm leaning more towards either the Spartan or Aussie locker due to the simplicity of install and cost. My questions about the rear being a 27 or 29 spine are what is holding me up. I could probably just take the cover off and count them but I'd like to avoid doing that until I have the lockers ready to install. I've watched several install videos and they all seem pretty straight forward. Just none of them address whether theirs is a 27 or 29 spline or the difference. I'm sure this has been addressed numerous times on here, and I got most of the info from here as well. I just need some input on how to pick the right lockers for what I have.

Fred/N0AZZ

In the 2000's the rear 8.25 is a 29 spline and the front is the weaker/lower clearance and less desirable LPD30. Last year for the HPD30 were up to 99's and 29 spline Chy 8.25 were 97-01's.

Jooman07

That's what I was thinking. Just needed some verification.

So now, I've seen where people don't like having only the front locked because it has funny steering. I could probably deal with it if it's nothing to drastic. My only concern is handling in snow. I like the benefit of having full-time use with my 242. So if I put lunchbox lockers in the front and rear would that basically accomplish the same thing as it being in full-time? Some have said that doing this you will not be able to use full-time anymore due to tires skipping and such. Which wouldn't be good while on snow or ice. Or would it be better to put a lunchbox locker in the rear and call it a day? The wheeling I do isn't over large rocks really. Hills yeah and over other obstacles.

toasterknight

Lunchbox lockers make full time really hard to drive. I would wait and put a selectable up front and a Detroit tru trac in the rear but that's quite a bit of coin to have done.

Jooman07

Yeah it is outside my budget at the moment. That's why I was thinking lunchbox lockers. If I can still use the full-time with just one in the rear, I may just put a selectable up front later on.

toasterknight

Since its a budgetary issue I would step back and see if you really need a locker for what you wheel now. If you do a lunchbox in the rear will work. If you don't I would save for a while so you can do it properly and do it once. Yes a single lunchbox in the rear will work. It's not an elegant solution but it will do the job. It's up to you what you do. I just try to share my experiences and research in an unbiased way so you can make the best decision for yourself.

Jooman07

I'm still debating on what I would like to do, if anything at all. One question that I have came across is will the ring gear from a HP Dana 30 mesh with the pinion in that of a LP Dana 30 like I have? There is a guy selling one close to me that is out of an 88 XJ Dana 30. He is selling the ring gear with it.

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/pts/5155665490.html

toasterknight

If you do that just put the Aussie locker in your carrier. It's a bad idea to mix gear sets in most situations.

Jooman07

That was my general consensus. So I guess I'll keep looking since he only wants to sell it as a package.

toasterknight

That's still a good deal. You can remove it from that carrier and install it in your.

Jooman07

Oh I know. If he sells it separate I'll probably buy it then though.

toasterknight

I'm confused here. Why would it matter if he sells it separately or not?

Jooman07

Cause hopefully it would be even cheaper.

Jooman07

I'm gonna buy this one off this guy and give it a try. For only $150 it's a pretty good deal. I'll run one in the front for a little bit and see if I like it. If not then oh well, I'll take it out and maybe put a select-able one in.

Since I'm gonna try and go with this used one, would it be a good idea to get some new thrust washers to go with it? Aussies instructions I believe say you can reuse the old ones.

Fred/N0AZZ

A HPD30 gear WILL NOT FIT in a LPD30 case period they run in different directions one is reverse cut gears. I don't know about the lockers but you better check first before buying, I really don't think so.