I wouldn't recommend a used locker, hardware could be missing, who knows if it was abused ect. If its a dd ARB is the way to go

 

What all you need for an arb locker system? Locker, air-compressor,...? I found a used arb locker. As far as quality goes could this still be a good locker? Granted that all the parts are there?

 

I'd throw a front locker in it. Even with a lunchbox locker you'll never know its there when in 2WD, but you'll have both front tires pulling in 4 wheel drive. That's what I'm going to do, is put a lock rite up front and leave the rear open until I swap the rear axle.

I wouldnt put a used locker in mine though, you never know what its been through.

 

Seriously.

If you dd it then go with only a selectable rear locker.
If your looking for best of the best then an ARB air locker is what you want..but be prepared to drop a 1000 dollar bill.
If you want selectable, still strong, and a good locker for a bit less...go with a Yukon zip locker for a couple hundred less.

If you can afford 2k then just do selectable front and rear....if 2k is out of your budget and you wanna lock the front then a lunchbox locker will get it done and won't affect your daily commuting..

So here are your options:
front spartan: 250
Front spartan rear arb: 1400
Front and rear arbs: 2200+
You get the idea

 

Thanks for all the info. My XJ has the select-a-trac or whatever its called so I have the option of full-time 4x4 (essentially AWD) in addition to your normal 4X4 options. I have this engaged pretty much all winter so just locking the front with a full time locker may not work as great for me. I might still do it though.

 

Lockers get ya into trouble,
Winches get ya out.

 

Truth.

 

You can't run the Full time option on the street with a front auto locker.

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1011776

 

Why not

 

Full-time allows the drivetrain to run at different speeds, which means you can turn on pavement without binding. An auto locker would "lock" the front as if you were in part time.
Either a limited slip, or a selectable locker for the front if you have/want to use your full-time capability.

 

Wat.
Full time means you can drive on pavement without binding your tcase. A locker only locks the front two wheels together to feed them both the same power constantly, it doesn't have anything to do with the tcase being in 4WD or AWD (except a lunchbox won't lock unless there is power to it). It would be difficult to turn on dry pavement because both wheels would be wanting to spin at the same speed constantly, but it wouldn't harm anything unless you had weak sauce axle shafts or r/p. Regardless, you shouldn't need AWD or 4WD on pavement anyway.

 

I use the AWD on the roads in the winter because they often have a thin layer of ice and/or snow on them and its on an off; clear for a hundred feet then icy for 200. It just gives much greater control on these types of surfaces. I could alter my driving habits though to accommodate a front locker. I'm thinking that is the way I'm going to end up going. What is it exactly that make lockers worse than open differentials on ice?

 

I think I'm decently set up to get myself out of a situation for now; a winch will come someday. But for now I want to make it harder for me to get myself stuck.

 

Thing is the locker will get you in some nasty places where youll have to have a winch lol

 

I put in a rear locker first and love it! This jeep goes so much better. I do daily drive it and if it's going to be slick or already snowing I pull back the transfer case shifter one click and no issues... next up is 33s over my 32s...